Posts from ‘Conservation’
What’s Our Economy?; Rocks Art
Recently, a Jackson economics summit/conference/brainstorming session took place. I’ve now had a chance to read some reviews of that gathering–how accurate they are I can’t say, because I didn’t attend. From time to time, I have my own little economic tutorials with friends and mentors.
Jackson Hole has always been a seasonal economy. We’re a tourist destination because our region is so astoundingly beautiful, is adjacent to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, is “Western,” has a great and growing arts sector, and when the snow falls skiers go nuts to come here. Until a few years ago, the lion’s share of full time jobs in Jackson were related to the construction and real estate industries. One of my mentors points out that real estate and construction don’t really create economic growth or wealth; they are the residuals of wealth creation. And yes, those are good jobs for Jackson, and it feels like the market will re-shape and rebound to a certain extent (see the Hole Report)—but smart money won’t rely on construction to sustain Jackson’s future. It’s millionaires and billionaires with fortunes built elsewhere who have erected big houses, supplying jobs for architects, landscapers, construction companies and real estate agents. And, we’re a tax shelter. They’ve also supported many of our critical non-profits.
The National Museum of Wildlife Art’s focus on Canadian painter George McLean’s mysterious, engaging work continues. To welcome the New Year, the Museum’s first “First Sunday” takes place Sunday, January 1, 2012. “Wild About Our ‘Living Landscape,’ ” runs from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. that day, and celebrates draws both McLean’s “Living Landscape” exhibition and the wildlife and landscape surrounding the museum’s new outdoor sculpture trail.
Planned activities include a chance to create flying paper raptors, a Marmot Tunnel Maze and Slide on the Sculpture Trail, the children’s films “Moles – What is out there?” and “Critter Quest” courtesy of the JH Wildlife Film Festival, and complimentary refreshments. Free, open to all area locals, all ages.
How I wish I was a kid!
January’s Mix’d Media event, “The Edge…” takes place January 10 from 6 – 9 p.m. While wildlife art is beautiful, the evening will emphasise its importance to conservation, as explored through two current museum exhibitions, The Last Ocean: Antarctica’s Ross Sea Photographs by John Weller and In the Spotlight: Mark Eberhard’s “On the Edge.” Married musicians Aaron Davis and Seadar Rose will perform live musical interpretation of the night’s themes. Cover charge is $5. www.wildlifeart.org
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Layers of Silence, is one of several new images in Jackson photographer David Brookover’s ever-expanding Platinum Palladium Print collection. He’s into it! I did not have time, darn it, to get to see these prints before leaving town for the holidays, but I have seen all of Brookover’s platinum prints to date. They are exquisite, and I recommend a visit to his gallery, located in Gaslight Alley—you’ll find many of the new prints in the gallery’s redesigned downstairs space.
“It took us a few years but we finally found the right Kozo paper for this image,” says Brookover on his Facebook page. It will be arriving [soon], after Randolph Laub puts his finishing touch on the print’s one-of-a-kind frame. Thank you Corey Allen at Hidden Light LLC for all the work you put into this image.” Layers of Silence will measure approximately 22″x 42″.” This is a very limited edition of seven, with print #1 already sold. Edition of 7, number one is already sold. www.brookovergallery.com
Craighead Beringia South has a Pottery Sale goin’ on–and all proceeds from this holiday gift fundraiser go to support the organization’s wildlife research and education programs. I believe some darn decent wholesale deals are available–a big, cheery pile of platters, bowls, cookie jars and mugs are in stock.
The sale is out in Kelly, Wyoming. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm. Address is 6955 E. Third, in Kelly. Goods are available through Wednesday, November 23rd. Even with the aforementioned operational hours, please call 307.734.0581 if you’re planning a trip to the Beringia “store.” Remember our wildlife this holiday! http://beringiasouth.org/
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Got an email from a representative of the 2012 Democratic National Convention, to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“Calling all artists, designers, and other creatives! We want YOU to be the designer behind one of the 2012 Democratic National Convention’s Official posters. Here’s what you have to do — create an original 18 x 24″ poster using the 2012 Democratic National Convention official logo and incorporating and interpreting one (or more) of the following themes: 1). Americans coming together; 2). Building a better future; 3). Opportunity and Empowerment
To register, download the logo, get more details, and to read the official rules, check out our website at www.charlottein2012.com/postercontest
Deadline for submissions is December 31st, 2011, at 11:59 p.m. (EST). The winning poster will be sold in our online store, and the winner will receive a framed print of their poster (guess the Party thinks the artist won’t have one of those already…) and $1 of each poster sold.
I can’t wait to see what you come up with. (Nor can I!)~~~~Sincerely, Dr. Dan Murrey, Executive Director
Have fun with that, Jackson artists! I know many of you are worthy of the challenge.
The National Museum of Wildlife Art’s (NMWA) 2011 “Western Visions” event was a success, bringing the Museum at least $600,000, funds that will benefit its education programs. This year, Tucker Smith’s oil painting East Fork Rams was the top-seller, going for $40,000 at the Museum’s September 16th’s finale sale. Awards were distributed to many notable and deserving Western artists; perhaps the highest honor went to painter Mark Eberhard, whose oil on board painting Snowy Owl won the Museum’s Trustee Purchase Award, making it part of the Museum’s permanent collection.
On October 6, 2011, award winning photographer John Weller will visit Jackson to present The Last Ocean: Antartica’s Ross Sea Photographs by John Weller. After reading research
and articles on enviromental threats to the Ross Sea, Weller took up his camera to document those waters, “one of the last pristine open ocean ecosystems on Earth.” Weller’s photographs will be on display at NMWA October 1, 2011 – January 29, 2012. An opening reception takes place at NMWA on October 6, 5:30 pm. Weller will speak at 7 pm, in Cook Auditorium.
“Through his remarkable images, award-winning photographer Weller takes viewers on a journey that celebrates the Ross Sea as one of Earth’s last healthy marine environments,” says the Museum. “Dramatic photos offer a glimpse into the lives of wildlife from Emperor penguins to silverfish inhabiting the remote region both above and below the Antarctic ocean’s surface.”
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Cool news from the Art Association’s Jenny Dowd: NMWA is looking for artists to collaborate in its upcoming (Bronwyn Minton inspired) exhibition Exquisite Animal: A Community Art Exhibit. Curated by Minton, the artist “game” is played by several people asked to draw a part of an animal; head, front legs, tail, fins, etc. on a “huge sheet of paper,” creating giant animal composites. Each figure presents unlikely combinations, juxtaposed into fantastical creatures. Contact Minton at bminton@wildlifeart.org for more info!
More from Jenny: She has been in contact with Bonnie Laing-Malcolmson, Curator at the Portland Art Museum. In conjunction with Laing-Malcolmson’s interest in Northwest art, she is working to build a library of art by artists in this region. Artists are invited to submit packets of work examples to be considered for future exhibitions—accepted works will not only be on display at Portland, but have the chance to travel to other museums in the area.
Very, very nice. Here’s what you do to apply: Mail a disk with up to 20 images of your work, a resume and artist statement to:
Bonnie Laing-Malcolmson, Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Avenue, Portland, OR 97205.
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From the Teton County Library:
Friday, October 7, from 5:30-6:30 pm, join the Library in the Center for the Arts Lobby for reception celebrating Renewal: Altered Book
Exhibition. “Local artists have spun new creations from discarded books and library-inspired words for this exhibit, celebrating the library’s renewal through the addition and renovation now underway,” says the Library. “The opening reception will feature book art; appetizers provided by the Teton County Library Friends; and an opportunity to see our building model! Architects and library staff will be available to answer questions about our building project.”
You can also make origami! And it’s free!
Through October 28, at the Center. Contact Adult Humanities Coordinator, Oona Doherty, 733-2164 ext. 135, odoherty@tclib.org. To learn more about library programs or construction, visit www.tclib.org.
Heather James Fine Art, always eclectic, has new paintings by Penelope Gottlieb on exhibition; the show is up through September 30, 2011. In keeping with Jackson Hole’s arts and conservation “love affair” Gottlieb’s work documents ”…a series of plants on the ‘confirmed extinction’ list that have no known visual reference by reconstructing them from botanists’ descriptions.”
Gottlieb paints directly on prints by John James Audubon (sharp intake of breath!). Though she could be said to be doing the same, Gottlieb is commenting on Audubon’s using natural beauty for commercial gain. Her images are lush and intriguing.
“Gottlieb envelops the wildlife in a tightly woven braid of plant leaves, tendrils and tentacles, so that what would normally be part of the creatures’ natural habitat has suddenly turned on them as a form of domestic colonization,” says Heather James’ Jim Carona. “The resulting visual “mash-up” of historical representation of nature with the consequences of non-native invasive species of plant life overpowering their environment create a form of contemporary historical discourse.” www.heatherjames.com
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The Jackson Hole Art Blog will publish a full Fall Arts Festival Calendar! Two separate posts will list events Sept. 8-11th, and Sept. 12-18th. Stay tuned!
Gaslight Alley, in downtown Jackson, is going to be hopping the evening of Friday, September 9th–that’s the evening of the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival’s Palates & Palettes Art Walk. David Brookover will be serving up fine fare, and raising funds for the Teton 
Raptor Center. Teton Art Lab will hook up with MADE; Art Lab founders Travis Walker and Tristan Greszko lead a team of artists in a “group” art installation creation, “Heroes and Villians.” Even Gaslight’s Native American jewelry store, Crazy Horse, is getting in on P&P action this year! The shop will host contemporary Navajo silversmith Artie Yellowhorse, demonstrating on site. Yellowhorse will be on site through Sunday, September 11.
Palates & Palettes happens all around downtown Jackson on September 9; hours are 5-8 pm.
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Still time to catch the Wyeths—Andrew, Jamie and N.C.—at the Art Association’s Main Space and Loft galleries. The works are for sale, and the collection will be showcased during September 9th’s Palates & Palettes gallery walk. Andrew Wyeth: A Survey is presented by the Art Association and the Gerald Peters Gallery. I know one N.C. Wyeth painting, the exhibit’s most exciting, has sold. In 2008, Skinner auctioned the work for $190,000.
Please note that 2011′s Fall Arts Festival Artist Studio Tours are being re-shaped. This year, an Artists’ Open Studio (currently on display) features works by local artists; see it at the Art Association. Contributing artists include Amy Bright Unfried, Shannon Troxler, Huntley Baldwin (we miss you, Huntley!), Charlie Olson, Natalie LaFarge Goss, Eliot Goss, Margaret Odell, Dee Parker and Laurie Thal. All artist contact info will available; arrange for your own visit to any artist’s studio. The Art Association’s Jenny Dowd is the contact (replacing Laurie Thal.) !
Also at the Art Association: David Klaren & Amy Unfried’s Orchestrated Line. Tree sculptures by Unfried and drawings by David Klaren.
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Astoria Fine Art welcomes wildlife artist and painter Mark Eberhard. Check the gallery’s Fall Showcase of Eberhard’s exciting contemporary work, on display at Astoria through 
September 9, 2011. An artist’s reception will be held Saturday, September 3, 5-7:00 pm. Large compositions comprised of bright, expansive fields of color spotlight animal subjects. Usually associated with his paintings of birds, this show includes at least one portrayal of a line of buffalo, at leisure in a vast sage prairie, a familiar snow-topped mountain range in the distance. Eberhard captures the West’s sensation of endless space, and live-wire color of its inhabitants. www.astoriafineart.com