Posts from ‘Glass’
Through February 25th, noted plein air painter Scott L. Christensen is offering to critique other artists’ work. He’s doing so for the benefit of Friends of the Teton River; critiques are $50 each, and all proceeds benefit the conservation non-profit. Artists may present up to ten paintings for review.
“Friends” executive director Adonia Ripple notes it is a great honor to have Christensen dedicating work to the organization. “As an angler, Scott understands the value of protecting the Teton River watershed, and the FTR mission of clean water, healthy streams, and abundant fisheries,” says Ripple. “As an artist, there is also support for conservation of wild things, simply because of their aesthetic value. Sometimes we protect things because of their singular beauty. A rare fish species, a perfectly aging cottonwood forest along the river, the sing of water over river cobbles in the spring. With each brush stroke over his landscapes, he is saying, ‘I value this, and this, and this part of this bit of light.’ That is also what we are doing here at FTR; there is the science behind what we are protecting, but there is also the soul.”
For his part, Christensen says working to protect healthy streams, clear water and abundant fisheries in the Teton River is an honor in itself. To find out more about arranging a critique, contact Debbie at Christensen’s studios by phoning 307.787.5851.
Have you heard of USA Artists? Or Pipeline to Miami?
I hadn’t, until I stumbled upon Pipeline’s home page. Pipeline is a Wyoming arts philanthropy project, the first of its kind in our Big Square State, and a sub-project of USA Artists. Pipeline’s goal is to send three Wyoming artists—David Klarén, Sue Sommers and JB Bond—to Florida’s Red Dot Art Fair. Red Dot, a Miami Art Week venue, takes place early December. Rather than paraphrase Pipeline’s mission, I’ll provide an excerpt:
“The Pipeline Art Project started with a handful of Wyoming contemporary visual artists realizing they all wanted the same thing: to live in the place they love, and to have viable art careers. But art opportunities are usually found in higher-population areas. We knew that to market our work outside the state, we needed to pool our ideas and resources. So we created the Pipeline Art Project: “Pumping Art from the Energy State of Wyoming.” Wyoming is better known for exporting coal, oil and gas than for its dedicated and talented contemporary artists. It’s the perfect place to make art, but a very tough place to build an art career. Pipeline wants to change that. We are trying to create a conduit to an international audience and better opportunities for ourselves and others.”
Providing techniques that move artists’ work to larger U.S. art market venues takes Wyoming arts support to new levels. It gets us thinking beyond sharing our great talents with each other. Intramural art missions will always be essential, but most Wyoming artists don’t have the means to get to art show venues outside the state. I hope Pipeline’s model earns its wings. Pipeline’s web page gets updated; at this writing the project has raised $3,750 of its $8,000 goal. Forty days left to help out! http://www.unitedstatesartists.org/project/pipeline_to_miami
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Jackson artists Jennifer Hoffman and Kathryn Mapes Turner entered an elite juried art show—the 12th Annual American Impressionist Society Exhibition in Carmel, California— and came back with big ribbons. Turner’s winning, “Best of Show” oil painting Siena
depicts a Italian church courtyard in Tuscany. Hoffman’s pastel, Allegory, won Plein Air Magazine’s “Award of Excellence.” Both artists are represented locally by Trio Fine Art.
Hoffman’s award includes ad placement in Plein Air Magazine. “I loved meeting so many incredible artists whose work I really admire,” says Hoffman. “I also was able to participate in the AIS paint-out the following day on Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, surrounded by beautiful scenery, talented AIS artists from all over the country, and enthusiastic tourists who seemed to really enjoy the event. All in all, the whole trip was energizing, inspiring, and really, really special.”
“I felt honored just to be accepted into such an important exhibition” says Turner. “Once I saw the high level of talent displayed, I was humbled and thrilled to receive their highest honor.” Turner says she was intrigued by the scale of human figures as set against massive marble church walls. Monochromatic colors lent a sense of harmony, and the setting was a great chance to explore composition and reflecting light.
“It’s an honor just to get into the American Impressionist Society show, one of the best juried shows I’ve taken part in,” adds Hoffman.
Scott L. Christensen was this year’s exhibition judge; he bestowed both awards. “Knowledge is a catalyst to completing a painting,” says Christensen. “But it must have a force behind it, a certain ‘seeing’ that is distinctly your own and developed through time.” www.americanimpressionsitsociety.org
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Ralph Mossman and Mary Mullaney—known collectively as Heron Glass—are happy to say they’re back in the creative, glass-blowing mode. The shop has announced two holiday bazaars: Saturday, December 3, 2011 visit Heron Glass at the Art Association’s 2011 Christmas Bazaar. Saturday, December 10, visit Heron Glass at their Driggs, Idaho studio from 10 am – 5pm. Address: 240 Nth 5th Street, Driggs. 208-354-2759 www.heronglass.com
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Etcetera—-Mountain Trails Gallery has renamed itself. The gallery will now be known as Mountain Trails Gallery Jackson Hole…..Cayuse Western Americana has a great new website!……David Brookover has a great new website!
Judging by the window displays popping up around town, it’s not too early to start thinking about the holidays. Glass blower Laurie Thal is always thinking ahead. Thal is offering the chance to “friends and clients” a special opportunity to come on out to her Wilson studio and blow your own decorative glass ornaments. November 5 through December 18 2011, Thal is offering glass blowing parties. Her own “hot glass magic” provides families, office groups, or any collection of happy souls the chance to make some sparkling, one-of-a-kind gifts. Or, keep them yourself, you may feel a little Grinchy about your pretty ornaments!
Two-hour sessions are scheduled for groups of four to six people. Cost is $25 per person. Only groups of four to six; you bring your friends, and Thal will provide the materials. It’s like making a reservation at a restaurant, folks! Additionally, Thal will take 25% off the cost of all studio purchases made during your session. For more information, call 307.733.5096 or 307.690.2491. email: thalglass@bresnan.net.
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The National Museum of Wildlife Art’s fall “Harvest on the Hill” takes place Sunday, November 6, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm. The popular, family friendly event is free to area residents and is part of the Musuem’s free First Sundays series. “Wild About Penguins” is the theme, after the Museum’s exhibit 
“The Last Ocean: Antarctica’s Ross Sea Photographs by John Weller.” All kinds of family activities are planned, and here they are:
• 1 – 4 p.m. (ongoing, allow 20-30 minutes for completion) – Scavenger Hunt! Dress for active fun, rain or shine, and meet in the amphitheater for an all-ages scavenger hunt to explore the sculpture trail – with clues, surprising discoveries and free entry in a raffle for great prizes. Win a “Weekend Warrior” Pass or the chance to have a stone engraved on the sculpture trail pathway. Raffle drawing at 4:10 p.m. in the amphitheater.
• 1 – 2:30 p.m. – Craft for Kids: Paint Your Penguin! Kids can explore John Weller’s photographs and learn about the different varieties of penguins that live in the Ross Sea ecosystem before painting their own unique model version of the Antarctic birds to take home.
• 2:30 p.m. – 20-minute film: Plunge of the Penguins. Follow Gentoo penguin chicks on the Antarctic Peninsula as they encounter sibling rivalry, food denial by parents, and extreme weather.
• 2:50 p.m. – 35-minute film: Return to Penguin City. An intriguing children’s film that explores how Adelie penguins cope with rapid climate change in the magical landscape of Antarctica.
Checking out “Harvest on the Hill” is a great way to explore the Museum, spend family time, learn about wildlife and wildlife art and, most importantly, HAVE FUN! (Q: How do Penguins drink their cola? A: On the rocks!) www.wildlifeart.org
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Jackson Hole Public Art has posted a reminder Request for Qualifications for proposals to create functional art for Redmond Street in Jackson, Wyoming. Deadline for submissions is Sunday, October 30, 2011.
Project budget: $15,000. Have a question or need more info? Contact Carrie Geraci at 307.413.1474. To read the posting JH Public’s Art’s website, click here.
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Momentum is building for the Plein Air Convention & Expo in Las Vegas from April 12-15, 2012 , with the announcement that Scott L. Christensen, Jeremy Lipking, and Peter Adams will be giving lectures and
demonstrations during the event.
“Of all the artists, whose work I admire, it is an honor to be selected as one of the top participants,” Christensen says. Check out the extraordinary gathering of collectors, artists, and scholars: (www.pleinairconvention.com).
Native New Yorker and artist Jane Rosen’s exhibition Two Natures opens at the Tayloe Piggott Gallery this month. On exhibition through August 23, 2011, the show opens with a reception on Thursday, July 14th, 5-8 pm at the gallery.
Visiting any great museum’s ancient collections of Egyptian, Greek, or Native American artifacts, I’m cloaked in hushed reverence. I expect Two Natures elicits similar response. Winds of time have worn these sculptures down to their souls. What’s left is an exquisite silent truth.
Though born on the East Coast, Rosen “found herself captivated by the accessibility of nature on a visit to the West Coast.” Rosen’s work channels ancient world cultures; she has said that 
Eskimo, Native American and Egyptian art histories inspire her. She’s also influenced by daVinci and Michelangelo. A chapel, a graveyard. Rosen’s sculptures stand like Stonehenge’s rock pillars, full of mystery and great powers. These animal forms are not sex specific; but they recall the Acropolis Caryatid Porch of the Erechtheion.
“Rosen’s drawings act as her journal where she studies and understands the form before chiseling a limestone sculpture or hand blowing a glass bird,” the gallery says. She relishes process,
the “alchemy.” Works reach their final form after Rosen scratches away and adds layers of sumi-e ink, paint, coffee, beeswax, Korean water color and marble mix.
Gallery owner Tayloe Piggott likens seeing Rosen’s studio to “witnessing the flash of spirit that Brancusi sought to capture.”
“With this perspective framing my vision I capture the profound essence of nature and art seen through the animal life. It was our reciprocal vision of the life force that instinctually and immediately connected me to Jane’s work. Her art, whether bird, fish or fowl, resonates with the fundamentality of the being’s spirit. The word “essence” is defined as “the permanent as contrasted with the temporary element of being.” Her sculpture is essence,” Piggott says.
The gallery has also collected several stunning Dale Chihuly glass vessels. Transluscent and fluid, they provide sparkling juxtaposition to Rosen’s avian sculptures.
For more information, email art@tayloepiggottgallery.com.
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Wyoming Gallery, upstairs at Jack Dennis Sports, welcomes artists Meredith Campbell, Ruth Rawhouser, and Teri Billingham at an opening reception Friday, July 15, 4-7:30 pm.
Campbell paints wildlife scenes on wood; she began painting functional pieces, but her work evolved into the fine art arena. Not long ago she began creating oil-on-canvas animal portraits. Rawhouser paints en plein air, relishing the
world as it is in any given moment. Interestlingly, she never paints in fences or other signs of humananity’s presence in the Wyoming landscapes she loves. Jackson native Teri Billingham’s stained glass panels reflect the artist’s love of the Tetons and surrounding landscapes, its wildlife and inspiring childhood memories.
For information, contact Mindy at jdwyominggallery.com. www.jdwyominggallery.com
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Here it comes again….the Art Fair Rap!
Dude, it’s July, so it’s time to share
‘Bout that annual gig, the Jackson Hole Art Fair!
Or, “Art Fair Jackson Hole” as it prefers to be called;
Nobody asked me. I’m not involved.
Hey man, don’t be bored!
Sometimes Harrison Ford
Comes to check out the art, and he brings Flockhart.
Buy ceramics, toys, fibers – this poem’s the town crier
For an Art Fair Weekend, come rain or come shine-er.
Paintings, baskets, jewels, tents
Sunscreen, beer & fivers
All make for a day art lovers could die for!
See the Fair! Have Fun! This rap is all done.
The Jackson Hole Art Association Art Fair 2011 dates are July 15 – 17 & August 19 – 21. The fun happens at Miller Park, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Daily entrance fee is $3. www.artassociation.org
February 7-9 and Feb. 11-13 2011, getting-famous glass blower Charlotte Potter will hold two glass blowing workshops at The Factory/Teton Art Lab in Jackson.
As far as Potter knows, these are Jackson’s first glass blowing workshops. Material properties of molten glass, basic techniques and some “non-traditional” practices will be examined. Students will work in teams, doing “couples skill-based drills with material exploration to conclude in a series of glass objects.” Hands-on practice is supported with lectures and demonstrations.
Potter, who last year received her MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design (considered by many to be the country’s most prestigious arts university), says she is thrilled to pioneer a new arts program. Her time at RISD 
has been transforming. If you are a Jackson chick, you probably have a pair of Potter’s earrings. I took my blue ones right out of her ears back in the day, when Potter was a SRB wait person. If you frequented Teton Art Lab’s earliest exhibitions, you remember Potter’s cutting edge, wickedly imaginitive glass wildlife wall trophies.
She is in awe of glass. “Glass has binary qualities cloaked with competing characteristics: liquid and solid, elastic and brittle, captivating and humbling,” says Potter. Before she embarked on her graduate studies she wasn’t really “clear” about why she was into glass, compelled as she was to work with her medium. Gradually, she became deeply focused on traditional glass-making; she now understands glass as an experience that culminates in a tangible object.
“Graduate studies at RISD required self-analysis and alert questioning of why I remain…inspired by hot glass as an artistic medium. Integral to the glass blowing process is [one's] body, and working with an assistant. Perhaps for this reason much of my work is concerned with the way people relate to one another, and being grounded in the body….I am curious about the ways in which humans relate to one another and…I court the allure and illusion of fusion.”
Potter believes that blowing glass immediately locates a person in their body, and quickly reveals dexterity’s importance. The process requires developing muscle memory crucial to creating an object.
“In my own studio practice, I am not wedded to glass or glassblowing, however I remain inspired by my native material, returning to glass studies when mystified [by] an idea. I believe I will always dip back into the well of glass for stimulation.”
Tuition for Potter’s class is $300. To register, call 307.699.0863 or email info@tetonartlab.com. To learn more about Potter’s impressive achievements, awards and exhibitions, and her art, log onto her website at www.charlottepotter.com.
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Before he left office former Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal announced the recipients of the 2010′s Governor’s Arts Award. Jackson’s own arts education non-profit pARTners is a recipient, and the group will accept that prize on February 11, 2011, in a celebratory event at Cheyenne’s Little America. The Wyoming Arts Council (WAC) award recognizes arts groups and individuals providing outstanding arts services to Wyoming.
“I think pARTners is a great fit for the award because we have such a strong, sixteen-year track record of bringing the arts into local classrooms to improve learning,” says the organization’s Matt Daly. “Each year we help students at every grade level participate in the creative process. I think the fact that Governor Freudenthal recognized pARTners for the award indicates the important place the arts have in our local schools. The arts can be integrated into every academic discipline, offering new challenges to all students. PARTners could not do our work if there weren’t teachers and administrators, artists and arts organizations who are all willing and eager to collaborate to bring the arts into the classroom. For us, receiving the award confirms the value Teton County places on the arts in the education of our young people.”
Congratulations, pARTners! To learn more about this arts non-profit and its award, log onto www.edu-partners.org/
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Jackson based photographer John Richter, who opened his shop on King Street last summer, has a new image, “Thanksgiving.” An edition of 250, the shot pictures Jackson Hole’s iconic Mormon Row barn. And though he’s seen lots of sunrises in his photographic career, Richter says this shot takes in one of the most beautiful sunrises he’s ever seen over the Teton Range.
“It was 20° below zero Thanksgiving morning, and I was struggling to record the beauty being presented to me as the biting cold literally sunk its teeth into my hands,” says Richter. “I could only imagine the hardships endured by the settlers who built this homestead a century ago!”
Stop into John Richter’s gallery, say hello to our new neighbors, and check out this and other images on display. It’s a riot of color in there, and the space transformed, now a den-like venue, dramatically lit. www.johnrichterphoto.com
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An artsy party benefitting theater in Jackson takes place February 5, 2011. The Madame X “Le Cabaret Artistique” cuts loose 6-9:00 pm at the Center for the Arts in Jackson. $100
buys you a festive evening enjoying the great music and talents of headliners Nicole Madison and Pam Drew Phillips, dinner, wine & dessert. Over 40 talented Jackson artists will take the stage. Proceeds benefit Off Square Theatre Company.
For information and to purchase tickets phone 307.733.3021. www.offsquare.org
