On March 20, 2025 at the annual Museums Association of Montana (MAM) Conference in Bozeman, Nicole Maria Evans, Interim Executive Director/Chief Curator & Director of Curatorial Affairs at Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art (The Square), was awarded the 2024 Jack Lepley Museum Person of the Year Award.
Since 2019 Evans’ outstanding contributions to the success of the museum have made a significantly positive and recognizable impact on the museum, the community of Great Falls, and the greater arts and culture communities of Montana.
The Jack Lepley Museum Person of the Year Award recognizes the contributions of a board member, staff member, or volunteer whose efforts have elevated the stature of their institution to high levels of excellence. Achievements in museum promotion, development, exhibit and interpretation design, community relations, or/and general service.
“I was nominated by individuals in the arts and museums, some anonymous and some very celebratory because they shared their written nomination with me,” said Evans. “I am thankful to them for seeing my passion, experience, knowledge and work as a museum professional. Others also saw me as a true museum advocate for the arts and The Square over the past 6 years. It’s important to be recognized for the good work we do in the field. Thank you!”
In 2024 Evans presented the spectacular exhibition, WITHIN: Louis Still Smoking & John Isaiah Pepion with related lectures and programming, all documented in a beautiful 96-page catalogue. Il MAESTRO! A Centennial Celebration: Works by Morton Levin traveled to the National Veteran’s Art Museum in Chicago, an institutional connection made via her friendship with artist Dr. Charles Smith. It was the first exhibition to travel out of Montana from Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art, with an accompanying catalogue, and a continuing tour schedule via the Montana Art Gallery Director’s Association (MAGDA) in 2026, and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library in 2027.
2024 was a wonderful year for gifts to the Museum’s collection, including works by Robert Harrison, Morton Levin, and Louis Still Smoking. 62 significant works of ceramic art and other media were donated by collectors Liz Gans and Rick Newby of Helena resulting in the exhibition Collecting Montana. This gift further necessitated a Curatorial Assistant, a position Evans created to manage collections data for the transfer to a new database system by June 2025.
During 2024, Evans continued to support the museum through her curatorial achievements as a guest speaker for the National Museum of the American Latino at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. through the Latin American Fellowship Alumni conference in October 2024. She spoke about Curating Art Exhibitions in Regional Art Museums, on a panel of outstanding curators and scholars in the arts who focus on a variety of curatorial projects. She also served on the event conference committee to organize, plan and execute the event.
In late October of 2024, Nicole was selected as Interim Executive Director of the museum, and in that position has served to oversee the museum, meet committee and Board needs, fulfill grant and event fundraising obligations. Evans also continues to work as Chief Curator and acting Registrar while also managing, training, and collaborating with amazing museum staff so that they may succeed and be appreciated for all their important work at the museum.
She has served on the Board of the Montana Art Gallery Directors Association, promoting access to contemporary art through traveling exhibitions since 2022. Evans community service work extends to the Great Falls Museum Consortium and Rotary of Great Falls. Evans has since been invited to serve on the Board of the Museums Association of Montana.
Jack Lepley (1928-2018) was truly committed and passionately protected culture and history in Fort Benton and Montana. Recognized for his service by the Montana Historical Society, MT Preservation Alliance, MT Tourism. His local and state community service led to recognition by many including the Montana Historical Society (Trustees Award and Board Member), MT Preservation Alliance (President’s Award), and MT Tourism Advisory Council (Award of Recognition). Jack was honored by his Sigma Chi fraternity with the National Significant Sig Award in 2003. He was instrumental in forming the MT Agricultural Center, erecting the Lewis and Clark Statue during the nation’s bicentennial, and creating the Shep Memorial. The Levee trail and the Levee signs are also the result of his efforts.
“Jack Lepley was truly committed and passionately protected culture and history in Fort Benton and Montana,” said Evans. “I’m so happy to be associated with this beloved individual.”
