Wildlife Art Sales Successful at Western Visions
September 18, 2018Jackson, Wyo. –More than 1,300 people from around the world attended the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s 31st Annual Western Visions® Show & Sale events in September, including top contemporary and traditional wildlife artists and collectors. The museum showcased a combination of well-established, top-selling artists, and emerging talents who are the next generation of leading wildlife artists. Western Visions is a cornerstone of the annual Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival.
This year’s event was a huge success with total revenue estimated to be more than $700,000. This year, for the first time, art sales were conducted over the span of two evenings. Sketches in the show were sold Thursday, during the Artist Party, and larger works were sold Friday, during the traditional sale evening. There were 175 artworks in Western Visions this year, from 107 artists. Of those 107 artists, seven were also in the original Western Visions Show & Sale in 1988. Those artists are Kenneth Bunn, Ken Carlson, Michael Coleman, Daniel Smith, Tucker Smith, Lee Stroncek, and Jim Wilcox.
“This years’ Western Visions has been tremendous! The quality of the art is excellent and the attendance at our events has exceeded our expectations,” says Kavar Kerr, Western Visions Co-Chair. “It’s been wonderful to see so many old friends and we have also made many new friends! It doesn’t get any better than this!”
“The Western Visions Show & Sale is an event that we look forward to, and plan, all year long at the Museum,” says Amy Goicoechea, Director of Programs and Events, “We are fortunate as a non-profit to have a fundraiser so closely related to what we do at the Museum. It’s always great to see phenomenal wildlife artists returning year after year, and with the hard work and dedication of many artists, Museum staff, and volunteers, this year’s Western Visions was a great success.”
Special congratulations to the 2018 award winners:
William Alther won this year’s Red Smith Award, the artists’ choice honor for his piece Forage Interrupted. Western Visions guests voted for John Seery-Lester’s piece as People’s Choice for Ice Pack. Robert Glen won the Trustee’s Purchase Award for his bronze sculpture, Three Greater Kudu, which was acquired into the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s collection. And finally, George Boorujy won the Bob Kuhn Sketch Award for his sketch entitled African Wild Dogs (drawing for the Wildlife Conservation Society [Bronx Zoo]).
Robert Glen, Three Greater Kudu, Bronze, 25 x 28 x 26 inches.
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