Wilcox, Lucas, Pullen recipients of 2014 Governor’s Arts Awards

— December 16, 2014

(Press release) — The Wyoming Arts Council has announced that Governor Matthew H. Mead has selected Jim Wilcox of Jackson, Tom Lucas of Dubois and Zachary Pullen of Casper as the recipients of the 2014 Wyoming Governor’s Arts Awards. They will be honored at the annual Governor’s Arts Awards Gala on February 27, at Little America in Cheyenne.

“These three artists are truly outstanding. They are representative of the many wonderful artists we have in Wyoming, who contribute to a thriving arts economy,” Gov. Mead said. “Each does signature work, each does inspiring work, and I am pleased to recognize them. I look forward to the awards ceremony.”

Folk Artist Tom Lucas is best known for his rediscovery of the skills needed to make bows from wild sheep horns. Growing up, he lived near Native Americans and learned many of their arts, including arrow making, saddle making, and making implements from the horns of big horn sheep. He has preserved heritage that might otherwise be lost and enthusiastically shares what he has learned with others. Lucas has been featured in a fascinating, recent documentary. 

Zachary Pullen is a well-known, highly regarded illustrator. His illustrations appear in numerous books and national publications. He has shown his artwork statewide and nationally. He has designed original artwork to publicize The Equality State Book Festival and the Casper Museum Consortium. He also created unique artwork for a Wyoming Symphony Orchestra program. Pullen generously shares his talents with the community, including Wyoming students.

Jim Wilcox is a nationally known landscape painter, especially renowned for his paintings of northwest Wyoming. His book “Canvassing the West” chronicles his work and is a visual delight. He was the 2014 honored artist at the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale in Cody. He owns the Wilcox Gallery in Jackson and founded the Jackson Hole Art Academy. Wilcox holds art workshops and mentors others, invented an easel used for painting outdoors, and contributes much to the community.

The Governor’s Arts Awards were first made possible by an endowment from the Union Pacific Foundation in honor of Mrs. John U. Loomis, a life-long patron of the arts. Over the years, individuals and organizations from more than 20 Wyoming communities and statewide organizations have been honored for their dedication to the arts in Wyoming.