On April 25, 2026, the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum in Oradell, New Jersey, hosted a private tour and luncheon led by wildlife artist Dwayne Harty, whose exhibition "Bison Legacy" had recently concluded at the museum. The event welcomed over thirty guests, including friends of the artist and Foundation Board President James Bellis Jr. Harty, trained at the Art Students League of New York under Bob Kuhn, Robert Lougheed, and Clarence Tillenius, is known for his accurate and expressive wildlife depictions. The museum will present its Permanent Collection starting at the end of May 2026.
This event matters because it highlights the role of regional museums in fostering community engagement with wildlife art and supporting living artists. Dwayne Harty's exhibition and the museum's programming underscore the ongoing relevance of natural history and wildlife painting within the broader visual art world, connecting local audiences with both artistic heritage and conservation themes.