Campeau a champion of the art movement in Butte

By The Standard Staff - 06/30/2007

Featured artist Ray Campeau of Bozeman, originally from Butte, received his undergraduate degree and master’s degree from Montana State College.

He is responsible for many ambitious art events around the state of Montana and is a champion of the art movement in Butte. He is a founder of the Butte Phantom Gallery Art Walks, now in its fourth year. He has been the featured artist coordinator for the art walks for the last four years.

His awards include the Governor’s Arts Award for Visual Arts among others. Some of artwork has been featured in publications including “Montana Arts Magazine’’ and the “Arts in Montana.’’

Campeau is a founding member of the Mainstope Gallery, 45 W. Park, in Butte. He also was instrumental in the creation of art studios at Studio 41, 41 W. Park, with a cooperative agreement with the building owners to rent the space to artists.

He has studios in Butte and Bozeman and paints professionally in watercolor. His watercolor paintings have been shown in numerous places in the state.

A true inspiration in the arts, Campeau has served in leadership positions in many Montana arts organizations, including Montana Institute of the Arts, Montana Art Education Association and Montana Arts Council.

As an educator, Campeau taught art classes and workshops throughout the state for many years. He has retired from teaching and spends much of his time in Butte where he is active in restoring the arts in Butte.