Exhibition: Close Encounters: Wildlife Paintings by Carl Brenders

Close Encounters features nine large-scale works by world-renowned Belgium master painter artist, naturalist, and conservationist Carl Brenders. These meticulously painted wildlife paintings--from wolf packs to peacocks­­--capture in stunning detail and photorealistic accuracy, Brenders’ firsthand observations of beloved birds and mammals in their natural habitats. These paintings from the Glacier Art Museum’s permanent collection were donated by the Shaw Family Trust, and this exhibition marks the first time they are on view to the public since being acquired in 2024. Executive Director Alyssa Cordova notes, “Visitors of all ages will truly be astounded by the beauty of these paintings. Brenders is a masterful painter- every strand of fur and blade of grass is a meditative wonder. We are extremely grateful that the Shaw family has selected the Glacier Art Museum to be the recipient of these works and are excited to share them with the public. They will inspire and remind us to preserve and care for our planet and our region’s wildlife and their habitats.”