Gallery Speaks out on Sustainability

Melanie White | Jackson Hole News&Guide

How can art contribute to a sustainable community and environment? A "First Friday" show at Lyndsay McCandless Contemporary. "Purposeful Expressions," will approach this question through the agency of artists, gallery owners and collectors ahead of the inaugural Women's Conference on Sustainability on Friday and Saturday and 10th Annual Spring Earth Festival on May 10.

All players make choices regarding content, medium and contribution programs, thereby elevating art beyond decoration. "For a while now, I have been contemplating and exploring how the gallery can find creative ways to contribute to both a sustainable community and environment," McCandless said in a release. To tie in with the Women's Conference on Sustainability and the Spring Earth Festival, McCandless curated a show from her current collection with the goal of educating people on how "the appreciation and purchase of art can be done in a very purposeful and sustainably conscious way."

Text will accompany each piece and explain its sustainable significance. Jackson photographer Wes Timmerman typifies the ways in which an artist and his art can contribute to a healthy community. Timmerman photographs nearby national parks and the Grand Canyon, according to his interpretation of color and texture, and the resulting pictures inspire viewers to appreciate the natural world around them. He also contributes a percentage of his annual sales to the parks he photographs.

McCandless will contribute a portion of all sales made in May to the Eco-Fair.

Sustainable Art at Lyndsay McCandless

Henry Sweets | Planet Jackson Hole

Lyndsay McCandless knows the art business can do its part to support a sustainable environment and community. Her gallery’s May First Friday exhibition will educate artists, art buyers and art dealers about how the purposeful use of their creative energy, or their dollars, can benefit their neighbors and ecosystem.

Art can perpetuate sustainable ideas through content, but some artists are physically assertive about protecting or helping people and the natural world, McCandless said.
Some artists featured in the show will include: photographer Wes Timmerman, who donates a percentage of his sales to the national park where the sold photograph was taken; the designers of Chumil Jewelry, who donate a percentage of their sales to the people who inspired their jewelry; and sculptor Kate Hunt, who uses recycled materials in her works.

The reception will offer boxed wine because its production and recycling use less energy than glass bottles, and will use compostable cups. Heather Bupp will be on hand to serve Dragon Lady Teas, and Chris Howell will deejay. The event will go from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Lyndsay McCandless Contemporary, 130 South Jackson Street.