Monday, April 30, 2007

Help The Nic plan its future

The public is invited to participate in an innovative economic development art project by attending an open community forum from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, at the Nicolaysen Art Museum & Discovery Center in Casper.

There will be a presentation by Art Space, a national leader in developing affordable housing space for artists by adapting old warehouses, schools, and commercial buildings.

Tuesday’s visit by Art Space representatives and the forum are being held following The Nic’s successful application to the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund to do a feasibility evaluation for developing artists’ lofts/studios and art spaces in Casper.“We need your input to make this study a success,” said Holly Turner, the museum’s executive director.

FMI: Nic at 307-235-5247.

Reno exhibit at WAC Gallery in Cheyenne

Lit conference meets Arts Summit

If you've been reading the Arts Council web site, you know that the inaugural Wyoming Arts Summit is set for Oct. 19-20 at the Casper Events Center. What you may not know is that the Casper College Literary Conference will take place Oct. 17-19 and will serve as a sort of literary segue into the Summit, which will "explore linkages between government, community development, economic prosperity, arts business and arts education. National, regional and local leaders will provide practical experiences building successful, creative communities."

We don't have final schedules for either event. I do advise you to save the dates and plan to come to Casper for an extravaganza for writers, artists, and arts organizations in October.

E-mail me at mshay@state.wy.us for more info.

WWI awards deadline extended

News from Jeanne Rogers of Wyoming Writers, Inc.:

Because of the nature of the Wyoming Writers, Inc., organization this year, the deadline for the WWI awards and the submission process have been modified for this year only. The awards affected are: Western Horizon Award, Milestone Award, the Arizola Magnenat Award, and the Emmie Mygatt Award.

Submissions for the Western Horizon Award and the Milestone Award will be accepted through May 31 for submissions emailed, phoned in, or given to me in person. I’ll be in Thermopolis by Thursday afternoon, May 31, to attend the annual WWI conference, and will take submissions until the end of the day (I’m assuming the person submitting would be attending the conference and awards banquet).

If you mail a submission, please postmark by May 25 to ensure its delivery to me by the end of May. To email your submission, put the award name in the subject line, and either attach your submission document, or paste the information into the body of the email.

These two awards are open to current members of Wyoming Writers, Inc., and each award may have multiple recipients, as they were designed to honor achievement within our membership. These two awards are non-competitive; any submission that meets the criteria will receive recognition. Since the Western Horizon Award and the Milestone Award are for recognition of an individual’s achievement, these are submissions and not nominations, and as such, are made by the individual writer. Please encourage those members whose work qualifies to submit their information.

The Western Horizon Award recognizes a writer’s first major work published between May 2006 and May 1, 2007. For a first book, include the title, ISBN, the publisher, and publication date. (The book must have an ISBN to qualify for this award.) For a first article/story/essay/poem in a major publication, include the title of the work, the name of the periodical, and date of publication. The periodical must be national or literary, and have a subscriber base.

The Milestone Award recognizes published writers for ongoing achievements in their writing careers. Submissions should succinctly express the breadth and depth of your writing career thus far.

For the following two awards, the Emmie Mygatt Award and the Arizola Magnenat Award, the recipients (one each) are chosen by the WWI Awards Committee from nominations by the current membership of WWI. I would need to notify the recipients at least two weeks prior to the awards banquet, which doesn’t leave much time for nominations. Emailing or calling with a nomination for these awards would be best this year.

The Arizola Magnenat Award is given to any adult, organization, business, or other entity that has provided special encouragement and motivation to writers. A nominee for this award does not have to be a member of WWI.

The Emmie Mygatt Award is given to a WWI member for outstanding service to the organization, in honor and memory of one of WWI’s founders. Past recipients and the outgoing president of WWI are not eligible for this award.

Send your submissions or nominations to: Jeanne Rogers, P. O. Box 501, Sundance, WY 82729-0501, jrogers@collinscom.net, (307) 283-2125 or (307) 290-0797. Awards will be presented at the Saturday night banquet June 2, 2007, at the annual WWI conference being held this year in Thermopolis, WY.

Friday, April 27, 2007


Thursday, April 26, 2007

Alexandra Fuller witty, passionate

Alexandra brought her own brand of political and cultural commentary to Laramie Wednesday evening during her speaking and reading engagement sponsored by the MFA program at UW. Her life in Africa is the inspiration for the very successful Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight and its sequel, Scribbling the Cat. She sees noticeable parallels of Wyoming's economy and its people to that of Africa, and her experiences there and in Wyoming have given her an ability and authority to speak to a range of global problems--those of global warming, politics, and the human toll and consequences of every stage of war.

Song contest

Western Folklife Center's Yellowstone and Teton Song Contest is accepting entries online after Monday, April 30, 2007 to no later than 11:59 pm, Saturday, July 31, 2007. Mailed submissions must be postmarked by July 31, 2007. There is a fee of $10 per song submitted and you can submit as many songs as you like.

A Grand prize of $1000, a Gold prize of $500, and an Audience Favorite Award of a Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Guitar will be awarded.

Complete rules and online application at http://www.westernfolklife.org/

Western Floklife Center Media is located at 101 Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84112. Phone (801) 582-9576.
FMI e-mail Hal Cannon at hcannon@westernfolklife.org or
Taki Telonidis at ttelonidis@westernfolklife.org

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Cheyenne Artists' Guild call for entries

Cheyenne Artists Guild presents ARTS 2007 at Holliday Park, 1701 Morrie Ave in Cheyenne from June 2-28. There will be an opening night dinner June 2 in the Country Buffet Party Room beginning at 6:30 pm, with buffet, salad, dessert and beverage. Price for buffet is $12.50 and paid reservations are required by May 31. RSVP to Win Ratz at (307) 635-7174 or Norm at (307) 632-2263.

All artists in Southeastern Wyoming are invited and encouraged to enter. Categories are limited to oil/acrylic, watercolor, and other small 3D art (this category is limited by space and weight so please call for prior approval at 307-632-2263).

Fee is $7 per entry. Cash prizes will be determined by the number of entries. Artists Guild will retain 25% commissions on any sales at the event.

FMI: (307) 632-2263

Casper Artists' Guild Art Walk and Capture Casper

Art Walk is scheduled for June 16 with home tours beginning at 1:00 pm with the Casper Artitsts' guild gallery open from 2:00-5:00 pm. The cost of tickets is $15.00 which includes receiving a raffle ticket to a drawing.

The "Capture Casper" plein air (painting in the outside environment) art display and silent auction, a part of Art Walk Day, has been done by guild members who travel(ed) to various sites around town and spent time drawing and painting the scenes of the area. The following schedule is for the remaining sessions:
April 26--Edness K. Wilkins 1-3 pm
May 3-- Meadow Acres 9-11 am
May 10--Old Train Station 9-11 am
May 17--Garden Creek Falls 1-3 pm
may 24--Cathy Szymczak's home @ 2112 Garden Creek Rd.

From Bach to Broadway

The Jackson Hole Chorale and The Jackson Hole Symphony Orchestra will present the free concert "From Bach to Broadway" Sunday, May 6th, 2007 at 3pm at the Center for the Arts Main Theater on Glenwood. Cookies, coffee, and punch will be served. Donations will be accepted at the door.

Don't miss this awesome opportunity to hear some great classical music along with your favorite Broadway hits.

FMI please contact Rhea Lewis at (307) 734-9048 or Cathie Fisher at (307) 734-8470.

Ibby Davis at Deselms

Ibby Davis has a display of her new art works at Deselms Fine Art in Cheyenne, at 303 E. 17th St. Gallery hours are 10 am-6 pm Monday-Saturday, and on Sunday from 12 pm-4pm. Visit with Ibby about her art on Saturday, April 27, from noon-4 pm.

Juried student art show at NWC

The opening reception for the Northwest College 2007 Juried Student Art Show will be held on Tuesday, April 24, from 7:30-9 pm in the gallery, including the presentation of Board of Trustees Purchase Awards.

Gallery hours are from 9-4 pm, Monday -Friday, with the added hours of 7-9 pm on Thursdays.

The art of audiobook performance

Twenty budding vocal artists can receive special training at the National Audio Theatre Festivals' 26th annual Audio Theater Workshop in West Plains, MO, June 23-30, 2007. Grammy and Audie-winning audiobook producer/director Paul Ruben will host the leading edge workshop. William Dufris, known to many as the voice of Bob the Builder, and award-winning audiobook artist Barbara Caruso will be on hand to work alongside participants on voice demos and more. The workshop is limited to 20 people who have had some performance training or experience. That training can include college or university.

The Art of Narration track is designed to assist participants in increasing their narration skills for all media, including audiobooks, film and more; an overview of the business of audio book narration; how to create an audiobook narration demo; and to practice short 'performance' selection. Attendees will be updated on the most productive methods of seeking employment as a narrator and where to look for employment with particular focus on opportunities created by new technologies, emphasizing increasing digital download-only audio books, recording from your home studio, etc. Vocal artists will learn how to become a more compelling narrator through discussions of audiobook narration as storytelling; the difference between ' reading' and storytelling; how to narrate fiction and non-fiction; understanding fundamental performance issues (eg, performing the narration, playing the subtext, and compelling the listener to suspend their disbelief).

Register now through June 8th for $450. Late registration from June 9-23, 2007 is $500. Registration, housing and travel forms are attached. Registration details and information are available online at www.natf.org or by calling Sue Zizza at (516) 483-8321. A limited number of scholarships are available to help offset part of the registration fee. See the Scholarship Application Form for deadlines and details.

Grant Writing instruction

The Grant Institute's Grants 101: Professional Grant Proposal Writing Workshop will be held at North Carolina State University, June 25 - 27, 2007. Interested development professionals, researchers, faculty, and graduate students should register as soon as possible, as demand means that seats will fill up quickly.

The Grant Institute offers workshops and certification in grant writing, grant research and the fundamentals of program planning, development, and organization, at various sites throughout the US, exposing students to the art of successful grant writing.

Visit their website FMI to view other workshops sites at http://www.thegrantinstitute.com/

Jentel Presents in Sheridan

Current residents at the Jentel Artist Residency Program in Banner will be featured in an event open to the public at Sheridan Stationery, 206 North Main Street on Tuesday, May 1, 2007, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. “Jentel Presents” is a community outreach program that features slide presentations and readings by the visual artists and writers at the residency. There is no admission charge and refreshments will be served.

Presenters include: Ingrid Brasson, New York City, Writer; Cathy Diamond, Brooklyn, NY, Painter; Mark Epstein, Rockville, MD, Painter/Animator; Rae Ellen Lee, Helena, MT, Novelist;
Michelle Spark, Phoenicia, NY, Painter; James Sullivan, Dallas, TX, Sculptor/Printmaker;

The Jentel Foundation offers dedicated individuals a supportive environment in which to further their creative development. While at Jentel, visual artists and writers have the opportunity to experience unfettered time to allow for thoughtful reflection and meditation on the creative process in a setting that preserves the agricultural and historical integrity of the land.

The Jentel Artist Residency Program accepts applications twice a year from visual artists in all media and writers in all genres for a one month residency. A residency includes a comfortable accommodation, common living, dining and recreation areas, a private workspace and a stipend to help defray expenses during the program.


FMI contact Lynn Reeves at (307) 737-2311 or jentel@jentelarts.org

Painting the New Mexico landscape

Deb Matthew, former Laramie resident, operates Starlight Ranch, an artists' retreat in New Mexico.

STRATEGIES FOR PAINTING THE LANDSAPE INDOORS--a 3-day workshop with luminous oil painter DAVID SCWINDT, May 21, 22, 23rd, from 9am-4pm at beautiful Starlight Ranch in Edgewood, New Mexico. Develop a painting indoors from memory and photos, with plenty of demonstrations by Dave.

Contact Deb Matthew, 281-6839 or go to http://www.starlightranchnm.com to register for David's workshop and read about other upcoming classes with wonderful teachers-painters!

BUD EDMONDSON watercolor workshop scheduled for 22-24 June '07! Beautiful & inspirational setting with several lovely B&B rooms available at Starlight Ranch.

Lockwood honored with Humphrey award

Professor Jeffrey Lockwood is the recipient of the University of Wyoming's George Duke Humphrey Distinguished Faculty Award. The Humphrey Award, named for UW's 13th president who served from 1945-1964, recognizes teaching effectiveness, distinction in scholarly work, and distinguished service to the university and state.

Lockwood is a professor of natural sciences and humanities, splitting his duties with the Department of Philosophy and M.F.A. program in creative writing. He previously was an entomologist in the College of Agriculture's Department of Renewable Resources. A prolific nature and science writer, Lockwood's teaching specializations are in natural resource ethics, environmental justice, philosophy of ecology, and nature and spiritual writing.

His research and creative work include essays, meditations, and book-length projects, including Prairie Soul: Finding Grace in the Earth Beneath My Feet (2004); Locust: The Devastating Rise and Mysterious Disappearance of the Insect That Shaped the American Frontier (2004); Grasshopper Dreaming: Reflections on Killing and Loving (2002); and A Guest of the World

R.A.P. at the Teton County Library

R.A.P. - Random Acts of Poetry Contest.
Teens in grades 6through 12 are invited to enter a Random Acts of Poetry Contest, featuring digitally-recorded performances or readings of poetry to be viewed on youtube.com. Sign-up May 5-12. Find information on contest rules and prizes at Youth Services Desk or www.TCLib.org/teens.
Cost: Free.
Contact: Youth Services, 733-2164 ext. 103.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Governor's Capitol Art Exhibition selections

Works by 29 of Wyoming’s best artists have been selected for the seventh annual Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition. Their work will be displayed at the State Museum in Cheyenne June 18-August 31. An opening reception will be held on June 22, 5-7 p.m. Governor Dave Freudenthal will award this year’s purchase awards. The Bobby Hathaway Juror’s Choice and People’s Choice awards will also be presented. The reception is free and open to the public.

Selected artists: Katie Christensen, Ed Clark, Jerry Glass, Ricki Klages, Ginnie Madsen, Jon Madsen, Sara Schleicher,
Brad Christensen, Matt Flint, Bill Yankee, Cody Brinton, Mary-Alice Huemoeller, Laurie Thal, Lia Kass, Bart Fetz, Florence Alfano McEwin, Helen Hoff, Rex Hoff, Ken Wright, Mike Allen, Tara Bolgiani, Mike Conway, Victoria Greet, Paul Ng, Jennifer Rife, Craig Satterlee, Joan Sowada, Cat Urbigkit, Markus Urbanik.

FMI: 307-777-7022

Vermont Studio Residencies

The Vermont Studio Center Announces the Native American Artists Award and residency fellowhips for low-income artists and writers of outstanding talent.

The Vermont Studio Center, the international creative community located in the heart of the Green Mountains in Johnson, Vermont, USA, announces a residency fellowship award for one Native American Visual Artist.

The Native American Fellowship provides one outstanding Native American artist with a month-long VSC Residency in 2007, including studio space, comfortable housing, three meals daily, as well as access to six distinguished Visiting Artists and Writers who are in residence each month. The award, valued at $4,750, includes the residency fellowship fee ($3,750) as well as travel, materials, shipping, and living expenses.

The Low-Income Artists and Writers Fellowships provide two outstanding low-income artists and writers with month-long VSC Residencies in 2007, including studio space, comfortable housing, three meals daily, as well as access to six distinguished Visiting Artists and Writers who are in residence each month. The award, valued at $5,000, includes the residency fellowship fee ($3,750) as well as travel, materials, shipping, and living expenses.

A Vermont Studio Center Residency is an ideal opportunity for meaningful interaction with American and international professional peers in a non-competitive, supportive studio environment.

Over the past decade, VSC has provided residency fellowship opportunities for some twenty-five Native Americans from Montreal, Quebec to Helena, Montana. In addition, such prominent Native Americans as Fritz Scholder, Juane Quick-to-See Smith, Kay Walkingstick, and Simon Ortiz have been included among its roster of distinguished Visiting Artists and Writers.

The deadline for receipt of all applications is June 15th, 2007. Please call Kate Westcott, VSC Receptionist, for more information (802) 635-2727, or visit our Web site at www.vermontstudiocenter.org for detailed application procedures.
NOTE: THE REGULAR APPLICATION FEE OF $25 HAS BEEN WAIVED FOR THIS AWARD.

CLTP wins regional competition

Cheyenne Little Theatre Players production of A Walk in the Woods by Lee Blessing won the regional American Association of Community Theatre’s (AACT) festival competition Sunday, April 22 held here in Cheyenne. CLTP’s production of A Walk in the Woods will move on to national competition at the National AACT Festival to be held in Charlotte, NC June 18-24, 2007.

This will mark the second time in Cheyenne Little Theatre Players 78 year history that it has been invited to perform at AACT’s National competition. In 1993 CLTP took a production of Terra Nova to national competition and won second place.

Directed by Keith Thomson, A Walk in the Woods features Dave Hall and Jeff Tish in the roles of John Honeyman and Andrey Botvinnik. Stage Manager is Rich Hammond.

This production was also a showcase winner at the Rocky Mountain Theatre Festival held earlier this year at Western State College in Gunnison CO. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our theatre and our community,” said Harry Woods, Managing Director of Cheyenne Little Theatre Players.


A Walk in the Woods is an important, brilliantly executed and strikingly original play, which brings deep perception and unexpected humor to its probing examination of the superpower negotiations on nuclear disarmament. Written in the 1980’s during the Cold War, its message is as timely today as it was during that difficult era of US Soviet relations.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Entries sought for book awards

The High Plains Book Awards committee, in affiliation with the Parmly Billings Library, announces it is accepting nominations for Best Book Award and Best First Book Award to be presented at the High Plains BookFest scheduled for October 19-20, in Billings, Mont. Nominated books must have been published in 2006 and written by a regional author or writing team and/or be a literary work which examines and reflects life on the High Plains. The High Plains region includes Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas and the Canadian provinces: Alberta , Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Nominated books may be fiction, non-fiction or poetry. Self-published and electronically published works will not be considered.

Nomination forms may be obtained on the High Plains Book Awards web site.

Postmark deadline is May 31.

African Drums in Laramie

The University of Wyoming will host a free concert of traditional African drum and highlife dance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, in the College of Education auditorium. The concert, part of UW's World Music Series, will be performed by the University of Colorado at Boulder West African Highlife Ensemble, the nation's only student group of its kind.

"Highlife is a widely-performed form of West African Music," says Rod Garnett, professor in the UW Department of Music. "Its roots can be traced to 19th century British regimental band music along the West African coast, and 20th century palm-wine guitar and traditional songs."

Friday's event is sponsored by the UW Department of Music, UW Cultural Outreach and the Associated Students of UW. For more information call Garnett at (307) 766-2512 or e-mail rgarnett@uwyo.edu.

Friday, April 20, 2007

Pop and Opera, together at last!

Wyoming's Karen Clift, clasically-trained soprano, and Spencer Bohren, folk singer, will perform together at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the WYO Theater, 42 N. Main in Sheridan. A reception will be held before the performance, at 6 p.m. at King's Ropes' Museum. Tickets for the performance are $25 for the concert, $50 for the concert and reception. FMI: 307-672-9084.

Along with many other musical offerings, Karen Clift, who has won two Grammy awards, will belt out Appalachian ballads to the banjo. Spencer Bohren, a traveling folk musician with 40 years of on-the-road experience, will tackle a 16th Century opera duet by Monteverdi.

The concert is a benefit for Sheridan Memorial Hospital's Hospice of the Bighorns program.

Check out High Plains Register

A public reading will be held in the LCCC playhouse today, April 20, at noon, in honor of the publication of High Plains Register, Laramie County Community College's literary and art magazine. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

High Plains Register is published annually by the Division of Arts and Humanities at LCCC. Entries of all genres are accepted and the next submissions' deadline is October 1, 2007. This year's issue features poetry by Cheyenne's Anne Marie Fowler, Pravina Gondalia and Simone Sellers, fiction by Fort Collins, Colo., writer Teresa R. Funke, an essay by Kurt Caswell (one-time LCCC instructor now at Texas Tech) and photography by Serinda Patras of Cheyenne and Carl Aldrich of Greeley, Colo.

Some very hardy (and hearty) selections this year. A pleasing, varied collection. Congratulations to all whose work was selected.

Thoroughly Modern Millie at WWCC

Western Wyoming Community College's Theater and Dance Department in Rock Springs will present the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie, April 20-21, and April 26-28 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $9 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. FMI: 307-382-1721 or 382-1661.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Journey with Julianne Couch

Julianne Couch expects the publication of her book, "Jukeboxes and Jackalopes: A Wyoming Bar Journey," from Greybull's Pronghorn Press in June. Along with photographer Ronald Hansen, Julianne visited close to 30 of Wyoming's most off-the-beaten path bars. The result is a travel memoir comprising essays about exotic and evocatively named watering holes such as Spotted Horse Saloon, Cactus Tree Pub, and Rowdy's Spirit & Bait. According to Julianne: "If a town had more than two bars, it was off the bar tour list. You'd be surprised at how many that leaves."

Julianne and Ron live in Laramie, where she teaches writing at the University of Wyoming and he is principal of the design and photography firm Horse Creek Studio. Ron's photos accompany each essay.

Owen Wister Review release party

"Hot Off the Press 2007" will feature writers and artists who contributed to the 2007 issue of the University of Wyoming's literary and arts publication, "Owen Wister Review," which comes out Friday, April 20. The reading and art show celebrating the release of the new issue begins at 6:30 p.m. at Second Story Bookstore, 105 Ivinson Street in downtown Laramie. Refreshments will be available. Authors and artists will be available to sign their works following the reading. Eleven current and former UW students along with seven UW faculty and staff members contributed work to the 2007 edition, available for $8.95 at the event. UW students can purchase the review at a discounted price of $5 through June. It will be sold in the Union breezeway April 24-25.

UW series features Garnett talk

Rodney Garnett, professor in the University of Wyoming Department of Music, will present "World Musical Communities" as the featured speaker for the 2007 President's Speaker Series. Garnett's free public presentation begins at 4:10 p.m. Tuesday, April 24,in the College of Agriculture auditorium. A reception will follow in the College of Arts and Sciences lobby. He will give the same presentation in Casper Friday, April 26, at 7 p.m. in Room 150 of the UW Outreach Center, 951 N. Poplar.

Garnett, a 2003 Governor's Arts Award Recipient, details in his presentation, three world music communities flourishing in the UW Department of Music--rich traditions of the Peruvian altiplano, the Celtic regions of Western Europe and Eastern Canada, and the island of Bali, Indonesia. Garnett will present musical examples from each of the three traditions.

WyoPoets releases new chapbook

The release of the seventh WyoPoets' chapbook, "Wyoming Paintbrush," featuring 34 poems by 18 WyoPoets' members, edited by Constance Brewer, will take place at the WyoPoets Workshop on April 28 featuring Joan Puma Bennet, a Wyoming Arts Council approved poet and presenter. Pre-order from WyoPoets web site.

WyoPoets workshop in Casper

WyoPoets workshop "When Words Have Wings," a celebration of poetry featuring Joan Puma Bennet's workshop, "Living to Write," will be held Saturday, April 28, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, in Casper, WY, at the Hampton Inn. Poets who register by March 31 may include a poem to be critiqued by Ms. Bennett at no additonal charge.

Registration is $35, which does not include a critique. Registrations at the door are welcome, and full-time students' registration is $5.

Joan Puma Bennett has taught creative writing for 20 years in a variety of settings in Wyoming and across the country. Ms. Bennett was a staff writer for the The New Yorker for many years. Her poetry manuscript, Om-ing in Wyoming, was a finalist for the 2006 Doubleday Literary Fellowship. She is a Wyoming Arts Council-approved poet and presenter.

For further information please contact Lee Ann Siebken, (307) 358-2898, or visit the website at weelas@netcommander.com

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

McClure documents Ireland in photo essay


An April 16-May 4 exhibition at the Lander Art Center, 123 Main Street in Lander, features Mike McClure's photo essay on Ireland. A reception will be held on Friday, April 20, from 6-8 pm. The event is free and open to the public.

Mike is a Lander-based photographer and a Wyoming Arts Council fellowship recipient.

FMI: LAC at 307-332-5772.

Capture Casper!

In preparation for Artwalk in Casper on June 16, 2007, there will be series of plein air paintings displayed in different locations which will then be available in the silent auction the week before Artwalk and at the reception.

Schedule:
April 19 @ the Werner Wildlife Museum from 9-11 am
April 26 @ Edness K Wilkins from 1-3 pm
May 3 @ Meadow Acres from 9-11 am
May 17 @ Garden Creek Falls from 1-3 pm
May 24 @ Cathy Szymczak's house 2112 Garden Creek Rd. from 9-11 am

FMI please call Deb Witte at (307) 265-5462 or Cathy Szymscak at (307) 237-0372

Celebrating postcards at the Nic

Join the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper for the "Postcards from the Wild West" silent auction and party on Saturday, May 5, beginning at 6 p.m. There will be over 200 pieces of original artwork (postcard-sized) from regional and national artists.

Enjoy tastings of some of the finest Scotches, experience gourmet and specialty coffees by Metro Coffee Co., and barbecue and sushi from 303 Restaurant. There will be a "Best-Dressed Boot Contest" and music by Danny Rogers and the Chugwater Band.

Tickets for museum members are $20 each and two for $35. For non-members, $30 each or two for $50. Advance ticket holders will receive a gift at the event.

FMI: 307-235-5247 or visit www.thenic.org.

Learn stagecraft this summer

The mission of the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas (SILV) is to provide state-of-the-art training for individuals engaged in, or preparing to engage in, the specialization of live entertainment technology. Relying on the experience of its founders, combined with input from key industry personnel, SILV will identify the training needs and then design and implement training opportunities to meet those needs.

SILV offers three training programs this summer. See the web site for complete information.

Sheridan's Big West Arts Festival

Sheridan's Big West Arts Festival features fine arts and fine crafts in more than 50 exhibitor's booths on Aug. 4-5, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., on the campus of Sheridan College. Free and open to the public.

The festival includes live music until 9 p.m. A wide variety of food and beverages will be for sale at the site.

Contact: Rod Dugal or Danna Hildebrand at 307-674-6446 or 800-913-9139.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Elementary Art Show at the Public Library

The District Elementary Art Show is up in the Public Library and it looks FABULOUS! An opening reception will be held May 23 from 6-8 at the Library. The artwork is in the main meeting room (the roundroom), in the children's section and in a glass case opposite the reference desk.

George Mitchell to speak at UW

April 16, 2007 -- Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell will discuss current world affairs Monday, April 23, at 2 p.m. in the University of Wyoming College of Arts and Sciences auditorium.

Following Mitchell's remarks, Alan K. Simpson, former U.S. Senator from Wyoming, and Peter K. Simpson, Milward L. Simpson distinguished visiting professor of political science, will moderate a question and answer session.

The Department of Political Science's Milward Simpson Fund and the College of Arts and Sciences sponsor the program. The fund was created to honor Milward L. Simpson, a Wyoming native who served as Wyoming governor, U.S. senator, and president of the UW Board of Trustees. The UW Department of Political Science,in 1999, launched its Millennium Initiative in American Government to explore 21st century leadership issues.

Jackson Hole Writer's Conference 2007

In its fifteenth year, the June 28-July 1 Jackson Hole Writer's Conference promises great new programs for writers.

Three new interest tracks are offered this year, the travel and outdoor magazine market, tech writing, and, young adult fiction. Specialists in all of these fields are giving workshops and advice.


Daniel Woodrell, whose novel, Winter's Bone is nominated for the LA Times Book Award, will be speaking. Terry Tempest Williams heads the non-fiction side along with Alexandra Fuller. New York novelist Tiffanie Debartolo and Colorado writer William Heywood Henderson round out the visiting fiction writers. Daniel Glick, Todd Strasser, and Lee Zacharias head up the special interest tracks. Dozens of Wyoming writers will also be speaking including Tim Sandlin, Deborah Bedford, Craig Johnson, and Tina Welling.

A returning highlight of the conference are the critiques offered by the participants. Polish up your best fifteen pages and submit them early to ensure you get time with the experts to talk about your writing.

Details of registration, including the manuscript critiques and teacher credits, are on the new website for the conference at
www.jacksonholewritersconference.com or call 307-413-3331. Online registration is available.

Monday, April 16, 2007

On the road with the Piatigorsky Tour

The Wyoming leg of the Piatigorsky Foundation Concert Tour, featuring Evan Drachman on the cello and Richard Dowling on the piano, continues on Tuesday, April 17, 7 p.m. in Upton at the Eastern Wyoming College branch. For details, contact Liz Barritt at 307-468-2495 or lbarritt@upton.weston7.k12.wy.us. The duo travels to Crook County on Wednesday, April 18, with a 1 p.m. performance at Hulett School Old Gym on Sager Street in Hulett. For more information, contact Laura Lynn at 307-467-5477 or lynnl@hms.crooknet.k12.wy.us.

The concerts are free and open to the public.

Powwow performers in Torrington April 21

“Dance Across Wyoming” presents the Wind River Reservation Powwow Performance Tour on Saturday, April 21, 7 p.m., at Eastern Wyoming College Fine Arts Auditorium in Torrington. Tickets are $7.

Look for more powwow performances in June and July in Cody, Casper, and Rawlins.

For more information, contact the Wyoming Arts Council at 307-777-7742 or EWC at 307-533-8213.

No shortage of spring events in Casper

Listed are just a few of Casper's spring arts events:
April 28--Casper Artists' Guild's Betty Downing's Pastel Portrait Workshop, West Wind Gallery
April 29--Casper Chamber Music Society, Rainer Schwarzkopf and friends, Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian, 4:00 pm
May 1--Casper Events Center, Best of Broadway, Mannheim Steamroller Fresh Aire
May 4-5 and 8-12--Casper College Black Box Theatre--Flight (A Story of the Wright Brothers), 7:30 pm
May 6, 13, 20--Casper Chamber Music Society--May World Music Day--UW 4:00 pm
May 17-19--Casper Artists' Guild-Pastel Workshop with Dale and Peg Allen of Arizona at the West Wind Gallery
May 19--Dance Evolutions Recital, 1:00 pm at the John F. Welsh Auditorium at NCHS

Jackson Hole Art Academy summer classes

Carolyn Anderson--Portrait/Still Life, oil--June 18-21
Revecca Pearl--Horses/Landscape, pastel--June 25-29
Jim Wilcox--Plein Air Landscape, oil--June 9-13
David Drummond--Landscape, watercolor--July 16-20
David Wade--Wildlife, oil--July 23-27
Joe Bohler--Plein Air Landscape, watercolor--August 20-24

For more info please call 877-765-8356 or e-mail info@soltekarts.com

Experience Oktoberfest in Germany and Austria

The Grand Teton Music Festival is headed to Munich, Lienz, and Salzburg for an Oktoberfest celebration, from September 29-October 9, 2007. Join veteran tour leader Stan Klassen as he unveils the magnificence of these beautiful areas. Experience the 2007 Munich Oktoberfest, Munich's Symphony Orchestra, and tour the Dachau Concentration Camp. In Leinz, Jackson's Sister City, dine and dance with the Lord Mayor of Lienz, attend an organ recital at St. Andre Church, and spend a day hiking, golfing or fishing. In Salzburg, visit Berchesgaden, Germany and Hitler's Eagles nest and take a boat trip on the Konigsee. Cost is $3000 per person, which includes a donation to the Grand Teton Music Festival.

Call (307) 733-3050, ext 102 for more details or to register.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Nicolaysen's Summer Festival

June 15 and 16 are the days for the Nic Fest. The festival features live music, living sculptures, exotic food vendors, games and hundreds of area artists showing off their work. Part of Beech Street is closed to make room for tents and more than 6,000 expected visitors. Many volunteers are still needed, about 200, and there is still room for more artists, food vendors, and business promotional booths. The second year for this event, last year's event sparked much interest. "I have a feeling it's going to get bigger and bigger and grow by leaps and bounds," says Holly Turner, executive director of the Nic.

The Nic celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, realizing many successful fund raising and artist events. Downtown will be decorated with colorful banners done by chosen artists. The museum has sponsors for 15 of the banners so far and is seeking more sponsors willing to pay $1000 apiece. The artists will create original works of art that will be copied onto the banners. The original art will be on display at the Nic starting May ll through the end of October. The banners will fly along Second Street June 1 through October, coinciding with the Governor's Arts Summit in Casper October 19-20.

Casper College events

Comedy hyptonist Frederick Winters will return to Casper College for a performance at 7:00 pm, April 13, in the Roberts Common Ballroom. The show is open and free to the public.
FMI call (307) 268-2110 or www.caspercollege.edu

The Wyoming Outdoor Council will host a screening of a new documentary film entitled, "A Land Out of Time" at 7 pm in Room 103 of the Physical Science Building on the Casper College campus. The film lays out the vast scale and frantic pace of the rush to drill for oil in the Rocky Mountain West, telling the story through the ranchers, hunters and outfitters who are being pushed off the land after several generations. Admission is free. FMI www.alandoutoftime.com

Inherit the Wind playing at Stage lll

"Inherit the Wind," a play by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee begins tonight in Casper at the Stage lll Community Theater, 900 N. Center St. Since its controversial debut in the 1950s, the play, a fictionalized version of the 1920s Scopes Monkey trial, is a still-controversial subject.

The play runs on the weekends of April 13 and 14; 20, 21 and 22; 26, 27 and 28; with a 2 pm matinee performance on April 22. Play begins at 7:30 pm, doors open one hour prior to curtain time. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and full-time students. Tickets are available at Grant Street Grocery, Metro Coffee Company, Cadillac Cowgirl, and at the door.

To address the continuing evolution and creationism debate, Stage lll will host a public forum on the "Origins of Humanity" from 2-4 pm, April 21 at the theatre. Six panelists--Carl Wolosin and Mark Holland, creationism; Russell Hawley and Kefyn Catley, evolution; and Bruce Richardson and Todd Van Gunten, humanitarian issues, cooperation of theology and science--will summarize their views on the topic before answering audience questions.

Auditions for "June Groom" will be held at 2 pm, Sunday, April 15 at the theatre. Needed for roles are three men and six women, ranging in ages from 20s to 50s. A copy of the script is available at the Natrona County Public Library, for in-library use only. The play will run June 1-16. FMI, call (307) 797-1563 or visit the Stage lll web site.

Laramie County Library Poetry Performance

The Colorado-based poetry group TVS and Two fingers will perform at the library on Monday, April 16, at 7pm. "They give an amazing poetry and visual experience," said Tony Rumpf, spokesperson for the library. The group incorporates musical sounds, beats and rhythms with many different and random objects, even ducttape, with whatever might be at hand to make a noise that would work in a poem. TVS and Two fingers give the art of poetry a new and fresh look.

The library is also offering a poetry slam on Thursday, April 19, at 6:30 pm--an event the library has offered for five years. Junior high and high school students perform their original poetry.

The library is affiliated with the LCCC Literary Connection. Kim Addonizio is a published poet who will take part in this year's Literary Connection. The library has Addonizio's books available for check out.

Art Shows in Cheyenne

The show that has been a spring tradition in Cheyenne for 45 years, the Cheyenne Artists Guild Easter Art Show will be held at the Guild's art gallery, 1701 Morrie Ave. The gallery is open Tuesday-Friday, 12:00 pm-4:30 pm, Saturday, 10:30 am-4:30 pm, closed Sunday and Monday. Single guild memberships-$30; couple, $40. FMI about becoming a member call (307) 635-7174 or e-mail at grrwer@netzero.net
The art show is free to the public. FMI about the show call (307) 632-2263 or www.cheyenneartistsguild.org


Laramie County Community College Juried Student Art Show Exhibition takes place in the Esther and John Clay Fine Arts Gallery at LCCC, 1400 East College Drive. There will be an opening reception Wednesday, April 18. Exhibition will run April 18-May 3, between the hours of 8:00 am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday.

20th Annual Yellowstone Jazz Festival

The Yellowstone Jazz Festival takes place July 13 and 14 in Powell and Cody, WY.

Friday July 13 Admission - Free
Artist - Alex Nauman Trio 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm in the Cody City Park

Admission TBA to Jump, Jive & Wail - Las Vegas Show Band 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Location: TBA

Saturday July 14 -
Admission $15/Adults, $30/Family (kids 12 & under free) Noon to 6:00 P.M Food is available.
Saturday Jazz on the Lawn at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center

Noon - Young Artist Performers Powell High School Combo "Domino Biscuit" - Award winning young "lions" of jazz. This group was selected at the 24th Annual Northwest Jazz Festival
1:00 pm- Jazz Vocalist Kristin Korb
2:00 pm - James Barela Jazz Quintet
3:00 pm - Yellowstone Big Band (18 piece big band directed by Neil Hansen)
4:00 pm - Jazz Vocalist Kristin Korb
5:00 pm - James Barela Jazz Quintet
Tickets will be available at the door and at the following locations: The Thistle in Cody; Cody Chamber; Powell Chamber

Reel Big Fish & Slightly Stoopid at UW

Tickets are on sale now for an April 18 University of Wyoming concert featuring Rx Bandits, Reel Big Fish, and Slightly Stoopid. They will perform at 7 p.m. in the Arts and Sciences auditorium in Laramie. Tickets cost $15 for students and $25 for others. They can be purchased at the Wyoming Union ticket office or by phone at (307) 766-3160.

Slightly Stoopid (pictured above) is a rock band that plays a fusion of acoustic rock and blues with reggae, hip-hop, and punk. Reel Big Fish is an American third-wave ska band, best known for the 1997 hit "Sell Out." The Rx Bandits' unique sound incorporates the musical styles of ska, punk, rock, and reggae.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Linda Hasselstrom to Keynote Banquet

Linda Hasselstrom will Keynote the May 12 Colorado Author's League banquet at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel.

Hasselstrom's work is rooted in the arid landscape of the high plains. In 1984 she received a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship in poetry. Published works include Caught By One Wing; Windbreak: A Woman Rancher on the Northern Plains; Going Over East: Reflections of a Woman Rancher; and Roadkill, among others. She was named Author of the Year to the South Dakota Hall of Fame, and received the Governor's Award for Distinction in Creative Achievement. Hasselstrom has a number of other awards and achievements and has edited a number of works.

FMI about Linda please visit her website at www.windbreakhouse.com.
FMI about the CAL event visit their website at www.coloradoauthors.org.
To make reservations contact Page Lambert at page@pagelambert.com.

Finalists announced in sculpture project


Wyoming artists Guadalupe Barajas of Cheyenne, Bunny Connell of Sheridan, and John Mortenson of Wilson have been selected as finalists in the Governor’s Residence Sculpture project. One of the finalists will be selected to provide an original sculpture in front of the entrance to the Governor's residence in Cheyenne.

The selection committee will meet June 15. The three artists’ specific proposals including maquettes, budget and installation timeline will be reviewed. A final decision will be announced by the end of June.

The committee is looking for a piece that reflects the state's natural wildlife such as antelope, elk, deer or bighorn sheep.

The Wyoming Governor’s Residence is a state-owned building, which serves as a private home for the Governor and his family. It also serves as the primary site for many of the official public functions conducted by the Governor and First Lady.

Serendipity Poets on the air


Members of Serendipity Poets in Cheyenne will be interviewed on radio and TV during National Poetry Month in advance of presentations at City News on April 21 and at Barnes & Noble April 22.

Here's the interview schedule:

4/13, 6:30 a.m., KGWN-TV; Tim Stark and Ed Warsaw will be interviewed
4/17, 12:30 p.m. KFBC Radio; Ed Warsaw and additional members
4/19, 7:45 a.m., KING/KOLT/KLEN FM; Ed Warsaw and Jim Rolf
4/19, 9:45 a.m., KGAB Radio; Ruth Kanaris and Dick Hart will be interviewed.

Schedule of presentations:

4/21, 1-3 p.m., City News (downtown), poetry readings, open mike, and book signings.
4/22, 2-3 p.m., Barnes & Noble , poetry readings and book signings.

FMI: Ed Warsaw at 307-635-4725 or Jim Rolf at 307-777-8652.

Author Alexandra Fuller visits UW

The UW MFA Program's Visiting Writers Series is pleased to announce a visit by Alexandra Fuller, who will be reading from her work at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 25 in the Albany County Public Library, 310 S. 8th St., with a question and answer session and book signing afterwards. This is a free event.

Fuller's first book, the memoir Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood (Random House, 2001), written in the dead of a Wyoming winter “in a fit of fearful homesickness… I wrote some of my longing for Africa into its pages,” tells the unflinching story of her childhood. Its candor and humor shines against the backdrop of domestic uncertainty and national violence. “As casually unadorned as rawhide, and just about as tough,” writes the Boston Globe. A best seller, it received the Book Sense Best Nonfiction Book of the Year, and was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.

Fuller’s second nonfiction book, Scribbling the Cat: Travels with an African Soldier (Penguin, 2004), picks up where Dogs left off, evoking place and character with the vividness that distinguishes her writing.


Her articles and book reviews have appeared in National Geographic, The New Yorker, The New York Times Book Review, Outside Magazine, Vogue and also widely elsewhere.

Fuller, formerly a Jackson resident, now lives in Driggs, Idaho.

Opportunity for writers

Ghost Road Press is sponsoring a writing contest in poetry, creative nonfiction, and fiction genres. Submission fees are $15 per category of entry. There is no set or required theme. One top prize winner in each category receives $500 and copies of Open Windows. The contest submission period is April 1 to June 30. Winners will be announced on September 15 on the web site only.

For submission rules and other details visit www.ghostroadpress.com and click on contest.

UW to host Electronica party

An Electronica party featuring light shows, fire dancers and live electro bands including MFA: LoopLab will take place Tuesday, April 17, at 7 p.m. in the Wyoming Union ballroom. This event is free.

Local openers begin playing at 7 p.m. followed by MFA: LoopLab performance at 9:00 p.m.
FMI calla the Student Activities Council at (307) 766-6340.

Boulder, CO-based Loop-Lab, part of the Motion for Alliance (MFA) Trilogy consists of an instrumental duo that creates spontaneous players of electronic music through complete improvisation with percussive and melodic instruments from Western Africa.

Utah Arts Council Conference

May 10-11, 2007, the Utah Arts Council presents this opportunity for inspiration, networking, sharing learning, professional development, creativity, innovation, accessing essential resources and creating community connections.

Keynote speaker Gregorio Luke, currently the director of the Museum of Latin-American Art, formerly the cultural attache' for Mexico in California and deputy director of the Mexican Cultural Institute of Washington D.C., will talk about "Creating Cultural Bridges," as the greatest challenges for cultural institutions today.

Poet and one-time Casper resident Len Edgerley is presenting a workshop, "What The Heck is Web 2.0 and Can It Save the Arts?" He now serves as chair of the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) in Denver.

Please visit the Utah Arts Council website FMI.

Wyoming Arts Summit

Mark the dates October 19-20, 2007 on your calender to attend the Wyoming ARTS Summit in Casper at the Casper Events Center. The conference will explore linkages between government, community development, economic prosperity, arts business and arts education.

National, regional and local leaders will provide practical experiences building successful, creative communities.

Make plans to attend this valuable conference

FMI call (307) 777-7742 or visit
www.wyomingartscouncil.org

Stay tuned for more info about this event and updates as they become available!

Piatgorsky Schedule update

Towns, times and locations for the Wyoming portion of the Piatigorsky arts Tour


Sunday, April 15--Casper
7:00 p.m.
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
318 E. 6th
Casper, WY 82601


FMI contact Carolyn Deuel with Artcore at (307) 265-1564 or artcorewy@aol.com or Chuck Wilson with Casper Chamber Music Society at (307) 234-9311

Monday, April 16--
Lusk
2:00 p.m.
Niobrara County High School
702 W. 5th St.Lusk, WY 82225
FMI contact Phyllis Hahn at (307) 334-2777 or
pehahn8225@wyoming.co

Tuesday, April 17--Upton
7:00 p.m.
Eastern Wyoming College

FMI contact Liz Barritt at (307) 468-2495 or lbarritt@upton.weston7.k12.wy.us

Wednesday, April 18--
Hulett
1:00 pm
Hulett School Old Gym on Sager Street

FMI Laura Lynn at (307) 467-5477 or lynnl@hms.crooknet.k12.wy.us

Thursday, April 19--Sheridan
1:30 p.m.
Master’s Class
1056 Long Street
Sheridan, WY

Community Performance:
7:00 p.m.
Sheridan Junior High School
500 Lewis Street
Sheridan, WY 82801
307-672-9745

FMI contact Razmick Sarkissian at (307) 672-2495, ext. 111 or Raxmicks@hotmail.com

Friday, April 20--Greybull
7:00 p.m.
Greybull High School Auditorium
600 N. 6th St.
Greybull, WY 82426
GHS office phone:
307.765.2537

FMI--Darla Haller at (307) 765-2311 or dhaller@tctwest.net or
Dorene Ludwig at (307-)765-9449 or Ludwigunlimited@hotmail.com

Saturday, April 21--Powell
7:30 p.m.
Northwest College
Nelson Performing
Arts Center
231 W. 6th StreetPowell, WY

FMI--Maureen Akin at (307) 272-1406 or Akin8@bresnan.net or
Nancy Gilmore at (307) 754-7820

Sunday, April 22--Thermopolis
3:00 p.m.
Hot Springs County High School
331 Park
FMI--Lea Schoenwald at (307) 864-6551 or (307) 864-6511 or

lschoene@hotsprings.k12.wy.us

Monday, April 23--Lander
Master Class:
3:00-4:30 p.m.
Holy Rosary Catholic Church
CCD Building
163 Leedy Dr.
Lander, WY

FMI Rebecca Murdock at (307) 332-6776, (307) 349-9075 or murdock1@bresnan.net

Community performance:
7:00 p.m.
Lander Valley High School Auditorium

FMI Marvin Brown at brown@bluespruceinn.com

Tuesday, April 24--
Dubois
7:00 p.m.
Headwaters Center
20 Stalmaker StreetDubois, WY

FMI--Carol Petera at (307) 455-2687 or cpetera@wyoming.com or headwaters@wyoming.com

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Riverton Hammer-In

Coming June 22,23,24 is a "Hammer-In" in Riverton featuring local bladesmiths. This is a public event and forging takes place all weekend.

Please call Audra Draper for more information at (307) 856-6807.

In 2000, Draper was the first woman in the world to receive the title of Master Bladesmith.

Brown-Bag Luncheon

Wednesday, May 2, 2007 from noon to 1:00, the Cam-Plex Heritage Center is holding their 07-08 Arts in Education luncheon in the Cam-Plex Heritage Center Lobby, 1635 Reata Drive in Gillette. Please RSVP by Friday, April 27, to Chimene or Kathy at (307) 682-0552 or e-mail Kathy@cam-plex.com.

The Brown Bag Luncheon gives the partners and sponsors of the Heritage Center a special sneak preview of the upcoming 07-08 Arts in Education and theater seasons.

Indian Independence Freedom Fighter to Speak at UW

Manu Raval, who participated as a freedom fighter in Gandhi's nonviolent civil disobedience Quit India Movement, will speak Thursday, April 12, at 6:45 p.m. in the University of Wyoming agriculture auditorium. His visit is sponsored by Milaap, the Indian students organization, as part of its 40th anniversary celebration.

"No one endowed with any patriotic sense or pride could keep away from the all-pervading Gandhian ideology and influence which had electrified the whole nation," Raval said from his home in Denver. Raval, who earned his law degree in 1947, held several civil service posts in the Indian Administrative Service, including that of deputy city manager of suburban Bombay. He also held managerial positions in some of India's largest corporations and has been active in numerous social organizations since moving to Colorado in 1973.

FMI, see www.uwyo.edu/IndiaStudents.

UW presents "Picasso at the Lapin Agile"

Steve Martin's smart, razor-sharp comedy, "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," runs April 17-22 on the Fine Arts Center main stage,concluding the University of Wyoming Department of Theatre and Dance 2006-07 performance season. Shows begin at 7:30 nightly. Sunday also features a 2 p.m. matinee. Tickets cost $7 for students, $11 for seniors (60 and older) and $14 for others. To purchase tickets visit the Fine Arts Center box office, call (307) 766-6666, or go online at www.uwyo.edu/finearts.

Winner of the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Play and Best Playwright, "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" revolves around an imaginary 1904 meeting between Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein in the legendary Paris bistro Lapin Agile. A dashing Picasso is on the cusp of revolutionizing the world of art through Cubism with "Les Demoiselles D'Avignon," while a fiery Einstein is about to revolutionize physics with his theory of relativity. The two come to realize their aspirations transcend time and space. They also discover how science and art will impact the human condition and shape their own rapidly-changing society.

Updated Schedule for "Dance Across Wyoming"

Wind River Reservation Powwow Performance Tour

Saturday, April 21, 7 p.m., performance, Eastern Wyoming College Fine Arts Auditorium, Torrington, 307-533-8213, Tickets $7.

Friday-Sunday, June 29 – July 1, daily at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., Cody, Buffalo Bill Historical Center, 307-587-4771,
www.bbhc.org

TBA: Casper, Rawlins

For more information, contact the Wyoming Arts Council at 307-777-7742.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Craig Johnson reading

The Writer's Voice of the Billings YMCA will present Craig Johnson reading from Kindness Goes Unpunished at 7:00 pm, Thursday, April 12, at the Yellowstone Art Museum, 401 North 27th street in downtown Billings. All readings are free to YMCA, Yellowstone Art Museum, and Writer's Voice members. Admission to the Museum is $7. Books will be available for sale and signing the evening of the reading.

Along with Death Without Company and The Cold Dish, Kindness Goes Unpunished is the third in the mystery series of the fictional Absaroka County, Wyoming Sheriff Walt Longmire. Johnson won the Tony Hillerman Mystery Short Story Contest, and The Cold Dish was a finalist for the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association Award for favorite novel of the year. Death Without Company won the Wyoming Historical Association Award for fiction.

Johnson's work is known for providing humor a colorful western-style wit into his characters, a trait not always present in the mystery genre.

Quotes

"Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth." Pablo Picasso

"The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery." Francis Bacon

"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." Albert Einstein

"What sort of future is coming up from behind, I don't really know. But the past, spread out ahead, dominates everything in sight." Robert Pirsig

"I was using the subjunctive instead of the past tense. Yes, we're a ways past tents; we're living in bungalows now." Groucho Marx

"Television is an invention whereby you can be entertained in your living room by people you wouldn't have in your house." David Frost

"Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded." Yogi Berra

Above quotes lifted from neon, the Nevada Arts Council newsletter, Winter 2006-2007 issue, edited by Kirk Robertson.

neon is sent free of charge and upon request. FMI please contact Kirk Robertson, Editor, neon, P. O. Box 1047, Fallon, NV 89407; Fax (775) 423-0779 or on the web at charts@phonewave.net.

Teton County Library's Spring Earth Festival

Teton County Library in Jackson presents "Spring into Solar: Energy Options," April 23, from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm in the Ordway Auditorium. Presented in collaboration with the Murie Center, Andy Tyson, practitioner, designer and installer of solar electric systems, will offer practical advice for homeowners considering adding solar power to their home energy portfolio. The presentation includes a case study of a Jackson Hole resident who has converted to solar energy, and the costs involved.

Tyson worked as an international mountain guide for 16 years before launching Creative Energies, based in Lander and Victor, Idaho. He designs, sells and installs solar electric, windelectric and geothermal heat pump systems.

Also celebrating the festival will be the book display, "Going Green for the Planet," and the debut of new recycling bins to make recycling more visible and user-friendly at the library.

The library's Youth Services has invited elementary school students to write earth-oriented poems in tribute to both Earth Day and National Poetry Month. The poems are on display.

FMI please contact Oona Doherty at (307) 733-2164 ext. 135
Murie Center at (307) 733-2246 or http://www.muriecenter.org.

Wyoming Conservation Stamp competition

The Wyoming Game & Fish Department's 24th annual Wyoming Conservation Stamp Art 2008 Competition Sale and Show featuring the Black-footed Ferret will take place April 13, 2007 at the Wyoming State Museum, 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne beginning with the 5pm reception, followed at 6:15 by the announcement ceremony. Artwork will be available for viewing and purchase.

All entries will remain on display at the museum from April 13-May 26, 2007. Admission is free. FMI visit the website at http://gf.state.wy.us/services/publications/stamp/index.asp

Edie Reno at the WAC Gallery

From April 16-29, 2007, visit the Wyoming Arts Council Gallery for an exhibit by Fellowship Honorable Mention Artist Edie Reno. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 8-5. An artist's reception will be held May 10 from 4-5:30 in the Gallery.

Reno has shown around the West and internationally for over twenty-five years.

Monday, April 9, 2007

Garry Wallace "Bird"-dogged

Garry Wallace, biology and English instructor at Northwest College in Powell has had his first book published, Biography of a Bird Dog: a Labrador retriever in Wyoming, by Pronghorn Press. Signed copies are available from the author's website, www.birddogbio.com

Wallace has a master's in zoology and an MFA in nonfiction writing. He has published personal essays in a number of anthologies and journals, and he has placed high in the Faulkner Writing Competition and New Millennium Writing Awards. In 2005 he was Honorable Mention in the Wyoming Arts Literary Fellowship Awards. You may also e-mail Garry at
Garry.Wallace@northwestcollege.edu.

UW Symphony home from Bolivia

UW Symphony offers its final program Thursday, April 9, 2007 -- The University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra will end its season with a concert Thursday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center concert hall. Tickets are on sale now at both the Fine Arts and Wyoming Union box offices, or by calling (307) 766-6666, or on-line at www.uwyo.edu/ FineArts. The cost is $10, or $6 for students and $7 for senior citizens.

Piano Soloist Davide Cabassi to perform April 12 and 13 -- Italian Piano Soloist Davide Cabassi will perform Thursday, April 12, with the University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, and in a public performance Friday, April 13, to conclude the UW Cultural Programs' 2007 Spring concert series. Tickets for Friday's performance "Titanic Struggle II" are the same prices as for Thursday's concert.

Tickets for Friday's Cultural Programs event cost $11 for students and seniors and $14 for others. All tickets are available at the Fine Arts Center box office, (307) 766-6666 or www.uwyo.edu/finearts.

Cheyenne Depot Days

Cheyenne Depot Days is an annual event celebrating the successful restoration of the Union Pacific Depot as a National Historic Landmark and the story of the past, present and future of the American rail industry. Depot Days helps to educate area families about our railroad history and to provide a festival atmosphere on the Depot Plaza.
Events planned for June 7 through June 10, 2007:

Thursday, June 7--
a model railroad display opens in the Holiday Inn Cheyenne lobby from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Friday, June 8--
featuring several Cheyenne restaurants and crafters, the Food & Craft Festival runs from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, with not all vendors open to that time.
The model railroad display continues from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Railroad Heritage Day at the Depot Museum
Union Pacific employees and Union Pacific Historical Society members will be invited to tour the museum for free
The Wyoming Tribune-Eagle's Fridays on the Plaza will be held from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm with additional performances later in the evening

Saturday, June 9--
Hobo Breakfast is served to the community from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. On the menu-- biscuits and gravy, coffee, juice and milk
Dollar day at the Depot Museum
The Food & Craft Festival continues from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm
View the model train display in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Cheyenne from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Depot Plaza entertainment from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm; bands perform from 5:00 pm to 10:00

Sunday, June 10--
Church service at the Depot Plaza, 10:00 am
Model railroad display open from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Community entertainment from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Bands perform from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Earth Day just around the corner

In celebration of Earth Day, the Wyoming State Museum, in partnership with Audobon Wyoming, will host the educational festival focusing on conservation, ecological and other environmental topics.

The Earth Day festival runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 21, on the grounds of the Barrett Building, 2301 Central Avenue and is free and open to the public. Numerous organizations from around Cheyenne will be on hand with informational booths to provide guests an opportunity to learn about conservation, wildlife, ecology, recycling and other topics relating to maintaining a clean and healthy environment. Earth Day activities for children such as face painting and a scavenger hunt, as well as refreshments and T-shirts (while supplies last) will be available.

In conjunction with the festival, the State Museum will show the film, "John James Audobon: Drawn From Nature," at 7 p.m., April 20 in the Multi-Purpose Room. Presented as part of PBS' American Master's Series, "Drawn from Nature" will trace Audubon's career from an unlikely beginning to his continuing legacy.

FMI regarding the Earth Day events at the Wyoming State Museum, please contact Sarah Ligocki at the Wyoming State Museum (307) 777-7021 or Kim Check at Audubon Wyoming at (307) 514-2247.

Scottish Poet Roddy Lumsden in Wyoming

The UW MFA Program's Visiting Writers Series is pleased to announce a visit by award-winning Scots poet Roddy Lumsden, who will read from his work at 5 PM on Friday, April 13, in UW's Coe Library, with a question and answer period and book signing after.

Lumsden has published four books of poetry, including Yeah Yeah Yeah, The Book of Love (which was short-listed for Britain's prestigious T. S. Eliot Prize), Roddy Lumsden is Dead, and most recently Mischief Night--New & Selected Poems. Originally from St. Andrews, Scotland, he now lives in London, where he teaches at City University and other colleges. Lumsden's book, Vitamin Q (and its related blog, Vitamin P at
www.vitaminq.blogspot.com) is "a temple of trivia lists and curious words," and shows his vast knowledge of the delightful quirks and oddities of language and popular culture.

This event is free and open to the public. Parking on the UW campus is free after 5 PM, in front of the Library and behind the Student Union.


Lumsden will be in Casper April 14, performing a poetry reading at 4 pm in Room 198 of the Casper College Administration Building. He will be joined by Craig Arnold, assistant professor of English at UW and Tom Rea, Casper author, who will lead a post-reading discussion.

Saturday, April 7, 2007

Teen art featured at NIC exhibition

"You always hear the negative about teenagers," said Holly Turner, executive director of Casper’s Nicolaysen Art Museum. "This is a positive."

She’s referring to an exhibit at the NIC of more than 100 works by Natrona County High School art students. The NIC exhibit closes Thursday, April 11, with a 5-8 p.m. reception that will feature performances by NCHS bands, choirs, orchestras, guitar ensembles and drama groups.

Sheila McHattie, an art teacher at NCHS, started displaying her students' art in the NIC 15 years ago. She feels kids need to see their work in a museum and have it exposed to the public's sometimes adoring, sometimes critical eye. The piece shown above is "Where Fire Meets Water" by NCHS junior Ellie Shobak (photo by Ryan Soderlin, Star-Tribune). Read more about the exhibit in an article by reporter Hannah Weist in the April 7 Casper Star-Tribune.

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Wyoming Writers critique deadline extended

Conference manuscript critiques deadline has been extended to April 24.

There are only five slots reserved for critiques from each of our panelists, so hurry to be the first to submit your fiction/nonfiction, poems, or screenplays. Slots will be filled by postmark date; the first five in any category to submit work for critique will be forwarded to our panelists. Along with mailing your tax return in April, remkember to also mail your manuscript submission for critique!

Critiques:
Screenplay: Tim Sandlin, author of 11 screenplays for hire, will look at the first 20 pages of your screenplay.
Poetry: Sandra Alcosser, National Poetry Series poet, will critique up to three one-page poems.
Fiction/Nonfiction: John Helfers, editor at Tekno books, will accept a one-page query plus the first ten pages of adult book-length fiction or nonfiction.
Children’s: Toran Isom, children’s/YA columnist and educator, will consider a one-page query plus up to ten pages of children’s/YA literature.

Postmark deadline April 24. Fee $20 for each submission. Please make checks payable to the panelist who will be critiquing your work.

Mail submissions to: Chris Williams, 3229 NW Gumwood Ave., Corvallis, OR 97330. Contact Chris at cwillia1041@yahoo.com or phone (541) 602-0700 for more details.

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Mark Spragg and Read On!

Read On! Fort Collins presents an evening with its 2007 author Mark Spragg, Sunday, April 22, at 7:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Center. Tickets are $5 and are available at the box office or at the door.

Mark Spragg is the author of Where Rivers Change Direction, a memoir that won the Mountains & Plains Booksellers Award, and The Fruit of the Stone, a novel. Both were top-ten Book Sense selections and have been translated into seven languages. His second novel, An Unfinished Life was published in August 2004. He lives in Cody, Wyoming.

Read On! is a project to bring city-wide residents together who have read the same book and then want to discuss it, hopefully promoting understanding, diversity and tolerance by breaking barriers between people and cultures. This is a unique opportunity for residents to educate themselves, meet people beyond their everyday contacts, and share in a positive experience. The program is family-oriented, and includes books that appeal to both adults and teenagers. In addition to reading, discussing, and developing activities around the chosen book, the committee also invites the author to the host city. The Read On! Fort Collins: Shared Community Experience is to build community through reading and to encourage thoughtful communication between young adults and older citizens on challenging, provocative topics.