Friday, January 25th, San Francisco’s Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) curator of painting and sculpture Janet Bishop will visit the Art Association for a free lunch time discussion. As I write this, I have inquiries out as to the precise format this discussion will take. No firm answers yet. The gathering is billed as a “brown bag lunch.” Bishop has her finger on the pulse of contemporary art in one of this country’s most acclaimed contemporary museums, in one of the country’s most diverse and creative cities. My hope is her talk is well-attended and that her time with us is structured; we’ll gain so much more if it is. So will Bishop.
What would YOU discuss with Janet Bishop?
SFMOMA is scheduled to close for two full years! The museum is being fully redesigned. While its doors are closed it will, according to the San Francisco Business Times’ Hannah Albarazi, create new exhibits at several external locations, and the museum will begin a large-scale expansion project later this year. Bishop is in charge of those exhibit projects, and she has said that SFMOMA “had been looking at ways to partner with its peer institutions and figured the museum’s closing would be a great opportunity to do so.”
(An aside:) SFMOMA’s gift shop is phenomenal. One of the best I’ve seen; I loaded up last time I visited. It is FUN! Good gift shops are like candy stores for art lovers—or should be. A destination in themselves. They should be stocked with irresistible items connected to exciting works, collections and exhibits, and you get to take them home! Shops should be beautifully laid out and merchandised. Many museums have satellite shops, and I’d still love seeing a NMWA satellite store in downtown Jackson. It would build awareness for visitors who’ve not yet been to the museum, create an impression of the institution, place it in visitors’ minds, entice them. (End of aside.)
Bishop is a featured guest at the fundraising “Triangle X Winter Art Weekend,” that includes, for $2,500, two days of “art, fabulous gourmet food and fine wine” at the Triangle X Ranch in Grand Teton National Park. The arts non-profit was Jackson’s original hub for fledgling artists, providing them a place to grow, work and show their art.
“This is a fundraiser to help support numerous free programs we do throughout the year, including hosting hundreds of local and regional artists to show in our gallery, and outreach programs to the elderly, youth-at-risk, very young, Latino, and children and adults with mental/physical/development challenges,” says Art Association Development Director Cathy Wikoff. Wikoff played a strong role in assuring that Bishop take part in a free community program.
Luckily, those of us lacking super funds for two days of arts and winter fun have the chance to meet Ms. Bishop. Though we won’t share the experience with the Park’s myriad winter wildlife residents, I’m looking forward to Friday! www.artassociation.org
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Mark your calendar: Wednesday & Thursday, March 6th & 7th, Public Art Workshops will be held at Jackson’s Center for the Arts. Multiple workshops are offered, and registration is required. Offered by Jackson Hole Public Art. For information phone 307-413-1474 or email [email protected] Supported in part by the Wyoming Arts Council.
Tammy Christel 
