250 Years, One Enduring Symbol: Tracing the Bison from Colonization to Rematriation at the National Museum of Wildlife Art
May 5, 2026The National Museum of Wildlife Art is pleased to announce the opening of Bison-tennial: From Colonization to Rematriation, a thought-provoking exhibition inviting visitors to explore the enduring influence of bison on the history, cultures, and landscapes of the North American West. On view May 16 through August 23, 2026, the exhibition draws primarily from the Museum’s permanent collection, supplemented by significant loans from the Denver Art Museum and directly from contemporary Native artists.
Curated by Curator of Art Kennis Forte, Ph.D., Bison-tennial traces the story of bison from pre-colonial times through westward expansion and the near-destruction of the great herds—arriving at today’s growing restoration and rematriation efforts.
“One of the most exciting things for me while putting this exhibition together was getting to know our collection of bison works better, since we have so many. This show gave me a chance to go through the ones that are not on display and select some really great images to share with our visitors,” says Forte. “We tried not to move anything from the main galleries for this exhibit, like Bateman’s Chief, and focused instead on highlighting works that are not currently on display.”
Timed to coincide with the Nation’s 250th Anniversary and the 10th anniversary of the bison’s designation as the U.S. national mammal, the exhibition features works from the collection by Charles M. Russell, Albert Bierstadt, Allan Houser, John Nieto, and many others. These are joined by important loans, including a compelling work by Indigenous artist Kent Monkman—on loan from the Denver Art Museum—alongside pieces by contemporary Native artists Stella Nall, Robert Martinez, and Starr Hardridge. Together, all these voices span centuries of artistic tradition and bring urgent new perspectives to one of America’s most enduring stories.
“The bison is more than an animal—it is a living symbol of America’s past, resilience, and possibility,” says Executive Director Steve Seamons. “As we mark the 250th anniversary of our Nation and the 10th anniversary of the bison’s designation as our national mammal, there is no more fitting moment to reflect on what this iconic creature has meant to the land and its people across centuries. Bison-tennial invites all of us to witness that story and to consider our shared responsibility in shaping what comes next through the extraordinary power of art.”
Sneak Peek — May 15, 2026
A special Sneak Peek program will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., offering Museum members and guests an exclusive first look at Bison-tennial before it opens to the public. Sugden Chief Curator of Education Kelly Skeen Fried will introduce the program, followed by remarks from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Jackson Region Disease Biologist Ben Wise and Curator of Art Kennis Forte, Ph.D. The event is free for members and included with general admission; attendees receive 10% off lunch at Palate.
Community Opening Celebration — May 28, 2026
The Museum will host a free community opening celebration on Thursday, May 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative Executive Director and Board President and Eastern Shoshone Tribe Buffalo Manager Jason Baldes will speak in the Cook Auditorium at 5:30 p.m., followed by a short Q&A.
This lively evening invites the public to explore Bison-tennial alongside the Museum’s other new summer exhibitions, including From Sea to Shining Sea: Wildlife Above & Below the Waves and Art in Motion: Kinetic Sculpture with Ivan Iler. Guests can enjoy BBQ bites from Palate (available to the first 300 attendees) and complimentary beer or root beer from Grand Teton Brewing (one drink per person; beer for guests 21+; first 300 guests). The celebration is hosted inside the Museum and is free and open to the public.
Museum members are also invited to an Exclusive Meet & Greet with Jason Baldes beginning at 4 p.m. on May 28, prior to the public opening.
This event is generously sponsored by Friess Wildlife Art Charitable Lead Trust and Lea Charitable Trust.
About the Exhibition
Bison-tennial: From Colonization to Rematriation is generously sponsored by Friess Wildlife Art Charitable Lead Trust, Gilcrease Foundation, Leslye, David, & Lachlan Hardie, Karen & Craig Kennedy, Beedee Ladd, Lightner Sams Foundation of Wyoming, Tally & Bill Mingst, Bill Newton, Peggy Rose Schneider Endowment Fund, Lindy & Hanley Sayers, Singleton Peery Financial, and Caroline & Ken Taylor.
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- Kent Monkman (Fisher River Cree Nation), The Fourth World, 2012. Denver Art Museum: Gift from Vicki and Kent Logan to the Collection of Denver Art Museum, 2014.224. © Kent Monkman. Photograph courtesy of the Denver Art Museum.
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- Charles M. Russell (United States, 1864 – 1926), Montana Winter, 1905. Gouache on paper. 12 x 19 inches. Gifted anonymously in honor of the trustees, staff, and volunteers who served the Museum during its first 30 years, National Museum of Wildlife Art.
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- Frederick Arthur Verner (Canada, 1836 – 1928), The Last Buffalo, 1893. Watercolor on paper. 12 x 23 ¾ inches. Gift of Joffa and Bill Kerr, National Museum of Wildlife Art.
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- John Nieto (United States, 1936 – 2018), Taos Buffalo, 1993. Acrylic on canvas. 60 x 48 inches. JKM Collection®, National Museum of Wildlife Art.
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- Wanbli Koyake (formerly Francis J. Yellow) (Lakota, 1954 – 2023), Tatanka Wan, a Buffalo Bull, 1993. Bronze. 12 x 18 x 3 inches. Gift of Dr. Patricia L. Hutinger, National Museum of Wildlife Art.
