Powell resident Martin Garhart dedicated his career in art to teaching and inspiring others and now will have his own art featured at the Brinton Museum in Big Horn.

There will be an opening reception 5-7 p.m. on Friday, and the show will run to the end of August. His work will be open to public viewing within the Brinton’s Western display. 

Martin Garhart was attending the University of Wyoming to play football when he took his first art class in 1965. After this drawing course introduced him to the realm of art, he began to pursue it passionately. 

Garhart transferred to and completed his undergraduate degree at South Dakota State University after two years at the University of Wyoming. He earned his Master of Arts at the University of West Virginia and continued onward to achieve his Master of Fine Arts graduate degree at Southern Illinois University. Then, Garhart entered the job field.

For 31 years Garhart taught about his passion in the classroom in Ohio’s Kenyon College, ultimately impacting many others to pursue their artistic callings. 

“When you find the tool or the thing that makes sense to you, you’re captivated,” Garhart said. “So I found myself drawing all the time.”

During Garhart’s time in the classroom, he instructed many students who painted their path into the art field, including cartoonists Bill Waterson (Calvin and Hobbs) and Jim Borgman (Zits).

Garhart said he’s honored and excited to have a show in the Brinton Museum throughout this summer.

“I’m interested in making images that speak to the human condition, what it means to be here now and who we are,” Garhart said. “I am exploring those aspects of self.”

In many of his works, he displays this identity and process of self for audiences to enjoy and relate to within themselves. Garhart continues to influence people and upcoming artists to pursue their callings throughout their lives. 

“Find the tools that fit your hands, the ones that challenge you, the ones that help you know what it means to be who you are, the ones that give you purpose, and you’ll never be dissatisfied,” Garhart said. “You will be challenged. But not dissatisfied.”