The National Museum of Wildlife Art (NMWA) holds an Open House at the Teton County Library for its new Sculpture Trail on Thursday, February 24, 4-6:00 pm. Free and open to the public, it is a chance to test your public art chops; and feel involved with creating Jackson’s first permanent, landscaped outdoor sculpture garden designed by urban landscape and site architect Walter Hood. Drawings, overview plans and various schematics will be available to view. Special laptops will be provided so that attendees can participate in a survey about the garden’s design. Museum representatives will be on hand.
In a May, 2009 post we wrote that “…the Museum says the trail will provide new ways for visitors to view wildlife art within a landscape; sculptor Richard Loffler’s Buffalo Trail will be part of the project. An amphitheater will replace the current drive at NMWA’s entrance and an “edge trail” will run along the east ledge of the current visitor’s parking area. Hood’s hope has always been to meld NMWA’s vantage point and contoured landscapes with views of the Elk Refuge, creating a greater visceral connection between the two sites.”
In a three-part Jackson Hole Art Blog interview with Hood, the Oakland-based landscape designer expressed high hopes for the project. “If the landscape itself was powerful enough it could move people in fantastic ways,” said Hood. “That is what I am interested in. Standing out on NMWA’s hill, is there a way to allow a visitor to be in the Refuge? It is possible. NMWA’s architecture builds on the idea that it is “with the landscape,” and ironically that is one of the issues they are dealing with.” He added that he felt he could “….scale and shift existing landscape, so that art as well as the landscape is legible.”
“Attempt to eliminate design dichotomy, the experience of being either here, or there – either at the museum or in the landscape; either in Jackson or in the landscape,” Hood advised.
NMWA’s Sugden Curator of Education Jane Lavino worked closely with Hood on the project. “The museum’s new sculpture trail will directly connect to the North Highway 89 Pathway Project, a new branch of the Pathways system planned to lead from the north end of Jackson to Grand Teton National Park,” she says. “An underground tunnel will provide access to the museum, creating an inviting opportunity to mix culture and outdoor activity for bicyclers.”
Contact Jane Lavino or call (307) 732-5417 for more information.
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Friday, March 4, artist Kathryn Mapes Turner will lead 2011’s Federal Junior Duck Stamp program at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. A valued annual arts and conservation tradition, the program provides opportunity for youth to learn more about duck species and their habitats through art. Students will begin creating their entries for the 2011 contest, hosted by NMWA. Workshops are organized by age and take place in the Chrystie and Esperti Classrooms.
9:30AM – 12:00PM: K – 5th grade students.
1:00 – 3:30PM: 6 – 12th grade students.
Pre-registration is required. Call (307) 732-5435 to register. Museum Members $20, non-members $25.
Tammy Christel 
