Invisible Boundaries: Exploring Yellowstone’s Great Animal Migrations, created by the Buffalo Bill Center of the West
June 1, 2018 - August 19, 2018
This unique exhibition combines artwork and natural history by examining the migrations of local ungulates such as elk, pronghorn, and deer of Yellowstone National Park. Stunning photographs, paintings, videos, and an amazing interactive map are included. These media come together to chronicle the difficult journeys herd animals face every year. Contributors include Wildlife Ecologist Arthur Middleton, Photographer Joe Riis, Artist James Prosek, and Filmmaker Jenny Nichols. The title comes from the idea that these migratory animals cross many “Invisible Boundaries,” including lines between national park and wilderness areas, public and private lands, and neighboring states and countries. This exhibition encourages guests to think about the complexities of wildlife and land conservation.
This exhibition was created by the Draper Natural History Museum and Whitney Western Art Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and was co-curated by Charles R. Preston, Willis McDonald, IV, Senior Curator of Natural Science and Karen McWhorter, Scarlett Curator of Western Art.
Sneak Peek | May 31
Mix’d Media with James Prosek | May 31
Mix’d Media with Joe Riis | June 26
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Staff Picks
Through May 10, 2026Curating this exhibit has been an exercise in collaboration, which is one of our core values at the Museum. We began by asking each staff member to make a short list of some of their favorite works in the collection. Then, the curatorial team took them to see a few of those pieces. We asked the staff to look for artworks that were not already on display and would not be part of any upcoming exhibitions. A person’s taste in art is so uniquely personal and individual to who they are. This exhibition is not only an opportunity for you to get to know our staff, but it is also a chance to discover new pieces in the permanent collection—or perhaps to see old favorites in a new light.
See the Exhibit
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Two of a Kind?
Through April 26, 2026This exhibition is an exercise in comparison. It invites visitors to consider pairs of artworks, drawn primarily from the Museum’s permanent collection, and contemplate the question posed by its title: are these artworks truly “Two of a Kind?”
See the Exhibit