National Museum of Wildlife Art to Host “Welcome to the Menagerie” a Free Community Exhibition Opening Event on May 31, 2024
May 24, 2024The National Museum of Wildlife Art (NMWA) will host a free community exhibition opening event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024, to celebrate the opening of Prismatic Menagerie: Origami-Inspired Sculptures by Hacer (which officially opens to the public on Saturday, June 1). NMWA is adding a bold pop of color to the Cache corridor this summer. Wander on the wild side and explore the Prismatic Menagerie from the National Museum of Wildlife Art to Center for the Arts—it’s a straight shot down Cache/Hwy 89. With five bold origami-inspired sculptures, this exciting outdoor exhibition brings Hacer’s work to Jackson Hole through a collaboration between two of the region’s impactful art institutions.
Hacer’s vibrantly colored, whimsical, origami-inspired animal sculptures are not just for art enthusiasts. They underlie deeper, more complex issues and relate to people of all ages. His installation at the Museum includes four sculptures (a bear, a rabbit, a coyote, and a canine) and is a striking addition amidst the natural backdrop of the Museum’s Sculpture Trail. “As a wildlife art museum we are intrinsically connected to nature. This exhibition provides an opportunity to present works of art outside, fully utilizing our incredible Sculpture Trail and extending our programming beyond the Museum walls,” says Museum Director Steve Seamons. The exhibition also includes Bixby, a magenta elephant, located at Center for the Arts.
During the exhibition opening, discover these bright sculptures while enjoying free macarons from Seven Confections and complimentary spiked or nonalcoholic lemonade from Jackson Hole Still Works while grooving to DJ Ohnassi. Weather permitting, the food and beverages will be served outside in the Amphitheater at the Museum entrance.
There will be an animal origami crafting activity in Sullivan Hall, yard games in the Amphitheater, and an interactive photo booth. Attendees are encouraged to explore the Sculpture Trail to see the entire exhibition and to participate in a scavenger hunt (bonus points if you end your evening with a visit to Center for the Arts to see the fifth piece in the exhibition Bixby). Participants are also encouraged to explore our indoor exhibits, including the summer exhibitions ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT II and Full Circle: An Exhibition of Community Creation, Curation, and Collaboration.
Hacer, the artist featured in Prismatic Menagerie, will attend the event. Hacer, which in Spanish means “to make,” creates sculptures from steel that he appears to seamlessly fold into various abstractions and animal forms.
In addition to the community opening event on the evening of May 31, NMWA will also host an Exhibition Sneak Peek at 11:30 a.m. and an Exclusive Members Meet and Greet with Hacer at 4 p.m. on Friday. During the Sneak Peek, the artist will give attendees a first look at this exciting exhibition and insight into his creative process.
Schedule of Exhibition Opening Events:
11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Exhibition Sneak Peek (free for members or included in the cost of admission)
4 – 5 p.m. Exclusive Members Meet & Greet with Hacer (Museum members only)
5 – 7 p.m. Welcome to the Menagerie (free for the public)
Visit https://www.wildlifeart.org/events for all of the event details. This community exhibition opening event is generously sponsored by First Western Trust and the Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board with additional support by Center for the Arts. We can’t wait to welcome you to the menagerie!