Nestled into the cliffs as if it simply grew there, the National Museum of Wildlife Art is 51,000 square feet of space dedicated to wildlife art. With works dating from 2500 BC to the present, the collection chronicles the history of wildlife through art. As photography is a relatively new invention, this art collection allows us to get a glimpse of wildlife—and life—in a bygone era. Though there is a definite focus on American and European art, the collection includes pieces from around the world, including New Zealand and Africa.
The National Museum of Wildlife Art by the numbers:
• 14 galleries
• 5,000 items of art in various mediums including oil, bronze, stone, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, pastel, pencil, lithography, photography and charcoal
• Works by more than 550 artists ranging from early American Tribes to contemporary masters
• A new .75 mile (1.2 km) sculpture trail by artist Walter Hood
• More than 80,000 visitors per year
Practical Info:
The museum is located about 2.5 miles (about 4 km) north of Jackson on Highway 89 overlooking the National Elk Refuge. While you can drive, the START Bus provides shuttle service around the town of Jackson and to the museum for free; you’ll also get $1 off of your admission price if you tell the ticket seller that you took the bus. The museum is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily and is free for children under five years of age. Prices for tickets range from $6 for children aged 5-18 to $12 for adults; there is a special $10 rate for seniors.
