Some press materials are simply so perfect and complete, it’s hard to up their message. That’s the case today! Here’s some information on the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s new exhibition, “Conservation Gallery,” which explores conservation themes by comparing and contrasting those themes as explored through artwork created from the 1800’s to today. The show opened November 16th, and will remain on display through April 13, 2014.
“American wildlife artists have helped to capture the positive and negative results of humanity’s interactions with wildlife still found today, as well as those that are simply a memory. In some instances, paintings and illustrations are the only record of certain species that we have,” says the museum’s Petersen Curator of Art and Research Adam Duncan Harris. Harris notes that artists’ interpretations of wildlife run the gamut from that of early American artist William Jacob Hays, who, says Harris, depicted the animals he saw on exploratory expeditions to the American West, visually preserving them for future generations—-to more conscious conservation messages, such as Steve Kestrel’s “Silent Messenger” (2005), that, in the artist’s own words, “mourn[s] the destruction and degradation of ecosystems worldwide and the tragic loss of unique animal species.”
Natural histories such as the rebound of bison populations lead to “tales of wildlife across the globe.” The tiger is well represented, and displays engage viewers with information that’s often revelatory. For instance, did you know that in the U.S. more tigers are currently owned by private individuals, not zoos, than exist in the wild? Approximately 5,000 tigers are in the U.S., according to the World Wildlife Foundation.
“Artworks depicting endangered species, whether historical or contemporary, raise pointed questions about humanity’s role in species survival or extinction. We hope that Conservation Gallery will help spark some of those discussions with our visitors,” says Harris.
Images, top of page: From “Conservation Gallery”: Wilhelm Kuhnert, Resting Tiger, 1912. JKM Collection©, National Museum of Wildlife Art (left), and Gwynn Murrill (United States, b. 1942), Tiger 2, 2012 -2013. Bronze. 42 x 62 x 31 inches. Dr. Lee W. Lenz, National Museum of Wildlife Art. © Gwynn Murrill (right)
Art and animals help healing. Who could thrive in a sterile environment? Jackson Hole Public Art is helping the county’s hospital, St. John’s Medical Center, to create appealing and heartwarming displays of fine art where patients can most appreciate them. That’s a good thing.
The other JHPA project people are talking about is the $250,000 private donation that will fund some sort of public art installation at Jackson’s busy downtown 5-way intersection. You know, that intersection construction knot we’ve all been trying to find our way around, or out of, for months?
JHPA invites citizens to chime in on what they think this installation should be. If you’re interested in helping define this project, click on this link; it will take you to a series of survey questions related to the project.
“We will use responses to frame the parameters of the project, most immediately in the Request for Qualifications we send out nationally to attract interested artists. Thank you to all of the landowners, artists, planners, teachers and administrators who came out to contribute their thoughts,” says JHPA’s Carrie Geraci. www.jhpublicart.org
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“Momentos…” is an exhibition of [photographs by] National Geographic expedition leader and photographer Lina Collado, on exhibit at Intencions Gallery beginning November 21st, in Jackson.
“Born and raised in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, Lina captures specific moments in nature and … around the world [that catch] her eye and heart. Each one represents her passion for photography, discovery and appreciation of all things wild and unknown,” says the gallery. “Every picture has a story behind it, and [Lina’s]…aim is to share that story, beauty and wonder with the world and [inspire the wish to protect] those wonders. www.intencions.com
Tammy Christel 
