The National Museum of Wildlife Art (NMWA) will build its new sculpture trail, designed by Oakland, California landscape wizard Walter Hood.  In the planning process for several years, funding for completion of the project was secured via a $3.5 million gift from NMWA trustee Debbie Petersen.   The trail will be named for her late husband, Jim Petersen.  Ms. Petersen’s gift funds the trail and supports “future projects.”

Last year, the Jackson Hole Art Blog presented a three-part series on Walter Hood and his vision for the NMWA sculpture trail, and his prophesies and recommendations for future sustainable, artful landscaping in Jackson and Teton County. Those articles are available to read on this site.

The Museum says the trail will provide new ways for visitors to view wildlife art within a landscape; sculptor Richard Loffler’s Buffalo Trail will be part of the project.  An amphitheater will replace the current drive at NMWA’s entrance and an “edge trail” will run along the east ledge of the current visitor’s parking area.   Hood’s hope has always been to meld NMWA’s vantage point and contoured landscapes with views of the Elk Refuge, creating a greater visceral connection between the two sites.

The museum’s new sculpture trail will directly connect to the North Highway 89 Pathway Project, a new branch of the Pathways system planned to lead from the north end of Jackson to Grand Teton National Park.  An underground tunnel will provide access to the museum, creating an inviting opportunity to mix culture and outdoor activity for bicyclers.      www.wildlifeart.org.

Item #2:

The Cultural Council of Jackson Hole, with a mission to “ bring the arts and cultural organizations in our community together for the purpose of communication, collaboration, coordination and promotion of cultural life in Jackson Hole,”  has opened nominations for this year’s “Award for Creativity.” The honorarium

acknowledges those whose contributions to the arts—visual, musical, written and performing—have impact and meaning to Jackson’s cultural base.  2009′s winners were Dancer’s Workshop Executive Director Babs Case and Center for the Arts major patron John Tozzi.   Other past winners include Lyndsay McCandless, Joffa & Bill Kerr, Evie Lewis, Ken Thomasma, David Kornblum and more.

Submit your nominations by Monday, June 21st, to the Cultural Council.  Nominations may be mailed to the Council at P.O. Box 3706, Jackson, Wyoming 83001.   Or, email your choice to:  culturalcouncil@gmail.com. The Council’s Alissa Davies notes that submissions must include “ your name, address, phone number and/or email, 500 words about the individual and their impact on the cultural fabric of our community, and two additional references with contact information. Consider the significant achievements of the individual; the broad and lasting impact of their work; and qualities that contribute to their artistic excellence.”

May I add that there are a number of folks whose contributions to the arts, though highly significant, are grass roots and community-oriented in nature. Often subtle, they are no less crucial.  Please nominate anyone you believe helps support the arts;  supporting the arts can mean a nominee provides significant financial support and boosterism, or it may mean that a shop owner dedicates continuous space and time to young artists.  A person can be artistically innovative, build diversity, provide a service, teach, or actualize physical venues for the arts.   The sky is the limit!

Each year winners are celebrated at a festive gathering, usually at the Center for the Arts.  This year’s party and will be held Wednesday, September 8, 2010, a great kick-off to Jackson Hole’s Fall Arts Festival season.

For more information contact Alissa Davies at 307.690.4757 or email culturalcounciljh@gmail.com.

Item #2:

No details yet, but here’s a handy list of shows scheduled to take place this Summer and Fall, at Mountain Trails Gallery in glorious Jackson Hole, Wyoming! If a detail you need isn’t here, it’s because that info is TBA.

Show #1 :

Western Artists of America – Western Heritage Show - July 2 – July 10 Opening Reception:  Saturday, July 3.

Show #2:

Jeff Ham – One Man Show -  July 15 – July 22 Opening Reception:  Saturday,  July 17

Show #3:

Edward Aldrich – One Man Show -  Aug.6 – Aug. 13 Opening Reception: Sat. Aug. 7

Show #4:

Landscape Show (Andrzej Skorut / Shanna Kunz) – Aug. 19 – Aug. 26 Opening Reception:  Sat. Aug.21

Show #5:

Robert Hagan – One Man Show  - Sept. 2 – Sept. 9 Opening Reception:  Sat. Sept. 4

Show #6:

Ty Barhaug & Tom Saubert – Sept. 15 – Sept. 22 Opening Reception:  Wed. Sept.15

Show #7:

Oil Painters of America Regional Show -  Oct. 9 – Nov. 10 Opening Reception:  Sat. Oct. 9

Information: 307.734.8150.