Yes, we do practically everything in an epic way in Wyoming, and that includes our museums.
If you're coming to Jackson Hole expressly for the art, be sure to put the National Museum of Wildlife Art at the top of your itinerary. Inspired by Scottish ruins and emerging from the side of a cliff, seeing the building alone is worth the short trip 3 miles north of the city. With stunning artwork both inside and out, plan on spending a day at this epic museum.
National Museum of Wildlife Art, 2820 Rungius Road, Jackson
The museum is located directly across US-191 from the National Elk Refuge. Built from quartzite and reclaimed timber, the National Museum of Wildlife Art looks as if it was built by Mother Nature herself round about the time she was fashioning the Grand Tetons.
Amazing bronze sculptures decorate the landscape outside the museum and are clearly visible from the road.
Most are so lifelike, you'll do a double take, thinking you've just spotted an elk...
...or a moose...
...or are seeing an eagle coming in for a landing.
The art trail around the outside of the gallery makes the most of the beautiful Wyoming scenery.
You could easily spend most of the day at the museum without even going indoors.
However, you won't want to miss the amazing paintings inside.
There are many that depict species indigenous to the Cowboy State...
...but there are just as many works of art at this wildlife gallery that portray a variety of animals from around the world.
The work displayed in the National Museum of Wildlife Art represents artists not only from America, but also from countries such as Africa, Europe, and New Zealand, to name a few.
One particularly noteworthy piece was painted by Colin Campbell Cooper. He painted this magnificent polar bear in April of 1912, during the time when he participated in the rescue effort to save passengers of the Titanic.
Of course, there is artwork done in mediums other than paint on canvas inside the museum.
Some artistic unknowns have even put their own mark on the wall in this gallery.
Little tiles sourced locally and containing fossils were purchased and signed before being added to the dedication wall.
There are tons of events at the museum all year long. Many are educational...
...and many are entertaining.
Mix'd Media is a particularly popular event that brings the art of music to the gallery.
Plus, the museum offers the perfect atmosphere for black tie events such as the Black Bear Ball.
The variety of events at the National Museum of Wildlife Art range from formal to fun and family-friendly, including a 5K and 10K race, special programs on the first Sunday of each month, and the Plein Air Fest which gathers nearly 50 artists together for a day of painting and creativity on the museum's outdoor trail.
It's not just human visitors who are lining up to visit this epic museum.
With such amazing art all around, who can blame them?
What other Wyoming art galleries do you love visiting?
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