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30 Wonders/30 Years: A History of the Museum in 30 Works

October 28, 2017 - May 6, 2018
Rungius Sportsmens Moose Wildlife Art

Carl Rungius’ Sportsmen’s Moose exemplifies the incredible stories behind many of the objects collected by the Museum during its 30-year existence. This painting appeared on a poster in 1907, promoting a sportsmen’s expo. The National Museum of Wildlife Art owned a copy of the poster and used the image of the moose on the inaugural material for the opening of the Museum in 1987 without knowing where the original was. In 2012, the painting was found in an attic on Prince Edward Island and, thanks to the Robert S. and Grayce B. Kerr Foundation, we were able to acquire it. It is a classic, early Rungius with a great story and clear ties to the Museum.

This exhibit will uncover other amazing stories behind a diverse range of objects as we trace the history of this institution from Wildlife of the American West Art Museum on the Jackson Town Square to the National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States in its permanent facility overlooking the National Elk Refuge. This exhibition will consist of 30 objects representing the diversity of the collection in terms of depth and breadth.

Rungius Sportsmens Moose Wildlife Art
Carl Rungius (American, b. Germany, 1869 – 1959), "Sportsmen's Moose," 1907. Oil on canvas. 28 x 21 inches. Purchased with Funds Generously Donated by the Robert S. and Grayce B. Kerr Foundation, National Museum of Wildlife Art. © Estate of Carl Rungius.
Liljefors Swans
Bruno Liljefors (Swedish, 1860-1939), "Swans," 1917. Oil on canvas. 27 3/4 x 39 1/2 inches. JKM Collection®, National Museum of Wildlife Art.
Righetti Baboon Sculpture
Guido Righetti (Italian, 1875 – 1958), "Sacred Hamadyras Baboon," 1919. Bronze. 13 1/2 x 11 1/2 x 13 1/2 inches. Gift of Dr. Lee W. Lenz, National Museum of Wildlife Art. © Guido Righetti.
Other Exhibits
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State of the Art: Student Art Show in Honor of Marion Buchenroth

Through May 4, 2025

This youth art exhibit is an annual collaboration between the National Museum of Wildlife Art and art educators from Teton County schools. The several hundred works of art on display beautifully demonstrate how students grow as artists as they move through grades K-12.

See the Exhibit
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Tony Foster: Watercolour Diaries from the Green River

Through May 4, 2025

Artist Tony Foster became fascinated with the 50-million-year-old Green River fossilized fish when he first saw them in 1985. It was from these small special objects that he comprised the idea to make a group of artworks about the Green River. He began his project in 2018, creating a major painting of Steamboat Rock and the horseshoe bend from his vantage point up a 400 foot cliff. In the summer of 2019 he took a rafting trip from the Gates of Lodore to Split Rock, creating five smaller paintings en route. From these initial works he created this exhibition about, in Foster’s words: “this magnificent river.”

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What People Are Saying
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"Phenomenal gallery! Exquisitely curated! Must-see highlight of our trip. P.S. Lunch was also delicious!"
— Jen R.
"Amazing collection of art. This is truly a special place!"
— David L.
"Absolutely incredible! We will be back!"
— Sebastian D.
"Love the variety of art, the historic documentation, and how attitudes changed and developed about wilderness and wildlife. Plus, wonderful interactive areas!"
— Bill S.
"Lunch was fab - the trout po' boy and lettuce wraps, wow!"
— Pamela Ann S.
"This is one of my happy places. I stop here every time I'm in Jackson."
— Monica M.
"Best food in town and 5-star service! We'll be coming back again! "
— Anna T.
"Not only was the museum interesting, the all gender bathroom was great. Thank you for thinking about LGBTQ and disabled people!"
— Bishnu A.