I love the nostalgia and composition of just about every work included in Altamira Fine Art’s current exhibition, Across the Great Divide. When posting, I often begin by choosing images I wish to run and let my thoughts about the work flow from there. Not today. Can’t decide! I’m drawn to the landscapes and light, the mix of realism, fun and symbolism of this show’s storybook take on America.
Friday, May 27, 6-8 pm, stop by Altamira and meet the show’s featured artists: Howard Post and Dennis Ziemienski. The latter’s paintings are most obvious in their nostalgia, but Post’s golden landscapes connote the early West’s “land of promise.” I’m a sucker for that light and those dreams, and even more so now, having just returned from a marvelous trip to California. I thought the west coast light I knew as a child might be gone. It’s not. Thank
goodness there are artists working today who know that light–it abides not only in California but here in Wyoming (Summer time!!! Right now I’m turning into a mushroom!), in New Mexico, Arizona…and Montana. Luckily, these artists not afraid to recall and recreate.
Post and Ziemienski integrate brave primary color and geometric solidity; these elements project unabashed pride for subjects at hand. These are the most holy mountains and sunsets, the most emblematic skies and and winding rivers, the brightest and shiniest antique Chevrolet pick-ups, the comliest horses, the most robust cowboys.
Yes, it’s mythical. But it’s real. I can smell the light, the mountains, the oak trees. Embrace the romance. Across the Great Divide remains on display through June 12.
We’ll open with the red truck.
•
The Jackson Hole Historical Society’s website calendar is in French. Lundi, Mardi, Mercredi…
So, on Vendredi, 27 Mai, 2011, the Grand Opening of the Society’s New History Museum takes place. That day, enjoy free admission to the new museum, slated to be open year-round. Ribbon cutting at noon, and there are activities scheduled throughout the day. Plan on refreshments, joie de vivre and beaucoup histoire; view the opening exhibition, entitled PLAYING HARD: LABOR AND LEISURE IN JACKSON HOLE.
“Founded over 50 years ago by collector Slim Lawrence and entrepreneur Homer Richards, the Museum is a place where the Old West is still alive. Our exhibits capture the spirit and the culture of the early days of Jackson Hole, Grand Teton and the Yellowstone region, featuring an outstanding collection of American Indian artifacts, as well as fur trade era tools and firearms, and items from the ranching and pioneer settlement era,” notes the Museum.
The museum will remain open until 8:00 p.m. Refreshments, kids’ activity books, and more.
Still thinking about the French….and connecting to the spirit of the French fur traders….
For more information, click on the museum’s website, ici. 307.733.2414.
•
Artist and architect Eliot Goss recently opened an exhibition of his life drawings, Figures. The show remains on exhibit at Jackson’s Center for the Arts. If you visit Goss’ website, and click on the “Artist” side of his homepage, you will arrive at a lovely spot that not only talks about the exhibit but provides a video testimony to the talent behind it. Goss is interviewed; he discusses his process, priorities and goals as an artist. The video takes the viewer around the show, speaking with several notable creative locals who feel Goss has reached a new, successful artistic level.
Tammy Christel 
