Michele R.
Yelp
Knowing little about this museum until we rolled into Jackson for a two and a half day stay to visit Teton National Park, we decided we'd invest an hour here. Three and a half hours after we walked in we left, wishing we had more time. Here's a tip: make sure you take time to see the wonderful art collection and stunning setting here, including enough time for coffee and a nosh on the lovely outdoor patio for the Rising Sage museum cafe.
SETTING / STRUCTURE
Looking like a stone ruin and built into the side of East Gros Ventre Butte overlooking the National Elk Refuge, this 50,000 plus square foot structure was built in 1991 but looks as if it has been there much longer. The outdoor setting is spectacular with the view across the refuge.
FEES
Worth every penny of the entry fee. Adults under sixty $12, Adults over sixty, $10, Children over five $5, Children under five $0. Fee allows return entry in the same day. Closed on Christmas Day, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.
FREE TO SEE
If you're not willing to pay the fee to see the museum collections, the sculpture trail is free and you can also enter the building to the museum lobby to see the displays there, enjoy the Rising Sage Cafe which has indoor space and wonderful outdoor seating, clean spacious bathrooms (a plus), and visit the gift shop.
ACCESSIBILITY
Seamlessly universally accessible from parking through the door. An elevator at the entry level will take you to the museum level. The sculpture trail in front is paved.
MUSEUM COLLECTIONS
The museum started in downtown Jackson in 1987 when wealthy philanthropist William Kerr (of Kerr-McGee) and his wife seeded it with works from their own collection. Works were added from others, funding was raised and the museum opened in its' current location in 1991. In 2008 a public lands bill signed by then President George W. Bush included in it National Museum recognition here.
The museum now has wildlife art dating back to 2500 BC to present day and over 5,000 works in the collection catalog with roughly 550 artists represented across mediums including bronze sculptures and oils and textiles.
One of the extensive collection by Carl Rungius, an oil of a black bear was one of my favorites along with a 1927 piece by Maynard Dixon of wild horses in Nevada.
Bronze sculptures are numerous inside and out. Inside included one of wild horses by Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor of Mt. Rushmore figures, and was my husband's favorite if he had to choose one of all the treasures here.
There are artists as diverse as Warhol, who did an endangered species collection of which the museum has four and about which I knew nothing until this visit. In an example of how cleverly installed are the works, the Warhol pieces share space in a room with works by John James Audobon. Another visitor commented that she was surprised by the "gruesomeness" of the Audobon art, that is predators attacking prey. She said it made her think of it in a way she had not before.
Which it seems to me is one of the highlights of the museum for how the art has been curated and installed. It gives you space to really see the work and reflect and think and learn.
Also included in the museum's displays for a limited time a collection of National Geographic outdoor photographs installed in the hallway between the Members Lounge and main lobby. Don't miss them.
LOST BIRDS
In serendipitous timing on the day of our visit the museum was having a sneak preview unveiling for Lost Bird sculptures on special outdoor display into August of this year. Sculptor Todd McGrain, artist in residence at Cornell Orinthology, gave a heart tugging and also humorous presentation on how he came to be drawn to memorializing the five birds lost to extinction in modern times; the Passenger Pigeon, the Carolina Parakeet, the Labrador Duck, the Great Auk, and the Heath Hen. This sculpture group, which are the second castings, will travel round the US for display. The first casting of each sculpture was installed at the sight of the last known extinct bird and there is a documentary on the artist's work to get permission to install each original. I recommend it.
THIS N THAT:
1) BENEFACTORS: Worth a pause to appreciate that without the beneficence of wealthy folks like the Kerr's and others there are many treasures of art that would never be viewable by we mere mortals. At a time when it is on trend to bash folks who are wealthy, it is worth keeping that in mind. And in fact, but for Laurence Rockefeller it is unarguable that a good portion of what is now Teton National Park would not have been saved to become such. But that's another review!
2) HANDS ON: There is a great Children's Discovery Center in the museum. For visitors of all ages, there is a section in the museum where you can try your hand at drawing art yourself.
3) MEMBERS LOUNGE: Sign outside said public welcome so we went in. Great space and views. See it.