What better way to welcome a sunny spring in Jackson than the Jackson Hole Eco-Fair? The National Museum of WIldlife Art hosted a booth and we had a day full of fun and creativity. Here is just some of the wonderful art made. We carved fish stamps and made prints in honor of our Traveling Trout exhibit and celebrating the environment. In addition to print making, we also had three of our amazing Traveling Trout join us at the Eco-Fair. Don’t forget to visit the Sculpture Trail to see all of the amazing trout sculptures! 
 
Carter Cox
Assistant Curator of Education and Exhibits

It’s probably no surprise that I’m a big fan of museums.  I visit them wherever I go, either on business or vacation.  Last month I was lucky to see the incredible collection at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, including the big rock titled Levitated Mass.  (Love the name).   Surprisingly, it didn’t do much for my kids.  Apparently, being raised in the mountainous splendor of Jackson Hole and taken many hikes with “big rocks” all around, they weren’t impressed.  I was, however.  This 340-ton boulder was hauled from Riverside County in southern California on a 200-foot-long transporter, crawling at 8mph during nightfall.  Having witnessed a few tight installations at my own museum, I could only imagine what transpired en route.  I imagine that LA presents traffic challenges at any time of day, and what must it have been like unloading the thing? In celebration of these inspiring edifices called museums, the Association of Art Museum Directors is sponsoring “Art Museum Day” this Saturday, May 18.  Organizations nation-wide will offer special exhibitions and programs for their patrons.  Our participation features “Spin to Win,” a game that ensures every player receives a prize.  Cool items include free admission for the day, free guest passes for future visits, free drink ticket to redeem at Mix’d Media, two lunches in the Rising Sage Cafe, National Geographic posters, a package of Museum post cards, and more.  Neato! This Saturday, please visit us or any museum nearby.  And, shout out, “yeah museums!” Ponteir Sackrey, Barnes Family Director of Development & Marketing     View high resolution

It’s probably no surprise that I’m a big fan of museums.  I visit them wherever I go, either on business or vacation.  Last month I was lucky to see the incredible collection at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, including the big rock titled Levitated Mass.  (Love the name).   Surprisingly, it didn’t do much for my kids.  Apparently, being raised in the mountainous splendor of Jackson Hole and taken many hikes with “big rocks” all around, they weren’t impressed. 

I was, however.  This 340-ton boulder was hauled from Riverside County in southern California on a 200-foot-long transporter, crawling at 8mph during nightfall.  Having witnessed a few tight installations at my own museum, I could only imagine what transpired en route.  I imagine that LA presents traffic challenges at any time of day, and what must it have been like unloading the thing?

In celebration of these inspiring edifices called museums, the Association of Art Museum Directors is sponsoring “Art Museum Day” this Saturday, May 18.  Organizations nation-wide will offer special exhibitions and programs for their patrons. 

Our participation features “Spin to Win,” a game that ensures every player receives a prize.  Cool items include free admission for the day, free guest passes for future visits, free drink ticket to redeem at Mix’d Media, two lunches in the Rising Sage Cafe, National Geographic posters, a package of Museum post cards, and more.  Neato!

This Saturday, please visit us or any museum nearby.  And, shout out, “yeah museums!”

Ponteir Sackrey, Barnes Family Director of Development & Marketing

 

 

Art is subjective, so should it be judged? Our Museum recently announced the results of three different art contests: The prestigious Bull-Bransom Award for book illustration, the Betty Nelson Artistic Promise Award for kids, and the Traveling Trout Contest for teens. After 29 years in art education I’ve seen the gamut of approaches and opinions regarding the judging of art.  Here’s what I’ve learned.  1) Art contests, when done well; give honor and recognition to well deserving artists. 2) Thoughtful selection of judges is the most important task. 3) Score sheets with clearly defined judging criteria can help. 4) Never let your judges discuss their preferences or try to influence each other. If you are rigorous about each step, the best work will rise to the top, and the winners will be respected if not loved. Of course, on a different day, with different judges, other artists might win. -But it would be for other fabulous work!  Jane Lavino, Sugden Family Curator of Education View high resolution

Art is subjective, so should it be judged?

Our Museum recently announced the results of three different art contests: The prestigious Bull-Bransom Award for book illustration, the Betty Nelson Artistic Promise Award for kids, and the Traveling Trout Contest for teens. After 29 years in art education I’ve seen the gamut of approaches and opinions regarding the judging of art.  Here’s what I’ve learned. 

1) Art contests, when done well; give honor and recognition to well deserving artists. 2) Thoughtful selection of judges is the most important task. 3) Score sheets with clearly defined judging criteria can help. 4) Never let your judges discuss their preferences or try to influence each other.

If you are rigorous about each step, the best work will rise to the top, and the winners will be respected if not loved. Of course, on a different day, with different judges, other artists might win. -But it would be for other fabulous work! 

Jane Lavino, Sugden Family Curator of Education

Win PRIZES at Mix’d Media: George Catlin’s American Buffalo George Catlin’s American Buffalo serves as the inspiration for the first Mix’d Media of the summer season. The 40 original paintings that so deftly show us the inseparable relationship between Native Americans and the bison present the perfect theme for the evening’s celebration. Guests may dance to the alt-country-blues tunes of local band, The Boondocks. They may also have a taste of Wildlife Brewing’s award winning “flagship beer”, Mighty Bison. We also will cut out Victorian silhouettes, create miniature portraits, and write Native American style “picture stories”, all while enjoying buffalo sliders and Victorian seed cake, compliments of the Rising Sage Cafe. Mix’d Media programs are an exciting opportunity to explore temporary exhibits through thematic music, food, drink, and art activities after hours. We look forward to three more summer Mix’d Media programs, all of which will be held outside on the Sculpture Trail. June 13 Lost Birds with special guests Todd McGrain & Mandatory Air. July 11 Ancient Traditions with special guest Gary Small and the Coyote Brothers. August 8 Amazing Animals, program designed by Amy Ringholz Thanks to Wildlife Brew Pub for the delicious beer. The raffle items were generously donated by John Frechette with MADE, Rob Nelson with the White Buffalo Club and Tommie Williams of Dedicate. Mix’d Media programs are generously sponsored by Home Health for Pets, and Spring Creek Ranch. Amy Goicoechea, Associate Curator of Education   View high resolution

Win PRIZES at Mix’d Media: George Catlin’s American Buffalo

George Catlin’s American Buffalo serves as the inspiration for the first Mix’d Media of the summer season. The 40 original paintings that so deftly show us the inseparable relationship between Native Americans and the bison present the perfect theme for the evening’s celebration. Guests may dance to the alt-country-blues tunes of local band, The Boondocks. They may also have a taste of Wildlife Brewing’s award winning “flagship beer”, Mighty Bison. We also will cut out Victorian silhouettes, create miniature portraits, and write Native American style “picture stories”, all while enjoying buffalo sliders and Victorian seed cake, compliments of the Rising Sage Cafe.

Mix’d Media programs are an exciting opportunity to explore temporary exhibits through thematic music, food, drink, and art activities after hours.

We look forward to three more summer Mix’d Media programs, all of which will be held outside on the Sculpture Trail. June 13 Lost Birds with special guests Todd McGrain & Mandatory Air. July 11 Ancient Traditions with special guest Gary Small and the Coyote Brothers. August 8 Amazing Animals, program designed by Amy Ringholz

Thanks to Wildlife Brew Pub for the delicious beer. The raffle items were generously donated by John Frechette with MADE, Rob Nelson with the White Buffalo Club and Tommie Williams of Dedicate.

Mix’d Media programs are generously sponsored by Home Health for Pets, and Spring Creek Ranch.

Amy Goicoechea, Associate Curator of Education