Seeing the Unseen is a limited edition fine art print which has been faithfully reproduced from an acrylic on panel painting that was completed by artist Monte Dolack in 2026. The 40" x 30" painting was commissioned by a generous donor to the organization and is part of a private collection

Seeing the Unseen Limited Edition Fine Art Print was produced in 2026.  The edition size is 125 fine art prints and 15 artist proofs. The print was produced by Marcy James at Paper and Ink in Missoula Montana.  The digital image is conserved on Canson Infinity archival paper. The image size of the print is 24" x 15" and the paper size of the print is 24" x 20"

To purchase the print from the Flathead Lake Biological Station please follow this link Seeing the Unseen Limited Edition Fine Art Print

Your purchase of the print benefits Flathead Lake Biological Station research, monitoring and education. The price of the limited edition fine art print is $400. If you need the print mailed the charge for shipping and handling is $50 and you can also pick up your print directly from FLBS in Polson Montana

Please read the artist statement on the project as follows: "As an artist, I see a natural connection between what scientists discover and what artists can communicate. Science helps us understand the unseen; art can help us see it, feel it, and appreciate why it matters.

This painting celebrates the remarkable relationship between art and science and the important work being done at the University of Montana's Flathead Lake Biological Station.

Above the water, we see the familiar beauty of Flathead Lake: its expansive blue waters, forested shores, distant mountains, and the warm light of an evening sky. A research vessel moves across the lake, carrying scientists whose work helps us understand and protect these precious waters.

Beneath the surface, another world comes into view. Phytoplankton and zooplankton—tiny organisms, often invisible to the naked eye—are brought into the painting as colorful, intricate forms. Though small, these organisms play enormous roles in aquatic ecosystems. Phytoplankton form the foundation of many aquatic food webs and contribute to the production of oxygen. Zooplankton feed on phytoplankton and help transfer energy through the food web. Together, they are essential indicators of the health and balance of freshwater ecosystems.

By combining recognizable landscapes with imaginative scientific imagery, I wanted to make visible the extraordinary life that exists just beneath the surface. The painting invites viewers to look beyond the beauty of the lake and consider the complex, interconnected systems that sustain it.

The Flathead Lake Biological Station has been advancing freshwater science and education since 1899. Its researchers study aquatic ecosystems, monitor environmental change, and collaborate with scientists and institutions around the world. Their work helps us better understand the challenges facing freshwater resources and informs efforts to protect water quality and the health of aquatic life, both locally and globally.

My hope is that this painting inspires a deeper appreciation for the hidden life within our waters and for the dedicated researchers working to understand, preserve, and protect one of our most precious resources."

Monte Dolack November 2026

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