Local organizations collaborate to host a unique cultural exhibition: Our Yellowstone
For the first time, the Bozeman Public Library, Montana State University Library, Museum of the Rockies, and Yellowstone Forever will partner to create a month-long series of arts and cultural programming that celebrates Yellowstone National Park. The exhibition, called Our Yellowstone, will feature authors, biologists, historians, and artists alongside immersive experiences for adults and children.
The exhibition begins on Thursday, September 6th at 7pm with author David Quammen. He will discuss his new book, The Tangled Tree: A Radical New History of Life, and his work writing about Yellowstone with National Geographic Magazine. On Friday, Sept. 7th at 6pm, the opening reception of the Our Yellowstone Art Show and the Yellowstone Acoustic Experience will take place followed by a presentation by Steve Jackson, Curator of Photography at Museum of the Rockies, entitled, “The Early Photography of Yellowstone” at 7pm.
The Our Yellowstone Art Show in the Atrium Gallery will feature 20 regional artists’ works representing Yellowstone from many angles and mixed mediums. Artists include DG House, Tom Murphy, Shirl Ireland, Mimi Matsuda, and others.
“There is a special symbiotic relationship between artists and the Park. Artists have been inspired by the beauty of Yellowstone for hundreds of years and in return maintained public interest in the Park through their work,” said Janay Johnson, Director Bozeman Public Library Foundation.
The MSU Library’s Acoustic Atlas will be shared for a limited time at the Bozeman Public Library with a presentation of selected high-definition sounds and sights from their archive.
Stephen Hunts, Program Manager, Acoustic Atlas and Web Content Strategy, notes, “our digital recordings capture the sounds of nature in places barely touched by humans. Environmental recordings range from remote river valleys to high mountain peaks where animals live just as they did in 1872 when Yellowstone National Park was established. You could spend many days in Yellowstone and never hear some of the sounds that are available in our recordings.”
Kids can also participate in Our Yellowstone with a special Yellowstone Children’s Activity Day on September 23rd. They can explore the natural world and learn about our backyard Park with instructors from Yellowstone Forever. Activities include a Tree ID Hike, Rock Investigation, Bird Feeder Crafts, and an instructor-led game called Wild Wapiti.
“We are thrilled to bring together the unique expertise and resources of our community’s most respected institutions. We are curating an amazing exhibition that will be free to the public and honor our beloved National Park,” said Kit Stephenson, Head of Adult Services & Outreach for the Bozeman Public Library.
Our Yellowstone will run the month of September 2018 and is free to the community. All events will be held at the Bozeman Public Library unless otherwise noted. •
