More than 1,200 people from around the world, including top contemporary and traditional wildlife artists and collectors, came to Jackson, Wyoming, to attend the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s (NMWA) 30th Annual Western Visions Show & Sale events in September. Recap, winners, and totals are here!
Throughout the week, the NMWA showcased a combination of well-established, top-selling artists and emerging talents who are the next generation of leading wildlife artists. Western Visions is a cornerstone of the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival.
This year’s event had total revenue estimated at more than $650,000. In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Museum and Western Visions, all 114 participating artists have work in the permanent collection of the museum. Of those 114 artists, 10 were also in the original Western Visions Show & Sale in 1988; those artists are Clyde Aspevig, Kenneth Bunn, Ken Carlson, Michael Coleman, Daniel Smith, Tucker Smith, Lee Stroncek, Skip Whitcomb, Jim Wilcox, and Wayne Wolfe.
This year a highlight of the exhibition was a presentation by three outstanding sculptors moderated by sculptor Walter Matia. After his presentation of the history of animal sculpture through the ages, further presentations were made by Randal Dutra and Steve Kestrel.
“We’re so happy everyone joined us for this 30th-anniversary Western Visions,” says Kavar Kerr, Western Visions co-chair. “It was a wonderful event, and we are thankful for those who attended to celebrate these fantastic artists.”
There were also several artists who grabbed awards this year. Artist Edward Fraughton won this year’s Red Smith Award, the artists’ choice honor, for his piece “American Monarch,” which included an award from Fine Art Connoisseur. Western Visions guests voted for John Seery-Lester’s piece as People’s Choice for “The Stage Is Set.” Painter Kathryn Turner won the Trustee’s Purchase Award for her Sandhill crane painting “Sky,” which was acquired into the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s collection. Bill Sawczuk won the Bob Kuhn Sketch Award for his sketch entitled “A Fine Specimen.”
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