Museum of Wildlife Art | September 10-October 3, 2021 | Jackson, WY

Expanding Horizons

The National Museum of Wildlife Art’s Western Visions Art Show & Sale returns with a hybrid format that includes more than 140 works of art.

By Rochelle Belsito

The animal kingdom has been a long-standing source of inspiration for artists. There are many painters and sculptors who portray a deep connection to the natural world through years of experience interacting with animals. Others focus on conservation by painting endangered species or environments that are disappearing. Some artists even combine these concepts to create beautiful and thought-provoking works of art. The National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming, has been a major force in helping elevate this dynamic genre of art.

Chad Poppleton, Moving Forward, oil on panel, 14 x 22”

Found throughout the museum are works by some of the great past masters, as well as pieces by today’s artists who are pushing wildlife art to new levels. The institution aims “to impart knowledge and inspire appreciation of humanity’s relationship with nature through art and education.” Helping to achieve that mission is one of the museum’s fundraisers, the Western Visions Art Show & Sale. This year’s 34th annual event, from September 10 through October 3, returns to the museum after a virtual-only show in 2020. There will be online components as well, allowing collectors from all over to find new works of art for their collections.

Nicholas Wilson, Moon Rock, gouache, 16 x 20”

Opening week takes place during the famed Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, and collectors will be able to start perusing the museum and the show website for available works before the sale happens on September 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. Included in this year’s edition are paintings and sculptures by more than 140 artists, including 11 first-time invitees. This number is up from the usual approximately 100 participants, allowing for a wider range in the show. The event also has a new format by focusing on smaller works. All two-dimensional art has target parameters of 16 by 20 inches and three-dimensional art around 18 inches on the largest side.

Donna Howell-Sickles, Spiral Fawn, acrylic on canvas, 18 x 18”

“In doing this, we thought it would provide a greater diversity and accessibility,” says Michelle Dickson, the museum’s director of programs and events. “The goal is to have something for everyone. Through this, and by pursuing the smaller pieces, we have what I would consider very approachable price point brackets.”

Artists in the show include Edward Aldrich, Greg Beecham, Carl Brenders, Tim Cherry, Len Chmiel, Nicholas Coleman, Guy Combes, Rox Corbett, Mick Doellinger, Scott Fraser, Luke Frazier, Julie Jeppsen, T.D. Kelsey, Chris Maynard, Paul Rhymer, Tamara Ruiz, Sandy Scott, Tucker Smith, Kathryn Mapes Turner, Dustin Van Wechel, Carrie Wild and more.

T.D. Kelsey, Fall is in the Air, bronze, ed. of 5, 22 x 20 x 21”

Chad Poppleton’s painting Moving Forward depicts a buffalo migration. Describing the scene, he says, “One late summer evening I had the privilege to watch a few hundred buffalo migrate across a meadow to a small water source at the end of the day. The big, intimidating buffalo were as docile as lambs calmly walking in. Quite the irony compared to the behavior only a few hours ago as they battled and fought over territory during the dusty heat of the day. The cooling temperature of the sun going down must have had the same effect upon their mood. Now they seemed to get over the earlier episodes and move forward to water and peace.”

Mustang Song, a colorful oil on canvas by Amy Lay is another work available. “Horses, especially wild ones hold a very special place in my heart,” says Lay. “To look at them, they have this beautiful warmth about them. I think, for me, it speaks to the fact that although they are wild and unbroken, they have in their history a long and well-worn relationship with humans...both tender and brutal. I see in them this historical wisdom and it makes me happy to see that twinkle in their eye.”

William Alther, Her Elegancy, oil, 16 x 19”

Donna Howell-Sickles’ whitetail deer painting Spiral Fawn measures 18 inches square and has her signature border and drawing-like style. “There are a lot of whitetail deer around my home, but only a few breathtaking times have I seen a very young fawn curled up hiding in plain sight,” she says. “They have such a soft, fragile innocence about them that I revisit the subject over and over to enjoy again that endearing sweetness. New life holds such promise.”

After having a buy-it-now format to purchase art in 2020, this year’s sale returns to its traditional intent-to-purchase method, but with a twist to allow virtual bidders to participate alongside those in the museum. “This year we’ve partnered with GraVoc out of Massachusetts to create our own intent-to-purchase platform,” says Dickson. “Collectors are able to buy one of three tickets: in-person, virtual or proxy. Then on September 16, from 5 to 8 p.m., whether they are in-person, virtual or by proxy, ticketholders can express their intent-to-purchase by entering their name into the drawing of any of the 142 lots. We are hosting the drawing for the winner of each of the lots, but the funnel is twofold.”

Tucker Smith, Young Bull, oil on linen, 12 x 16”

In addition to the show and sale, an artist panel discussion will happen September 16 from 10 a.m. to noon for guests attending the show at the museum. This year’s focus will be on ecological conservation through art, with the theme of “going out on a limb.” Dickson says, “It’s really intended to focus on the risks, rewards, obstacles and successes of artists who make a statement through their art.”

Any unsold works for Western Visions will be available to purchase through the close of the show on October 3. Visit the event website as the show nears for the full online catalog and details on how to bid for artwork.

Western Visions Art Show & Sale
September 10-October 3, 2021