A gala opening of Exploring Yellowstone through Art, a local art exhibit, is slated for Friday, May 1, from 5-7 PM at the Yellowstone Gateway Museum in Livingston.

The exhibit is designed to not only involve the creative community but also to support the museum’s mission of interpreting the connection between Park County and Yellowstone National Park and to provide an enjoyable visual experience for museum visitors. The exhibit’s artwork depicts scenes from, or directly inspired by, the park.

More than thirty artists—current and former residents of the county and the park—are represented in the exhibit. Works of art by professional and beginning artists are included; their subjects are as varied as the park itself, including landscapes, geothermal features, wildlife, and more. Mediums chosen by the artists include oil, oil encaustic, acrylic, watercolor, oil pastel, colored pencil, and stained glass. A brief story about the inspiration behind each piece is included, giving historic depth and interest to the exhibit. Artist contact information is provided in the exhibit, encouraging people to contact artists directly regarding purchase.

One of the featured pieces is from a recent donation to the museum’s collections—scenes painted by Maude Bottler of Fridley (Emigrant), Montana, in 1899.

Yellowstone has a long history of inspiring artists. Before the park was created, artist Thomas Moran, along with photographer William H. Jackson, documented the wonders of the park, helping build support for its preservation. Since the creation of Yellowstone National Park in 1872, thousands of artists have followed in their footsteps, finding inspiration from the park’s wild places and wildlife. This relationship between the wonders of nature and the desire to interpret them will continue to enthrall artists far into the future.

Artists share their interpretation of place, conveying the history and culture of an area in ways that cannot be duplicated; each work is unique. The viewer gains not only a greater understanding of place but art also possesses intangible and ineffable qualities that enhance the viewer’s experience.

The museum invites you and your family and friends to visit the museum this summer and glimpse Yellowstone through the lens of local artists. The exhibit will be displayed through September 30. The artwork is on display in the museum’s Expedition Room on the top floor, unfortunately making it inaccessible to anyone who has difficulty climbing stairs.

Please contact Karen Reinhart at kreinhart@parkcounty.org or call 406-222-4184 for more details. Find us on Facebook to keep up-to-date on the museum’s events and programming.