The BCJ Gallery in Morton will feature internationally known Western artist Kenneth J. Hurley and regionally acclaimed Pacific Northwest landscape artist Kris Ellen Jenott as its featured artists for August and September.
“We are extremely happy to have Mr. Hurley and Ms. Jenott show at the BCJ Gallery for two months. Securing these artists is a win for the Gallery and for Morton,” said Jessica Scogin, president of Fire Mountain Arts Council. “We are especially pleased to coordinate the timing with the 81st Loggers' Jubilee which is Aug. 8-11. The Western and Northwest themes of these artists are a perfect match with the Northwest history of the Jubilee and our community.”
Hurley is known as the “Buffalo Man” by his fans due to his excellence at portraying buffalo in their natural habitat, BCJ said in a news release. He is well known for his Western and rodeo art and has created over 1,000 paintings. He has won numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including:
• The coveted “Lancaster Award” from the Ellensburg National Art Show in 2002
• The "Producers Award" from the Spokane Western and Wildlife Show in 2006
• The once-in-a -lifetime award, "King of the Cowboys," presented by the Fred Oldfield Western Heritage and Art Center in 2014
• The “Boyd Zepp Humanitarian Award" honoring the art he produced for the Grays Harbor County Pro Indoor Rodeo
“Published books of his art, book covers, poster art and more contribute to Mr. Hurley’s recognition worldwide as an outstanding western artist,” BCJ said in a news release.
Jenott is regionally renowned as a landscape artist with artwork in countries around the world. “She specializes in stunning Pacific Northwest scenes and has won numerous awards and honors over the years,” BCJ said in a news release.
Those awards include:
• The Grand Prize award for the Northwest Carriage Museum Art Competition in 2023
• The prestigious poster contest for the Ocean Shores Artists Association in 2023
Any corporate commissions, including those for the Betty Ford Center and the Muckleshoot Nation, Jenott, who was selected to create art for the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame, has raised thousands of dollars for its yearly fundraiser. She participates in many art shows and events, including the distinguished Oldfield Art Show.
“Ms. Jenott is very active in the Harbor Art Guild of Grays Harbor County creating, teaching, and promoting the arts,” BCJ said in a news release.
Jennott and Hurley are both members of the Pacific Northwest Carriage Museum and teach an after-school art program at Raymond Elementary School.
The BCJ Gallery features monthly artists and rotating displays of fine arts and crafts from regional artists.
The BCJ Gallery is located at 231 W. Main Ave. in downtown Morton. Hours of operation are Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The BCJ Gallery is part of the Fire Mountain Arts Council, whose mission is to enrich our community life through the arts, according to a news release. For more information, visit firemac.org.
