2024 Homestead Magazine

FREE

Homestead Magazine

ORDER NOW

Collectors Circle Helps National Museum of Wildlife Art Acquire New Works

NMWA Collectors CircleIn our 2015 issue of Homestead, we profiled the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s Rungius Society and Collectors Circle, two social organizations that play a large role in furthering the goals of the museum, all while providing a chance to socialize with fellow arts aficionados from around the valley and elsewhere. This month, one of the museum’s most significant donor events of the year will take place for the 17th annual time. We look forward to learning about the new pieces that will enter the museum’s permanent collection as a direct result of the Collector Circle’s philanthropy! Learn more below.

COLLECTORS CIRCLE HELPS MUSEUM ACQUIRE NEW WORKS AT FUN 17TH ANNUAL DINNER

The National Museum of Wildlife Art will host the 17th annual Collectors Circle dinner, Wednesday, August 19. The Collectors Circle membership society has been instrumental in growing the museum’s permanent collection since its inception in 1998.

The works purchased by the Circle represent the broader collecting goals of the museum. Included are paintings, sculptures, and prints ranging from historic masterworks to the best in contemporary art. All acquisitions further the museum’s mission and vision by furthering the investigation of humanity’s relationship with nature.

During the course of the year, the museum’s curatorial team identifies a range of artwork that would benefit the collection. The artwork is vetted by the Museum’s Collections Committee before being presented to members of the Collectors Circle. During the special August 19 evening event, the Circle gathers to view the artworks on display, deliberate the merits of each piece, and choose which pieces to purchase in the name of Collectors Circle.

“There is always more artwork available than there are funds to spend, which leads to spirited debate and politicking,” says Debbie Petersen, National Museum of Wildlife Art Collection Committee Chair. “It’s a really fun, festive event where guests can vote on artwork they feel will have the greatest impact on the collection. The pieces with the most votes are accessioned into the Permanent Collection as gifts of the Collectors Circle. I hope to see many of our members and also new friends at the event August 19.”

To date, the Circle has helped acquire close to 100 works of art for the museum’s collection ranging from explorer-artist Titian Ramsay Peale’s “Three Elk” to Andy Warhol’s “Endangered Species” portfolio. Last year, eight pieces were purchased or donated during the course of the evening, including works by John James Audubon, Albert Bierstadt, and the final sculpture to complete the installation of Todd McGrain’s Lost Bird project on the outdoor Sculpture Trail.

For tickets and to learn more about the event, please contact, Jocelyn Boss at 307-732-5447, jboss@wildlifeart.org

Plein Air in Grand Teton National Park

Detail of John Scott, Plein Air in the Park

Detail of John Scott, Plein Air in the Park

What do you get when you cross a magical setting with those who are able to dispense magic via pigment? The 4th Annual Plein Air in the Park event!

In partnership with the Grand Teton Association and the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters, both local and visiting artists tramp into the superlative outdoors of Grand Teton National Park to set up their easels and hearken back to the authentic tradition of open air “wet painting.” These painters got started in the area on July 6, and tomorrow, July 15, a selection of their work will be displayed at the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center in Moose, WY. If you’re looking to add a truly one-of-a-kind memento of Jackson Hole to your collection, this is a wonderful place to start. Even better, 40% of the profits from all painting sales directly benefit the Grand Teton Association and their admirable free educational, interpretive, and scientific programs in the national park.

Kathryn Mapes Turner painting in Grand Teton National Park.

Kathryn Mapes Turner painting in Grand Teton National Park.

Our publisher, Latham Jenkins, recently made it into the field to observe these artists in action–truly, en plein air. First, he spoke with artist John Cook of Louisville, TX, who is a 2013 recipient of Best in Show honors from the American Impressionist Society. A first-time participant in the show, he says he’s “Never seen such beauty,” when contemplating the Tetons. As the light shifted over the course of the day, he painted 10 separate paintings on the same canvas.

We also caught up with the always-eloquent Kathryn Mapes Turner, whom we’ve profiled on the blog before. Represented by Trio Fine Art, Turner has a new show opening there on July 29th called “Here. Now.” Hear her thoughts and learn more about the way that Plein Air in the Park catalyzes artistic inspiration and philanthropy in our beloved backyard.

“Bones, Antlers, Skulls” Opens at Daly Projects

 
There are few better final destinations for a treasure hunt than a bright room filled with art and possibility. Tucked on the lower level of a nondescript building accessed from Pearl Street, Daly Projects is just such a destination. Founded by Meg Daly, a frequent contributor to Homestead’s annual print edition, the gallery’s blonde wood, crisp white walls, and simple lighting lend a clean Scandinavian frame to the intriguing paintings and mixed media pieces on display.

The germ for Daly Projects lies somewhere in its credo of “Jackson Art Now.”

“With Daly Projects,” Daly says, “I wanted to create a space for new visions coming out of Jackson Hole. The artists I show engage with the Western landscape in fresh, innovative ways. In some cases, that’s a total departure from the iconic West. I’m still trying to put my finger on the styles I see emerging…is there such a thing as anti-regional regionalism? That’s what I’m seeing. Artists engaging with place without being stuck in place.”

“I wanted to create a space for new visions coming out of Jackson Hole.”

Daly Projects’ “Bones, Antlers, Skulls,” opening today, very much epitomizes this sense of “anti-regional regionalism.” Antlers festooned in garlands; a skull painted in a crux of modern geometry and watercolor: these pieces are very much of the west, but not confined to it. And for Jackson Hole art lovers, what better excuse to venture just a few steps from the main gallery drag and indulge in a bit of creative discovery? The show, featuring Kelly Halpin, Rebecca Mortensen, and Bronwyn Minton opens today, May 1, with an upcoming artists’ reception on the books for May 8. Mark your calendars and read on for more information about the artists and reception!

Kelly Halpin, “Elk Antlers on Red"
Kelly Halpin, “Elk Antlers on Red”
Mortensen-small
Rebecca Bird Mortensen, “Fawn II”

Daly Projects is pleased to present an exhibit of new work by Jackson artists Kelly Halpin and Rebecca Bird Mortensen, May 1 – 30, 2015. Also on display will be several pieces by noted Jackson artist Bronwyn Minton. All work will explore the theme of animal bones and skulls, wildlife, and cycles of life.

Halpin will show acrylic paintings on board using her signature illustrative style. Painted on bold colored backgrounds, the images include a bear skull, a sheep skeleton, various antlers, a deer skull, and other animal bones.

Mortensen’s palette is comprised of muted greys and browns, with an occasional splash of turquoise, set off by strong black architectural elements. Her paintings with ink on canvas include skulls of Bighorn Sheep, owl, horse, deer, and bison, as well as several antler and horn paintings.

A reception for the artists will be held Friday, May 8, 5:00-8:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Daly Projects gallery is located at 125 E. Pearl Street, downstairs next to the Wyoming Revenue field office.

About the Artists

Kelly Halpin, 29, has lived the majority of her life in Jackson, Wyoming. After graduating from Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles with a BFA in film, she transferred her interests to illustration. Her favorite subject matter includes surrealist takes on biology, astronomy, and folklore, as well as quirky characters in everyday objects and animals.

Rebecca Bird Mortensen, 23, was born in Jackson, Wyoming, and spent much of her childhood on a ranch at the edge of Grand Teton National Park. She graduated from Westminster College in Salt Lake City with a BFA in drawing and painting. Working primarily in oils and ink, she is developing a series of drawings of animal skulls and antlers.

Complementing Halpin and Mortensen’s work will be several previously exhibited works by Bronwyn Minton. Minton’s most recent work includes the public art installation, The Cairn Project at the Center for the Arts. Her mixed media installation, Borderlands, was recently installed in the birth center at St. John’s Hospital. Bronwyn is the Associate Curator of Art and Research at the National Museum of Wildlife Art.

For more information, please contact Meg Daly, Daly Projects,307-699-7933. To view the artists’ work, visit dalyartistrep.com.

Daly Projects is located at 125 E. Pearl Street. The gallery can be accessed from Pearl Street by entering the building’s main entrance and going downstairs, or via the back of the building off of the alley between King and Willow. Gallery hours are Wednesday – Saturday, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Introducing Homestead’s 2015 Issue!

Homestead magazine 2015

Homestead magazine 2015

Our hard-working team here at Circ Design has been publishing Homestead magazine for over thirteen years now! For us, it’s a huge pleasure to release our annual issue, Jackson Hole’s resource for architecture, art, design, and the professionals who make it all possible. Our goal has always been to connect our readers with the vast sea of design talent we host in this valley, and to inspire them to bring that same sense of possibility to design projects of their own. Check out our issue preview below.

Your free copy of the magazine is available on newsstands and in businesses throughout Jackson Hole, or you can read the entire issue from start to finish right here.

Live out of state but would love a copy of your own? No problem! Simply contact us at info@circ.biz. Last but not least, stay in touch with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Issue Preview:

No one element makes up the beauty of our view; rather, its alchemy is the result of combination: sheer to flat, lush to arid, water to open air.

Not dissimilarly, a house achieves its own alchemy after many players have had their hand in a project. Architect, interior designer, builder, and artisans work together to create residential masterworks that, in turn, find full expression once a family is “home.” Artists working alone draw from feedback and personal inspirations while the West’s designers look outside as they envision inside experiences. All in all, collaboration (in whatever form it takes) is the name of the game.

In this issue, Meg Daly chats with chefs about their ideal kitchen environments; David Porter and Richard Anderson cover successful team-led renovations; Katy Niner asks about the holistic process that leads to one work of art; and Jenn Rein learns how a spirit of community guides a local club. We’ve also got tips for throwing a stress-free party, an in-depth look at architecture in Grand Teton National Park, an inside glimpse of upcoming happenings, and a stunning portfolio of drool-worthy residential projects to share.

With diverse design stories to inspire you—and our brand new Resource Directory— it has never been easier to locate your own team and collaborate on something truly special.

Happy Reading!

Of Note: Trailside Galleries’ “Coastal Connections” Exhibition Artists

Around this time of year, after days of drifting snow and socked-in clouds, it can be tempting to dream of salt spray and sunnier climes. The ocean, in all its primordial beauty, beckons us towards spring break plans and summer escapes–just as it does for painters intent on capturing its mercurial views. Opening this week, the local Trailside Gallery‘s sister gallery in Scottsdale, AZ debuts a “Coastal Connections” show featuring artists represented there and locally.

Our highlights: work by exciting new visionaries like Robert Duncan, who is changing the model of the western art business model; Kathleen Dunphy, newly-represented at the gallery; and Matt Smith, who frequently paints in Jackson Hole. The show is already generating a lot of buzz and beach envy. Take note of these artists,and be sure to pop in to Trailside at 130 E. Broadway to check out its current roster of artistic treasures.

All you need to know below:

Matt Smith,

Trailside Galleries in Scottsdale, AZ is pleased to present a new exhibition of works with a special focus on seascapes, coastal scenes, and harbor views from around the country. “Coastal Connections” brings together some of the finest plein air painters in the country who have spent the last few months gathering material from the east coast to the west coast for this marine inspired show. Participating artists include Bruce Cheever, Robert Duncan, Kathleen Dunphy, Michael Godfrey, Rusty Jones, Calvin Liang, Rob MacIntosh, Mian Situ, Matt Smith, George Strickland, Curt Walters, and Xiaogang Zhu.

The ocean has always held special allure for artists, whether capturing the surf breaking over a rocky coastline, a schooner slicing through waves, or a brilliant sunset as it dips below the ocean. Matt Smith notes, “I’ve spent quite a bit of time over the last year painting the California coast line. The continuously moving and diverse surf combined with the changing light and weather make for a very appealing subject.”

Each artist will have approximately four to six new works and the show will include a selection of plein air works done on location as well as a number of finished studio paintings. The show will run from February 2 through February 15. The gallery will feature an Open House in February scheduled during the Thursday night artwalk from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

Please contact Kimberly Fletcher for information.

Since 1963, Trailside Galleries of Jackson, Wyoming and Scottsdale, Arizona has been regarded as one of the pre-eminent dealers in American representational art, specializing in a rich and varied collection of works by the leading western, wildlife, figurative, impressionist, and landscape artists in the country. The artist roster includes members of the Cowboy Artists of America, National Academy of Design, Oil Painters of America, Plein-Air Painters of America, Prix De West, Society of Animal Artists, National Sculpture Society and Masters of the American West.

The gallery is also home to the offices and showrooms of its auction department, the Jackson Hole Art Auction. Since 2007, the Jackson Hole Art Auction has been recognized as one of the premier art events in the country, defined by the high standard of works offered in a variety of genres including wildlife, sporting, figurative, landscape and Western art by both renowned past masters and contemporary artists.
Please contact Kimberly C. Fletcher, Marketing & Communications Director at 480.945.7751 or email media@trailsidegalleries.com for further information and images.

Huntsman Springs: A One of a Kind Place

In our 2014 issue of Homestead Magazine, we profiled Huntsman Springs and the Huntsman Cancer Institute–a remarkable pairing of spectacular real estate and amenities with philanthropic good works. October marked Breast Cancer Awareness month, but the organization’s efforts to combat breast and other cancers continues all year long. In this guest post, we learn more about these efforts, and why Huntsman Springs is such a special place to be, and live.

For the Huntsman family, philanthropy is as much a part of life as is the business they have built over a span of four decades. Mr. Huntsman is widely recognized as one of America’s foremost-concerned citizens and philanthropists. As a further commitment to this, the family created a community that is developed around nature and maintains the small town feel that everyone enjoys in this corner of the West.

Introducing Huntsman Springs

Huntsman Springs is a community that is built around a nature preserve with stunning views of the Grand Tetons. Huntsman Springs has won the highest award in four categories of the prestigious 2014 International Property Awards. Huntsman Springs Director of Sales, Julie Bryan, accepted top honors in the categories of Best Leisure Development and Best Golf Development in the United States and Idaho.

The Teton Valley is nestled between the Rocky Mountains of Idaho and Wyoming. Located only 15 miles from the Grand Targhee Resort and Jackson Hole, downhill skiing is one of the premier activities in the area. Backcountry Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are all in your backyard at Huntsman Springs.

Close to the community lies Grand Targhee, which catches an average of 500 inches of snow each year on its 2,602 acres, the most of any ski area in the North American Rockies. The friendly, 2.8-mile Teton Vista Traverse means that even beginners can ride to the 9,862-foot summit to experience the incredible views Teton Valley has to offer. With its comfortable landscape, consistently uncrowded slopes, and abundant snow, it comes as no surprise that this is the place to ski this winter. Targhee’s elite ski school even offers specialized powder instruction. Huntsman Springs makes for the perfect home base for families looking to explore the world-renowned ski slopes of the Tetons.

This might seem like any other luxury community; however, the best part is what it stands for and how its residents help those in need of a cure for cancer.

Leading the Way for Research

In 1995, Jon and Karen Huntsman founded the Huntsman Cancer Institute. The Institute is now one of America’s major cancer centers dedicated to finding a cure. The Susan G. Komen® organization stated, “In 2014, an estimated 232,030 cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. alone.” Everyone either knows a mother, sister, daughter or friend who has struggled with this disease.

The Institute recently announced a $100 million expansion that will double the laboratory space and create a Primary Children’s and Families’ Cancer Research Center, which will focus exclusively on inherited and childhood cancers. Profits from Huntsman Springs Real Estate will be contributed to the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

The Huntsman Springs community is located in Driggs, Idaho at 501 Huntsman Springs Drive. For more information about the homes and upcoming golf events, please visit our website at http://www.huntsmansprings.com or contact the home office at 208-354-1888.

That’s A Wrap! Another Successful Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes

Shooting Star Elegance dining room.For two days of banner fall weather–crisp, blazing with color, and dappled with ideal late season sunshine–troupes of intrigued homeowners, art lovers, and Fall Arts Fest attendees entered the foyers of some of Jackson Hole’s most elegant residences, looked up to the ceilings, and said, “Aaaahhhh.” It’s hard not to, after all, when you encounter some of the valley’s most dazzling residential design.

It was the second annual Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes, hosted by our team at Homestead Magazine, and another runaway success. This time, four generous homeowners opened the doors of their residences to benefit local charities, while the teams of designers, architects, and artisans associated with each one were present to welcome every guest. Couples and groups of friends hailing from Cincinnati, the Bay area, the East Coast, and beyond all remarked on the unique opportunity to see such a variety of homes in an equally diverse variety of valley settings.

JH Builders at the River Meadows Retreat

The self-guided tours could begin and end anywhere, and could also be spread over two days. Many began with the European-reminiscent stonework and glass breezeways of the Shooting Star Elegance property, whose glorious indoor/outdoor living spaces and water feature provide a tranquil escape nestled at the base of Rendezvous Mountain. From there, a natural next stop proved to be the the artistic and superlatively appointed Teton Pines Sanctuary, a family home in one of the Clusters bordered by serene aspen groves and completed with a collection of world-class artwork. The next two stops took guests further into different habitats of the valley, from wooded National Forest-bordered land at the River Meadows Retreat to a snaking drive through the Snake River Canyon and its glowing mountain maples to the Martin Creek Cabin. River Meadows meant a spectacular peek inside a custom-constructed Swedish Cope log home, while the Cabin mixed fresh alpine styling with a peaceful creek-front setting at the Snake River Sporting Club.

Beyond the awe-inspiring settings, furnishings, fixtures, and design elements, however, the real draw of the Showcase events is the way they allow tour guests to meet and mingle with our area’s hardworking, visionary design professionals. It’s also a pleasure for the same professionals to interface with the local community and potentially interested new clients.

Rush Jenkins, who along with his partner Klaus Baer at WRJ Design decorated both the Martin Creek Cabin and Teton Pines Sanctuary, spoke to the singular character of the event.

“It was WRJ’s pleasure to participate in the 2014 Showcase of Homes, hosted by Homestead Magazine. We are grateful to our clients for sharing their homes with the public, which allowed some of our work to be seen for the first time. Having the opportunity to collaborate with professionals and experts in their field was a great honor.”

It is, indeed, rare to leave the showroom and enter spaces that have been envisioned, executed, and decorated by local artisans–to experience them in their fullness is a fantastic opportunity. The conversations between patrons and professionals, however, are what really set the Showcase apart. “The Showcase of Homes was an excellent event for Snake River Sporting Club and for Re/Max Obsidian Real Estate,” noted Fred Harness of the Martin Creek Cabin, “we’ve had several follow-up communications with new clients wanting more details on the next phase of new homes we are building. Definitely a success!”

Throughout each self-guided tour, guests had the chance to get their questions answered. For instance, tracking down the rich green soapstone used in the River Meadows Retreat, or learning about how the smoothly curved walls in the Shooting Star home were crafted by Big D Signature.

While nibbling treats and sipping from glasses of wine, these conversations continued throughout the day, as multiple professionals emceed each home. “It’s great to see the finished product and the excitement of people’s reactions and how they come together to experience our completed homes, from the old materials to the contemporary styles,” said Jon Eaton of Big D. This sentiment was echoed John D. Korhonen, an architect with Ellis Nunn & Associates, who touched on the “positive feedback and conversation,” while Andrew Miller of JH Builders mentioned that “it was great to meet a variety of people from all over the country.”

The generosity of the homeowners in both opening their spaces to the public eye and in selecting the four charity beneficiaries for ticket sales–PAWS JH, The Yellowstone Foundation, Community Resource Center, and Fire Services/EMS–truly capped the event’s success. As Megan Jenkins, who helped organize Showcase, said, “It really is the perfect way to enjoy a great day, see the valley, meet the artisans behind each project, and best of all, give back to the community.”

We hope to see you at the Showcase of Homes during the Fall Arts Festival next year! Until then, stay tuned by subscribing to our blog, where we update our readers regarding interesting artistic happenings and feature ongoing profiles of Jackson Hole’s design professionals.

Fall Arts Festival: Week Two Itinerary

Fall Arts FestivalThe Fall Arts Festival is back, ushering in a jam-packed week-and-a-half of visual, contemporary, culinary, Western, landscape, wildlife, and Native American arts. In short: it’s a festival of toasting Jackson Hole’s incredibly diverse artistic community, its fall colors, its cuisine, and all the dedicated professionals that add to the vibrancy of our valley. But where to start? With over 50 events occurring between September 3-14, we’ve gone through and picked out some fetes that are sure to be winners. However, we encourage you to check back frequently on the Fall Arts Festival’s Facebook page for ongoing event details. Each and every day, galleries are hosting talks, openings, and parties, so please make sure to check if your favorite one is on the list.

Here’s our list for this week:

Ongoing

From the kick-off luncheon on September 3rd throughout the rest of the Fest, the Western Visions Annual Show & Sale overlaps with its own events and chances to purchase world-class art. This is the major fundraiser every year for the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and needs be on your radar! (August 30-September 21).

Don’t forget to pick up a collector’s item souvenir during your Fall Arts Festival experience! This year, two bottles of wine are featured, both with labels designed by the two artists highlighted during the fest, Nancy Cawdrey and Joshua Tobey. They can be purchased at The Liquor Store & Wine Loft.

Wednesday, September 30

Head downtown for poster signings with the Fall Arts Festival’s featured artists. From 3-5pm, sculptor Joshua Tobey will be signing at Astoria Fine Art, and painter Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey at West Lives on Contemporary.

The best part of Fall Arts Festival? Lots of gallery time! Occurring from 5-8pm on the Town Square, Wednesday provides another opportunity to art walk throughout downtown while enjoying face time with gallery owners and artists, refreshments, and the astounding diversity of Jackson Hole’s art scene. With more than 30 galleries participating, look for Art Walk banners as you explore town.

Artist’s Receptions & Exhibit Openings: Featured artists Tom Gilleon, Howard Post, Glenn Dean, Ed Mell, and Greg Woodard will be at Altamira Fine Art from 5-8pm, while across town, the “In Our Valley” exhibition by Trio Fine Art will show gallery owners’ Kathryn Mapes Turner, Jennifer L. Hoffman,and Bill Sawczuk’s soulful painted interpretations of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

An issue of JH Traveler.As evening blends to night, be sure to make an appearance at The Night Fenix, a celebration for Fall Arts Festival 2012 featured artist Amy Ringholz. Not only will Amy be revealing 12 beautiful new works (including “The Traveler,” which graces the cover of our sister publication Jackson Hole Traveler), but there will be live music, coffee treats, cocktails, and ample revelry for all. (125 N. Cache; 5-11pm).

Thursday, September 11

From 5:30-8:30pm, the National Museum of Wildlife Art hosts the Wild 100 Artist party, a chance to celebrate and place bids before the Western Visions gala show and sale tomorrow. $100; registration required.

Friday, September 12

From 11am-4pm, our Homestead team is proud to be hosting the Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes, self-guided tours of Jackson Hole’s most spectacular homes with the potential to chat with the artisans, designers, and architects behind them. Tickets are $75 and include wine and hors d’oeuvres–all proceeds go to charities selected by our homeowners. Buy tickets in advance at http://jacksonholeshowcase.com.

The Wild 100 Show & Sale represents the final opportunity to bid on Western Visions works, as well as a shindig to follow. $150; registration required.

From 10am-7pm, swing by the landmark Center for the Arts to preview works in the Jackson Hole Art Auction. This event represents a true motherlode for any arts lover, with genres including contemporary, classic, Western, sporting, and wildlife all represented.

You’ve seen their work hanging on gallery walls; now, peek behind the scenes into the artists’ studios and get to know the charming area of Wilson, Wyoming during the West Bank Artists Studio Tour. Call 307-733-5096 for more information.

Saturday, September 13

Kick off your morning with a splash of paint (and excitement!). At 9am on the Town Square, the Jackson Hole Quick Draw art sale and auction begins. While a crowd of onlookers observe, artists paint new masterpieces in 90 minutes, followed by an auction that benefits the 2015 Fall Arts Festival.

The Jackson Hole Art Auction gets going at noon at the Center for the Arts! Preview the works beginning at 9am.

The Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes runs for a second day from 11am-4pm!

Toast the Fall Arts Festival and rub shoulders with artists and other arts patrons at the Fall Arts Festival artist party from 5-8pm on the Town Square. Live music and the chance to meet the Festival’s two featured artists–as well as a reception for artists from West Lives On and Astoria Fine Art–make this a fun and festive event to ring in the end of the Festival.

Sunday, September 14

You didn’t think you could leave the Fall Arts Festival without one more gallery tour, did you? In this unique spin on the traditional art walk, galleries throughout downtown open their doors from 11am-3pm and lure art lovers in one last time for delectable brunch dishes and themed beverages.

Last thing on the itinerary? Take a nap! That’s a lot of amazing arts programming in one week, all thanks to the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival’s continually evolving and expanding reach.

Heather James Fine Art (And More!) at Palates & Palettes Tonight

Penelope Gottlieb

Penelope Gottlieb

Along with other esteemed local galleries including Altamira Fine Art, WRJ Design, and Tayloe Piggott Gallery, Heather James Fine Art is participating in the free, public Palates & Palettes Art Walk this evening. A favorite event of the annual Fall Arts Festival, we encourage art lovers from near and far to visit the Jackson Town Square from 5-8 tonight to partake. In concert with artist Rocky Hawkins, whom we covered on the blog last week, Heather James has another delightful showing up its sleeve. Here are the details below:

Heather James Fine Art is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Penelope Gottlieb. The exhibition will be on view at our Jackson, Wyoming gallery until September 25, 2014.The opening reception will take place at Heather James Fine Art, Jackson, WY on Friday, September 5, 2014 from 5 – 8 PM with the artist in attendance. Also on Friday evening, Heather James Fine Art, Jackson, WY is pleased to be participating in Palates+Palettes, hosting with The Indian. Please join us for this festive event and enjoy magnificent art with food and wine. For more information, please contact Jim Carona.

About the Artist

Penelope Gottlieb’s paintings use John James Audobon’s nature prints as a discourse on the commoditization of the natural world in the 19th century. Painting over preexisting Audubon prints, Gottlieb adds plant life winding around the featured animal as if the creature’s natural habitat has stifled them in a botanical confinement. The resulting blend of historical documentation of avian species with the invasion of plant-life creates a contemporary view on the original intent of the prints. Gottlieb’s marking over the prints acts as an additional invasion on top of her ecological critique of the artistic consumption of nature.

Penelope Gottlieb received her BFA from Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA and her MFA from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her work has been shown in solo exhibitions at Lotusland, Montecito, CA; Nevada Museum of Art, Reno, NV; Heather James Fine Art, Palm Desert, CA; Lightbox Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, and at the Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum among others. Additionally, her work
??has been included in group exhibitions at the Peggy Phelps Gallery, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA; Krannert Art Museum, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL, and the Ben Maltz Gallery, Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA among others.

Heather James Fine Art is located at 172 Center Street in Jackson and is home to an international fine art collection spanning thousands of years. With galleries located in Palm Desert, CA and Jackson, WY, Heather James Fine Art presents a leading collection of celebrated pieces from antiquity to contemporary. For more information about the gallery and upcoming exhibitions, please visit our website at http://www.heatherjames.com or contact the gallery at 307-200-6090.

Tour of upscale homes showcases Teton design

By Amanda H. Miller, Jackson Hole News & Guide | Posted: Wednesday, September 3, 2014 

A Shooting Star home with a Contemporary decor is one of three properties in Circ's Showcase of Homes.

A Shooting Star home with a Contemporary decor is one of three properties in Circ’s Showcase of Homes.

Jackson Hole would be gorgeous if there were no town at all at the base of the Tetons. But the wrong town could have disfigured the pristine natural beauty of the area.

Fortunately those who have designed and continue to design and construct homes and buildings in Teton country do so with care.

It’s a wonder the Fall Arts Festival went 28 years without a celebration of Jackson Hole architecture and interior design. But the Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes in 2013 gave self-guided visitors their first glimpse at some of the best that area designers, architects and builders have to offer — which also happens to be some of the best anywhere in the world.

“We have some amazing, talented and world-class designers here,” said Latham Jenkins, founder and president of Circ Design, which publishes Homestead Magazine and organizes the Showcase of Homes.

The 2013 event was a success, he said, generating more than $12,000 in donations to charities. More than 90 percent of attendees said they loved the event. The second annual showcase is expected to attract a sell-out crowd. Attendance is capped at 250, and tickets cost $75 each.

Homestead Magazine launched the Showcase of Homes to pull some of the glamor off the pages of its magazine and to give arts lovers a chance to not only see but to experience functional design that has the power to awe.

“We really wanted people to see what it takes in its entirety to design a home,” Latham said. “It’s not just four walls and a roof. … Our local professionals are so talented at fitting these homes into the landscape.”

The Showcase of Homes will feature three properties this year, highlighting three talent-saturated design companies and benefiting three charities. The homeowners who open their houses to the public each select a favorite charity. This year’s designated charities are Yellowstone National Park Foundation, the Jackson Hole Community Resource Center and Jackson Hole Fire/EMS.

Each of the homes in the showcase is distinct and exhibits the unique abilities of the design teams that executed them.

River Meadows Retreat

Architect: Ellis Nunn & Associates

Home Building: JH Builders

This home is new and old at the same time, said Mike Wilson, the architect for JH Builders, a team of three with rich backgrounds in different aspects of the design and construction business.

The original home, tucked into the back of the River Meadows development off Fall Creek Road, burned down two years ago.

“The owners wanted to rebuild, and we were the ones to do it,” Wilson said. “The existing foundation stayed and we built on that. But, really, for us, it was a new project.”

The cabin’s Swedish cope log construction makes it stand out. The traditional building method requires tremendous precision to cut grooves in each log so it fits snugly with the next.

The owners made some adjustments to the interior floor plan, enlarging the upstairs guest suites and updating the interior. But overall they wanted the same log cabin luxury they had before the fire, Wilson said.

With six bedrooms, 5,300 square feet, a theater room, detached garage and guest quarters, the home is certainly grand. But it’s also comfortable.

“The thing we’re most proud of, I think, is how it’s finished,” Wilson said. “The finish on the logs, the color scheme, it’s great. The logs are in coordination with the cabinets and the countertops and the flooring, which is a beautiful hand-scraped cherry.”

Martin Creek Cabin

Architect: Poss Architects and Design

Home Building: ICMG Construction

Interior Design: WRJ Design Associates

Landscape: Snake River Sporting Club

With 850 square feet of decks and terraces, this home invites the outdoors in for true indoor-outdoor living.

“I think Poss did a great job of really capturing the outside,” said Rush Jenkins, founder of WRJ Design Associates. “Every room has some sort of outdoor living space.”

Beyond interacting with the natural environment, the 4,000-square-foot cabin has a contemporary sense of luxury blended with the rustic mountain feel expected in a Jackson Hole home.

“That’s part of our style at WRJ,” Jenkins said. “We have a blend of the contemporary with alpine elegance” — luxury with casual comfort.

The interior designers used lighter colors to create a more modern feel in the Western home.

“We incorporated light mohairs and beautiful fabrics and textiles with minimal patterns and a lighter color palette than you usually see in homes like these,” Jenkins said.

He and his team also used antiques to create contrast with the rustic feel of the home.

WRJ, which has only been in Jackson for three years and has already completed more than 20 high-profile design projects, also designed the interior of the Snake River Sporting Club. The Martin Creek Cabin is located in the private club, and the clubhouse will also be open to Showcase of Homes participants.

Shooting Star Elegance

Architect: JLF Architects

Builder: Big D Signature

Interior Design: Laura White

Landscape architect: Jim Verdonne

Six spacious bedrooms with en suite bathrooms at the base of Rendezvous Mountain in the private Shooting Star community would be luxurious.

But this home — with Fish Creek lacing through the yard, its own serene water feature and a contemporary outdoor hot tub — takes luxury to new heights.

Contemporary decor and reclaimed materials give the home character. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the home with light, and geothermal heating and cooling combine with solar hot water to keep energy use down.

The designers, architects and builder who worked on all three homes will be available during the showcase to answer questions about their work and discuss their design philosophies.

“This is a great format for enjoying these homes,” Latham said. “It’s like visiting a museum. When the docent gives you a tour, you have a far greater appreciation for and understanding of the art. We hope to mirror that experience in this event.”