Renowned landscape architect Walter Hood discusses "Art in Public Places" July 26 in Jackson

Renowned landscape architect Walter Hood, designer of the National Museum of Wildlife Art ’s under-construction sculpture trail, will discuss “Art in Public Places” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26 at the museum in Jackson. The event is free and open to the public. Known for his innovative and people-friendly designs of such high-profile public spaces as the grounds for the De Young Museum in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, Hood will share insight into his philosophy about creating multitasking public spaces that are both respectful of the land and rooted in their communities.

Trio Fine Art in Jackson offers full slate of summer exhibits

Kathryn Turner

Wyomingarts made the acquaintance today (via phone) with Kathryn Mapes Turner, one of the artist-owners of Trio Fine Art gallery in Jackson.

Wyomingarts has yet to visit this gallery, but will make up for the oversight in two weeks while shepherding the WAC's fellowship exhibit curator around the state.

Kathryn says that there are four landscape painters involved with the gallery (it began with three, thus the name): Kathryn, September Vhay, Lee Carlman Riddell and Jennifer L. Hoffman.

If you're in The Hole this week, you're in luck -- the gallery is holding a reception featuring September Vhay's work on Thursday, July 7, 5-8 p.m. Here's the gallery's full event schedule:

September Vhay

July 7 -- September Vhay
July 28 -- Lee and Ed Riddell 
August 18 -- Jennifer Hoffman 
September 8 -- Kathryn Mapes Turner 
September 9 -- Palettes to Palates 

Kathryn's Wyoming roots go deep. According to her web site bio, she's the fourth generation of her family raised on the Triangle X Ranch in Grand Teton National Park. She's been awarded with such honors as Wyoming Best Watercolor Artist and was included in SouthwestArt Magazine’s “Annual Profile of Young Artists with Promising Careers.”

See samples of her work at www.turnerfineart.com

Trio Fine Art, 545 N. Cache Street, is located four blocks north of the Jackson town square across from the north end of the visitors’ center. It’s open Wednesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Kathryn says there’s always an artist minding the store. What better reason do you need to drop by, say hi and view some fine art?

"Murder Rides Again... in Jackson Hole!" shows again in... Jackson!

Jackson Community Theater presents the second go-around of "MURDER RIDES AGAIN...in Jackson Hole!"

Enjoy a wacky wild west murder mystery dessert theater production, fun for the whole family!

This show will be presented for 3 nights each month through September.....on July 6, 7, and 8, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday evening. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. at the Elk's Lodge. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children under 10 ~ includes dessert! YEEHAW!!

Come help Marshall Duke & Fester solve this zany excuse for a murder mystery and enjoy Miss Liddy's peach cobbler a la mode! Get your tickets at Valley Books and at the door. Call 307-690-8573 for more info and reservations.

Daily hard-hat tours of renovation work at National Museum of Wildlife Art

Another good reason to visit Jackson this summer:

Beauty is being restored to the rugged National Museum of Wildlife Art façade one carefully placed piece of Oakley Quartzite (shown in photo) at a time as the museum’s construction projects continue on schedule. More than 37,000 square feet of the multicolored stone, mined in Idaho, will eventually sheathe the building’s façade as part of summer improvements that include a new roof and initial work on the new sculpture trail in addition to the upfit to the exterior walls, with capital improvements to the building scheduled for completion by October 31, 2011.

The museum remains open on its regular schedule during construction, and visitors can check the work-in-progress on the new sculpture trail via free “hard hat tours” daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The three-quarter-mile-long outdoor art venue designed by renowned landscape architect Walter Hood will showcase nearly 30 permanent and temporary artworks and is slated to open September 2012. A special installment of the tours will be led July 1 at 10 a.m. by museum Director of Security and Facility Service Joe Bishop, who will share museum history, fun facts and hard-to-believe stories from his more than 20 years on staff.

In addition to the capital improvements and new sculpture trail, work has been underway on a new underpass to allow easy biker and hiker access to the museum from the Jackson-to-Grand Teton National Park North Highway 89 pathway. A panel including the museum’s Curator of Art Adam Harris recently selected artwork featuring playful ravens by Wisconsin sculptor Don Rambadt for the new underpass’s retaining walls.

Read this intriguing article about trailblazing landscape architect Walter Hood in Fast Company magazine.

Voices of Freedom/Faces of Freedom features community portraits at July 4's Music in the Hole

Roseneide G, Providencia, Brazil

Tedx Jackson Hole has joined the global art project initiated by TEDPrize winner, the French street artist and photographer JR, and you are invited to be part of the fun! In partnership with the Grand Teton Music Festival and the Wyoming Humanities Council we have launched Voices of Freedom/Faces of Freedom.

There are three elements:

1. During GTMF’s Music in the Hole Celebration on the Fourth of July, personal statements about the meaning of Freedom will be incorporated into one of the pieces of music

2. A large photo installation featuring poster-size portraits of the will be exhibited (location TBD) outside as a public art installation during July

3. Photos and personal statements will be uploaded as part of TED Prize-winner JR’s Global “Inside Out” art project. Check out www.insideoutproject.net to browse what has already been uploaded and see for yourself what we have in mind!

You can participate in any and all of this. We would like at least 100 and would welcome 1,000! Here is what you would need to do:

Answer the question “What does Freedom mean to you?” Define it any way you wish—it is a big notion—and send it to us. We will arrange to take your portrait and will take care of the rest. We will have a photo booth at Music in the Hole in partnership with the Wyoming Humanities Council’s “Rumination Wheel,” as well.

Please pass this on to anyone you think might be interested. If you are involved with a group or organization that would like to participate en masse, that is welcomed, too!

FMI: lisa@jacksonholefilmfest.org,juliekling@gmail.com, shelly@gtmf.org, or emydigrappa@gmail.com

Jackson Hole Public Art Initiative selects Don Rambadt's design for underpass project

Jackson Hole Public Art Initiative, Jackson Hole Community Pathways and the National Museum of Wildlife Art are pleased to announce that artist Don Rambadt has been selected to create public art for the retaining walls framing the North Highway 89 Underpass that connects to the Museum’s new sculpture trail.

The main features of Rambadt’s proposal (see artist's rendering above)are called “Sky Play” and “Aspen Gateway”. The artwork depicts a large group of young Ravens at play. The object of the flock’s attention is its stick-toting leader, a reference to the remarkably intelligent Raven’s use of tools, and its family’s unique position as the only birds that fashion and keep their favorite “toys”. The birds will be created in carbon steel plate supported by Corten steel panels.

Aspen Gateway presents the viewer with a stylized view of an Aspen grove, executed in mirror-polished stainless steel with a black background to accentuate the forms of the trees. “The steep, out-swept angle of the wing-walls presents a wonderful opportunity to reflect the sweeping scenery of the Elk Refuge on the surface of the artwork, while the subtle forms of the trees and the abstract shapes between the reflected images will prepare the viewers mind and eye for the artists’ visions that await them at the National Museum of Wildlife Art.”

Installation will take place this fall and into 2012.

FMI: Jackson Hole Public Art Initiative, Carrie Geraci / Director, 307-413-1474, www.jhpublicart.org

Call for entries: CIAO Gallery's "Printmakers Mode"

From the CIAO Gallery: Printmaking artists are encouraged to apply to participate in CIAO Gallery’s upcoming “4th Annual Printmakers Mode" exhibition, to be held July 21-August 16, 2011. The entry deadline is June 24. All types of work in the printmaking medium are eligible. Participants will be selected by uniqueness, emerging style, and use of material. First, Second, and Third place prize winners. Entrants will be notified June 27. All chosen artists' work must be delivered no later than July 20. Entry fees for this exhibition are now at the discounted rate of $35 to submit up to 5 digital images to be considered for the exhibition, $5 each additional, up to a total of 10 works. For more information, please call 307-733-7833, or visit www.ciaogallery.com and click the "Call To Artists" tab for application and more information.

Call for artists: Renewal Altered Book Exhibit

From the Teton County Public Library:

As the library prepares for an addition and renovation, we invite you take apart and rebuild an old book. Repurposed book art projects will become part of a traveling exhibition opening this fall. Each participant will be given the same set of "starter supplies," including one book and a library-related word. Final projects due September 19. Free. To participate and get instructions contact: Adult Humanities Coordinator, Oona Doherty, 733-2164 ext. 135, odoherty@tclib.org.

"Murder Rides Again... in Jackson Hole" opens June 22

Jackson Community Theater presents "Murder Rides Again....in Jackson Hole," a wacky wild west murder mystery Dessert Theater show for the whole family. 

Discover how the West was fun!

Shows are June 22, 23, 24 at the Elks Lodge, 7:30 pm. Tickets available at Valley Books and at the door.

Call 307-733-7925 for more information. 

Old West Days Celebration means music, theatre, parades, good food and great skiing

Jackson launches into summer with the 30th Annual Old West Days (locals call it "Cold Wet Days") Celebration May 27-30. With Jackson Hole's rich history, its no wonder Old West Days is a favorite among visitors and locals alike. People from all over the country come to appreciate live music, theatrical entertainment, arts and crafts, delicious food, rodeo events and much, much more.

For more information, contact the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, info@jacksonholechamber.com, or 307.733.3316.

Bring your skis. According to Jim Stanford at JH Underground: 

Skiers and snowboarders should enjoy good coverage and fresh powder when the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram opens for the season Saturday. Meteorologist Jim Woodmencey is calling for up to 8 inches of snow by Sunday, and the Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center has rated the danger as moderate.

Lynn Friess wins IPPY Award for "Western Lullaby"

From a press release:

A Jackson Hole picture book, Western Lullaby, written by Lynn Estes Friess (shown in photo) and illustrated by Barbara Leonard Gibson (Mariposa Ranch Press, 2010), has won a gold medal in the national 2011 Independent Publisher Book Awards. Launched in 1996, the “IPPY” Awards are designed to bring increased recognition to deserving but often unsung titles from independent publishers.  Western Lullaby by Jackson Hole resident Lynn Friess took first place in the category of “Children’s Picture Books (7 & Under).”

Author Friess, a grandmother of 10 and avid art collector, wrote the award-winning Western Lullaby as a bedtime story focusing on the nocturnal sights and sounds of the West, combining the dreamy tale of a little cowgirl’s nighttime surroundings with vivid illustrations by Gibson of the Western outdoors.  An audio CD of the lullaby that inspired the book is included, performed by Wyoming singer-songwriter Marilee Gordon.

This year’s “IPPY” Awards presented gold, silver and bronze medals to winners in 69 national categories as well as regional awards and 12 Outstanding Books of the Year.  Western Lullaby tied for the gold in its category with Henry! You’re Late Again! by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl, illustrated by Brian Barber (Beaver’s Pond Press).  According to Independent Publisher, the 346 medal-winning books for 2011 came from a pool of 3,907 total entries, representing 45 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia, seven Canadian provinces, and seven countries overseas.  A full listing of the 2011 “IPPY” Award winners is available here on the Independent Publisher website.

Western Lullaby was the first picture book written by Friess, a close friend and supporter of the Jackson Hole-based National Museum of Wildlife Art.  In September 2010, Friess published her second picture book, Jackson Hole’s Carl Discovers Wildlife Art, illustrated by John Potter, and written as an engaging way to introduce children to wildlife art and the museum.  The Carl title is the first in a planned series, and proceeds from the book help sponsor programs, exhibits and operating support for the museum.

Media Contact: Ponteir Sackrey, National Museum of Wildlife Art, 307.732.5444, psackrey@wildlifeart.org

Teton County Library screens Jen Tennican's new film during "Sunday at the Coach"

On Friday, June 3, the Teton County Public Library in Jackson presents "Sunday at the Coach" from 6-7 p.m. 

Ever experienced "church," high risk music or the Christine Chapel? Enjoy an evening of true stories told live by the Stagecoach Band and Sunday night regulars, who have been playing, dancing and toe-tapping at this colorful saloon for 42 years. Watch a sneak preview of local filmmaker Jen Tennican's The Coach: An American Crossroads. Fun finger food and beverages provided. Audience members are encouraged to bring Coach memorabilia and stories to share. Location: Ordway Auditorium. Free. Adult Humanities Coordinator, Oona Doherty, 733-2164 ext. 135, odoherty@tclib.org.

Jen's film, Highway 22 Revisited, just won the Wyoming Short Film Competition:

Documentary filmmaker Jennifer Tennican uses an iconic western watering hole, the Stagecoach Bar, as a lens to view seventy years of history and societal change in Wilson, Wyoming. The problem is the only thing people want to talk about is the night that Bob Dylan supposedly played at the bar. Repeatedly sidetracked by this story, she goes in search of the truth - did he or didn't he? Is the story real or an urban legend? Join her on her quest to resolve the mystery. 

Work by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo at Teton County Public Library June 6-30

Detroit Industry, South Wall, 1932-33, fresco by Diego Rivera. Detroit Institute of Arts.

The Teton County Public Library in Jackson will feature an exhibition of work by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo June 6-30. The library gallery will feature large, life-size reproductions from Mexico’s most famous muralist: Diego Rivera. Right next to him you can enjoy prints of Frida Kahlo’s vibrant paintings and self-portraits that celebrate the colorful culture of Mexico. This display is part of a traveling exhibition from Teacher's Discovery and will be on display until June 30. Location: Library Exhibit Gallery. Free. Latino Programs Coordinator, Pati Rocha, 733-2164 ext. 237, procha@tclib.org.

Art Association in Jackson hosts reception tonight for four new exhibits

From Tammy Christel's Jackson Hole Art Blog:

A quadruple opening this Friday night, May 6, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Art Association.


Y.A.R.D. Art Year 10 – “Works created by this year’s YARD (Young Artists Revolutionary Designs) Art students feature repurposed furniture made from recycled items in collaboration with the Habitat Restore. Their creativity knows no bounds – come see what these talented students in the YARD High School outreach program have created over the course of the schoolyear with instructors Sam Dowd, Javier Baez Armenta and Ben Carlson.”  On exhibition at the Artspace Main Gallery through May 23, 2011.


Y.A.R.D. Art Alumni & Instructors – celebrate a decade of Y.A.R.D. with former students & teachers–Artspace Loft Gallery, on display through May 23, 2011.


Figures: Eliot Goss at the Art Association – “A collection of ink wash drawings” by painter and architect Eliot Goss – Artspace Conference Gallery – on display through May 27, 2011.


On the Other Side: Teton Mudpots and Driggs Clay Group Collaborative Ceramics Exhibition – Artspace Lobby Gallery – on display through May 27, 2011

Construction update: National Museum of Wildlife Art

Excavation preparation began this week on the underpass that will link the Jackson-to-Grand Teton North 89 Pathway to the National Museum of Wildlife Art. When completed in late May, the new underpass will connect the pathway for bicyclists, pedestrians and other non-motorized users to the museum and its new sculpture trail, which is also under construction and slated for fall 2011 completion.

“Wingwalls” for the underpass are being installed this week on the sides of the road, according to Pathways Coordinator Brian Schilling, who adds that signs are being placed this week to alert travelers about the construction. The week of May 8, traffic cones will narrow multiple lanes of Highway 89 to two lanes for 3,000 feet in each direction, with excavation taking place around the clock all week for quick completion. The underpass itself will be installed by mid-May with construction completed by the end of the month. The museum will remain open on its regular schedule during all phases of the construction.

In addition to the Teton County/Jackson Hole Community Pathways underpass project, the museum is undergoing capital improvements of its own, including a new roof and upfit to exterior walls, as well as construction of the new multimillion-dollar sculpture trail designed by renowned landscape architect Walter Hood , which will further integrate the museum’s collection with its natural Wyoming setting. Beginning June 1, free hard hat tours of the under-construction sculpture trail will be available twice daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

A member of the Museums West consortium and accredited by the American Association of Museums, the National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States provides an exciting calendar of exhibitions from its permanent collection and changing exhibitions from around the globe. A complete schedule of museum exhibitions and events is available online at www.wildlifeart.org . The museum is also active on Facebook at wildlifeartjh and on Twitter at @wildlifeartjh.

Media Contacts: Darla Worden, WordenGroup Strategic Public Relations, 307.734.5335, darla@wordenpr.com; Ponteir Sackrey, National Museum of Wildlife Art, 307.732.5444, psackrey@wildlifeart.org.

JH Weekly interviews Robert Pinsky in lead-up to May 14 Teton County Library event

Robert Pinsky photo by Scott Davidson

Great interview with former U.S. Poet Laureate and "civic poet" Robert Pinsky in the 4/20 JH Weekly. On May 14, the Teton County Library Foundation will present a "Page to the Podium" reading and lecture with Pinsky. Tickets are free and available today at the library. Pinsky now is a professor at Boston University and the poetry editor for the online magazine Slate. He also is founder of the Favorite Poem Project. To read the entire interview, go to Planet News Article -- American music, American voices

Call for entries: ArtSpot in Jackson

Located on Hwy 89 in Jackson, the ArtSpot is seen by an average of 30,000 people per day. The ArtSpot v2.0 is the only venue in Wyoming dedicated to the public display of temporary art projects. The ArtSpot is a kinetic sign structure created from a repurposed chairlift tower donated by the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Designs reflective of Jackson’s natural environment are torch-cut into the steel. The ArtSpot program appeals to the average viewer who might not be personally invested in arts and culture, yet can be impacted by artwork that inspires a sense of community by depicting shared themes, values and experiences.

Here is the link to this call for entries: http://www.artassociation.org/exhibitions/ArtSpot.html

ArtSpot It is open to artists and/or artist groups living in Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and Montana. New applications are due June 1, 2011 for the fall and winter time slots.

FMI: Sam Dowd, Ceramics, YARD Art & ArtSpot, Art Association of Jackson Hole, 307-733-6379

New Jackson Hole Review launch party set for April 29

Matthew Irwin sent this:

I'm emailing to inform you about the re-launch of Jackson Hole Review, a biannual literary publication featuring literature and art from all over the country concerned with the American West. We're holding a launch party on April 29. We're in the midst of updating the website and the hard copies will be here a day or two before the party. Here are some of the details:

The party is 6-9 p.m., Friday, April 29, at Factory Studios, 1255 Gregory Lane, Jackson.

The JH Review's inaugural issue, themed "connect/disconnect," features contributions from writers, poets, photographers and visual artists from all over the country. Our featured contributor for this issue is Idaho essayist/poet/fiction writer Kim Barnes, who has generously given us an essay and submitted to an interview.

Sponsored by Teton Artlab and JH Weekly. $10 includes a copy of the Review, refreshments, entertainment and special prizes for attendees. Find out more about connect/disconnect at www.jhreview.com and at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=31218906942

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Sponsored by Teton Artlab and JH Weekly. Special thanks to the Teton Library Foundation, the National Museum of Wildlife Art, Grand Teton Music Festival, Falls Printing, Valley Bookstore, Jackson Hole Writers' Conference and the Jackson Hole Public Art Initiative for making JH Review possible.

Murie Center hosts nature photography workshop June 15-18 with Henry H. Holdsworth

Teton Spring Awakening Nature Photography Workshop with Henry H. Holdsworth

Dates: June 15-18, 2011
Location: The Murie Ranch – A National Historic Landmark in Grand Teton National Park
Description: Join the Murie Center and nationally renowned local photographer Henry H. Holdsworth for a long weekend learning how to capture the essence of beauty in the valley.
Price: $1,345 includes lodging for 3 nights in a Murie Ranch cabin, all meals and tuition; $995 includes all meals and tuition only.

The Murie Center is pleased to welcome back Henry H. Holdsworth for a spring workshop that will focus on wildflowers and wildlife, with baby animals being one of the primary focal points. Enjoy a long weekend stay at the Murie Ranch while learning to photograph the wildness and wildlife of the surrounding valley under the direction of such an accomplished photographer. Register Online »

"Artists in the Environment" Plein Air Summer Series announced by Grand Teton Assn.

The Grand Teton Association presents the 2011 “Artists in the Environment” Plein Air Summer Series schedule:

Greg McHuron

Date: June 11, 2011

Location: Chapel of Transfiguration

Time: 4:00 - 7:00 pm

Plein air painter Greg McHuron (shown in photo) co-founded “Artists in the Environment” with landscape artist Conrad Schwiering, and has been painting in the Western United States for over 35 years.  Represented in galleries and museums throughout the West, he is a signature member of the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painter Association and Artists for Conservation.

Greta Gretzinger

Date:  July 9, 2011

Location:  Mormon Row

Time:  2:00-5:00 pm

Greta Gretzinger is known for her large scale murals depicting wilderness landscapes and wildlife.  Based in Idaho and the Jackson Hole area, Gretzinger’s lively and illustrative portraits of Western life appear in public spaces and local parks throughout the region.  

Scott Christensen

Date: August 13, 2011

Location: Cathedral Group

Time: 2:00-5:00 pm

One of the country’s most distinguished plein air artists, Scott Christensen's work is part of Grand Teton National Park’s Craig Thomas Visitors’ Center prestigious permanent collection. Christensen’s paintings are included in significant national venues, such as the National Academy of Western Art, Prix de West Invitational at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum  in Oklahoma City, OK,  the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, OK, National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, WY, Denver Art Museum, Kimbal Museum, Salmagundi Club in New York, Autry Museum, and the Salon d' Arts at the  Colorado History Museum.

Erin C. O’Connor

Date:  September 10, 2011

Location:  String Lake

Time:  2:00-5:00 pm

Artist Erin C. O'Connor finds her greatest inspiration by painting directly within the environment. Noted for her participation in many prestigious Plein Air events, she is represented in collections and exhibits throughout the country. O’Connor was awarded the 2009 Joshua Tree National Park “Artist-in-Residency” post. 

Information: Tammy Christel. Email:  tammy@jacksonholearttours.com   Phone:  307.690.1983