Jackson Hole Art Blog

The Buffalo Bill Historical Center (BBHC ) in Cody will receive $190,000 to study and digitize William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s personal papers.   The earmark, part of the 2009 Federal Budget Bill, also known as the Omnibus Bill, was introduced by then Representative Barbara Cubin.   Cubin left office in January.

Lee Haines, BBHC’s Director of Public Relations, says it will most likely take several months to receive the funds.  Once received, the money will be used to create three new jobs: an editorial assistant and two researchers.

“We anticipate that the entire project will be completed within three years,” says Haines.  “That said, we don’t plan to wait three years before we begin to share what we have found and make information available online.”

What shape the information will take as it is presented to the public is unclear, but Haines says it will probably be organized much like chapters in a book.

Why is a bill sponsored by an out-of-office representative still alive?

Federal budgets are planned two years in advance.  Budgets are combed over and passed on to the Administration, which then submits it to Congress.   The idea is to get it ironed out before the fiscal year the money is to be spent.  It all bounces around, is adjusted, and moves from agency to Congress to the Administration and back before being signed.

“Museums everywhere are trying to realize such projects so that people can have access to information,” says National Museum of Wildlife Art CEO Jim McNutt.  “We have our collection online, and any such project is worthy no matter where the funding comes from. I can’t comment on the BBHC’s process, but I’m very much in favor of such projects.”

The earmark has been widely questioned.  “Taxpayers for Common Sense,” a watchdog group, singled out the BBHC funding, gaining the project national attention.   Critics, including Republican Senator John McCain, tagged it as typical wasteful pork barrel spending.  Proponents argue Bill Cody’s papers are a national treasure and should be preserved via federal funding.

In other fundraising efforts, the BBHC has secured $310,000 from private donors and $300,000 from the Wyoming State Legislature.

In a February 25 statement, House Representative Cynthia Lummis said, “Congressional leaders are turning a blind eye to the plight of millions of Americans by passing this bloated pork-laden spending bill.”

The BBHC takes issue.  “This funding request is a normal part of the process that museums and many other institutions go through to secure funding, not only for particular projects, but for general operating support,” Bruce Eldredge, Buffalo Bill Historical Center Executive Director and CEO, said. “This request will provide additional support for what we consider to be important scholarly work. It’s unfortunate that some people appear to regard scholarship as unnecessary.”

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She may have already sold it, but Mary Schmitt and Cayuse Western Americana have obtained a hand made Sioux beaded horse neck ornament.  Dating from the late 19th century, it is, according to Schmitt, the only known neck cover on the market since 1989.  “Very few exist in museum collections,” she says.

After the Civil War, beading became more and more popular; outside influences increased, and Americans, other than Indians, collected and bought beaded goods.  Tribes were more relegated to reservations and time available for beading and crafts increased.   Designs changed, and the American flag motif was developed.

But finding such an excellent specimen is “…a once in a lifetime occurance,” says Schmitt.

Cayuse Western Americana is located at 255 N. Glenwood, Jackson, Wyoming. Phone 307.739.1940 or 800.405.4096

Tuesday, March 3

Art After Hours
Presented by the Dragicevich Foundation
7:00PM in the Cook Auditorium
FREE

It was a century ago when William Hornaday, Theodore Roosevelt, and early members of the American Bison Society (1905) established the first bison reserves. These early efforts were primarily directed at the capture and containment of the few remaining bison on fenced preserves to save the species from extinction. Present efforts to conserve the largest land mammal, the American bison, are far reaching and complex.

In 2006 the American Bison Society was re-established with a new mission directed at the ecological restoration of the species. Keith Aune is Senior Conservation Scientist for the North American Program of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and works on several conservation issues including ecological restoration of the American Bison.

Aune has been involved in wildlife research in Montana and Wyoming for 32 years. He has conducted field or laboratory research on black and grizzly bears, wildlife diseases, wolverine, cougar, and, more recently, bison. Aune is currently based in Bozeman, Montana, and will discuss the history of bison conservation and recent bison restoration efforts by WCS through its American Bison Society Initiative.
Co-sponsored by the Wildlife Conservation Society.

For information regarding this and other NMWA programs, phone 307-733-5771 or log on to www.wildlifeart.org.

E.I. Couse, (1866-1936), "Moonlight"

The third annual Jackson Hole Art Auction will take place Saturday, September 19, 2009 at the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts Theater. The live auction, a major Fall Arts Festival event,  is a collaboration between Trailside Galleries and Gerald Peters Galleries.

The auction’s sweep of historic artists includes a rich array of paintings from the Taos Society of Artists, and recognized historic artists whose early visions of America’s West shaped the world’s perceptions of a new and largely unexplored world.   Deceased masters represented in the Jackson Hole Art Auction have included C.M. Russell, Albert Bierstadt, Maynard Dixon–an excellent DVD on Maynard Dixon’s life and legacy narrated by Diane Keaton is available at Trailside Galleries– E. Irving Couse, John Clymer, Bob Kuhn, Carl Rungius and more.   William Acheff, Clyde Aspevig, Robert Bateman–recently the subject of a special retrospective at the National Museum of Wildlife Art–Z.S. Liang, Mian Situ, Howard Terpning and more.

According to press releases, last year’s auction fetched 7.7 million. The auction is currently soliciting consignments for this year’s auction.   Preview works already consigned upstairs at Trailside Galleries, 130 East Broadway. Contact Heidi Theios for more information, at 1-866-549-9278.  email: curator@jacksonholeartauction.com.

Spotted an item about an upcoming documentary, Handmade Nation, set to be released sometime this winter.

Trio Fine Art, home of works by artists Kathy Turner, Lee Carlman Riddell and September Vhay, has gone British.   Thursday afternoons, stop by the gallery between 4-6:00 p.m. to enjoy tea and conversation.   As the gallery says, “Thursday Tea at Trio” is a nice–and may I add civilized– way to gather with friends, talk about and view art, drink good tea and stay warm.

The gallery offers teas by Heather Bupp, of Dragon Lady Teas.   Teas vary week to week; all are “hand made” by Dragon Lady Teas.  The china is very nice, too.

Trio’s winter hours are limited, providing all three artists time to paint.   Visit Trio noon-6:00 p.m. each Thursday; call for special appointments.   Trio Gallery is located at 545 N. Cache, Jackson, just north of the Visitors’ Center.   Telephone:  307.734.4444        www.triofineart.com

This year, I chose a Christmas postage stamp not a typical holiday issue. Those asking to look at all available postal stamps will discover a reproduction of Albert Bierstadt’s luminous 1864 landscape, “Valley of the Yosemite,” a most gorgeous image bathed in golden light.

Of course, Albert Bierstadt is best known for documenting the beauty of the American West in his paintings. Born in Germany, Bierstadt discovered the Rocky Mountain region and Yosemite while on Western Expansion expeditions. Bierstadt’s light stands alone, and he was considered the 19th century’s foremost painter of western landscapes.

Bierstadt’s work appealed to eastern collectors because he was a part of the Hudson River School, a group of artists painting highly romanticized works of New York’s Hudson River region. These paintings idealized nature, giving it biblical status, and revering it as a place not only created by a heavenly father, but as a link to the heavens. In other words, God and Nature were one. Mountains, lakes, rivers, valleys, forests and canyons were primary subject matter, and Bierstadt, a prodigious artist, painted them over and over.

If your cards are yet to be written or mailed, consider sending those envelopes off stamped with an iconic, moving portrait of the American West as it was, a century and a half ago.

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• What are Jackson Hole Art Galleries planning this Christmas season? Here’s a peek.

ARTWalk 2008 !!! (Or, “A Revision Revised”)

The Gallery Association will hold TWO gallery walks this month. December’s Thursday gallery stroll takes place December 18, 5-8:00 pm. Look for the bright blue, red and white banners in front of participating galleries.

Additionally, the Gallery Association’s special HOLIDAY ARTWalk takes place SATURDAY, December 27, 5-8:00 p.m. Join Jackson Hole’s galleries for 2008’s holiday arts stroll, falling on the Saturday between Christmas and New Year’s. Banners designate participating galleries.

For more information on this month’s gallery walks, contact info@diehlgallery.com. Check with your favorite galleries for information on special openings and events.

The Jackson Hole Art Association puts on its annual Art Fair Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, December 6, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Snow King Ice Arena. $2 Admission, dozens of vendors! 733-8792 for information.

Oswald Gallery has been selected to participate in the ultra-prestigious Photo Miami 2008. As part of the world’s most important contemporary art fair, Art Basel Miami Beach, Photo Miami takes place December 3 to December 7, in the Wynwood Art District of Miami.

Oswald’s entries are the contemporary photographs of Virgilio Ferreira and Dylan Vitone. “Both of these emerging photographers explore the urban environment in different ways and on different continents while exploring the ambiguities and contradictions of urban life,” says Leya Oswald.

Says Oswald, ” Vitone’s photographs combine formal portraiture with classic street photography in multi-frame panoramas…. In contrast, Ferreira works in an intuitive and random manner on the streets of Asia’s megalopolises. Embracing his outsider status, he works quickly and anonymously late at night, capturing the mere suggestion of the places and their people.”

For more information on Photo Miami or these photographers, please contact Oswald Gallery, leya@oswaldgallery.com or 888-898-0077.

Lyndsay McCandless Contemporary’s December 5th First Friday, “Funky Finds For Under $50” focuses on Jackson’s local creative community and supporting artisans this holiday. Music by DJ Mr. Whipple, and organic pizzas served up by Chris O’Blenness and SouthSide Pizza & Pub.

Change is coming, be the Change!

Featured vendors include, but are not limited to:

“Halo Hats” by AJ Carghill and Pam Coleman—seconds included;

“Special somethings” by Wren Fialka and Brandy….

Vanessa Sulzer’s screen print bird scarves…

Alissa Davies’ mixed media on paper (I have some!), small paintings with added collage materials.

Phone 307-734-0649 or 307-413-4331 for information.

The National Museum of Wildlife Art hosts one of Jackson’s favorite holiday traditions, “Wild About the Season!” on Sunday, December 7, 1:00-4:00 p.m. This family-style Christmas festival includes art projects, cookies, cider and other treats, and a visit from Santa Claus. Free. 733-5771.

The Jackson Hole Center for the Arts will be closed periodically during the holidays, particularly at Christmas and New Year’s. Phone 734-8956 for more information.

David Brookover, of Brookover Photography, reports his gallery will be open through the season. Check out the new platinum prints! Currently traveling and shooting in Japan, Brookover returns to his studio December 22. In his absence the gallery is well staffed; please visit.

JH Muse Gallery’s holiday invitation, featuring artist Nicole Charbonnet’s hauntingly beautiful, suggestive mixed media work “Tree,” invites the public to that gallery’s annual “Champagne and Chocolates” celebration. Join the gallery on Thursday, December 11, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, Tayloe’s new glittery jewels and Charbonnet’s latest collection of works, “Avatars and Heroes.”

The gallery is open through the holidays. Hours are 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Monday through Thursday, 10:00 – 7:00 pm Friday and Saturday, and 11:00 am – 4:00 pm Sundays. 733-0555.

Cayuse Western Americana plans this month:  A brunch on Sunday, December 14th features Dawn Bryfogle’s wonderful jewelry from semi-precious and precious stones, but with a twist:  she finds unique “orphaned” vintage pieces she incorporates into necklaces or bracelets.  These could be old Navajo sterling and turquoise items, or western engraved silver – really, anything that looks like it could be given a new purpose in her contemporary settings of agate, tourmaline, and other beautiful stones.  The brunch is from 11 – 3 and will feature food and brunch style cocktails as well as the traditional non-alcoholic brunch drinks. Bryfogle’s work will remain a featured item this month.

Thursday, during December 18th’s gallery walk, Cayuse is open until 8pm, with gift ideas in a variety of price ranges, with some gifts under $12.  Seasonal treats will be all over the place, and hot spiced wine will be on the woodstove….

December 27th, Jack Walker is Cayuse’s special guest until 8pm.   His ingot silver and leather jewelry is marketed worldwide by a major fashion designer – his last Cayuse show sold out.

Cayuse’s extended holiday hours: Friday and Saturday until 7pm, and open on Sundays.  Monday – Thursday are 10 – 6 unless there’s a gallery walk; hours are good Dec 15th – January 11, 2009.    307-739-1940.

Horizon Fine Art’s 9th Annual “It’s a Small World Art for Those Tucked Away Places” event happens December 14 – January 4, 2009. Horizon’s “2nd Annual World’s Largest Amber and Turquoise Show” runs concurrently.

Horizon swings with the Season during this year’s December 27th gallery ARTWalk; stop in for some live jazz as you make the rounds.

For information, phone 307-739-1540 or email horizonfineart@wyoming.com

Galleries West Fine Art will host their 6th annual holiday miniature show, “Little Jewels,” December 15 – January 5, 2009. Featuring small sculpture and paintings no larger than 11×14, the show has an intimate quality that affords a closer look at each artist’s hand. Works by a range of artists, including John Potter, Jennifer L. Hoffman, D. Lee, & Bart Walker, showcase plein air and tonalist landscapes, wildlife art, Western and Native American art, basketry, pottery, and more.

An opening reception happens during December 27th’s ARTWalk, 5:00-8:00 p.m. Contact Galleries West Fine Art at 307-733-4412, or visit www.gallerieswestjacksonhole.com.

December 20- January 11, 2009 the Diehl Gallery celebrates internationally renowned sculptor Jim Budish with a one-man exhibition.

An artist’s reception takes place Saturday, December 27th, from 5-8 pm. Join the Diehl Gallery for fine art, sumptuous treats and beverages! This exhibition is Diehl Gallery’s featured Holiday ARTWalk event.

Contact the gallery at 307-733-0905. Email: info@diehlgallery.com

In town on Saturday, December 20, Jackson’s newest gallery, “Troutwater,” officially opens its doors with a holiday reception beginning at 3:00 p.m. “Troutwater” is located in Crabtree Corners Mall, a few paces past the giant stuffed buffalo. “A Horse of a Different Color” joins the fun, as does “Accentuate.” 307-699-4175.

Also occurring December 20: CIAO Gallery’s “Holiday Miniatures & Fine Artisan Exhibition” opening reception happens 6:00 pm-9pm. Featuring local and national artists and other works limited to 9×9 inch dimensions. More information on CIAO’s winter schedule can be found on the Jackson Hole Art Blog by entering “CIAO” in the search window.

A Horse of a Different Color presents three artists new to Jackson’s gallery scene. Toland Sand’s, D G House’s and Lynn Bishop’s creations will be featured at the Dec. 27 Holiday Gallery Stroll.

Toland Sand, known internationally for his constructed cold glass, has works in galleries and private collections around the world. His sculptures feel alive, seemingly changing color, patterns and structure.

D G House, a Native American artist residing in Bozeman, specializes in contemporary, vivid, paintings of animals. She is an artist in residence in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Her paintings are part of the Smithsonian Institute’s Museum of the American Indian permanent collection, as well as private collections worldwide.

Glass artist Lyn Bishop works in fused glass. “Glass can be incredibly strong, or very fragile, simple or ornate, transparent or opaque, functional or not, it’s limitless”, she says. Her pieces are densely patterned, often resembling woven fabrics.

“A Horse of A Different Color” holiday hours are 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Saturdays and 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday.

“A Horse of a Different Color” is located at 60 E. Broadway. Phone 734-9603.

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The Art Association takes a few steps off the path this Friday, November 21, when it holds an opening reception for two long-time Jackson plein air painters:  Greg McHuron and Jim Wilcox.   “Greg McHuron & Jim Wilcox: On Location,” will be on view at the ArtSpace Theater Gallery November 21-January 15, 2009.   Friday’s festivities begin at 5:30 pm.    The exhibition is sponsored by Jackson’s own “Deaf As a Post Lunch Bunch,” with Bert Raynes as “Chief Curmudgeon.”

“Plein air” is the art form meaning ‘painting in fresh air.’  Long time friends and colleagues, McHuron and Wilcox are nationally known artists; their painting lives forever intertwined.   Come pay tribute to these two plein air giants; their work is integral to our region’s great art history, and it is rare to have both artists on hand  simultaneously.     For more information, contact the Art Association at 307-733-6379.

We’ll post more on this exhibit at a later date.

A Post Script:   The Jackson Hole Art Blog will be the subject of a radio interview airing tomorrow  on  The Range Radio (103.7) and The River, ( 92.3 ).   The three-minute program will air three times, between the hours of 7-8:00 a.m., 12-1:00 p.m., and 5-6:00 p.m.

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Need a break from the election treadmill?

Sunday, November 2 celebrates Mexico’s “Day of the Dead,” a holiday that, despite its name, celebrates life.   It’s a wonderful holiday, filled with creativity and possibility.  Jackson traditionally holds a “Day of the Dead” walk, a guided tour of local “Day of the Dead” altars around town.   Altars are an invitation to the departed to celebrate with those of us still of this world, and to that end altars feature costumed figures, humor, artistry, and food.

Lyndsay McCandless Contemporary, in conjunction with Ladrillos par alas Artes and the Teton County Library, will provide party space and special classes.

Festivities take place at LMC, 130 South Jackson Street, on Sunday, November 2, 5:30 – 9:30 pm.  Other scheduled events follow, and families are welcome!

At LMC, view “Day of the Dead” altars, decorate a sugar skull, watch traditional craft demonstrations and enjoy homemade tamales, “dead bread” and Mexican hot chocolate.

Cooking classes and sugar skull class is limited to 12 participants. Reserve a spot by calling Oona Doherty at 690-5264, or email oonadoherty@gmail.com

Other “Day of the Dead” Events:

Look for a Stagecoach Stop Halloween altar installation on the Town Square, created by local artists on Friday, October 31 from 4-8pm.

Thursday, October 30
Cooking Class: Mole Poblano taught by Marta Arribillaga
6-7:30pm
Location:  e.leaven Food Company

Mole is a common dish prepared during Dia de los Muertos.  Participants will learn how to make chicken mole with rice and will eat the final product.

Saturday, November 1
Live Altar Performance directed by Raul Juarez
11-11:30am
Presented by the Teton County Library

Watch a short “Day of the Dead” theater piece followed by traditional Mexican food and sweets. For ages 5 and up.

How to make a traditional Altar with Laura Rodriguez
Teton County Library Auditorium
12-12:30pm

Sugar Skull Decorating taught by Bronwyn Minton
1-2pm Children 5 and up
2-3pm Adults
Library Conference Room
Participants will learn how to make sugar skulls (Calaveras de Azúcar) using a mold and decorate a skull to take home.

Baking Class: Pan de Muertos & Champurrado with Blanca Rojas
4-6pm
Location: Hard Drive Café!
Pan de Muertos (Bread of the Dead) is sweet and shaped into skulls or round loaves with strips of dough on top to resemble bones. Champurrado is a warm, thick beverage made with ground corn and chocolate.

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