"The Lower Refugee"

I had applied for the residency in 2004, and was offered the month of May 2005 at the Montana Artists Refuge.  The idea of having one entire month to do beadwork was a dream come true.

I do not make a living as an artist.  I work full time to help support myself and my family, and dedicate one or two days a week to beadwork.  Having even three days in a row to work in my studio is a luxury.  A month?  Outstanding!

I did as much research as I could on the refuge, even contacting other artists who had been there to ask them for any advice they could offer.  I hope that this website in part serves as a means for future refugees to plan their stay in Basin.
I live in Seattle, and so drove myself and my supplies from Seattle, WA to Basin, MT.

I drove across Chinook Pass into Naches and Yakima.

I passed through the basalt hills and valleys that lead to Kahlotus (right)...

...and stopped for a break at Palouse Falls (right), which was packed with tourists.

I've been to Palouse Falls many times over the years, and during all my visits hiking or camping there, it never struck me as a destination for busloads of tourists, which it now apparently has become.

I took two days to travel, and spent the night in McCall, Idaho.

The cottage on the left was too big.

The cottage on the right was too small.

The cottage in the middle was just right!

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 To contact Rebecca, email her:
rr "at" rebeccaroush.com

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 Visit Rebecca's art Web site.