Visual artists working and living in Wyoming are invited to apply for the Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition. Postmark deadline is Feb. 13, 2009.
The goal of the award is “to recognize and promote Wyoming artists,” according to the application form recently mailed to artists throughout the state. Award sponsors include the five elected state officials: Governor Dave Freudenthal (along with First Lady Nancy Freudenthal); State Auditor Rita Meyer; State Treasurer Joe Meyer; Secretary of State Max Maxfield; and Superintendent of Public Instruction Jim McBride. The Wyoming State Museum supervises the program, in cooperation with the Wyoming Arts Council and Wyoming Travel & Tourism.
To enter, you must be a resident living in the state and a visual artist working in any medium. All artistic interpretations are encouraged. You must be an Artist Image Registry (AIR) member with the Wyoming Arts Council. If you are not already a member, please contact Michael Shay at the WAC, 307-777-5234 or mshay@state.wy.us. For a printable AIR application, go to the WAC web site at wyoarts.state.wy.us and click on “Individual Artists” in the left sidebar and follow that to the visual arts page.
Works may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional and must be original and completed within the last three years. All media will be accepted except installation and video.
There is no entry fee. Each artist may submit three works of art for judging, none of these can have been selected for the previous Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibitions.
This year’s juror will be Ivar Zeile, owner and director of the Plus Gallery in Denver. He brings to the gallery a diverse background rooted in the creative arts and collaboration. Community involvement has always been an important facet for the gallery and Zeile is heavily involved in the cultural scene of Denver and the Rocky Mountain West. Zeile serves on the board of a variety of prestigious local art groups including PlatteForum, the Denver Art Museum’s DAM Contemporaries, and community arts incubator Redline. Zeile has been a member of the Denver Mayor’s Commission for Cultural Affairs since 2006.
Postmark deadline for the competition is Feb. 13, 2009. Applicants will be notified by March 20. Works are due at the State Museum in Cheyenne April 6-10 and the exhibit opens April 20. The museum hosts an evening reception on May 1, 5-7 p.m., and award winners will be announced (up to $10,000 in prizes expected). The exhibit will close on June 6.
Artists will pay for shipping to and from the State Museum, or will arrange for hand delivery. Deliver accepted work to: Wyoming State Museum, c/o Dominique Schultes, Registrar, Barrett Building, 2301 Central Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82002.
FMI: Wyoming State Museum at 307-777-7022 or wsm@state.wy.us.
