It’s the season for pairing up out-of-state artists. Two Idaho artists are in town, and now the Art Association will feature the installations and paintings of Utah artists Jen Harmon Allen and Jennifer Rasmusson.
The show,Walking Shadows, goes on display November 5th; an opening reception takes place that evening 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the Art Association gallery space in the Center for the Arts.
Say “Yes” to the Dress! (my newly wedded sister’s favorite television show…)
Some kind of sarcophagal energy emanates from the images of Harmon’s empty suspended dress forms. Her work, along with Rasmusson’s, is described as playful—but consequential purpose must lie behind creativity manifesting as petrified, stony ceramic dresses. A soul has gone missing; this gridded floating dress is a specter, and a ravaged one at that. The show’s title hints at all of this. I want to knock on that dress, like I’d knock on a door or an old hollow tree. Harmon’s half of the show also includes an army of plaster legs.
Juxtaposed against these enigmatic sculptures are Rasmusson’s paintings–ranging from the realistic to the abstract–that explore “physical movements in time.” These paintings are actually layers of acrylic and oil paints, mixed with plaster. Both artists will offer classes, talks and programs in conjunction with the show—on display through December 30, 2010. Log onto the Art Association website for details.
Item #2:
It’s Father-Daughter Week for the Turner family.
November 3, 2010, former Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, International Environment & Scientific Affairs and third-generation Wyoming rancher John F. Turner will receive the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s
prestigious Rungius Medal. The Rungius, named for artist Carl Rungius, recognizes individuals significantly adding to “…the public’s awareness of wildlife and the habitat necessary for its survival.” The ceremony takes place at 10:30 am, at the Museum’s Cook Auditorium. Turner, whose numerous accomplishments on behalf of the natural world include establishing 55 new National Wildlife Refuges, will be awarded the medal at 10:30 a.m.
“With his strong record of protecting wildlife, habitat and natural resources on a national level as well as his personal deep connection to the land, John F. Turner is a perfect candidate for our Rungius Medal, and we’re honored to be presenting him with it,” said Jim McNutt, National Museum of Wildlife Art president and CEO.
Carl Rungius is widely considered to be America’s most important portrayer of wildlife and their habitat. The ceremony is free and open to the public–but an rsvp is appreciated. Send yours to Shawn Meisl at 303.732.5449 or by email at [email protected]
There’s little doubt that Turner’s daughter, Kathryn Mapes Turner, will be in attendance. A noted painter, Kathy’s landscapes and portraits of wildlife have been making the rounds. She has participated and won awards in multiple venues this fall. Those venues include NMWA’s 23rd Western Visions Show; Jackson Hole’s Fall Arts Festival “Quick Draw”; Wisconsin’s Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum “Birds in Art” International Exhibition; Lexington, Kentucky’s American Academy of Equine Art-2010 Fall Open Juried Exhibition; Nashville, Tennessee’s American Impressionist Society “11th Annual National Juried Exhibition”; and…(big breath!) Great Falls, Montana’s C.M. Russell Museum’s “Masters in Miniature Show.”
Turner is represented locally by Trio Fine Art.
Tammy Christel 
