Hamilton Made in Montana Member Wins Bag Design Contest for the 2027 Made in Montana Trade Show
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HELENA, Mont. – Made in Montana member Wendy Holsapple of Laughing Mule Press in Hamilton was announced today as the first Made in Montana Bag Design Contest winner for the annual Made in Montana Trade Show in Helena.
"The Made in Montana planning committee juried applications recently and is proud to announce Wendy Holsapple as the winner," said Made in Montana Program Manager Jessica John. "Along with her design being used for the 2027 Made in Montana Trade Show for Food and Gifts bags, Wendy will receive a complimentary booth at the show."
This is the first year the Montana Department of Commerce's MIM Program hosted the bag design contest, which was open to MIM members. The design contest for the 2028 MIM Trade Show bag will accept entries from MIM members beginning next August.
The 2027 MIM Trade Show will be held Saturday, April 17, 2027 at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds at 98 West Custer Ave. in Helena from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All attendees will receive a complimentary bag featuring Holsapple's design.
Applications for booths at the 2027 MIM Trade Show open Oct. 1, 2026 at 9 a.m. and close on Oct. 31, 2026 at midnight. Members who have been a part of the MIM Program for at least three months prior to the application start date are encouraged to apply.
Laughing Mule Press features three galleries with more than 187 pieces of art featuring quiet moments, strong spirits and the lives animals live alongside us. Holsapple's work is inspired by and explores the stories, humor and individuality of the animals that cross her path. Her practice spans hand-pulled linocut prints, digital illustration, cold-wax-enhanced works and playful sculptural paper pieces. Many pieces are framed in wood logged with her mules, which brings her life, work and respect for animals full circle.
Commerce’s Made in Montana Program helps Montana businesses develop and market their products both in and out of the state. The program, which also includes Grown in Montana and Native American Made in Montana, helps build recognition for products that are authentically Montana.
"The Made in Montana planning committee juried applications recently and is proud to announce Wendy Holsapple as the winner," said Made in Montana Program Manager Jessica John. "Along with her design being used for the 2027 Made in Montana Trade Show for Food and Gifts bags, Wendy will receive a complimentary booth at the show."
This is the first year the Montana Department of Commerce's MIM Program hosted the bag design contest, which was open to MIM members. The design contest for the 2028 MIM Trade Show bag will accept entries from MIM members beginning next August.
The 2027 MIM Trade Show will be held Saturday, April 17, 2027 at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds at 98 West Custer Ave. in Helena from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All attendees will receive a complimentary bag featuring Holsapple's design.
Applications for booths at the 2027 MIM Trade Show open Oct. 1, 2026 at 9 a.m. and close on Oct. 31, 2026 at midnight. Members who have been a part of the MIM Program for at least three months prior to the application start date are encouraged to apply.
Laughing Mule Press features three galleries with more than 187 pieces of art featuring quiet moments, strong spirits and the lives animals live alongside us. Holsapple's work is inspired by and explores the stories, humor and individuality of the animals that cross her path. Her practice spans hand-pulled linocut prints, digital illustration, cold-wax-enhanced works and playful sculptural paper pieces. Many pieces are framed in wood logged with her mules, which brings her life, work and respect for animals full circle.
Commerce’s Made in Montana Program helps Montana businesses develop and market their products both in and out of the state. The program, which also includes Grown in Montana and Native American Made in Montana, helps build recognition for products that are authentically Montana.
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