The “Go With The Flow” Kite Exhibit is in honor of the volunteer spirit of Yellowstone River Parks Association, which has helped build up more than 2,000 acres of public natural parks, and miles of connecting trails, in Yellowstone County. The Exhibit is organized and curated by Billings artist Terry Zee Lee.
The 18 kites all made an appearance at the 45th annual American Kitefliers Association festival in Seaside, Oregon the second week of September, both as individual kites and as a group. They earned multiple awards, including the top festival award for a kite by John Burkhardt called “Big Sky, Big River.”
The kite exhibit is generously supported by the Harry L Willett Foundation, with additional support from First Interstate Bank.
More information about Terry Zee Lee and her kite work, including education programs and internationally-recognized exhibits, can be found at https://www.zeeleekites.com/
Kites and Kite Builders
1. Jon Burkhardt. Bethesda, Maryland “Big Sky, Big River”
Jon’s large 5’ x 9’ contemporary interpretation of the Yellowstone River system won the Grand National Championship at the American Kitefliers Association’s 2024 National Convention. The vivid colors and perfect flying ability dominated the skies at Seaside, making it shine above all the others. It can be viewed at the downtown Valley Credit Union Building.
2. John Pollock. Billings, Montana “Osprey”
Four time Grand National winner John Pollock created a 4’ x 6’ showstopper with his two views of an osprey diving into the water, capturing a fish. John’s unique watercolor painting techniques are now used worldwide. Look for this kite in the lobby when entering the Brew Pub in downtown Billings.
3. Ron Bohart. Tigard, Oregon. “The Founders of YRPA”
Ron’s wonderful ability to put lifelike portraits of people onto kite fabric was recognized in his 10’ rokkaku that features three of YRPA’s founders: Norm Schoenthal, Jean Smith and Earl Guss. The Yellowstone River flows down the middle of his beautiful kite and all the park land is featured The kite was placed at the Dover Activity Center and will be used to educate many people about the beginnings of YRPA 33 years ago.
4. Mike Mosman Columbia, Maryland “YRPA Rocks”
The ”Complete Kite Package” designed a unique, new form of kite for the exhibit. Called a Mosman Modified Roller, this 5’ x 3’ kite features a unique bungee tensioning system, innovative bow lines that include chemotherapy infusion tube clamps and a main sail featuring a graphic pulled from the YRPA site and printed by Ken Conrad. Of course it won the Most Innovative award at the 2024 National Convention in Seaside. Located in the Billings Community Foundation building.
5. Ron Ortega Vancouver, Washington “Jewel of the Yellowstone”
Ron used the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone Park as his inspiration for a stunning 8’ multi-pieced ripstop kite that flew beautifully at Seaside during the preview flight of the YRPA kites. The name refers to the spring at the centerpiece of the Yellowstone Park geyser system and also to the YRPA park system being the jewel of Yellowstone River. Find it at Rock 31, the Big Sky Economic Development Incubator Building downtown.
6. Alexa King Mt. Vernon, Washington “Dusk Fishing”
Once again, Alexa has caught a poignant moment in time with her 6’ kite showing a fly fisherman casting his rod into the Yellowstone River with the dusky pink colors of the Montana sky behind him. As usual, it flies perfectly. It is located at the 1st Interstate Bank in the Heights.
7. Adam Grow. Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania “Four Seasons of the Yellowstone”
Past President of the AKA, Adam Grow’s 4’ x 8’ appliquéd ripstop nylon kite shows the snow covered mountains at the top. The springtime colors appear below, followed by muted summer and earthtone fall, with more snow at the bottom. The result is a beautiful kite that Adam says is the most complex piece of his kite making career. Located at 1st Interstate Bank at King Avenue West and Shiloh St.
8. Mitch Cordover Chesterfield, Missouri “We Are Still Here”
Mitch designed a seven sisters kite showing wildlife and birds that live in the YRPA system currently and also in the past when all the YRPA land was occupied by the Crow Nation. He copied the colors that the Crow people use in their painting and beadwork and included wildlife that has long term meaning and importance to them. The name reflects the fact that the Crow people are very much a part of our communities. Located in the Parmly Billings Library.
9. Chris Hanson Bellingham, Wa. Title
Combining strong colors, unusual animal and bird graphics and a tall shape that features the Yellowstone River, Chris created a striking 8’ appliquéd kite that held its own in the Oregon sky. Chris lives in a beautiful coastal college town and can be found flying his kites regularly at Bellingham Bay. His kite is located at the 1st Interstate Bank in the Heights
10. Cat Gabriel Seattle and Stillwater Oklahoma “Magpie”
Not content with the two stunning smaller magpies that she made for the Sacred Springs of Texas exhibit, Cat went even larger with a beautiful 5’ magpie that has iridescent feathers that shimmer when lights hit them. Magpies are found throughout the YRPA parks and are a beloved species. Appropriately, it hangs at the local Audubon Center.
11. Scott Skinner Monument, Colorado “The Birds of the Yellowstone”.
And again, not content to only make one kite for YRPA, Scott decided to make five of his hand pieced, woven Soda Dako? kites so that five of the most prevalent bird species found in the YRPA park system would be represented. An eagle, a jay, a falcon, a magpie and a hawk were deconstructed and reassembled, making complex collages of color and pattern that almost can take off and fly on their own. Located at the Billings Community Foundation.
12. Lia Burkhardt Chicago, Illinois “River Keeper”
When Lia, a talented art student and Jon Burkhardt’s niece, heard the long history of 90 something year old Don Wirth’s efforts to keep the YRPA parks clear of animal waste, she recognized a person worthy of a portrait painted onto a 6’ rokkaku kite. YRPA treasurer Jill Hickson took a photograph of Don and his current dog friend Rocky and sent it to Lia. River, his previous dog, is used in the title because Don is considered to be an ultimate River Keeper by all who know him. Located at the Audubon Center, next to the best dog park in the Country, on Norm Schoenthal Island.
13. Jose Saintz San Diego, California. “Animals of the Yellowstone”
Many years ago Jose bought some ceramic tiles when visiting Yellowstone Park. Jose’ adapted the striking animal graphics for use on his YRPA kite. All of the animal figures on his 6’ tall, five panel kite used to range or still do roam through the valley that makes up the YRPA system. His well flying kite reminds us that we are just short term visitors living in all this beauty.
His kite is displayed at 1st Interstate Bank at 2600 W Central
14. Sharon Musto Bentley, Alberta, Canada. “Duuptakoiche”
Picture a Bald Eagle flying right at you, with wings outspread on both sides, a soft forest behind him and water below. That explains the 8’ wide Genki that Sharon made, complete with a 10’ loop of tail that has her depiction of eagle feathers hanging from side to side. The kite’s name means Bald Eagle in the Crow language and can be seen in the downtown headquarters of 1st Interstate Bank.
15. Barbara Meyer Osseo, Minnesota “Both Sides of the River”
Barb, another past AKA president, is a very talented kite builder that chose a complex subject for the YRPA exhibit. On one side of the Yellowstone River is a large old tree. Then you see the river flowing by and on the other side are the multi colored parcels of multi-use land. This contemporary take on the land surrounding the YRPA parks show how the park system is an oasis of beauty in the middle of rural development. Find it at 1st Interstate Bank at King Ave. West and Shiloh.
16. David Butler Tigard, Oregon “Thunderstorms in Spring”
David specializes in miniature kites so was challenged by being asked to build a large one. He started by making, of course, a miniature one made with 200 year old bamboo and washi paper. The small hand painted kite was photographed and printed by Ken Conrad and made into a wonderful 3’ x 5’ Celtic looking creation that tells how everything turns green in the spring. Find it in the 1st Interstate Bank building at 2600 W. Central
17. Donna Houtchins Washington, Missouri “Monarchs and Milkweed”
Donna is very much a renaissance woman. Scientist, horse enthusiast (Go, Seize the Gray!) artist and innovator, Donna made an extremely beautiful 6’ Suruga, depicting three Montana native butterflies and two native types of their favorite plants. We chose to place it at eye level at the 1st Interstate Bank downtown in their lobby.
18. Deb Lenzen and Mike Shaw. Flagstaff, Arizona. “Snowy”
Everyone loves Snowy owls and Deb and Mike created a fabulous one. Eight feet tall and about three feet wide, Snowy has a saucy expression on her face and YRPA on the bottom of her tail. Deb created the owl and her husband Mike sparred and bridled the kite. It is now perched high up in the 1st Interstate Bank in Billings Heights.