National Museum of Wildlife Art Receives Grants for Innovative Exhibit

December 27, 2018

NMWA_ofUS_Logos_one line crop Thursday, December 27, 2018

The National Museum of Wildlife Art was recently awarded two grants for the upcoming exhibition, Somos de Aquí: The Enduring Wildlife of Puerto Rico. $5,000 was awarded from the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, and $7,000 from the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole.

Somos de Aquí: The Enduring Wildlife of Puerto Rico will be a multi-media exhibition focused on Puerto Rican wildlife. It will consist of photographs, artwork, maps, video, and interpretive labels, supplemented by educational programs for school groups, visiting guest speakers, and community events, all presented in both English and Spanish. It’s the first fully-bilingual, large-scale art exhibition in Wyoming.

The exhibition is an extension of a greater initiative, supported by the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund and the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole since 2017, to connect to Jackson’s growing Latino population (including a recent influx of 200 Puerto Ricans) through translated gallery labels, mobile tours, and videos.

Somos de Aquí: The Enduring Wildlife of Puerto Rico is produced and curated by Lina Collado, Teton Literacy Center’s Family Literacy Manager. Lisa Simmons, the Museum’s Assistant Curator of Education & Outreach, is the exhibition’s co-curator.

“This generous support will allow us to greatly enhance the impact and scope of this multi-sensory exhibit that communicates ways in which cultural heritage is heavily influenced by wildlife,” says Lisa Simmons, “These funds will fuel innovative bilingual programming designed to reach our growing Latino community, local students, and dual immersion classes throughout the Valley.”

Somos de Aquí: The Enduring Wildlife of Puerto Rico opens at the National Museum of Wildlife Art on Saturday, May 4, 2019. The public is invited to an opening celebration on Sunday, May 5, 2019.

Greater Bulldog Fishing Bat by J Scott Altenbach_ Bat Conservation International
A species of Puerto Rican wildlife, the Greater Bulldog Fishing Bat. Photograph by J Scott Altenbach_Bat Conservation International.

www.WildlifeArt.org

IMAGES AND INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

Media Contact:

Taylor Woods, Marketing Manager, (307)732-5437, twoods@wildlifeart.org

What People Are Saying

"Not only was the museum interesting, the all gender bathroom was great. Thank you for thinking about LGBTQ and disabled people!"

— Bishnu A.

"An amazing collection of paintings, sculptures, and artifacts that preserve and celebrate the beauty of the natural world and wildlife. I was thoroughly impressed!"

— Rita D.

"What an amazing and inspiring collection. A lovely way to spend time in Jackson Hole!"

— Jo A.

"I loved it and was surprised to see a section that also encouraged children to participate, probably one of the only museums that wasn't boring!"

— Mandy L.

"This place is amazing! And I absolutely love the educational considerations for young minds. "

— Charlotte C.

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"Enjoyed the botanical tour! The plants were all blooming, and there were birds too. "

— Ron K.

"Really enjoyed the exhibit of the Big Four!"

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