The intent of Art and Landscapes of the Red Desert is to create a dialogue about public lands in the Red Desert and communicate how these lands are used and their significance to those who live, work, play in, and otherwise value this area. The BLM is currently revising its 20-year management plan for large portions of public lands in the Red Desert and it is our hope that a visual dialogue will encourage community engagement with this public land planning process.

Art and Landscapes of the Red Desert is a professional-level juried art show that will be exhibited at the Sweetwater County Community Fine Arts Center January 3-28, 2013. The Communy Fine ARts Center is located at 400 C Street in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Awards will be given to top fine art and photography categories: $200 for 1st places, $100 for 2nd places, and $50 for People's Choices.

Fine Art: Joan Hoffmann is an extraordinary oil and watercolor painter, art teacher, and conservationist from Colorado and Vermont. She works to preserve the landscape that she paints and she brings awareness to public lands through art. In Joan’s conservation and art career she has received numerous awards and honors including the EPA’s Federal Citizen’s Award in 1997, the Sierra Club’s RMC Conservationist of the Year in 1996, and Yosemite National Park’s 2005 Artist in Residency. Joan is speaking at Pt. Reyes National Seashore's 50th Anniversary Celebration (2012) about the relationship of American Painters, National Parks, and Public Lands. Her paintings and profile have appeared in a variety of publications such as Vermont Magazine, Steamboat Today, and High Country News.  

Photography: Jeff Vanuga is based in Dubois, WY and specializes in advertising and editorial media. His work has been internationally published in numerous magazines and advertising campaigns such as National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Traveler, BBC Wildlife, Smithsonian, Outside, and Patagonia. Jeff has also won numerous international awards including first place in the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the National Wildlife Photographic Competition. Photo District News has featured Jeff as one of their top 50 States Photographers.