Press Release: Bison and Wallow by Artist Ben Roth Lands in Greenspace on the Block
JACKSON HOLE LAND TRUST
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 7, 2023
Contact: Lindsay Jones, Director of Communications and Outreach (408) 242-4371, lindsay@jhlandtrust.org
Bison and Wallow by Artist Ben Roth Lands in Greenspace on the Block
Jackson, Wyoming — The Jackson Hole Land Trust (JHLT) presents a new interactive installation for the Greenspace on the Block. Bison and Wallow is the creation of artist Ben Roth who used a chainsaw, grinder, and impact driver to create a sculpture from 30 logs, both fir and pine trees harvested as part of planned fire mitigation. The sculpture is located on a highly visible portion of the greenspace near a pathway that welcomes local and tourist traffic.
Roth worked with local youth from the Coombs Outdoors program and Jackson Hole Children’s Museum to conceptualize the interactive artwork. He also studied sculptures that occur in nature such as beaver runs, dens, and nests before designing the bison and wallow. He worked on the sculpture from June to July, often fielding questions from people passing through the Greenspace on the Block.
"Building this installation over the past month in my own community has been a treat. I enjoyed the interactions that occurred with the locals and tourists and realized that building a challenging piece in public view is a rush. I wasn't sure if it was going to work and the encouragement and feedback really helped," said Roth.
After celebrating the grand opening of the Greenspace on the Block last year on the heels of a wildly successful community campaign to Save the Block, the JHLT was interested in bringing an interactive sculpture to the space that would invite local families to stop and stay a while. The JHLT then contracted community partner Jackson Hole Public Art to handle all art aspects from artist selection to site and installation.
“As a mom of two young children, I wholeheartedly believe in the importance of safe, accessible outdoor spaces. Roth’s sculpture is a wonderful enhancement to the Greenspace on the Block – inspiring play and wonder,” said JHLT Director of Advancement Jill Callahan. “At the Jackson Hole Land Trust, we’re invested in protecting open space for generations to come. It’s important for us to engage our youngest community members so they, too, can become thoughtful stewards of our incredible landscape.”
Bison and Wallow is on display now at the Greenspace on the Block and is anticipated to remain for visitors to enjoy for several years.
This project was funded in part with an Arts For All grant provided by Teton County and was supported in part by a grant from the Wyoming Arts Council, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wyoming Legislature.
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About the Jackson Hole Land Trust
The Jackson Hole Land Trust is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1980 to protect and steward the treasured landscapes of Northwest Wyoming. With more than 58,000 acres conserved, our vision is a legacy of protected open spaces, wildlife habitat, working lands, and community spaces that inspire current and future generations.
