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    Local artists, Jackson coffee shop make an impact for wildlife crossings

    (Lander, WY) – Back in December and January, artists Jenny Reeves-Johnson and Noelle Wiemannn of the Sweetwater Studio in Lander teamed up with Cowboy Coffee Co. in Jackson to raise money for wildlife crossings.

    Their art show, named “Share The Road” included wildlife-themed paintings, ceramics, and many other pieces for the wildlife lover. Despite the pandemic, many art enthusiasts supported the art show and wildlife crossings, making a significant impact on wildlife and roadway safety in Wyoming. 

    20% of all proceeds from the art sold from the art show went directly to the Wyoming Wildlife Federation for use on wildlife crossings projects, such as funding some of the 40 identified crucial hotspots for wildlife in Wyoming.

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    h/t Wyoming Wildlife Federation – Jenny Reeves-Johnson

    Each of these artists put their heart and soul into the show from the get-go. Jenny spent months making a one-of-a-kind, 13-piece handcrafted mug collection based on critters Wyomingites could find hit alongside busy roadways. They were quite popular, according to the WWF.

    Noelle is often kept busy with commissioned paintings but was able to include some incredible pieces of her art. Her specialty is brightly colored pieces of wildlife, including moose, bison, mule deer, and others. 

    h/t Wyoming Wildlife Federation – Noelle Weimann

    Housed at Cowboy Coffee Co. in Jackson, the show was garnered great interest from locals and visitors to Wyoming-alike. It was set to run the month of December 2020, but Pete MacIlwaine, co-owner at Cowboy Coffee, felt the show could run another month in the shop due to the combination of restrictions on public traffic from COVID, the immense interest in the art pieces by those who came through, and the important wildlife conservation cause the show was going toward. 

    Normally, art galleries and coffee shops, like Cowboy Coffee, will split a bigger piece of the revenue from an art show, but Pete wanted to make sure this show raised more for wildlife and reduced the shop’s commission for the show. 

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    h/t Wyoming Wildlife Federation – Pete MacIlwaine

    All told, these passionate artists and coffee shop owners raised $1175 for wildlife crossings through the sale of art.

    “The Federation cannot thank these two artists and Cowboy Coffee enough for taking a stand for safer roadways, and healthier wildlife populations long into Wyoming’s future.”

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