Roundup Record Tribune & Winnett Times -

44 cash prizes totaling over $100,000 will be awarded to Paint the State artists.

Paint the State images and messages inspiring drug-free lives are on display across Montana.

August 28, 2023, Missoula, Mont. - Today the Montana Meth Project announces the winners of its Paint the State art contest, including three grand prize winners who will each receive $10,000. The Meth Project will award 44 statewide and regional prizes, totaling more than $100,000, to Paint the State artists.

Earlier this year, the Meth Project invited teens and adults to participate in Paint the State and use their creativity to inspire vibrant drug-free lives in their communities. More than 100 public works of art with the Meth Project's "Not Even Once" message can now be seen across the state. The winning artwork and the Paint the State 2023 gallery of entries can also be viewed at PaintTheState.org.

The three statewide grand prize winners include:

Julianne Landgren from Musselshell County, winner of the Teen Division, whose 34 x 10-foot mural "Life is Beautiful without Meth" includes a vibrant rendering of the Montana state flower and bird, the Western Meadowlark and Bitterroot flower.

Casandra Lamas from Hill County, winner of the Adult Division, whose 20 x 15-foot mural features a giant butterfly and the Cree words "Nah-wah-so-nah Pi-mah-ti-si-win (Nawasona Pimatisiwin)" meaning "Choose Life."

The Valier Middle School team from Pondera County, winner of the People's Choice Award, whose 20 x 10-foot mural "Get Hooked on Montana, Not Drugs" mural was created by students in Stacey O'Neal's 7th and 8th grade health class and depicts a Montana nature scene and fishing.

The Teen and Adult Division winners were selected by a panel of distinguished judges including Commander John Herrington, the first Native American astronaut in space from Marion, Mont.; Kira Fercho, an acclaimed impressionist artist from Billings; and Caleb Meyer, an esteemed oil painter from Missoula. The People's Choice Award winners were determined in online public voting.

"What struck me in viewing the Paint the State artwork was the feeling of hope. When we have hope, we can find the escape out of a tough situation," said Commander Herrington, a retired Naval and NASA officer and an ambassador for the Chickasaw Nation who volunteered as a Paint the State judge. "These incredible art pieces can help us perceive the support of a community showing us a brighter path. It's my personal hope that people are inspired by these amazing works of art and that all Montanans find their passion to live high on life, not on drugs."

Paint the State entries were created by individual artists, students, members of youth groups, as well as members of recovery groups and individual Montanans who are in recovery. The online gallery at PaintTheState.org includes the story behind each entry with appreciation for the community members who supported the artists.

"Paint the State is truly a community effort. Behind each participant are people who offered locations, supplies and moral support to undertake such massive projects," said Amy Rue, executive director of the Montana Meth Project. "From all the artist thank yous, we estimate nearly 5,000 Montanans, including business owners, family members and community supporters joined the effort to spread the 'Not Even Once' message and make these art pieces possible with direct support to their hometown artists."

Paint the State is supported completely by private funding. In addition to the businesses and individuals who donated directly to the artists, supporters include the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation, Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, Gianforte Family Foundation, Stockman Bank, Town Pump, Gilhousen Family Foundation and Pennmont Foundation. Donations can be made to support ongoing Meth Project programs at MontanaMeth.org.

About Paint the State

Paint the State is a program of the Montana Meth Project. Initially launched in 2006, this statewide public art contest leverages the creativity and passion of Montanans to communicate the risks of Methamphetamine use and inspire vibrant drug-free lives. Through the contest, hundreds of monument-sized public works of art with the "Not Even Once" message have been created across Montana. PaintTheState.org.

About the Montana Meth Project

The Montana Meth Project is a large-scale prevention program aimed at reducing first-time teen Meth use through public service messaging and community outreach. Since its founding in 2005, first-time teen Meth use in Montana has declined 77%. The nonprofit was founded by businessman and philanthropist Tom Siebel as a private-sector response to Montana's critical public health issue. It has been named the 3rd most effective philanthropy in the world by Barron's in its global ranking. MontanaMeth.org

TITLE: Life is Beautiful Without Meth

ARTIST(S): Julianne Landgren

DIVISION: Teen - Southeast Montana

Affiliation: Roundup H S

Artist(s): Julianne Landgren

Description / Inspiration: I've always been passionate about using my art to make a positive impact in the world. When I learned about the devastating effects of meth use, I knew that I wanted to use my artistic talents to help raise awareness about this issue. Throughout this mural I used acrylic paint and spray paint. I always loved looking at the beauty of things. This is why I chose to use a beautiful scenery as my background with the phrase "Life is Beautiful Without Meth". I included the Montana state flower and bird, the Western Meadowlark and Bitterroot flower to add to the beauty that Montana has without Meth involved. By creating a mural for meth awareness, I hope to educate others about the dangers of this drug and inspire them to make healthy choices.

County: Musselshell

Location: Non operable carwash on 1st Ave West