National Museum of Wildlife Art event offers inspired art and free outdoor fun for families
Jackson Hole, Wyoming – Artists will take their inspiration from Jackson Hole’s famously beautiful natural surroundings at the third annual Plein Air Fest at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, scheduled for June 21 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. This year’s festival, which again takes place on the museum’s sculpture trail overlooking the National Elk Refuge north of Jackson, Wyo., has already lined up more than 50 artists, who will race to complete plein air masterpieces in just four hours during the festival’s exciting “quick draw.”
Artists will set up on the museum’s ¾-mile long outdoor art venue and work in a variety of mediums in the open air from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Along with watching the artists creating in real time, art lovers will have an opportunity to purchase the freshly finished pieces via silent bid. The family-friendly Plein Air Fest also includes live bluegrass music by the popular Jackson Hole trio PTO, as well as outdoor games and activities for kids. The museum’s Rising Sage Café also will offer a variety of delicious baked treats for sale beginning at 10 a.m., and will grill up hamburgers, hot dogs and BBQ pork, providing lunch options and beverages for purchase from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The museum anticipates a bigger crowd to enjoy the artwork and activities at this year’s event, which is free and open to the public, and is encouraging environmentally-friendly transportation options. “We want to help preserve our beautiful natural setting, which serves as habitat for actual wildlife as well as our wildlife art,” says Becky Kimmel, the museum’s director of programs and events. “The Pathways trail from town connects directly to the museum’s sculpture trail, so we’re hoping people will want to take advantage of the bicycling opportunity. To sweeten the deal, the first 200 people to arrive by bike will receive a coupon for a free beverage at the event,” she adds. Hiking the Pathways trail is another greener-transportation option, as is taking advantage of the free START shuttle service to the museum.
For a full list of participating artists and a chance to view their artwork online in advance, visit the Plein Air Fest page on the museum’s website. Festival visitors also will receive free admission for the day to explore the current exhibitions on display indoors at The National Museum of Wildlife Art.
The National Museum of Wildlife Art’s Plein Air Fest is sponsored by Barbara Carlsberg, Carole & Bob Hummel, Clarke Nelson, The Spatz Family and Plein Air magazine.
A member of the Association of Art Museum Directors and the Museums West consortium and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the museum, officially designated the National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States by an act of Congress in 2008, provides an exciting calendar of exhibitions from its permanent collection and changing exhibitions from around the globe. A complete schedule of exhibitions and events is available online at www.wildlifeart.org. The museum is also active on Facebook and on Twitter at @WildlifeArtJH.