Jackson Hole Plein Air Festival Brings Together More than 40 Artists on National Museum of Wildlife Art Sculpture Trail

May 25, 2012 (PRLEAP.COM) Entertainment News
Jackson Hole, Wyoming – May 25, 2012 – Some 40 artists will create artworks "en plein air" as onlookers watch at the National Museum of Wildlife Art Plein Air Festival on June 16 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Part of the grand opening week festivities around the museum's new sculpture trail, the Jackson, Wyoming festival will pit artists for a crowd-voted Best in Show award as they race to complete their masterpieces in a mere four hours while providing a great Wyoming travel experience for families and art-lovers.

In addition to enjoying the artists at work – including an opportunity to purchase the freshly minted art – the fun-for-families event features live music, a chance for kids to get in on the creative action with an outdoor animal Pictionary game, and a BBQ cook-off with visitors tasting and voting for the cash prize-winning best BBQ. The Plein Air Festival is free and open to the public. Tickets for the cook-off are $10 for 10 tastes, $25 for unlimited, and the museum's Rising Sage Café also will offer hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks for sale.

With the official opening of the multimillion-dollar Sculpture Trail, the National Museum of Wildlife Art joins top museums with significant outdoor art venues in a way that remains uniquely in keeping with its rugged Wyoming setting overlooking the National Elk Refuge just south of Jackson, WY. Designed by renowned landscape architect Walter Hood, the three-quarter mile trail was completed last fall and has already become a popular site for outdoor events. The unveiling of the first sculpture installation on the trail, artist Sandy Scott's "Presidential Eagle," is scheduled for June 14.

A member of the Museums West consortium and accredited by the American Association of Museums, the National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States provides an exciting calendar of exhibitions from its permanent collection and changing exhibitions from around the globe. A complete schedule of museum exhibitions and events is available online at www.wildlifeart.org. The museum is also active on Facebook at wildlifeartjh and on Twitter at @wildlifeartjh.

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