Visitors to the Virginia Museum of Natural History now have the opportunity to enjoy spectacular wildlife art in a variety of media, while also getting a rare glimpse into the fascinating processes artists use to create their work.  The exhibit Wildlife Art Revealed is open at the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville from September 26, 2009 to January 9, 2010.

Wildlife Art Revealed features wildlife art in different media by selected artists.  The exhibit will include bronze animal sculptures by Paul Rhymer, pyrography (wood burning) by Julie Bender, oil paintings and graphite drawings by Robert Caldwell, and bronze animal sculptures by Roger Martin.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to develop and host this exciting exhibit,” said Ryan Barber, director of marketing and external affairs at the Virginia Museum of Natural History.  “We look forward to displaying these wonderful works of art by Paul Rhymer, Julie Bender, Robert Caldwell, and Roger Martin, while also showing visitors some of the fascinating techniques the artists use to create their spectacular work.”

In addition to displays of the artists’ work, the exhibit also highlights the unique processes artists use in the creation of their work.  The exhibit features time-lapsed video showing the creation of the art, along with first-person interviews with the artists, providing visitors with information about the complex and lengthy process of creating the various works of art.

“When we see a work of art in a typical gallery, we gaze upon the ‘final product’ and can only guess at how the artist created the work – the tools that were used and what special techniques the artist employed,” said Dr. Dennis Casey, director of education and public programs at the Virginia Museum of Natural History.  “By presenting a condensed version of the whole process, the visitor will have the rare opportunity to see exactly what was involved – a unique process for each artist and an inspiring way to peer into the artistry and mystery of creating a beautiful work of art.”

Click here to learn more about the Wildlife Art Revealed exhibit.