Rugged Impressionism; Cirque Des Tetons!
Get a “Sneak Peek” at the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s (NMWA) upcoming exhibition, Rugged Impressionism: The Masterful Field Studies of Carl Rungius, on Monday, April 30, at 11:30 am. Adam Duncan Harris, NMWA’s Curator of Art, will be on hand for a special preview of this show that takes an in-depth look at Rungius’ intriguing artistic process. The talk takes place in the Museum’s Kuhn Gallery, and participants will get a first, special look at Rungius’ spectacular landscapes before the show opens to the public. NMWA is home to this country’s largest public collection of Rungius’ work.
The Museum’s artist biography tells us that “Rungius’ ability to capture the heart-stopping chance encounter between man and animal sets him apart from many of his talented colleagues. Equally accomplished as a painter of wildlife and landscapes, Rungius quickly developed an enthusiastic following among fellow artists and patrons.” The talk is free for members, or with Museum admission. www.wildlifeart.org
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Visiting artist Ricki Arno wants kids and parents to know that she will be teaching a special class at the Art Association this summer. June 25 – 28, join Arno as she takes you on an artistic, humorous creative journey: Cirque Des Tetons Workshop! The class is for kids in grades 6 and up, and parents, aunts, uncles, even grandparents are encouraged to sign up along with the kids.
The class will create a “dazzling mixed media CIRQUE DES TETONS, complete with weird side show characters, daring high wire and trapeze artists, a handsome or beautiful Ring Master, ferocious wild animals, amazing jugglers, a supernatural magician, colorful clowns, and whatever else tickles and delights our fancies,” says Arno. “A collaborative, ongoing “Circus Street Art Wall” will capture the excitement.”
To find out more, and to sign up, contact the Art Association at (307) 733-6379. Those interested in the class are also welcome to contact Arno at rarno@nyc.rr.com, or phone (917) 741-4834. http://www.artassociation.org/education/childrens/s12-69-Cirque.html
The Grand Teton Association Presents the 2012 “Artists in the Environment” Plein Air Summer Series Schedule, Grand Teton National Park
Gregory I. McHuron
Date: June 9, 2012
Location: Blacktail Pond
Time: 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Gregory I. McHuron has been painting wildlife and landscapes throughout the United States and Canada for 35 years. A Syracuse native, he was raised in Colorado, Wyoming, Alaska and California.
McHuron has long painted Jackson’s surrounding area and the West, capturing a wide variety of subjects. He is active in many arts organizations, including the Wyoming Artists Association, Wind River Artist Association, Scottsdale School of the Arts and The Lodge at Palisades. His paintings are featured at the National Museum of Wildlife Art and the CM Russell Show. Grand Teton National Park, Isle Royale National Park, and Gates of the Artic National Park and Preserve include McHuron’s work in their permanent collections.
“People have said that they are immediately struck by my strong sense of design–then, the interesting color combinations, juxtapositions, and light and dark patterns,” says McHuron. “The common thread in all my work is that I was there.” McHuron often puts himself in extreme conditions in order to get the painting he wants. Standing in rivers and on the edge of cliffs, bobbing in a raft down the Grand Canyon, or accidentally finding himself in the middle of a buffalo stampede aren’t unusual circumstances.
McHuron co-founded “Artists in the Environment” with landscape artist Conrad Schwiering. He is represented by Jackson’s Trailside Galleries.
An opening reception takes place 5-8:00 pm at the Tayloe Piggott Gallery on Wednesday, April 18th, for Jackson artists Susan Thulin and Suzanne Morlock. The joint exhibition, currently on display, remains up through May 15, 2012. It’s a rewarding acknowledgement of Jackson’s art talent when such sophisticated venues are produced on behalf of local artists. Thulin’s highly textural, rhythmically painted canvases and Morlock’s undulating, tactile weavings are well paired.
Morlock’s show title, Pasalubong, is a Filipino word referring to the the tradition of bringing gifts when one goes to visit another person at their home. The visitor, in turn, returns to their own home bearing gifts they’ve received during their visit. The works depart from Morlock’s large installation pieces, and are more intimate in scale so as to be “enclosed” by the gallery’s space.
Chicago, Chicago—-That city plans to bump up its international arts scene by repeating its successful “Gallery Weekend Chicago” this fall. The event is a compact arts festival, targeted to attract the nation’s highest end art collectors and curators to the city, and expose them in a very pointed way to the best of Chicago’s trending art. Here’s what “Gallery Weekend Chicago” is all about…..
A dozen of Chicago’s best contemporary art galleries participate. Visiting curators and collectors are chauffered to each of the galleries and museums for private tours; tours are led by Chicago’s own curators and arts specialists–arts historians, I would hope, and museum directors. Reservations at the city’s finest restaurants are secured, special menus planned. Private VIP parties happen. Chicago’s own prominent collectors help guide the process, mingle with the weekend’s guests, and sing the praises of local arts.
Chicago throws in a private boat tour. Jackson Hole’s version might arrange a series of educational expeditions into Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park, and other regions. Jackson Hole’s exclusive dude ranches and collectors could open their doors. Eco-tours, river floats…you get the picture. Chicago has an official hotel for their event; we have so many great lodges that we might be able to rotate them annually. And why stop here? Let’s reach out to our friends in Cody~~~the Buffalo Bill Historical Museum, Simpson-Gallagher Gallery and other arts specialists would be partners. Schedule artists’ studio tours, arrange pack trips. Dubois is pretty cool!
Andrew Bird, 2007 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
Will it be “The premier outdoor summer event in Jackson Hole??”
It just may be. So, mark your calendars. Travis Walker’s Teton Art Lab, with support from the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, The Kemmerer Foundation, and Old Bill’s Fun Run, presents the Caldera Festival: Andrew Bird and Sharon Van Etten on Saturday, August 18, 2012. The festival runs 6-11:00 pm, centered at the Center for the Arts. Says the Community Foundation’s website:
“While there are a number of arts and conservation organizations in Jackson, these communities rarely come together to highlight issues in new ways. The Caldera Festival will do just that by encouraging learning for all ages with creative and innovative exhibitions, films, presentations and performances such as a hike with Treefight founder David Gonzalez and an art class using all found and local materials. Grant funding from the Community Foundation will help kick start this new event.”
That last sentence suggests this summer’s Caldera may be the first of many. The music will be incredible. Andrew Bird and Sharon Van Etten are scheduled to appear; exact show times are TBA. Their music is transcendant, joyful and peaceful. And fun to listen to, you will NOT nod off. Listen to their music: www.andrewbird.net and www.sharonvanetten.com. www.tetonartlab.com
