Greatest Photographs of the American West Debut in 10 U.S. Museums with 125 Years of National Geographic Images

Jackson Hole, Wyoming – March 30, 2012 – "National Geographic Greatest Photographs of the American West," a collection of iconic Western images gathered by "National Geographic" over a span of some 125 years, will open in 10 museums across the U.S. on October 27, 2012, announced James McNutt, President and CEO of the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, Wyo. McNutt is one of the exhibition organizers and a contributor to the book accompanying the groundbreaking new photography exhibition, which will offer a great fall travel opportunity for art-lovers.

"'National Geographic Greatest Photographs of the American West' represents the first time a photography exhibition of this magnitude has opened at so many U.S. venues simultaneously," says McNutt. "The exhibition presents a powerful and nuanced portrait of the West over more than a century, and it's exciting that the medium of photography allows multiple openings across the country for greater impact in sharing the combined vision of such an important group of photographers."

Participating museums include:

Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville, Georgia

Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wyoming

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Indianapolis, Indiana

Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma

National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

National Geographic Museum, Washington, D.C.

National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Rockwell Museum of Western Art, Corning, New York

C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, Montana

Stark Museum of Art, Orange, Texas

A companion book to the exhibition, "National Geographic Greatest Photographs of the American West: Capturing 125 Years of Majesty, Spirit and Adventure" (National Geographic Books; ISBN 978-1-4262-0956-1; on sale Oct. 10, 2012; trade paperback; $30), features 175 photographs, including rarely published and never-before-seen images, capturing the real West and its enduring legacy from earliest images through contemporary issues. The book will be available at museums and online from National Geographic Books.

The "National Geographic Greatest Photographs of the American West" exhibition was organized by the National Museum of Wildlife Art in collaboration with the National Geographic Society and Museums West, presented by The Mays Family Foundation.

For additional information visit http://www.wildlifeart.org/NationalGeographic/

Media Contact: Ponteir Sackrey, National Museum of Wildlife Art, 307.732.5444, psackrey@wildlifeart.org