Wyoming is where it’s at. While the state is one of the least populous in the country, it’s abundant with some of the nation’s most scenic natural areas from iconic Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, to the Great Plains, the Rockies and the Big Horn Mountains. Its history is rich with the numerous Native American tribes that originally inhabited the land—Arapaho, Shoshone, Lakota and Crow are just a few—as well as the exploits of trappers and explorers. For the Western artist and collector, Wyoming is paradise.
Downtown Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Courtesy Visit Jackson Hole
Most of the time, you can’t imagine Wyoming without conjuring thoughts of Jackson Hole. The Western art haven offers top-notch galleries like Mountain Trails Gallery, Trailside Galleries and Gallery Wild, as well as the annual Jackson Hole Art Auction, which brings to auction Western artwork by some of the most renowned historic and contemporary artists. This year the auction will take place September 18 to 19. Another city staple is the yearly Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, running this year from September 9 to 20, an outdoor art festival in the heart of downtown Jackson. Also representing art in the Jackson Hole area is the Jackson Hole Art Blog run by journalist Tammy Christel.
A glimpse of the Morning with the Masters plein air paint out. Courtesy Visit Jackson Hole
Mint Bar, an old saloon in Sheridan, Wyoming. Courtesy Wyoming Office of Tourism
The Cowboy State has a range of Western art institutions and is home to many artists working today. In the northernmost part of the state in Big Horn, you’ll find The Brinton Museum, a historic ranch property preserved for more than 100 years and currently home to a massive collection of historic Western and Native art.
Other Wyoming-based artists depicting the history and imagery of the West include the likes of Den Schofield and William G. Smith.
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Trailside Galleries, Evening Storm, oil, 9 x 12", by Kathy Wipfler.
Trailside Galleries
130 E. Broadway, Jackson, WY 83001
(307) 733-3186, (480) 945-7751
www.trailsidegalleries.com
Trailside Galleries in Jackson, Wyoming, is one of the foremost dealers in American representational art, with a rich collection of Western, wildlife, figurative, impressionist and landscape art. The gallery represents a variety of contemporary Western painters and sculptors including William Acheff, Brent Cotton, Ezra Tucker, Greg Overton, Kathleen Dunphy, Dustin Payne, Kathy Wipfler and many others.
Upcoming summer exhibitions at the gallery include a two-artist show with Michael Godfrey and Robert Moore from June 29 to July 11, Jhenna Quinn Lewis from July 6 to 18, Lanny Grant from July 27 to August 8 and Dustin Van Wechel from August 10 to 15.
Trailside Galleries continuously expands and refines its collection through gathering new, diverse artists for its already impressive roster of talent.
Trailside Galleries, Lake Solitude, oil on canvas, 36 x 36", by Lanny Grant.
Trailside Galleries, Lupine Time, Teton National Park, oil, 30 x 40", by Lanny Grant.
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Mountain Trails Gallery in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
“Jackson Hole continues to be a destination of escape and inspiration. In these times, our collectors especially appreciate this spirit and the fine art that serves as a reflection of that ethos.”
— Chad Repinski, director of sales, Mountain Trails Gallery
Mountain Trails Gallery
155 N. Center Street, Jackson,
WY 83001, (307) 734-8150,
fineart@mtntrails.net, www.mtntrails.net
Mountain Trails Gallery is one of Jackson Hole’s premier curators of traditional and contemporary Western art. For more than 30 years, the gallery has featured exceptional bronze sculpture and original paintings depicting the wildlife, scenery and history of the American West.
Artists of note include Troy Collins, Edward Aldrich, Mark Gibson, Lyn St. Claire, Andrew Bolam, Jeff Pugh, and sculptors Vic Payne, Bryce Pettit, Raymond Gibby and many more. New artists in the gallery include renowned watercolorist Nelson Boren, landscape painters John Poon and Phillip Philbeck, and sculptors Scott Rogers and Ott Jones.
Looking forward to the summer, the gallery is excited to host artist-in-residence Collins over the Fourth of July. Painting in the gallery creating a variety of vibrant and textured works, Collins will also paint an American flag to commemorate the holiday. It’s an engaging activity for visitors, and the piece typically inspires awe and pride, the gallery says.
Middle: Mountain Trails Gallery, An Afternoon in Paradise, oil, 40 x 84”, by Troy Collins.
Mountain Trails Gallery, Moonlight Bison Lodge, oil, 30 x 35”, by Mark Gibson.
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Gallery Wild in Jackson, Wyoming.
“We are excited about summer in Jackson Hole! It is a wonderful place to be…The gallery will be full of great contemporary wildlife and wild places art…We welcome you to stop by the gallery and invite you to visit us online.”
— Scott Jones, director of sales, Gallery Wild
Gallery Wild
80 W. Broadway Avenue, Jackson, WY 83001
(307) 203-2322, info@gallerywild.com
www.gallerywild.com
Gallery Wild showcases contemporary fine art inspired by wildlife, wild places, open spaces and conservation. Owned and operated by Jackson Hole-based wildlife painter Carrie Wild and her husband, wildlife photographer Jason Williams, Gallery Wild’s works and philosophy are inspired by and directly impacted by thousands of hours in the field observing, studying and falling in love with all things wild. From the smallest bird to the biggest polar bear, Gallery Wild artists produce work inspired by actual subjects, roaming the wild and making lives richer. The gallery’s mission is to inspire our collectors and impassion others to help protect wildlife and wild places for future generations.
Gallery Wild also features a working artist studio where Wild and visiting gallery artists showcase their techniques and share their process with guests as they produce new work. Artists new to the gallery this summer are Julie T. Chapman, Silas Thompson and Amber Blazina. Upcoming shows include a Jennifer Johnson solo show, Icons, from July 3 to 12; a two-artist show for Matt Flint and Jeremy Bradshaw titled Parallel Visions, held July 16 to 22; Jackson Hole Art Invitational held August 6 to 16; and a Jenna von Benedikt solo show, Birds, Bugs and Beasts, August 20 to 26.
Gallery Wild, Still Waters, oil, mixed media and metal leaf on panel, 36 x 60”, by Matt Flint.
Gallery Wild, Red’s Reach, bronze, 45 x 14 x 9”, ed. 25, by Jeremy Bradshaw.
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Jackson Hole Art Blog, Ardor, oil on panel, 60 x 60”, by Mary Roberson. Courtesy Altamira Fine Art.
“The arts speak of our spirits, telling our present to the future. The arts are for everyone, and my mission is to break down barriers between the arts and those wishing to explore and enjoy them.”
— Tammy Christel, Jackson Hole Art Blog
Tammy Christel, Jackson Hole Art Blog
P.O. Box 262, Jackson, WY 83002
tammychristel@gmail.com
www.jacksonholeartblog.com
Writer and editor Tammy Christel’s Jackson Hole Art Blog tells the rich stories of visual art and culture in the illustrious city of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
“For those of us who are not artists, collectors or art scholars, the arts can feel a bit out of reach, even a bit intimidating,” she says. “That knowledge, combined with the great pleasure I take from the arts, has led me to create the Jackson Hole Art Blog.” From Wyoming-based artists and art festivals to gallery events and other cultural happenings, Christel paints an exhaustive picture of the art scene in the Jackson-area and the Cowboy State through her writing.
“The arts are also crucial in supporting the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Artists have long endeavored to capture this magnificent region, spark our imagination and help us towards an emotional experience critical to engaging our preservation of the parks,” says Christel. “Throughout the year I keep in touch with gallery happenings, and I pass that information on to you. I suspect you’ll delight in exploring our galleries and make great discoveries. My goal is to provide you with a connection to our artists, so join me on the Jackson Hole Art Blog!”
Jackson Hole Art Blog, Tcross (Sully’s Place), 2019, oil on canvas, 36 x 96”, by Mike Piggott. Courtesy Tayloe Piggott Gallery.
Jackson Hole Art Blog, Filigree, pastel on mounted paper, 12 x 6”, by Jennifer L. Hoffman. Courtesy the artist and Turner Fine Art.
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A view of a previous year’s Jackson Hole Art Auction.
“Over the last few years, and especially now, we have seen an increased interest in online and mobile bidding and buying. That trend is only expected to increase under the current circumstances, and we are looking forward to engaging with collectors both in person and digitally, as Western art continues to thrive in Wyoming.”
– Madison Webb, auction director, Jackson Hole Art Auction
Jackson Hole Art Auction
130 E. Broadway Avenue, Jackson, WY 83001 (866) 549-9278
coordinator@jacksonholeartauction.com
www.jacksonholeartauction.com
Showcasing masterworks of the American West, the Jackson Hole Art Auction is a signature event of the Fall Arts Festival held each September in Jackson, Wyoming. The 14th annual Jackson Hole Art Auction includes important work by highly sought after contemporary Western artists from Howard Terpning and Martin Grelle to Mian Situ and Morgan Weistling. In addition to the high caliber of Western art, the JHAA is also world-renowned for its unbeatable selection of wildlife offerings. The 2020 sale is no exception, with fresh-to-market pieces by Bob Kuhn, Carl Rungius, Robert Bateman, Tucker Smith and many more. Session I of the 2020 sale will take place on Friday, September 18, and will feature high-quality pieces at an accessible price point—perfect for the emerging collector. Session II is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, and will include museum-quality pieces, with work by Oscar E. Berninghaus, Joseph Henry Sharp, William Gollings, John Clymer and many more. Both sessions will be held at the Center for the Arts in Jackson.
Jackson Hole Art Auction, It’s Been a Long Day, 1976, oil on canvas, 24 x 34”, by Howard Terpning. Estimate: $200/300,000
Jackson Hole Art Auction, A Bunch of Bison, oil on canvas, 16 x 20”, by Tucker Smith. Estimate: $30/$50,000
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A view of the Brinton Museum grounds.
“We are very excited about the shows at the Brinton Museum in 2020. They represent a cross-section of art about the American West from the 19th century to the 21st century. I personally am very pleased to display the art of Henry Farny which is on loan from the American Heritage Center at the University of Wyoming.”
—Kenneth Schuster, director and chief curator, The Brinton Museum
The Brinton Museum
239 Brinton Road, Big Horn, WY 82833
(307) 672-3173, www.thebrintonmuseum.org
Situated on the 600-acre Quarter Circle A Ranch, the Brinton Museum and the historic ranch are tributes to Bradford Brinton and other inhabitants of Northern Wyoming. Established in 1961 by Bradford Brinton’s sister, Helen Brinton, the museum houses the Gallatin Collection of American Indian Art and pieces from Bradford Brinton’s personal collection. Over the years, additional American Indian pieces and paintings representing the American West have been acquired. The original buildings, gardens and historic ranch house, built in 1892, have been restored and maintained as they were when occupied by Bradford Brinton. Recently a series of nature trails has been developed allowing visitors to explore the property and view the abundant birds and wildlife.
In 2015, the Brinton Museum opened the Forrest E. Mars Jr. Building, which now houses an extensive collection of art and artifacts. Representing Wyoming and the American West from the 19th century through present day, this collection of art is unique in North America. Among the art are pieces by Catherine Critcher, John Mix Stanley, William Gollings, Ed Borein, Hans Kleiber, Thomas Moran, Charles M. Russell, John James Audubon, Frederic Remington and Winold Reiss.
The Brinton Museum, The Home Trail, oil, by Henry Farny (1847-1916).
The Brinton Museum, Roaming Free, oil, 24 x 36”, by Jacqueline Jones.
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William G. Smith, Climbing to Cooler, oil on canvas mounted on board, 18 x 24"
William G. Smith
(307) 200-6630, (208) 932-3246
wgsmith@williamgsmith.com
www.williamgsmithart.com
An exceptionally versatile artist, William G. Smith paints a wide gamut of subjects in oils and acrylics—wildlife, landscapes, sporting art (hunting and fishing), figures and portraits. He explains that after the excruciating exactitude of achieving a perfect likeness in a portrait, the creative freedom of painting a landscape or animal is very welcome.
Smith says that living in northwestern Wyoming, in close proximity to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park, nearly everything he paints is visible right out the window.
The artist paints in a realist style, and while he has a considerably accurate memory, he often uses photo references as well, combining components of dozens of different photos for one painting. “I’m always trying to make sure it looks ‘right’ to me, judging it against a lifetime of mind’s-eye images.”
He continues, “In the past couple of years, I’ve been doing more and more of my layout sketching, composition and sometimes fairly complete color sketches for a painting, using a digital tablet and stylus. It’s remarkably like doing physical drawing or painting. [It] demands exactly the same artistic skills, plus some computer technical wizardry…Recently, I was working on a portrait, and tried out four different backgrounds on layers behind the person’s face and upper body. By turning those four background layers on and off, I was able to immediately compare them, and even then hybridize a couple to make a new and better background layer. Much more efficient than doing it with paint and brush.”
William G. Smith, Pronghorn in the Red Desert, oil on canvas mounted on board, 20 x 30"
William G. Smith, The Storms of Autumn, oil on canvas mounted on board, 18 x 24"
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Den Schofield, Taos Trapper, oil on canvas, 20 x 16"
Den Schofield
501 Peak Drive, Riverton, WY 82591
(307) 463-2207, (307) 240-1673
denschofield@gmail.com
www.denschofield.com
The Western art of Pennsylvania-native Den Schofield focuses on the 19th century, with most of his paintings depicting either historic mountain men or cowboys. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Schofield is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Art and worked as an illustrator for about 25 years. Collectors can learn more about the publishers and studios with whom he worked on his official website. He is currently working on several paintings including a mountain man moonlight scene and a painting centered around the Pony Express.
Den Schofield, High Country (detail), oil on canvas, 14 x 11"
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