National Museum of Wildlife Art

06/03/2026

Few animals have shaped the history, culture, and identity of the United States as much as the American bison. "Bison-tennial: From Colonization to Rematriation" traces images of the bison from the vast pre-colonial plains to today's rematriation efforts, an Indigenous-led movement to restore the species to ancestral lands. Participating Northern Arapaho and Chicano artist Robert Martinez shares:

"The Buffalo has always been more than an animal to the Arapaho Nation and other Plains tribes—it is life itself. It fed our bodies, clothed our families, and gave us shelter. Every part of the buffalo was used with purpose and respect. Its migratory patterns dictated where and when we camped, forging a deep understanding of balance and our relationship with the natural world. Beyond survival, the buffalo carries deep spiritual meaning. It represents abundance, resilience, and the sacred connection between our people, the land, and all living things. Our stories, ceremonies, and tribal identity are tied to it. When the buffalo were nearly wiped out, it wasn't just a loss of food—it was an attempt to erase our way of life. Yet we are still here, and so is the Hii3einoon (buffalo). Its return to places across the West and the Wind River Reservation is powerful—it reminds us of who we are and shows the potential of who we can be." – Robert Martinez, 2026

"Bison-tennial: From Colonization to Rematriation" is now on view through August 23.

Robert Martinez (United States, Chicano, and Northern Arapaho, b. 1976), Four, Eight, Sixteen, 2026. Acrylic and Graphite on Antique 1897 Double Page Ledger Paper. Collection of the Artist. © Robert Martinez.

06/01/2026

Great art moves us. But what about art that actually moves?

“Art in Motion: Kinetic Sculpture with Ivan Iler” is on view now through October 4, 2026.

05/30/2026

Mark Eberhard's paintings are often distinguished by bold, monochromatic backgrounds and a masterful use of negative space, both of which are on full display here. Ring-billed gulls can be found throughout North America, though most live inland near freshwater lakes and rivers. Eberhard places his on the coast, where the strong contrast between raking sunlight and a darkened background creates an air of quiet mystery, perhaps even foreboding. That sense of intrigue is heightened further by the gull's pose, which hides its most distinctive feature: the dark ring encircling its bill.

This piece is on view now in "From Sea to Shining Sea: Wildlife Above & Below the Waves" through August 23, 2026.

Mark Eberhard (United States, b. 1949), Ring Bill Gull, 2005. Oil on board. Gift of Lynn and Foster Friess, National Museum of Wildlife Art. © Mark Eberhard.

05/29/2026

Working primarily in the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming and Alberta, Canada, Carl Rungius spent every summer painting and sketching in the high country and every winter in New York City, creating finished canvases that celebrate the outdoors, nature, and wildlife. The National Museum of Wildlife Art holds the largest collection of Rungius’s work in the United States.

In 1910, Rungius was invited on a sheep-hunting trip to the Canadian Rockies. For the next 47 years, he returned every spring to paint places like this. Lake O'Hara is one of the most recognized and beloved alpine landscapes on the continent. Rungius was quoted as saying, "You have to keep painting outdoors, only then do you see the cool silvery tones that are the true colors of nature."

Carl Rungius (Germany, 1869 - 1959), Lake O'Hara, 1925. Oil on canvas. 40 x 50 inches. JKM Collection®, National Museum of Wildlife Art. © Estate of Carl Rungius.

05/28/2026

Join us tonight for our FREE community exhibtion opening event from 5- 7 pm!

JACKSON, Wyo. — The National Museum of Wildlife Art (NMWA) is throwing a party this evening in honor of a special valley resident: the bison. “Bison-tennial: From Colonization to Rematriation,” is an exhibition at the museum that explores the influence bison have had on the history, cultures a...

05/27/2026

See the herd! Join us at 5 p.m. TOMORROW (5/28) at the National Museum of Wildlife Art for a FREE community exhibition opening event celebrating “Bison-tennial: From Colonization to Rematriation.” During the opening event at the Museum, explore our bison exhibition and enjoy free BBQ bites from Palate + complimentary beer or root beer from Grand Teton Brewing (for the first 300 attendees).

Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative Executive Director Jason Baldes will lead a presentation in the Cook Auditorium at 5:30 p.m. followed by a short Q&A. Participants are also encouraged to explore our indoor exhibits, including the new summer exhibitions "From Sea to Shining Sea: Wildlife Above & Below the Waves" and "Art in Motion: Kinetic Sculpture with Ivan Iler." This community exhibition opening event is generously sponsored by Friess Wildlife Art Charitable Lead Trust and Lea Charitable Trust.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor the courageous men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. The National Museum of Wildlife Art is proud to participate in the Blue Star Museums program, offering free admission to active-duty military personnel, including National Guard and Reserves members, and their families. The program runs annually from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day and brings together more than 2,000 museums nationwide in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the Department of Defense. We hope you'll make us part of your summer plans, we are now open daily!

Chris Bacon (Canada, 1960 - 2026), Bald Eagle, 2002. Acrylic and Watercolor on Board. Gift of the Stonehollow Collection, National Museum of Wildlife Art. On view now in "From Sea to Shining Sea: Wildlife Above & Below the Waves."

05/21/2026

"From Sea to Shining Sea: Wildlife Above & Below the Waves" exhibition opens this Saturday, with a sneak peek program at 11:30 a.m. TOMORROW (5/22)! Sugden Chief Curator of Education Kelly Skeen Fried will offer an introduction, followed by remarks from Curator of Art Kennis Forte, Ph.D., on the vision behind this exhibition.

“I think that a lot of people have very strong emotional connections to animals that live in and around the water,” says Forte. “From the playful, intelligent, and inquisitive nature of animals like dolphins and otters, to the meditative calm of sea horses and sea turtles, this exhibition offers a rare look into the aquatic worlds above and below the waves, inviting visitors to appreciate the beauty and diversity of life found in these environments.”

Robert Bateman (Canada, born 1930), Bright Day - Atlantic Puffins, 1977. Acrylic on board. 16 1/2 x 23 1/2 inches. Gift of Florence Lamb, National Museum of Wildlife Art. © Robert Bateman.

05/19/2026

The National Museum of Wildlife Art is growing, and we're looking for people who believe art and nature can change the way the world sees itself. We're on the lookout for talented individuals to fill three key roles:
→ Director of Philanthropy
→ Chief Financial Officer
→ Events Coordinator

Generate wonder with us today—apply now: https://bit.ly/4eWTEyI

05/15/2026

Did you know that today is Endangered Species Day? It's a day dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of endangered species and promoting conservation efforts.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, African elephants are the world's largest land mammal and one of nature's most important landscape architects. As they roam and feed, they create clearings that allow forests to regenerate and disperse seeds that keep entire ecosystems alive. Without them, Africa's landscapes would look completely different.

Visit us and see these magnificent creatures through the eyes of the world's greatest wildlife artists. This piece is on view now!

Wilhelm Kuhnert (Germany, 1865 - 1926), Elephants, 1917. Oil on canvas. 48 × 86 inches. JKM Collection®, National Museum of Wildlife Art.