Annual Brinton Gala

ABOUT THE EVENT

Join us for The Brinton Museum’s Annual Gala: Our Legends: Preserving a Lasting Legacy on Friday, June 26.

This year’s Gala celebrates the remarkable career of Wyoming artist Jim Jackson, whose work in painting and leather has helped shape the visual culture of the American West. The evening will honor Jackson’s legacy while raising support for the development of a permanent exhibition dedicated to preserving the traditional art of leatherwork, ensuring future generations can experience and carry forward this art form and its deep connection to our cultural heritage.

The evening begins with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, light musical entertainment by Dugan Irby & Lyal Strickland – Collaboration of Lyricists, and the opportunity to bid on unique offerings in the silent auction. This year we are featuring Stephanie Zier Jewelry and Melinda Horn during the event, where attendees will have the opportunity to purchase modern and traditionally inspired Western wear and accessories, with a percentage of sales supporting the museum.

A plated dinner will be served followed by a paddle raise and live auction to raise vital support for the museum’s exhibitions, collections, and educational programming.

The evening will conclude with musical entertainment by Dugan Irby & Lyal Strickland.

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating art, craftsmanship, and the legends who continue to shape the story of the West.

Seating is limited. Reserve your tables and tickets today.

THE EVENING’S SCHEDULE

5:45 p.m. — Doors open
                       Signature Cocktail, Hosted Bar & Hors d’ouvres
                       Silent Auction
                       Stephanie Zier Jewelry and Melinda Horn Sale
                       Light Musical Entertainment by Dugan Irby & Lyal Strickland
7:00 p.m. — Welcome & Dinner
8:00 p.m. — Raise the Paddle & Live Auction
8:45 p.m. — Silent Auction Closes
9:00 p.m. — Dessert & Live Music Entertainment by Dugan Irby & Lyal Strickland
                        Collaboration of Lyricists

LIVE AUCTION ITEMS

• Hideaway Guest Stay
  Donated by Eric Hutchins & Pamela Fagan Hutchins, Bighorn Mountain Farms, and The Fly Shop of the Bighorns
  Gather family or friends for a six-night, seven-day Wyoming retreat in the Bighorn Mountains. This experience also includes a special Bighorn Mountain Farms Wagyu beef dinner for 6–8  Guests and a full day of guided fly fishing for two provided by The Fly Shop of the Bighorns, with lunch included. Dates for the guided fishing experience will be mutually agreed upon.
  Accommodates 6-8 guests. Available August-October for 6 nights/7days.

   

• Whidbey Island Glass & Coastal Experience
  Donated by Callahan Glass Firehouse, Kiki Kruse, Tracy Hamil, and Ali Osbourne
  Art, craftsmanship, and coastal adventure come together on Whidbey Island with this unforgettable experience alongside renowned glass artist Callahan McVay. Guests will enjoy a private handblown glass lesson, a day of crabbing with the artist, dinner, two nights at The Inn at Langley, and a handblown vessel accompanied by a custom set of four glasses created by McVay.
  Dates to be arranged with the artist, subject to availability. Crabbing experiences available July–August.

   

• Custom Tooled Seed Jar by James F. Jackson
  Donated by the Artist
  Created by master leather artist James F. Jackson, this custom tooled vessel reflects the precision, artistry, and innovation that have defined Jackson’s
  celebrated career. Combining sculptural form with the traditions of Sheridan-style leather tooling, the piece stands as both a functional object and a work of fine art.
• HF Bar Ranch Experience
  Donated by HF Bar Ranch
  Experience the beauty and tradition of one of Wyoming’s classic guest ranches with a two-night stay for four guests at the historic HF Bar Ranch. The package includes lodging, meals, riding, fishing, sporting clays, and access to the landscapes and hospitality that have defined the American West for generations.
  Available for booking June through August.

   

• Casa Charra: Barefoot Elegance Villa Stay ― Oaxaca, Mexico
  Donated by Frank & Georgia Boley
  Enjoy five nights at Casa Charra, a luxury 4-bedroom villa in the exclusive Montecito Beach Village, Mexico. Designed for relaxation and connection,
  this coastal retreat offers an opportunity to unwind in a beautiful setting surrounded by ocean views, warm evenings, and the rhythm of seaside living.
  Accommodates up to 8 guests. Available July–Dec 10, 2027 or Feb 28–Oct 23, 2027 (subject
  to availability). Airfare and travel to the property not included.

   

• Entwined by Dean States Graphite on paper, 64 x 43 inches (framed)
  Donated by the Artist
  Through remarkable control of graphite, Entwined explores tonal range, texture, and form through the intricate structure of old trees. Rich in detail and atmosphere, the work transforms a familiar subject into a striking meditation on light, shadow, and interconnectedness.
• Ranch House Overnight & James F. Jackson Leather Workshop
  Donated by James F. Jackson, Barry King & The Brinton Museum
  Step inside the history of the Quarter Circle A Ranch with a private overnight stay for two in The Brinton Museum’s historic Ranch House. This unique package also includes an evening picnic basket with light bites and wine, brunch at the Brinton Bistro and a private leatherworking workshop with master artist James F. Jackson, offering the rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the nation’s most respected leather craftsmen. The experience also includes two sets of Barry King leather tools, creating a lasting connection to this extraordinary artistic experience.
  Offered Friday to Sunday from July 10 to October 31, subject to availability.

   

• 153rd Kentucky Derby Experience
  Donated by Churchill Downs, Rhonda Jo & Jimmy Dan Conner, and Austin & Janie Musselman
  Experience one of America’s great sporting traditions with six Clubhouse Box tickets to the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby 153 on April 30 and May 1, 2027. This exclusive package also includes a private bourbon tasting hosted by Brown-Forman and a private behind-the scenes tour of the Kentucky Derby Museum and Churchill Downs Backside.
  Available April 30 and May 1, 2027.

RAISE THE PADDLE FOCUS

Establishing the Jim Jackson Leather Shop as a Permanent Exhibition

For nearly a decade, Jim Jackson’s Leather Shop at The Brinton Museum has offered visitors a rare opportunity to witness the traditional craft of leatherwork firsthand. Through his extraordinary artistry and generous mentorship, Jim Jackson has helped elevate Sheridan, Wyoming, as a national center for exceptional leather craftsmanship.

Today, the Leather Shop operates as a temporary artist residency and educational workspace. Yet the impact of this space, and Jim Jackson’s lasting legacy, deserve a permanent home within the museum.

Through this year’s Raise the Paddle, The Brinton Museum seeks to establish a permanent exhibition dedicated to preserving the traditional art of leatherwork, including the tools, techniques, and traditions that define Sheridan style leather tooling. This exhibition will honor Jim Jackson as one of Sheridan’s most influential artists while celebrating the region’s vital role in shaping contemporary leather craftsmanship.

With community support, the museum will transform the Leather Shop into a museum-quality exhibition space that preserves Jim Jackson’s tools and works while creating opportunities for demonstrations, workshops, and educational programming. By supporting this effort, donors will help safeguard one of Sheridan’s defining artistic traditions and ensure that Jim Jackson’s extraordinary legacy, and the broader legacy of Sheridan-style leathercraft, continues to inspire future generations.