Fourth of July Fireworks: Diehl, McCandless, Galleries West
Horses. Wildlife. Robert Redford. Michael Jackson.
Jackson’s Diehl Gallery (155 West Broadway, in Jackson) 5th Annual Fête happens
July 3, 5:00-9:00 pm. The gallery plans a stylish event, one featuring over 30 artists, including several new to the gallery’s roster.
Ashley Collins is one of those artists; she’s a 25-year painting veteran. Noted for her abstract figurative images of horses, as well as her Colorfield works, she’s collected everywhere.
And where’s everywhere? Diehl says private and public collections in Sydney, Dubai, Munich and New York display her work. Super famous collectors include: Robert Redford, 20th Century Fox, Deborah Winger, Danny Sullivan III (race car driver) , Ringo Starr, the Sultan of Brunei,…maybe even the Sultan of Swing. It’s a pretty impressive list, and I note several outdoor enthsuiasts are included. Collins has exhibited worldwide for years, including exhibitions with Rauschenberg, Dill, Motherwell, and (Jim) Dine.
Diehl’s release just said “Dine.” As well as just “Rauschenberg,” “Dill,” and “Motherwell.” But, they also said “Ringo Starr,” not “Starr,” and “Robert Redford,” not “Redford.”
Collins will have a solo exhibition later in the month, on July 23, at the gallery. Time: 5:00-8:00 p.m. This will also be a fundraiser, and for information, you can phone 307-733-0905.
Signed, “Christel”
Item #2:
Oh, baby, I was blind to let you go,
Won’t you please let me back in your heart?”
Bring your heart, soul and pretty faces to what may—or may not be—a final First 
Friday at Lyndsay McCandless Contemporary, good to go on Friday evening, July 3, 2009.
I’ll be there…
McCandless is trying to make it all work, but let’s really help, eh? We come, we drink wine, we have a good time and do the moonwalk, but let’s buy some art, too.
What do you say? Here’s the deal:
Lyndsay McCandless Contemporary is holding a First Friday “Rent Party.” Admission is free, but don’t expect free wine & beer; bring it. Don’t expect to not buy a little bit of art; bring it. Let’s put our money where our thirsty mouths are. This art will be affordable. We all easily drop $100 on outdoor gear, or a night at the Bistro, or a new phone, or on groceries we eat in a couple of days, a massage, liquor.
Let’s drop a little bit of dough on some art, art that will last a long time. Art that, every time we take pleasure in it, will remind us that we supported a purpose we love. Before it’s gone…potentially gone. Full circle mode.
If you’re not yet clear on the rent party concept, it’s a party to help with rent.
Rent parties have historical context relating to music. According to Wikipedia, a “…rent party (sometimes called a house party) is a social occasion where tenants hire a musician or band to play and pass the hat to raise money to pay their rent, originating in Harlem during the 1920s.” The rent party concept embraces jazz, and specifically “cutting contests,” wherein jazz pianists took turns trying to out play each other at rent parties. LMC’s July 3 First Friday may include a little bit of contemporary cuttin’.
Works up for sale include individual vessels from Jenny Dowd’s latest installation and her small “object drawers.” Matt Flint’s paintings are gorgeous and affordable. “I was kind of miffed about an article I saw that talked about the attendees of (Lyndsay’s) First Friday events not being able to afford the “high priced work” on the walls. My prices have gone up recently due to demand, but I certainly do not want to edit out a group of people who support my work, but can not afford it,” says Flint.
Be ready to transport your art home—no plastic bags will be on hand. BYOB, be of legal drinking age, and enjoy a truly collaborative arts party. Support First Fridays for real.
All I need (buh buh buh buh ba! )All I want (buh buh buh buh ba!) All I NEED.. is one more chance to show ya that I love ya!
Item #3:
Galleries West! “All Things Wild” is their July 4th weekend opener. And as you might guess, the exhibition features new works focusing on wildlife from six Galleries West artists: Michael Calles, Kate Ferguson, D. Lee, Lori McNee, John Potter, and Debbie Edgers Sturges. The show opens July 3rd with a reception from 5-8 PM and will remain on display through July 15.
The gallery notes that wildlife as subject is an intrinsic, important part of Jackson Hole’s art history. How could it not? It’s one of the reasons we are all here, and we’re passionate about all wildlife, from giant grizzlies down to tiny pikas. “All Things Wild” artists express their own passions in this special show.
The gallery provided these artist profiles:
“Michael Calles looks to historical masters of the wildlife genre to inform and 
inspire his beautifully expressive canvases. Lori McNee (love her!) creates still life vignettes populated with tiny birds and natural elements that comment on our delicate relationship with nature. John Potter, a Chippewa artist, paints nature and wildlife to express his love of creation and his connection with a powerful Creator. Kate Ferguson renders her paintings with intimate detail and careful observation. D. Lee is an alla prima painter, meaning she finishes the majority of her paintings in one sitting, so her pieces exhibit a direct approach with loose and expressive brushwork. And Debbie Edgers Sturges’ paintings are bold, brightly colored, and large, with huge brushstrokes and animals that directly engage the viewer.”
For more information, contact Galleries West Fine Art at 307-733-4412 or visit www.gallerieswestjacksonhole.com.
Tags: Jackson Hole Art Galleries, Western Contemporary Art, Wildlife Art