Friday, December 30, 2011

Call for auditions: Bas Bleu Theatre, Ft. Collins, CO

Bas Bleu Theatre, Ft. Collins, CO
Spring 2012 Productions

Rabbit Hole, by David Lindsay-Abaire, directed by Robert Reid

Yes, Rabbit Hole is about a bereaved family, but that does not mean they go through the day glazed over, on the verge of tears, morose or inconsolable.... The characters are, instead, highly functional, unsentimental, spirited and often funny people who are trying to maneuver their way through their grief and around each other as best they can. Rehearsals begin: 2/27/12. Opening Performance: 3/31/12. Closing Performance 5/6/12

Buffalo Gal, by A.R. Gurney
Directed by guest artist Rebecca Hilliker. Rebecca has received 11 Meritorious Achievement Awards in directing from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region 7-and one on the national level. She is currently the National Chair for KCACF. She helped Moises Kaufman develop the internationally acclaimed play The Laramie Project.

Art imitates life in this comedy about an actress who has fallen on hard times and returns home to Buffalo, N.Y., to rekindle her career on the local stage. She embraces the role of Madame Ranevskaya in Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard; finding the character's plight tied to her own. Rehearsals begin: 4/23/12. Opening Performance: 6/2/12, Closing Performance: 7/8/12

AUDITIONS
Saturday, January 7th, 2012
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.--General auditions for both plays
Sunday, January 8th, 2012
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Buffalo Gal Callbacks; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. - Rabbit Hole Callbacks

What to Prepare: a brief monologue is encouraged, but not mandatory. Cold readings are available. Scripts are available at the box office for a 48 hour check out. Bring a resume and headshot (if available.) Be prepared to provide schedule conflicts.

Make a Reservation: call (970) 498-8949 or email the boxoffice@basbleu.org to reserve a 5-minute audition time slot.

Bas Bleu is also seeking technical personnel:
Designers: Sets, Costumes, Lights, Props, Sound, and Make-up/Hair
Crew: Asst. Director, Stage Manager, Sound Operators, Stagehand, House Manager; volunteer positions include set construction, light hang, docents, poster distribution, etc.

Carbon County Library in Rawlins begins new year with "Punking The Bard"

WAC roster artists Mike Hurwitz and Andy Nelson featured at Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering

Mike Hurwitz of Alta joins fellow Wyoming performer Andy Nelson of Pinedale at the 22nd annual Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Denver. Get tix at http://www.coloradocowboygathering.com/ . Both Mike and Andy are on the Wyoming Arts Council artist roster. Bring them to your community through a WAC Arts Across Wyoming grant. Go to the home page and click on "grants" on the left sidebar. 

Get tix now for Sundance Film Festival Jan. 19-29 in Park City

Just over our western border in Park City, Utah, Jan. 19-29. Get tickets here.

Palumbo, Diamant, Mull and Nye headliners at 2012 Jackson Hole Writers Conference

2012 Jackson Hole Writers Conference

June 28-30, 2012 — Entering its 20th year!

Taking place at the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts.
Every summer, passion for the written word brings writers together in Grand Teton National Park's backyard. Jackson Hole Writers Conference attendees are young and old, veterans and tenderfoots with one common denominator: they all love writing.
Each year distinguished speakerseditors and agents join our resident faculty to deliver a weekend of active and engaging dialogue, collaboration and the opportunity for all of us to raise the stakes on our work.
Manuscript critiques are an important part of our conference, providing a way for you to discuss your work one-on-one with experienced writers, editors and agents.
Jackson Hole’s writing community began with the likes of Struthers Burt and Owen Wister who came out West to enliven their spirits with open spaces and nature’s untainted wonders. Over the years, many writers have passed through this area and many more have stayed. Since the 1970s a noticeable literary undercurrent feeds the intellectual and arts community.
We’re reading each other here! Strong regional writers, and those from California to Maine, feel at home. And we like it that way. Serious writers pour into Jackson Hole to push the envelope on their creative work. The collective story of the Writers Conference grows alongside the achievements of our guests. This year, that could be you.

First BBHC Family Fun Friday of 2012 on Jan. 13

2012 at the BBHC in Cody promises to be a great year for families—starting off with the first Family Fun Friday of the New Year on January 13, 3-7 p.m.

“Many of us may want to hunker down and hibernate through the winter,” observes Emily Buckles, the Center’s interpretive specialist and natural science educator. “Instead, we’re encouraging families to venture out to the Historical Center for some winter fun on Friday the 13th!”

On tap for the “Winter World” event are games, crafts, and lots of surprises to “keep your creative juices from freezing up by uncovering the mysteries of winter,” says the Center’s Education Department. “As a special treat, we are hosting singer/songwriter Bryan Ragsdale to perform for our family audience at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. He engages young and old alike to help sing and compose songs, too.” Ragsdale’s appearance is supported by the Wyoming Arts Council.

“All our Fun Friday activities are designed to help families do three things,” Buckles explains. “First, we want them to feel comfortable in a museum setting. Next, we encourage learning about the amazing natural and cultural resources we have to offer. Finally, we like to see families interacting with each other in an enjoyable, healthy environment.”

Families are encouraged to come as a group and participate in the activities together. The cost is $15/family and $10/family for museum patrons. A family-friendly—and budget-friendly—dinner will also be available for purchase. For more information, contact Buckles at emilyb@bbhc.org or 307.578.4110.

To keep abreast of all the activities of the Center’s education department, as well as, what it has to offer, visit http://www.bbhc.org/learn.

Lander Photo Group exhibit up through Feb. 11 at CWC Peck Arts Center Gallery

"Succulent" by Ken Kidder

Members of the Lander Photo Group are exhibiting selected works in the Robert A. Peck Arts Center Gallery at Central Wyoming College in Riverton through Feb. 11.

Photographs are by Mary Allen, Neelon Crawford, Brad Christensen, Tony Henry, Ken Kidder, Aaron Schuster, David Schuster and Sara Wiles and include documentary, landscapes, portraits, architectural and abstract forms. The photographers use color and black-and-white film and digital formats, experimenting with a variety of techniques.

The Lander Photo Group began meeting informally in 2005 and eventually attracted more photographers, including commercial and fine art photographers who work both full and part-time at their art.

Some have traveled extensively while others have mostly stayed home taking images in their own backyards. As a group, the artists share ideas, technical knowledge, and personal "decisive moments."

Happy New Year from the Wyoming Arts Council staff

Thursday, December 29, 2011

UW Art Department faculty and staff moving in to new energy-efficient building

According to a story in ENR Mountain States newsletter, the $25-million University of Wyoming arts center is completed and ready for occupancy. The building currently is tracking LEED Platinum status due to a variety of energy-efficient features, including a solar-thermal heating system that produces hot water for in-slab radiant heating. Read the entire story here.

Lander Art Center offers full slate of spring classes

Are you looking for something to do while you wait for the sun to return?

The Lander Art Center has some fabulous classes scheduled this Spring beginning January 18.

Punch cards and drop-in rates available for some classes

Jewelry Guild, Drawing and Painting Guild, Precious Metal Clay, Decorative Paving Tiles, and two professional artist development classes taught by Chuck Egnaczak of Works of Wyoming in Laramie.

Click on the link below for details.


 Call or stop by to register.  Sign-up early to reserve your spot and help us meet our minimum enrollment.

The nation's most remote Scotch tasting documented by Emilene Ostlind in WyoFile

Bob Townsend (left) waits with anticipation as Daren Opeka samples one of the fine scotches at Miner's Delight in Atlantic City. (Photo by Brad Christensen)
Second Saturday Scotch Tasting is an excellent WyoFile article by Emilene Ostlind, recent recipient of a Wyoming Art Council individual artist professional development grant. The article focuses on the nation's most remote scotch tasting, located in Atlantic City, Wyoming. Site is the Miner's Delight B&B, managed by Bob and Barbara Townsend. The two retired USAF veterans and UW grads also are fine writers and participate in Atlantic City's writers' group. Wyomingarts sees Bob and Barbara every June at the Wyoming Writers, Inc., conference. Bottom's up, and Happy New Year to the Townsends and to Emilene!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

"Noon Music at the Library" presents the Sonoma Trio Jan. 9

Monday, January 9, Noon-1 p.m., Laramie County Public Library, Cheyenne
Noon Music at the Library: Sonoma Trio
The Sonoma Trio is a classical chamber music trio with flute, cello, and piano. You’ll hear a mix of styles from Claude Bolling and his Suite for Jazz Piano and Flute to Clara Schumann’s romantic trio for flute, cello, and piano. Bring your lunch and eat while you listen. Indoors in the Cottonwood Room. (Adults & Families, Cottonwood Room, 1st floor).

BBHC in Cody honored by NTA as one of America's "favorite museums for group travelers"

One reason you see so many buses in the BBHC parking lot on summer days:

The Buffalo Bill Historical Center has been honored as one of America’s “favorite museums for group travelers” by the National Tour Association (NTA). The Center won the NTA’s Bronze Award in the category, tied with New York’s American Museum of Natural History. Other winners include the Gold Award presented to the Smithsonian Institution and the Silver Award to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

“We definitely have cause to celebrate at being included in the distinguished company of the Smithsonian, MOMA, and the American Museum of Natural History,” says Bruce Eldredge, the Center’s executive director and CEO. “Our numbers of group tours have increased significantly in the last few years, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with this prestigious award from NTA. This honor acknowledges how engaging our group travelers find our galleries and is sure to draw even more attention and visitors to the Center and to Cody.”

Last August, NTA tour operators completed a survey in which they named their favorite NTA supplier partners or destinations in 12 different categories. In the January 2012 edition of Courier, the organization’s member magazine, NTA introduces its “Distinguished Dozen” winners in a feature that celebrates these member favorites. Award winners were officially acknowledged at NTA’s Annual Convention on December 8 in Las Vegas.

“We’ve created a number of programs to enhance the group tour experience,” adds Debra Elwood, group sales coordinator. “This award tells us our efforts are paying off!”

The National Tour Association is the leading association for professionals serving travelers to, from, and within North America. Founded in 1951, NTA membership represents more than 40 countries, 1,500 tour operators, 600 destinations, and 1,500 tour suppliers.

Other recent accolades for the Historical Center include a listing in Cowgirl Magazine’s 2012 Ten Favorite Western Art Museums, and a No. 2 ranking by the travel Web site Go Nomad.com in its list of The Ten Best Family Destinations for Learning Vacations.

At the top of the Nomad list is the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, with the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon, coming in third. Other entities on the list include International Folk Art Museum, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Halifax, Nova Scotia; Mystic Seaport: Museum of America and the Sea, Mystic, Connecticut; National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland; Ohio; and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Heritage Center, Regina, Saskatchewan.

For more information about group sales, contact Elwood at debrae@bbhc.org,307.578.4114, or explore http://www.bbhc.org/visit/group-sales.

"Gizzmo" the artsy Cheyenne cat finds a home at the Alleycat Coffee House in Fort Collins

For all of you cat (and cat-art) lovers out there. "Gizzmo" by Glenn Roberts of Cheyenne. Ink, gesso and pastel on ceiling tile, 36x18 inches (approx.), currently hanging at the Alleycat Coffee House in Fort Collins. Glenn is an art student at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne.

Jenny Paulk conducts "Encaustic and Crayons" workshop Jan. 14-15 at Cheyenne Artists Guild

 Jenny Paulk with a sample
 of her own artwork

Wyomingarts was perusing the excellent new blog of the Cheyenne Artists Guild when we came across this notice for an upcoming workshop:

Jenny Paulk presents “Encaustic and Crayons” workshop Jan. 14-15 at the Cheyenne Artists Guild. Fee is $80 for Guild members and $100 for non-members.

This workshop can be for the beginner or advanced painter who is interested in learning the fun and different ways of painting a canvas using melted crayons, and a method called Encaustic painting, which is painting with wax. 

We will begin with discussion of Encaustic painting, its history, and the different techniques. To get warmed up, we will begin painting our canvas using acrylic paint, glue crayons on top of the painting, and then use hair dryers to melt the crayons.  Sunday, we will use a second canvas for the encaustic paintings.  Students will be doing a lot of painting in during the 2 days of class using acrylic and wax. 

For questions or to sign up, please contact the Cheyenne Artists Guild at 307-632-2263.

 
Jenny graduated from Oklahoma State University, where she received a BFA in Studio Art and Art History with a concentration in ceramics. After graduation, she taught art at the Philbrook Museum of Art, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After moving to Tucson, Arizona, in 2008, she taught art for the education department at the Tucson Museum of Art and was a docent as well. Jenny’s fiancé recently took a job in Cheyenne, moving them again at the end of August this year. She joined the Guild in September and is currently the Chairman of Publicity at the guild, and has studio space at Clay, Paper, Scissors Art Gallery in downtown Cheyenne.

Support Rock Springs Main Street at "Top Hats and Tiaras" on New Year's Eve

Auditions Jan. 14-15 for summer Performing Arts Intensive in Colorado Springs and Central City

Auditions will be held in January for student singers, actors and dancers, ages 14-19, for the ninth annual Performing Arts Intensive Singers, July 14-28, 2012.

Students who love to perform will dig deep to develop skills in acting, dance/movement, vocal technique and composition in this two-week summer workshop in residence in Colorado Springs and Central City, Colo. Master teaching artists assembled by the Colorado Springs Conservatory and Central City Opera provide instruction as students team-create a short opera, learn and perform scenes from opera and musical theater, attend performances and classes, and perform their own work at the Central City Opera Festival.

AUDITIONS
• Saturday, January 14, 2-4 pm – Colorado Springs
• Sunday, January 15, 12-4 pm – Denver
• YouTube auditions through January 30
• Audition requirements: 2 contrasting songs, 1 monologue
• Students will be notified of participation by February 3, 2012. A $500 non-refundable fee is due upon notification of participation. Students selected for the program pay $2,500 in tuition, which includes all room, board and tickets for festival productions. Scholarships are available.
• Call (719) 577-4556 for more information and to schedule your audition.

Additional details and blog posts on past Intensive activities are available online at

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

"Wyoming (for Dummies)" receives 2011 Nammy Award for Best Male Artist

Gary Small and the Coyote Brothers' CD "Wyoming (for Dummies)" received the 2011 Nammy Award for Best Male Artist. The CD features "six crazy rockabilly and surf songs about our quirky culture in Wonderful Wyoming," says Gary Small. Click here for more info.

Planet JH Weekly: Multitude of music offerings for New Year's Eve

Planet JH Weekly explores the Hole's music options for New Year's Eve weekend. Wyoming bands include Screen Door Porch, Papa Chan Jazz Trio, Gary Small & the Coyote Brothers and a host of others playing up and down the valley and over the hills into Idaho. Check out the listings at Ringin’ in the year of the dragon

Hole Dance Films and Dancers' Workshop celebrate new collaboration Jan. 14 in Jackson

Hole Dance Films will now be a part of Dancers’ Workshop and will strive to incorporate technology, media and dance film throughout Dancers’ Workshop’s programming. 

To celebrate this collaboration, Hole Dance Films and Dancers’ Workshop will stage a performance and fund-raiser on Saturday, Jan. 14, 7-9 p.m., in Dancers’ Workshop Studio No. 1 at the Center for the Arts in Jackson.

Tickets are $10 and are available at Dancers’ Workshop, which is located in the Center for the Arts, 240 S. Glenwood, or at the door.  $50 for VIP tickets – includes front row seating, champagne and a red carpet photo! FMI: 307.733.6398.

This evening will consist of a performance of Elusive Stranger, performed by Erin Roy and Kate Kosharek which was well received at Spoke the Hub Theater in Brooklyn, N.Y., last March. This piece utilizes film and live dance together to tell its mysterious story. Other HDF films will be screened throughout the evening, including Dream on Vine St, a film recently completed that involves over 20 Jackson locals including Ben Roth, Lawrence Bennett, Margaret Rose Breffielh, Sarah Konrad, Karen Forss Hogan and many more!

Artistically directed by Carrie Noel Richer and Kate W. Kosharek, Hole Dance Films is a unique production company with extensive experience in alternative filmmaking, narrative story telling, site-specific dance and cutting edge choreography. 

Help wanted: Ucross Foundation

The Ucross Foundation, an artist residency program in northern Wyoming, is looking for a development director and a paid intern. Here are the details:

Development Director

The Ucross Foundation is a 30-year old nonprofit organization that operates an internationally known artists-in-residence program in northeastern Wyoming, supporting approximately 90 artists each year.  Located on an historic 20,000-acre working cattle ranch, the Foundation also works to preserve the health of its land and waters, and serves as a model of sound ecological values, through a variety of conservation initiatives including the planting of trees and the creation of a new community park.  The Foundation serves as a community resource in rural Wyoming through its art gallery, conference space and community events such as artist lectures and an annual Independence Day celebration. FMI: www.ucrossfoundation.org

We are currently seeking to hire a hands-on professional Development Director whose responsibilities will include:
Working closely with the Founder and Executive Director, identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major individual, corporate and foundation donors
Securing significant gifts, developing and writing grant proposals and overseeing grant agreements
Responsible for day to day management of all fundraising activities
Developing positive, respectful and fruitful relationships with donors, both locally and nationally
Organizing receptions and other special events in Wyoming and nationally
Supervising gift fulfillment process, database management and other systems to support development program
Communicating the Foundation’s activities to funders in a timely manner
Providing timely and accurate reports on fundraising performance, working closely with bookkeeper

Qualifications Needed:
       Recent experience in nonprofit work with demonstrated success in fundraising and partnership development;
             knowledge of arts nonprofit work
BA degree fine arts, nonprofit management
Exceptional interpersonal, writing and oral skills
Ability and willingness to maintain an active travel schedule
Passion for the work, mission and values of the Ucross Foundation
Experience with establishing planned giving programs is desirable
Demonstrated success with proposal development and grant writing
Strong computer skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint (Access database experience a plus)
Demonstrated ability to interact with high capacity donors
Outstanding initiative and responsibility a must
Superior organizational abilities with attention to detail, meeting deadlines, managing multiple tasks concurrently
Ability to work both independently and part of a team
Friendly, outgoing and positive attitude with a healthy sense of perspective and humor

To apply, send resume, letter of interest and two references to sdynak@ucross.org. No phone calls please.

2012 Internship (Paid)

An internship at Ucross Foundation is intended to develop the abilities of and give experience to an intern within the Residency Program and the general office of the Ucross Foundation working environment.  An intern will be hired under the same conditions and rules as other temporary employees without regard to race, creed, color or gender.

Main duties:
Assistance to the Residency Manager with Resident needs, including but not limited to town trips, airport pickups and returns, scheduling, attending orientation sessions, Selection Committee meeting arrangements, assisting with Fall 2012 invitation mailing, and other duties.
General office assistance may include newsletter writing and proofreading, bulk mailing assistance, attendance at staff meetings, art gallery reception work and helping out at public events including July 3 community fireworks event.  

Qualifications Needed:  BA degree in Fine Arts, Communications or other related degree.  Excellent computer skills, Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Word. Due to our rural location, the intern will need his/her own personal transportation.

Personal characteristics sought: Responsible, mature, excellent interpersonal skills, flexible, appreciative of details, friendly, respectful of other people and of professional boundaries, resourceful, sense of humor, team player.  Ability to live comfortably in remote rural location.

Dates of employment: flexible, generally six to eight months. Position open as of February 1, 2012.

Work requirements: 35 hours per week

Benefits: Monthly stipend and housing.

Deadline:  January 31, 2012

To apply, send letter of interest, resume and two references to Sharon Dynak at sdynak@ucross.org.  No phone inquiries, please. www.ucrossfoundation.org

Music, arts and fireworks at First Night Casper Dec. 31

CASPER FIRST NIGHT 2012

Downtown Casper, Saturday, Dec. 31, 5-10:15 p.m.


Nine different venues in Downtown Casper including: The Nicolaysen Art Museum, Rialto, Natrona County Public Library, Yellowstone Garage, The Children's Theatre in the Commissary Mall, 1st United Methodist Church, First Interstate Bank, The Scienze Zone and The Downtown Grille, will have live entertainment and more. The First United Methodist will serve dinner for a small fee at King's Corner. 

Entertainers are still being added but don't miss out on these great performances by: 307 Dance Academy, Painted Past, Zak Pullen, Betsy Bower, Lyra & Fire Dancing & 75 hour, Undead Lovers, Casper Children's Theatre, Lazarus Benson, The Stick Horses in Pants and Children's Drum Circle. 

Amenities include: CATC (providing transportation), Tom Jones (Tractor pull & hay Ride), Smoke-free Natrona County (supervised fire pits), NCHS bleachers, Cupcake-A-Go-Go, P Hawk Coffee, Arrowhead Catering and JC Burgers. 

Fireworks start at 10:30 p.m. from the roof of the 12-24 Club. First Night Headquarters will be located at MC Market and will feature P Hawk Coffee & All Through The House, Deb's Fudge.

One $10 button gets you into each venue, go see them all or pick out your favorites. Contact Heidi Foy at 12-24 Club to pre-order your button or they can be purchased at the Downtown Development Authority, The Messy Moose, The Nicolaysen Art Museum, Mercer Family Resource Center, The Chamber of Commerce or the 12-24 Club. Ages 5 and under get in free with a button holder. 

Find up-to-date info on First Night Casper’s Facebook page.

Reboot the Robot and Kelsi Rivera perform Dec. 28 at Paramount Cafe in downtown Cheyenne

Reboot the Robot (Jon Ware) and Kelsi Rivera will perform an acoustic concert on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 6-8 p.m. at the Paramount Café, 1607 Capitol Ave., Cheyenne. This is the newly-opened café’s first event so come on down and support indie music and indie business in downtown Cheyenne. Hear songs by Reboot the Robot at http://www.YouTube.com/RTRmuzac. Find out more about the Paramount Café on its Facebook page.

Legacy of Chris LeDoux explored in latest issue of Ranch & Reata magazine

Some good reading about the late Chris LeDoux, musician and rodeo cowboy of Kaycee. Read the articles here.

Year in Review: Public art projects blossomed throughout the state in 2011


It was a big year for public art projects in Wyoming. Wyomingarts reported on a number of them across the state but still missed a few. The best-known one probably was the environmental-themed artwork at UW by British land artist Chris Drury. Carbon Sink: What Goes Around, Comes Around was installed by the artist in July. The event was filmed by a UWTV and is available on the Art Museum's webpage and YouTube page. "Carbon Sink" has become a big tourist draw, when it isn't covered by snow.


In Jackson, internationally renowned landscape architect Walter Hood (shown in photo) was brought in to design the new sculpture trail for the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Known for his innovative and people-friendly designs of such high-profile public spaces as the grounds for the De Young Museum in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, Hood conducted a public presentation in July to share insights into his philosophy about creating multitasking public spaces that are both respectful of the land and rooted in their communities. The Wyoming Arts Council staff and board visited the sculpture trail in November as part of its quarterly board meeting in Jackson. Some of the artwork will be installed this summer, with others being added to the trail as they're completed. 


Murals were big in 2011. Big murals were even bigger. Cheyenne downtown developer Ed Murray commissioned a multi-story mural of a cherub. Influences for the mural range from Italian Renaissance artwork to the cherubs that were popular in Wild West saloons. The mural was painted by Tennessee muralist Michael Cooper. Video of the dedication ceremony was filmed by Alan O'Hashi.


The Pinedale Fine Arts Council launched its public art program with a downtown mural painted by some local youngsters. Upcoming projects include a giant machine gun constructed by metal artist JB Bond from a junkyard truck carcass.


A series of three murals cropped up in Laramie. One of them was actually about crops, the people who grow and harvest them, to be exact. Laramie artist Talal Cockar's "Tierra y Libertad" (pictured above) was the first of this mural series and was sponsored by the University of Wyoming Art Museum and the Laramie Main Street Alliance. Located on the north exterior wall of Big Hollow Food Co-op, 119 S. First St., Cockar's mural recognizes natural foods and agriculture and is a tribute to the land and the people who work it. The Laramie Mural Project is an extension of the Art Museum's "Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational" exhibition of public art that opened in 2008. Cockar has studied and created street art using different media for more than 10 years and has done work in various social and cultural settings all over the world.


David R. Nelson's mountain lion
The Wyoming Arts Council's State’s Art in Public Buildings "1 percent for Art" program really took off in 2011. Three bronze pieces by part-time Lander artist David R. Nelson were dedicated at the new welcome center along I-90 near Hulett. The new Military Readiness Command Center and Wyoming Game & Fish buildings all have new artwork, both outside and inside. The new welcome center on I-25 south of Cheyenne will have some outdoor sculpture along with its unique architecture -- the artist has been selected from a field of eight and the selection will be announced early in 2012. More projects are expected in the new year. The program allows 1 percent of the construction costs of any new, state-funded construction projects, up to a maximum of $100,000, to be spent on art work for those facilities.


John Frechette's glass wall
Speaking of welcome centers.... Jackson's new tourist info center -- Home Ranch -- will feature a new artwork by John Frechette. The installation includes two exterior walls of glass tiles made by Frechette, who works out of Factory Studios run by the Teton ArtLab. The pair of installations represent grizzly bear and bison DNA. This is just one of the innovative projects undertaken by the Jackson Hole Public Art Initiative. Others include The Poetry Box (also built by Frechette), located in the Valley Bookstore, and fanciful bike racks located throughout town and out at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Here's how the JH Public Art Initiative describes itself: "As a result of our efforts the value of public art as a cultural tourism driver and creative placemaking tool has been recognized by our elected officials. Public art is part of the Managed Growth section of the Teton County Comprehensive Plan. Public art will be integrated into public spaces adding character and highlighting our shared values. Thank you to all our elected officials and planning departments for their diligent work on the new plan. Grant received this year:  Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund for supporting our efforts to develop guidelines for public art in the Town of Jackson and Teton County. Award: $10,060. 1% for the Tetons and members are supporting our initiative to install art about the environment on the Community Pathways system. Award: $9,635. The Wyoming Arts Council is providing support for the Cultural Diversity Mural and Town as Heart Projects. Award: $6,200."

Buffalo has a unique public art program. The “Walkabout Gallery” is co-sponsored by the Buffalo Downtown Association and the Johnson County Arts & Humanities Council. Vikki Chenette, vice president of the JCAHC, says that the "Walkabout Gallery" is a bit different than most traditional public art projects. "We think that people will be surprised and delighted to find these little things" around town, she said. One of those is David Romtvedt's poem "Falling Asleep," affixed to the brick wall outside of his wife Margo Brown's pottery shop. David, who recently stepped down from his position as Wyoming Poet Laureate, told the Buffalo Bulletin that "it is neat to see it where people wouldn't necessarily go hunting for poems." 

Photo by Dan Cepeda, Casper Star-Tribune
Casper is incorporating a public art space into the construction of a new low-income housing development across from the Nicolaysen Art Museum near downtown. Casper developer Steve Grimshaw says that he just wants to be a "responsible builder." To that end, he hired contractor Pete Peterson to recycle whatever he could from the old KC Apartments that were being demolished to make way for the new Sunshine Apartments near downtown. Peterson was able to recycle 83 percent of the building. That included concrete that was crushed to go into the foundations of the new building. Also claw-foot bathtubs, cabinets, door locks and faucet handles. Also salvaged were old cement slabs (shown above) stamped with the date "1917" that will pave the new public arts space that is part of the project. A coalition of Casper organizations recently received a National Endowment for the Arts grant for the arts space. Read entire article at http://trib.com/news/local/casper/developer-recycles-notorious-casper-apartment/article_e504182e-4cd8-55b8-bf54-6d72b0b292a1.html#ixzz1h5EsEb00

Friday, December 23, 2011

One more week to view WAC 2010-2011 fellowship biennial at Art Association Gallery in Jackson

If you haven't seen WAC fellowship recipient Adrienne Vetter's "Custom/Indian" installation at the Art Association Gallery, you still have a week to do so. The truck cab seems to burst through the gallery wall. The trunk hood comes complete with a Native-American design. The interior beadwork (in photo below) is by Colleen Friday. A projector beams images of classic Hollywood westerns on the windshield. One can listen to Vetter's customized film narration through headphones in the truck cab. On the wall are c-prints in Vetter's "Campwagon" series.