“Jackson is one of the top three Western Art Markets: Santa Fe, Scottsdale, Jackson. It’s not quantifiable, but we may even be outpacing Scottsdale for both Western and Contemporary Western art. What other great Western art markets could there be?” ~Astute J.H. Gallery Owner.
Last year’s Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival poster artist Amy Ringholz expanded Fall Arts Festival artist parameters. This year, Legacy Gallery’s Jason Rich has been selected~~his composition falls into the illustration-based genre of painting, a more traditional choice. But I must say I think the work reflects a deep joy and pride Westerners take in being a part of a very specific culture and region: our region. Rich’s light is gold-warm, his painting dimensional, and the way Rich has painted the Tetons, softly but with a strong distant profile, reminds me of the best kind of nurturing mother. Mother Nature. Tenderness and togetherness are expressed. Congratulations, Jason! And congrats to Legacy Gallery, where Rich hangs his artistic hat. www.legacygallery.com
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Dear Erin O’Connor~~How I wish I could accompany you on your painting trip to Morocco! To be as intrepid as you, what a joy! Thank you of thinking of my two bunnies~~~they don’t wear fancy hats for Easter, but they will eat one if the hat’s made of straw.
Jackson plein air painter Erin O’Connor is off to Marrakesh, where she will explore the narrow passages of the old city, Medina, easel on her back. She’s looking forward to “acquainting herself with the local bacteria” and plans on enjoying as much local, spiced fare as possible. She’ll then head off across the Marrakesh Plain, into the High Atlas Mountains. She’ll “4×4” it, she’ll hike it, and she plans on reaching “remote villages, waterfalls, springs and shrines to saints.” Plein air artist Aaron Schuerr, of Livingston, Montana, will accompany her on part of the trip; this arrangement was made by the Atlas Cultural Foundation. They’ll stay with a local sheik.
They’ll witness a goat sacrifice. Will Erin paint a goat sacrifice? You’ll have to visit www.roastagoat.com to find out. (I’m just joshing, E.C. brings it out in me!)
She and Schuerr will give art lessons to children in the region. I can’t wait to see the work Erin brings back, and I hope we get a chance to see Aaron’s, too. She hits the road as this post goes public. Erin and Aaron, travel safely and with abandon! www.oconnorscapes.com
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Upcoming: Meg Daly’s next Culture Front gathering takes place Wednesday, March 27th, 5:30 pm, at The Rose. This month’s theme: “New Frontier: Artists Re-Imagining the West,” with guest artists Travis Walker, Abbie Miller, Kelly Halpin and Tony Birkholz leading the discussion. Free, open to the public, but you must be 21 or over to attend!
Examining the West’s endless identities is an activity Jackson artists rarely cease, and the evening’s presentation is sure to be content-rich! Certain artists stand out on the Greater Yellowstone Region’s arts history “timeline.” Many are deceased American masters; many are working today. We’re making Western art history right here, right now. For more information, contact Meg Daly at [email protected] www.jhculturefront.org
Tammy Christel 
