Schenck photo selected for Capitol Art Exhibition

Some of Wyoming's finest artists were recognized during the 2022 Governor's Capitol Art Exhibition reception in the Wyoming State Capitol Extension on February 24. Jeb Schenck was selected as one of the featured artists.

His photo of Joey Littlebird, a Sergeant in the Marines, participating in the Warrior Honor Dance at a Fort Washakie Pow Wow was included in the exhibit. Sgt. Littlebird is from the Wind River Reservation and continues the long, highly honored and deeply respected tradition of being a warrior.  Many Native Americans serve in the military. In a Pow Wow, it is the veterans who march in first followed by the rest of the honored guests and dancers.

The exhibition will be on view through August 14, and open to the public Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This biennial art show celebrating Wyoming artists was established in 2000 under an initiative by Governor Jim Geringer and is organized by the Wyoming State Museum with support from the Wyoming Arts Council and the Wyoming Arts Alliance. The juried exhibition is free to enter for any artist currently living or working in Wyoming. 

For each exhibition, a juror is selected from out-of-state to ensure impartiality and bring a fresh perspective to the current Wyoming art scene. 

This year's juror was Wade Patton. Wade is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe and grew up on the Pine Indian Reservation, in the southwest of South Dakota. He obtained a BA in Art from Black Hills State University, and had a solo exhibit during his senior year at the Sioux Indian Museum in Rapid City. 

According to Wade, "It took leaving South Dakota for me to find a voice in my most recent body of work. Yet, while pursuing other art opportunities on the east coast, I longed for home. Living on the east coast, I began expressing what I missed, the beauty and splendor of the Black Hills and the skies of South Dakota. I started to draw landscapes and clouds, as a reminder of home. The spare beauty of the prairie resonates in my work... Finally, I realized how much I needed to return, I missed my family and I wanted to pursue my art in the place where I find the most inspiration." 

This year 134 artists submitted 357 artworks and Juror Patton selected 59 artists for inclusion in the show. Artists in the exhibition were honored at the public reception and awards ceremony on February 24, in the Capitol. Works receiving purchase awards, the Governor's Choice Award and the Juror's Choice Award, were announced during the reception. 

The Wyoming State Museum also purchases several works from the exhibition for its collections. These works are preserved for future generations as a record of the artists working in Wyoming today. Works purchased for the Capitol Art Collection are displayed in public offices of state agencies. 

All works in the exhibition are for sale to the public. Purchases at Wyoming State Museum during business hours for the duration of the exhibit. Purchased works will be available for pickup after the show closes on August 14th.

Photo cutline Gov. Mark Gordon, First Lady Jennie Gordon, Gail and Jeb Schenck are shown with Schenck's featured photo.