Posts Tagged ‘Jackson Hole Visual Arts’
“There’s a special place in my heart for Jen Hoffman’s art. To me, she’s one of our valley’s most accomplished plein air painters. Hoffman works with a limited palette; but to simply label her a Tonalist underserves her exceptional mastery of light. Hoffman’s landscapes are quiet, still heavens. Her canvasses transcend computing successful color formulae — imperative to execute but potentially static. Hoffman’s works are lyrical. One can know the definition of a word, but not its heart. Hoffman has discovered color’s heart.
Art is inquiry. Alfred Steiglitz noted that his career as a photographer was motivated by intense experience, a relentless drive to merge with the world. ‘All of me is in the centre [sic] of that thing, digging into the centre’s center,’ he wrote. Do pay attention to Hoffman’s light. There is her center, that shining mirror. Senses engaged, she translates Pennsylvania’s transcendent, pastoral light to the West. No visible fracturing here. Hoffman’s light flows, fluid and yielding.
We react differently to Jennifer Hoffman’s art than we do to other Western landscape paintings. Pass a vibrant, brilliant plein air work under my nose, and I’m as revived as a dizzy boxer inhaling smelling salts. But Hoffman’s landscapes drift towards me, searching me out like a dream.” ~T.C., Introduction to “Passage,” 2009
“Resonance,” Jennifer Hoffman’s inaugeral show as Trio Fine Art’s new partner, opens Thursday, February 10, with an artist’s reception 5-8 pm. The show is on exhibit at the gallery February 9-19, 2011. Gallery hours are Wed.-Sat., noon to 6pm, during the show. www.triofineart.com 307.734.4444
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By now you’ve probably read the disheartening–but not unexpected–news about Americans for the Arts national arts index statistics. What is an index? I think of them as a representative measure or comparison of …variables. An index can also be a measure of strength or weakness.
There are many articles on the National Arts Index results, but the L.A. Times’ January 24, 2011 article summed the situation up well. The index measures arts across the board. Here’s an excerpt from that article:
“The index for 2009 is 97.7, the lowest in the 12 years of data on which the index is calculated. Based on 81 separate measures of how Americans spend and donate their money and time, and how artists (broadly defined) fare as workers,
the index seeks to reflect the health not just of the so-called “high” arts dominated by nonprofit organizations but also the commercial arts — movies, pop music and concerts, books and the market for visual art.
The highest index score, 103.9, was achieved in the economic boom years of 1999 and 2007. The index uses 2003 as its baseline year, with a score of 100.”
Indexes measuring strength or weakness don’t take ingenuity into account. Jackson’s arts ingenuity index is strong, displaying great potential for growth in the coming years.
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Speaking of ingenuity, have you heard about Miami Beach’s hot public space? It’s a garage. I wish I could show you a photo. Can’t, because it’s expensive. But I was able to post a link to the New York Times story on my Linkedin page. This architectually dynamic, space-age garage is utilized as much for public gatherings as it is for parking.
Not a winter option for Jackson’s public garage. But summer? Oooh……revenue.
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C.I.A.O. Gallery’s 4th Annual Naturally Nude exhibition is open to all artists using any medium. Submission deadline for this show is January 28, 2011. The show opens at the gallery on Valentine’s Day. For more information log onto www.ciaogallery.com.
Oh, so late. An extended trip east has put the Art Blog a teensy behind. Will soon ramp up.
Today–Tuesday, January 18—at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, Tuesday’s “Art After Hours” presents Wildlife on the Great Plains, the Conservation Challenge. Beginning at 7:30 pm, in Cook Auditorium, grab the chance to learn about the challenges and potential solutions currently affecting the Great Plains. Duane Hovorka, Executive Director of the Nebraska Wildlife Federation, will speak. Hovorka’s 25+ years of resource public policy in private, public and non-profit sectors make him one of the foremost experts on the topic.
Verbatim, from Amy St. Pierre: Join Dwayne Harty, the artist behind the upcoming summer exhibition, Yellowstone to Yukon: The Journey of Wildlife Art, as he leads visitors through African Adventures of William R. Leigh and his Contemporaries. Harty, Artist-in-Residence at The Murie Center and 2011 Fall Arts Festival Featured Artist, will discuss Leigh’s contributions to the famous dioramas still on exhibit today in the American Museum of Natural History. Guests will be given hands on experience with materials used in creating a diorama.
Contact NMWA’s Amy St. Pierre at (307) 732-5438 for more information.
Additionally, make plans to attend NMWA’s January Winter Quick Draw event, happening 5:30-8:30 pm, January 27, 2011. You know the drill: artists are given one hour to create works of art while attendees look on and all works will be available to purchase. Admission: $10 members, $15 non-members, with children 18 & under free. Chili and beer on hand, but you have to be Ron Gessler to get a
big bottle of suds.
This year’s roster of talented artists includes: Zachary Bagley (Jackson Hole High School), Tammy Callens, Daniel Esperson (Jackson Hole High School), Eliot Goss, Dwayne Harty, Victoria Hollingsworth (Jackson Hole High School), Fred Kingwill, Cathy Munson, Matt Montagne, Chad Poppleton, Hannah Rivers (Jackson Hole High School), Bill Sawczuck, Kay Stratman, Kathryn Mapes Turner, Sarah Webber and Kathy Wipfler.
Contact NMWA’s Jennifer Lee at (307) 732-5412 for more information.
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Wendell has new work! Yay! EXHIBIT: Wendell Field. February 4-24, 2011. Opening February 4, 6-9pm. Factory, 1255 Gregory Lane. www.tetonartlab.com. He’s very secretive, obviously spending all his time painting, and he’s just now (February 2) sent me images to promote his show. Thanks, Wendell!
Busy and productive as she is, Wilson artist Miga Rossetti keeps kind of a low profile. I was recently reminded of the charm and vibrancy of her artwork–searching around for holiday cards with art created by locals, I found Miga’s site. Have you checked out her incredible inventory? It’s huge! She’s created more designs than Hallmark! She also practices “green art,” using recycled paper and veggie-based inks. Miga’s cards and other products are packed with great color and reflect incredible joy–and respect–for the world. She’s a painter–you might remember her great 2005 Art Fair Jackson Hole poster. One of the best Art Fair posters, I think. I have a little black frame around mine, and it’s displayed prominently in my home.
There’s a whimsical folk-art quality to Miga’s work, as well as a lot of play with collage. Her artwork has been featured on the cover of Oregon Public Broadcasting’s magazine (Steve Bass is currently the head of Oregon Public Broadcasting; local ex-WGBHers like myself and John Kerr know Steve from his days at that Boston public station) and the Wyoming Cultural Guide. Her artwork is featured on the 2010/2011 Winter issue of Teton Family Magazine. Pretty impressive stuff.
So while the holiday season is just about past, it’s still a nice time to check out Miga’s work. Her paintings and designs appear on all manner of greeting and paper gifts. Her cards and journals are available in various local retail outlets, and you can find them at www.rossettidesigns.com
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Montana artist David Wharton-an extraordinary watercolorist who should have representation in Jackson-will have a trunk show of origininal works at the Teton Village home of Natalie Clark and Henry Armour–it’s happening right now, but you need to call for an appointment to see the work. Wharton’s work is good enough to have made the cut in Peter Hassrick’s noted arts book “Artists in Yellowstone.”
You are in for a treat.
Time: By Appointment
Place: 7 La Choumine – 3440 McCollister Drive, Teton Village
Phone/Contact: Natalie. 360.951.4563
Methinks Altamira Fine Art never takes a vacation!
But two of its artists will spend two days at Jackson’s Four Seasons this holiday. December 28 and 29, 3-8 pm look for gallery reps and artists Andree Hudson and Jared Sanders at the Teton Village resort. Sanders and Hudson will be giving artist demonstrations, their work will be on display and light snacks and refreshments will be on hand.
December 30, 5-7 pm, the artists will be on hand at Altamira Fine Art for another reception and show.
Went to an incredible annual holiday party recently, and spoke to local p.r. professional who told me that they’d found themselves leaving a potentially lucrative medical career to do p.r. Not such a red herring; Hudson’s flair for art has caught the eye of medical professionals, and she’s worked as an illustrator for various medical publications. She values the “beauty of creation,” the living form. In her years as a student at Maryland Institute Hudson developed a strong design sense, bold color palette and well-tuned composition skills. Her renderings of Western images and themes are contemporary, filled with movement.
Sanders has always loved the land. Widely collected, his grounded renderings of farmlands, hills, rivers and trees are reflections of the fields, farms and seasons of the heartland. Working from a palette of soft browns, earthy yellows, reds,
blues and greens, Sanders masterfully recreates America’s solid and reassuring rural architectures. A great draftsman, he believes “drawing the backbone of all artwork.” I particularly love his scrubbed white barns and silos sitting so steadily and reassuringly against blue summer skies; he’s been called a tonalist, but I’d not quite put Sanders in that category.
Info: 307.739.4700 www.altamiraart.com
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The National Museum of Wildlife Art’s “Art After Hours” program premiers the environmental documentary “Out of Yellowstone,” at the museum, December 28th. Art After Hours’ hours are 5-9 pm, and a trip up to the Museum to see the film also lets visitors explore all museum galleries for free.
“Out of Yellowstone” delves into the problems facing the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem’s winter ranges—home to elk, pronghorn and deer. And we always have more to learn.
www.wildlifeart.org 307.733.5771.
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Trio Fine Art’s Lee Carlman Riddell will conduct a “Let’s Play” oil painting workshop Jan. 15 & 16, 2011. She may be booked up, but contact her if you have an interest in lessons. This class is $250 per person; a maximum class size of six students assures lots of one-on-one with Lee. Contact her at 307.733.8093 or via www.leeriddell.com.
Trio also has Russell Chatham’s latest oil paintings and lithographs available. Works are currently in Montana, but Chatham will make them available upon request. Contact the gallery for more information: 307.734.4444.
Trio Fine Art’s holiday hours are: Wed-Thurs December 22-23 12:00 – 6:00; Christmas Eve 10:00 – 3:00; Wed-Thurs-Fri December 29-31 12:00 – 6:00. Otherwise, the gallery is open during the Winter on Thursdays, noon-6 pm.
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Quick note–As I prepare to head out of town, I’m adding this note from Horizon Fine Art: Please stop by the gallery–30 King Street– on Dec. 30 and see paintings, photography and artful jewelry—no specific time mentioned, but you can contact the gallery at 307.739.1540.
Santa Baby, stick a painting (or a sculpture or a photograph, protected wilderness and wildlife…you get the gist) under the tree for me….I’ve been an awful good girl! Save the many typos, bound to be here…..
The print’s a teensy tiny, so in case you can’t make out the info on 2010′s Wilson Christmas Bazaar, the info is:
December 11 & 12 (Saturday & Sunday) • 10am – 4pm • 1520 Fish Creek Road, Wilson. Check out Didi Thunder’s collection of rugs, cashmere scarves and hoodies, sweaters, soap, and brass imports. The annual local’s bazaar with an international flair. A good portion of proceeds benefit the Rotary Interact Library in Nepal. So many lovely things to choose from. Call Didi Thunder at 307.733.4124 or email her at: didi@wyoming.com.
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Greetings and Salutations from The Brookover Gallery! This holiday photographer David Brookover’s beautiful, archival new book, The Road, makes a thoughtful and gorgeous gift. Featuring
56 black and white and platinum/palladium images representing 25 years of work, this book is masterfully printed.
“The Road reveals David’s sensibility and artistic eye and his enduring quest to capture subject matter at its visual apex,” says the gallery. “In purchasing this wonderful book, you are collecting an important span of photographic history, …a visual journey of light, form, empty space and presence.” $125 for a signed copy, free shipping though December 15.
And man, if you haven’t checked out David’s new platinum Yellowstone wildlife series…get yourself over. Extraordinary work.
For more information: abby@brookovergallery.com, or tim@brookovergallery.com.
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Astoria Fine Art’s White Christmas Show celebrates all things “winter.” Visit the gallery December 15 – January 5, 2011, to view dozens of works embracing winter’s special beauty. Many paintings and sculpture by gallery artists will be on display, as will works by “historical” artists.
Astoria is featuring work by Jeff Tobey, Greg Beecham and Ed Kucera; but a more complete list of artists can be found by visiting the gallery’s website. More than 50 new works are available to visit and consider during the holiday season. Actually, by now, that number may have shrunk—so hurry on in! www.astoriafineart.com
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Kyrgyz clothing and fashion designer Aidai Asangulova is opening a new line of clothing with the help of Vista 360. December 9-13, 11:30 am to 7:30 pm daily, a “pop-up” (temporary) store showcasing her designs at 120 West Pearl Avenue (formerly home to Cloudveil), Jackson. December 9, an opening reception and fashion show takes place at that address, 7-9 pm. The new label, “AIDAI,” is best known for its “…stunning line of hand-rolled silk-and-felt scarves,…slippers, hats, bags and elaborate felt flower jewelry, as well as a contemporary home décor line.”
During store hours on December 10 – 13, from 4:30 to 6:00 daily, the AIDAI Pop-Up Store will offer tea, wine and discussion “focusing on and exploring themes of fashion, design and social action.
Aidai will be on hand to demonstrate her design process. And, although I’m not sure who they would be, Vista 360 says Jackson “designers and style pacesetters” will also be on hand. The show marks the establishment of a new Jackson business, “High Design,” with a mission to promote work by designers from mountain regions around the world.
“When a customer buys one of AIDAI’s designs, he or she joins a global partnership of people who believe in reaching across boundaries, the power of people working together and the inspiration of beautiful things,” says Vista 360′s Candra Day. info@aidai-design.com 307.733.3082
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Perhaps there’s no place nicer this time of year than our own Teton County Library. During December, make sure to visit The Refuge & the Muries: An Arctic Exploration, at the Library’s exhibit gallery. Olaus and Mardy Murie’s environmental heroism played a pivotal role in preserving the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Says the Library, ”The Murie Center celebrates the Refuge’s 50th anniversary with an interactive exhibit of stunning photos and sound recordings. See artifacts from the 1956 Murie Arctic Expedition, which 
provided political momentum for preserving the Refuge’s millions of acres of pristine wildlife habitat. Read journal entries and view photos from local writer and adventurer Molly Loomis, who in 2010 retraced the expedition, following in the adventurous spirit of the Muries. The Murie Center presents this exhibit, on view through Jan. 12.”
And on Sunday, December 12, Session #2 of Hand Craft Nativity Figures takes place at the Library, 1-4:30 p.m. Ages 7 and up. Celebrate Christmas by completing nativity figures with corn husks during this 2-day workshop (Participants attend both Dec. 5 and Dec. 12 sessions). Craftsman Oton Baez demonstrates how to make these precious figures to feed the Christmas spirit. Registration required at the Youth Services Desk. Location: Ordway Auditorium. Free. Latino Programs Coordinator, Pati Rocha, 733-2164 ext. 237 or procha@tclib.org. In Spanish & English.
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Galleries West Fine Art’s annual Little Jewels Holiday Miniature show opens Dec. 11, with a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception that evening, 3-7 pm.
“We couldn’t think of a more festive or better way to enjoy some art and get in the spirit!” says gallery owner and artist R. Scott Nickell.
“Little Jewels” are paintings measuring twelve inches square or smaller; sculptures have a maxium 1200 cubic inches mass. Nickell says price tags for these tiny artworks are little jewels themselves. For those collecting small works that often provide greater personal satisfaction, this show is a lovely opportunity. The show features works from almost all the gallery’s artists.
“I have a number of them myself. I love their intimacy,” says co-owner Debbie Bunch.”
For more information, phone 307.733.4412. (Hint, hint: I’d love an E.C. O’Connor!)
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Heron Glass Open Studio & Holiday Sale takes place at the artist’s Driggs, Idaho glass shop – 240 North 5th Street — on Saturday, December 11, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Visit glass artists MaryMullaney and Ralph Mossman. See them design
and make their signature glass pieces. Many pieces available for sale, and you can enjoy a holiday snack!
Visit the Heron Glass website here. Phone 208.354.2759.
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Sunday, December 12, join artist Shannon Troxler at her home — 2160 Coyote Loop, Wilson, WY — for a Holiday Show of new and recent paintings. Time is 12-6:00 pm. Lots of good cheer and refreshments on hand! Especially chocolates…
www.shannontroxler.net; email Shannon at paintergirl@bresnan.net
