KABOOM! What’s that sound? That is the sound of Jackson Hole’s art
market exploding! Jackson is home to over 30 art galleries and
fine art establishment. With a
population of merely 20,000, this “Wild West” little town that once conjured
reminiscent visions of buffalo roaming the plains and cowboys riding the range
now brings into focus one of the hottest art markets in the Nation. Jackson
is on the map!
Jackson
Hole is
host to the finest wildlife and traditional Western art galleries in the
nation. The snow laden peaks of
the Tetons have long been immortalized in countless artistic pieces through the
generations. Priceless vintage photos
and unique antiquities are found displayed with great pride. The textured landscapes of Wyoming
and the wild animals of the West
have been captured with courageous
feeling and expansive depth in paintings hanging in world class
Jackson galleries.
Jackson, once recognized exclusively for
traditional Western art, has begun to rapidly expand its’ reach into the new
horizons of the hottest contemporary and Western contemporary art in the
nation. RARE Gallery is filled with
cutting edge pieces from artists like Michael Kalish and his license plate Americana pieces and
Thomas Lasansky with his developed style of capturing the essence of icons such
as Sitting Bull, Geronimo, and Abe Lincoln.
According to Terry Ray, owner of West Lives on Gallery, “This market was
made on traditional art. Now we have the
best of both worlds with strong traditional art and emerging contemporary
art”. He’s right! This shift in modality is moving
mountains! Jackson
Hole’s contemporary and Western contemporary art scene is
representing many of the nation’s best artists of today. Some will tell you
that Jackson boasts a lofty fifth seat in
national art gallery sales.
Jackson Hole has positioned itself as an art Mecca.
“Jackson Hole has unquestionably become a moving
force in Western and wildlife art of all genres”, says Rick Armstrong, owner of
RARE Gallery. Further he says,
“The spectrum of diversity continues to expand and push the envelopes!” Mary Schmitt, owner Cayuse Western Americana
agrees saying, “The diversity of art spans from super contemporary to the
traditional wildlife and landscapes vibrant with life of the ecosystems of the
world.”
As Jackson galleries of have grown in
number, more choices in style and medium have become available.
Artistic sophistication is
evolving in this quaint little valley. Tourists from all over the world
who once visited the area for the scenery, the untainted wildlife, the daring
recreation, and the rugged features of the American West are now traveling here
for ART! Jackson
Hole is happening!
Welcome to JH art market. The
exceptional demand for the finer things in life has exposed the canvas and bronze of a renowned collection of
art galleries in Jackson Hole and the
represented artists have become a thread in the fabric of the art scene of the
nation. Our little town is representing the
best artist, sculptors, jewelry designers, and creators of today’s artistic
community. Visiting Jackson’s countless galleries is popular with locals and
visitors alike. As you find yourself meandering
through the wood planked walkways that connect the Jackson
art scene, you will know you have found the unique treasures of
a true art community.
As Pablo Picasso once said, “Art washes away from the soul the
dust of everyday life.” Jackson
is a plethora of opportunity in art and our once dusty exterior is again
driving forward.
Keep your eye on us as we bring you the latest and
greatest of the happenings in Jackson Hole Art!
Blog brought to you by Hollee Armstrong, Owner RARE
Gallery/ RARE Properties of Jackson Hole.
Email me at hollee@rarejh.com or view online at www.raregalleryjacksonhole.com
I would love to hear from you!
Y.A.R.D. Art 2007
Artspace Main Gallery: May 29 - June 6, 2007
Opening: June 1, 5:30pm
Now
in its 6th year, the Y.A.R.D 2007 art show is sure to delight, surprise
and entertain young and old alike. For an entire school year creative
teenagers have teamed up with instructors and artists Ben Roth and Emma
Adkisson and explored abstract and explorative art making. Find
functional furniture and frames as well as video and found object art…
Exhibition
Sponsors: National Endowment for the Arts, Charles Engelhard
Foundation, Matthew and Virgie O. Dragicevich Foundation, Story and
Bill Resor, New Belgium Brewing, Community Foundation of Jackson Hole
and Wyoming Arts Council
(from the art association website)
DAVE EISENHOUR
Lyndsay McCandless Contemporary
First Friday Opening
David Eisenhour’s compelling sculptures are inspired by the natural world and human psyche. He works with evocative primordial forms that convey the repetitive patterns of evolution. In keeping with our mission to contribute to a sustainable community and environment, a portion of sales will be donated to the JH Land Trust.
(from the lyndsay mccandles website)
both openings should be very cool. start your friday night of right and check 'em out!
"Are we liking certain things because we know that other people are liking them?" asks Jerry Saltz* in a recent ARTnews. His line of questioning continues, "How is the market affecting the ways we see art? How does it affect the way curators and editors see art? Does the market create a competitive atmosphere that drives artists to produce better work, or does it foster empty product?"
Food for thought is what I offer in this post. Take a look around the square (and beyond) and tell me what you think. Does Jackson represent a competitive market that drives artists to produce better work, or does this town simply house an empty, but marketable product? Where does art appreciation fit in our culture, both here in Jackson and on a larger scale? Maybe we're sheep following the lead of a mass-producible, out of the box, easy to digest, low calorie art market. We don't want to have to think about that 'stuff', but rather know that it's good or reputable and fits above the couch in the living room. And who is the shepherd? The many galleries around town trying to make a buck might be. What if it's simply a question of education, or lack there of...
The rambling could continue, but I must confess lunch is calling. I was told that my previous blog topic was merely a suggestion and needed some spicing up. My only response is here is another suggestion I guess, and bring on the chipotle!
*Jerry Saltz is the Senior Art Critic for the Village Voice and has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Criticism three times. He stopped through Jackson last fall to give a talk and check out the scene. He has yet to comment on the Jackson Art scene (as far as I know).
Gallery opening, artist reception, art talk, whatever you want to call it we've got it in Jackson. So what is the deal? If one attends such an event, is he or she in turn required to buy art after sucking down $10 worth of booze? Not at all. The opening is a gallery tradition that still dances to the tune of the high falutin', but that does not mean we should be scared of it, nor should we blow it off. You (the general public) are invited to enjoy a beverage of your choice and if you're lucky a snack, while checking out art. There are no strings attached and that can not be emphasized enough. You don't have to talk about it and you are free to detest every last piece hanging on the wall, sitting on a pedestal, or dangling from the ceiling. On the other hand, if you want to share your feelings about what you're looking at, by all means do so; it's encouraged! Is there a stigma that I'm missing. Don't fear the art world. Get out and enjoy it!
Bronwyn Minton has set up a wonderful show. It's a great venue for a lot of local artists. Check it out at the Center for the Arts.
How do you define the Jackson Hole art scene? What is missing and why?
Well... defining the Jackson art scene is getting to be more difficult as the contemporary presence grows, but one thing is for sure: it's expensive. Where are the bohemian digs? The struggling artist exists in this town, but how long can he or she sustain? Jackson lacks the resources that make art interesting; the hole in the wall where creative minds convene and social revolutions find life. Or is that too dependent on academia? Maybe the isolation and desirable living standards dampen the chance for unrest and creative scheming, but I find that hard to believe. It seems that artists emerge from both the busy streets of urban life and the isolation of rural dwelling, but what of the suburbans? I can think of no other way to define this valley despite it's distance from any major city. Jackson Hole = Suburbs... eh.... well... I regress.
The Jackson art scene will be interesting TO ME when more questions are asked. When artists choose to pick more at human social existence and less at color and composition.
whew... please bash this blog, because it deserves it!
peace,
Artsyfartsy