Whence I Come

Works in fused glass and ceramics by Wyoming 2016 Governor’s Arts Award for Excellence recipient Marianne Vinich

BIG HORN, Wyo (August 7, 2017) The Brinton Museum presents the exhibit Whence I Come, featuring works in fused glass and ceramics by internationally-known artist Marianne Vinich from Lander. Marianne is an artist and an educator of incredible versatility who creates works in glass, ceramics, paint and jewelry. Vinich is a 2016 recipient of the prestigious Wyoming Governor’s Arts Award for Excellence. She is also the recipient of the Wyoming Secondary Art Educator of the Year Award in 2014.

Marianne has taught visual arts at Riverton High School in Wyoming since 1981, as well as K-12 art for Fremont County School District #25 since 1983. She has taken professional mosaic classes from master mosaicists in Ravenna, Italy and has taken professional glass classes at the Pilchuck Glass School, founded by acclaimed glass artist Dale Chilhuly, at Stanwood, Washington. In 1985, for the International Year of World Peace, she initiated and developed an international art exchange program with the country of Poland. The exchange lasted for twenty years with the International Children and Youth Museum at Torun, Poland. She has designed jewelry for Zarah, an international jewelry company. From 1999 – 2010, she designed dinnerware/china for the Herman Dodge and Son international china dinnerware company. Her designs for this company are still sold all over the world. The registered copyright of her designs is Yellowbird, the trademark of her art company. Whence I Come opens in the Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Building’s first floor Northern Trust Gallery on August 12. A reception to meet the artist takes place on Sunday, August 13, from 3 to 5 PM. This exhibit continues in the Northern Trust Gallery through September 4th.

Each of Vinich’s fused glass and ceramic pieces tells an emotional and spiritual story about Marianne’s life, family and friends. “My work reflects the spirit of my heart and soul ….each piece is truly a gift of myself,” says Vinich. “Every pattern, tree, house and bird that flow from my hand is a direct representation of a moment in my life.” Inspiration blooms from her rich childhood memories of Switzerland, her family’s home, and from the high mountains and plains of Wyoming.

“The Brinton Museum is pleased to showcase the work of such a creative and talented artist,” says museum director Kenneth L. Schuster. “We are fortunate to have someone like Marianne living and working here in Wyoming, sharing her life memories, joyous, and sometimes heart-rending, with all of us.”

About The Brinton Museum
Founded in 1960, The Brinton Museum is a fine arts institution devoted to preserving the art and history of the West. Located on the historic Quarter Circle A Ranch in the foothills of the majestic Bighorn Mountains, it features 19th, 20th and 21st century American and Indian Art in a historic Western setting. In 2016, the museum realized record attendance of more than 24,000 guests from all 50 states and 30 different countries. Regular admission to The Brinton Museum is $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and free for American Indians with tribal ID; active military, veterans and their families with military ID; and children 12 and under. The Brinton Museum offers individual, family and corporate memberships, featuring a number of benefits, including free reciprocal admission to hundreds of museums throughout the U.S.

Hours: Open Daily, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Brinton Museum is located at 239 Brinton Rd., in Big Horn, WY.