The Museum of the Mountain Man, in partnership with art collector Tim Peterson, is pleased to present one of the largest collections of original contemporary art of the mountain men. The exhibit will be on display for the 2024 season, May through October. It is titled “One With the Land: The Mountain Man’s Journey Into the Unknown” and includes 72 pieces of artwork from 38 artists.
The title of the exhibit is inspired by a featured Paul Calle painting. Paul wrote “The land and the rhythm of the seasons were forces that governed the mountain man’s cycle of life. ‘One With the Land’ is that moment, high in the Absaroka Mountains when the trapper paused and looked over the mountain meadows, rich with aspen and willow, lonely creeks and streams, and knew there would be a plentiful harvest of beaver.” As a special feature, artist Michael Coleman and collector Tim Peterson worked together to create a series of nine oil paintings depicting several of the most recognized mountain men each placed in classic western scenes they were either the first non-Native to explore or are often associated with. This series includes “Jim Bridger at the Great Salt Lake”, “Joseph Walker at Yosemite”, “Osborne Russell at Yellowstone Falls”, and “Kit Carson in the Tetons.”
In 1837, Alfred Jacob Miller traveled to the West creating images of these men in their natural environment. Miller became the first generation of artists depict these men in their world. The “One With the Land” exhibit features contemporary artists who use diligent research, living history models and field trips to create images of these historic men in their environment.
Artists in the exhibit include: Joe Abbrescia, William Ahrendt, Julie Allen, James Bama, Joe Beller, Chris Calle, Paul Calle, Gary Carter, Michael Coleman, Tim Connor, Don Crowley, Ernie Cselko, Juan Dell, Steve Deveyns, Maynard Dixon, Michael Dudash, Barry Eisenach, Gerald Farm, Charles Fritz, Frank Hagel, Russell Houston, Richard Iams, Harvey Johnson, Robert Lougheed, Frank Magsino, Frank McCarthy, Gerry Metz, Dan Mieduch, Jim Norton, M.C. Poulsen, Clark Kelly Price, Ken Riley, Tim Shinabarger, Gordon Snidow, Lee Teter, Joe Velazquez, Jeff Watts, David Wright.
All art in the exhibit is generously on loan from the Peterson Family Collection.
On display May – October 2024.
