The Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art at Utah State University will open a new exhibition titled "The Lure and Lore of the West" on January 20. The show examines the blurred boundaries between Western myth and history, featuring works from the late 19th century to the present, including a life-sized Bigfoot skeleton by artist Clayton Bailey. Themes include exploration, monsters, cowboy legends, and the Western sublime, with works by artists such as Roy De Forest and Ansel Adams drawn from the museum's collection and loans from several university archives and private collectors.
This exhibition matters because it challenges viewers to consider how cultural legends are shaped and how contemporary issues influence the stories we tell about the American West. By juxtaposing historical artworks with mythical elements like Bigfoot, the show encourages critical reflection on folklore, identity, and the enduring power of Western imagery in American culture. It also highlights the role of university museums in fostering interdisciplinary dialogue through accompanying panel discussions and community engagement.