Never just one Altamira artist opening a show at that gallery; two weeks ago a trio of artists kicked off the season. June 17-29th, two new shows with works by contemporary Western artists Dennis Ziemienski and Howard Post will be on exhibition.
Ziemienski’s “New Images of the Old West” and Post’s “Western Perspectives” share an opening reception at Altamira Fine Art on Thursday, June 20th, 5-8:00 pm. Works by these artists are bold; Ziemienski’s crisp, poster-bright paintings recall the best magazine advertising of bygone eras (were “Mad Men” set in the West, and the Sterling-Cooper execs living on ranches, their campaigns might look a lot like Ziemienski’s art), and Post’s Western landscapes are, as has been noted, characterized by a richly colored, contemporary impressionist style.
The West—our region, at any rate—was first discovered in part because of posters commissioned by railroad lines. These travel posters promoted new regions opening up to tourism and Ziemenski, a native San Franciscan, puts together idealistic images of cowboy life with a feel for sharp, witty modernism.
Last century’s big rush west attracts Ziemenski.
“I like that period of time because it hasn’t been well recorded,” Ziemienski said. “You don’t see a lot of paintings of cowboys sitting in Model T Fords. But they did – and right alongside their horses. I was born in 1947. Growing up in California and taking car trips with my family allowed me to see a lot of this imagery. But by the 60’s and 70’s, I noticed that much of it was starting to fade away,” he said. “All of the things I witnessed then started to make me think that some day I would like to record those things. So now I am.”
I recently visited Laramie, a city established by the railroads. Laramie is chock full of great vintage signage–some in good shape, some not as much. But they’re there. Such signs and billboards make a native Californian’s heart leap into her throat.
Post is one of my favorite Western contemporary landscape painters. “Contemporary” in the sense that he’s not exactly a realist, and he’s not exactly an “unexpected” painter. His light and compositions are poetic, translucent and depict the West’s golden light just as we imagine it when we can’t be there. Just as we imagine it when we ARE there, and want to describe it to someone who has never gazed upon it.
Post is, says the gallery, known for his unique aerial perspective that, to my mind, emphasizes Western space. Born in Tucson, that region’s special southwestern light permeates his work, no matter the subject matter.
Wherever you’re from, you bring the light with you.
Post was a cowboy, and when he began painting a few decades back he chose the subject he knew best: Arizona’s ranch traditions and the Arizona landscape. His hayfields are sun-drenched loaves of hot grass, basking in the late afternoon sun, thick purple and green trees in partial shadow. A suggestion of an outline surrounds many of Post’s objects, giving them volume. Post’s are landscapes you want to wake up to, go to sleep thinking about; they are ideal.
“My paintings,” says Post, “Are my visual response to the West and how I want it to be.”
Got that. www.altamiraart.com
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“Fewer answers nowadays, but more questions.” | “Parents wrong, discover my own life.” | “Created art, I feel better now.” | “Istanbul highways to National Park trails.”
You thought writing haiku was challenging?
Teton County Library and Culture Front, in collaboration with the Jackson Hole Writers’ Conference, are pleased to present The Six-Word Memoir Project exhibit, debuting June 27th at the Center for the Arts. Sixty Jackson area creative types submitted six-word “snapshots” of their lives; each write up is exactly six words.
The Six-Word Memoir was initiated by SMITH Magazine, and has inspired books, spin-off and classroom projects. SMITH believes “Everyone has a story to tell and should have a place to tell it.” Library program coordinator Oona Doherty conceived the local project and invited Culture Front to collaborate. The exhibit debuts at Jackson’s ever-popular annual Writers Conference before moving to TCLIB.
“The entire collection of memoirs will be displayed in a special exhibit designed with the help of local artists and Culture Front,” say Meg Daly and Oona Doherty. For more information, contact Daly at [email protected]/307.699.7933 or Oona Doherty, at [email protected]/307.733.2164, ext. 135.
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“If I had a nickel for every picture that was taken of that barn, I’d be rich.” – Clark Moulton
At 100 years old, the most photographed barn in the world (I’m betting!) needs some TLC. In an effort to raise funds needed to fully rehabilitate Moulton Barn, the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum in collaboration with the T.A. Moulton Barn Centennial Celebration Committee is inviting artists, poets, and photographers to participate in a public art show dedicated to preserving Mormon Row , July 2-21st.
Artists must purchase a 2’ x 2’ display space for $10 and are required to donate 30% of all sales. Proceeds from the exhibit go directly towards the T.A. Moulton Barn Centennial Preservation Fund. Artists of all ages and abilities are welcome to submit their work, which will be displayed gallery-style in the Park. Submit your art by July 1st, and an opening reception–I assume at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Vistors Center, will be held July 3rd, 7-9:00 pm.
With more time and space, you’d find greater details on this special effort here; to get full details please email: [email protected] or phone Katherine Wonson at 307-739-3671.
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This Friday, the Amboseli Trust for Elephants will benefit from a fundraiser at Tom Mangelsen’s Images of Nature Gallery, 6-8:00 pm. Mangelsen and artist Mary Roberson (represented locally by Altamira Fine Art), who accompanied Mangelsen on safari to Africa last year, will co-host the event. Photographs by six other photographers who have also explored the elephants’ region will have their images on exhibit. Artist Sue Cedarholm will auction off one of her colorful, painted silk scarves.
“The Amboseli Trust for Elephants aims to ensure the long-term conservation and welfare of Africa’s elephants in the context of human needs and pressures through scientific research, training, community outreach, public awareness and advocacy,” says the organization. “The elephants of Amboseli in Kenya are the most celebrated wild elephants in the world. Since 1972, close observation by Cynthia Moss and her research team has led to intimate knowledge of these intelligent and complex animals.”
Jim Loose leads a live auction, and donations of $25 to the Trust earn you 25% off any “Images of Nature” purchase! www.mangelsen.com
Tammy Christel 
