National Museum of Wildlife Art Announces Outstanding Results for the 37th Annual Western Visions® Art Show + Sale
October 23, 2024The National Museum of Wildlife Art’s most significant and longest-running fundraiser, the 37th Annual Western Visions Art Show + Sale, concluded at the end of September. The exhibition opened on September 7, with over 170 pieces on display. The signature evening Show + Sale event on September 12 saw enthusiastic interest from patrons, with over 300 people participating in person and online. Over 60 artists were also in attendance, one of the highlights of the event. “As the National Museum of Wildlife Art, we are honored to host this annual exhibition featuring new work from the nation’s, and world’s, top wildlife artists,” says the Museum’s Executive Director Steve Seamons.
Featuring a wide range of traditional and contemporary artworks and showcasing both paintings and sculptures, the Show + Sale included more than 170 artworks. New this year, 32 of those artworks were in the large format section of the sale. Artists were selected for the large format section by a weighted draw, and their pieces responded to the theme ‘Connection,’ inspired by the Museum’s vision statement. In addition to the 32 large format pieces, the sale featured 141 small format works also available via an intent-to-purchase draw.
Artwork sales continued through the close of the exhibition on September 29, 2024, and totaled over half a million dollars for the event, with 104 pieces selling. Strong online and in-person participation led to an increase in total sales during this year’s event. The artwork sold benefited both the Museum and participating artists. “The success of this year’s show was largely due to the incredible caliber of the art on offer,” says Chief Marketing Officer, Madison Webb Stanko. “We are so grateful for the continued support and participation of our Western Visions artists and patrons, without whom this show would not be possible.”
The annual Western Visions awards were announced during the evening sale on September 12. Five awards were given: the Museum Purchase Award, two People’s Choice Awards (2D and 3D), the Red Smith Award, and the Excellence for Artistic Merit Award. A panel of Trustees selected the Museum Purchase Award, and that piece was then added to the Museum’s permanent collection. Museum guests selected the People’s Choice Awards—visitors voted for their favorite two-dimensional and three-dimensional works. Artists in attendance at the event voted for the Red Smith Award, or Artist’s Choice. The Excellence for Artistic Merit Award was chosen by a panel of art experts who considered medium, style, composition, subject matter, and technique. The 2024 Western Visions award winners are:
Museum Purchase Award: Chris Maynard, Owl Dreams.
People’s Choice Award (3D): Paul Rhymer, Bring On the Night. This award is generously sponsored by Western Art & Architecture.
People’s Choice Award (2D): Joe Kronenberg, Silent Sentinels. This award is generously sponsored by Southwest Art.
Red Smith Award (Artist’s Choice): William Alther, The Standout
Excellence for Artistic Merit Award: Dan Ostermiller, Annie. This award is generously sponsored by Western Art Collector.
Save the date for the 38th Annual Western Visions Art Show + Sale, which will be held on September 11, 2025.
The 37th Annual Western Visions Show + Sale was generously sponsored by presenting sponsors the Mays Family Foundation and Richard C. Adkerson Family Foundation, as well as Daidone Electric Inc, Marcia and Mike Taylor / Taylor Foundation, Sally and Bob Painter, Pearls by Shari, Barbara Casey, Bomb Sommelier, Ethel M Chocolates, Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum, Jackson Hole Art Auction, Palate, Maggie & Dick Scarlett, Big Sky Brewing Co., Creative Coverings, Creative Curiosity, Gallatin Wealth Management, GraVoc, Jackson Hole Insurance, JH Flower Boutique, Jane and Steve Malashock, Tally and Bill Mingst, Mountaineer Bourbon, and Katherine Shook.
