Monday, April 30, 2012

All-City Children's Chorus salutes 8th & 9th graders at May 6 concert

The Cheyenne All-City Children's Chorus presents "Soundscapes III: Reminiscence" on Sunday, May 6, 4-5:30 p.m. in the South High School Auditorium in Cheyenne. This is the ACCC's final concert of the season. The chorus will be recognizing its 8th grade singers and 9th grade mentors. Alumni are invited to join in on "River in Judea" as the group's traditional final song of the season.

Friday, April 27, 2012

"Reading Rocks" Saturday at City News in downtown Cheyenne

Legacy of Princess Blue Waters on display at Wyoming State Museum exhibit

Governor Matt Mead and Marirose Morris, Arts Access Specialist at the Wyoming Arts Council, at the opening reception of the "Dressed to the Nines" exhibit at the Wyoming State Museum on April 26. The beaded and fringed buckskin dress in the case was worn by traditional women dancers during the years that Princess Blue Waters brought the Lakota from Pine Ridge, S.D., to perform at the Cheyenne Frontier Days. The photo on the right is of Princess Blue Waters and Governor and Mrs. Milward Simpson. The doll is dressed in a replica of the trademark dress of Princess Blue Waters and was made by Michelle Crowe, granddaughter of Princess Blue Waters and Marirose's sister. The red purse is also Lakota-made.

"Jentel Presents" May 1 at Sagebrush Community Arts Center

The Jentel Artist Residency Program is pleased to present this month’s residents in an event open to the public. “Jentel Presents” will take place Tuesday, May 1, 5:30-7:00 pm at Sagebrush Community Art Center, at 5th and Broadway. This month’s presenters include a mixed media artist, a fiction writer, a poet, an installation artist, a graphite/acrylic drawer, and an oil painter. “Jentel Presents” is a community outreach program that features visual presentations and readings by the visual artists and writers at the residency.

Presenters include: Julie Alexander, Seattle, WA; A mixed media artist, Julie has an image in her head that ranges from the personal to the political: her tendency to solitude, her need to connect to a landscape, a distrust of suburbia, a desire to bridge the constructed gap between humans and nature, excrement and Ajax. José Faus, Overland Park, KS; A fiction writer, Jose is curious by nature, a traveler by inclination, he paints, writes, discusses with and engages strangers, family and friends in order to understand more and conceal less. Alec Hershman, St. Louis, MO; A poet, Alec was raised in Michigan and currently lives and teaches in St. Louis. He spent two years writing a grammar of an under documented Ghanaian language called Dagbani before turning his attentions to poetry. Gail Howard, Seattle, WA; An installation artist, Gail grew up on a ranch in California’s gold rush country. She has traveled to 25 countries and especially loves Asian food and culture. Yvonne Puffer, Brooklyn, NY; Using graphite and acrylic, Yvonne draws. Born to a loving mother and a stern father, siblings tumbling after, she grew up on her grandparents’ farm, well-read, headstrong. Years later, she draws on it all to understand. Laura Way Wathen, Hamilton, MT; An oil painter, Laura spent her childhood making art, knowing the shocking impermanence of known landscape & fragility of humanity, her interests include: Buddhism, travel (Europe, India), reading. Her passions are children and family. She is married with one son.

LCCC presents "Stabat Mater" concert April 29 at St. Mary's Cathedral

The Laramie County Community College Music Department presents "Stabat Mater" on Sunday, April 29, 3-4 p.m. Free; St. Mary’s Cathedral, 2107 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne.

Karl Jenkins has blended musical ideas from our Western culture with musical ideas from the Near East to create a stunning and expressive masterpiece.

Admission is free. Donations will be accepted for the Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Jalan Crossland plays Thermop and Basin before heading off to Key West Songwriters Festival


Ten Sleep's Jalan Crossland performs Friday in Thermopolis and Saturday at the Basin City Arts Center in Basin. Get the details here. Next week, he's off to perform a series of concerts at the Better Angels Songwriters Festival in Key West, Fla.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Author and Star-Trib columnist Mary Billiter will be keynote speaker at Casper GED graduation

Author and Casper Star-Tribune columnist Mary Billiter will be the keynote speaker at this year’s GED graduation ceremony at Casper College on Saturday, May 5. The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. in the “Swede” Erickson Thunderbird Gymnasium on the Casper College campus.

Billiter, a weekly columnist for the Casper Star-Tribune and author of “Not My Kid…” earned a bachelor of arts in journalism from California State University at Northridge. She has taught fiction writing courses for both Western Wyoming Community College Outreach and Casper College. “We (ABE/GED employees) knew about Mary from her weekly column in the Casper Star-Tribune and we felt that because of her openness in regard to her struggles that she would be able to relate to our students and their struggles,” said Kelsee Miller.

According to Miller, Adult Basic Education and GED instructor, approximately 150 people are eligible to walk in the GED graduation ceremony this year. “We are encouraging all those who either are, or know someone who is, a GED graduate to contact the GED Center at 268-2230 for cap and gown information if they haven’t already done so,” Miller said.

The GED graduation ceremony is free and open to the public.

What's happening next week at The Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper?

The Nicolaysen Art Museum will host a number of events the first week of May.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012, 12 noon

High Noon Conversation Series- “Snow and Ice” with Kathy Thatcher, Casper College

High Noon is the museum’s informal interactive discussion series that highlights a particular topic that relates to or jumps off from our current exhibitions. Visitors are invited to bring in their lunch and participate in community discussions. Free to the public.

This month’s High Noon topic will be “Snow and Ice.” It will be held in the McMurry Foundation Gallery. “In honor of Conrad Schwiering’s rich winter landscapes, the NIC is hosting a special informal conversation around the science of snow and the dangers of avalanches in alpine settings,” NIC Curator Lisa Hatchadoorian said. “Kathy Thatcher from Casper College will lead the discussion.”

Wednesday, May 2, 5:00-7:30pm

Natrona County High School Art Reception- “Diversity of Expression”

The Nicolyasen Art Museum is proud to present the Natrona County High School Art Department student exhibition “Diversity of Expression.” This exhibition will run from May 1-27, 2012.

The reception is Wednesday, May 2, 5:00-7:30. Free to the public.

This exhibition represents a collection of works of art created by NCHS Art Students. The students investigate personal meaning through the creative process and invent and problem solve as they go through their personal journey. This will be the 25th year that the Nicolaysen has hosted a spring show for Natrona County High School. This year, the Wyoming Arts Council has awarded NCHS a grant to support our photography students. NC Teachers are Sheila Mchattie, Dennis Howell, Tony Elmore, Pat Hopkins and Issac Kalinowski.

Thursday, May 3, 2012, 7:00pm

Tickets Still available for “An Intimate Evening with Pete Martinez,” Admission is $20.

Tickets are still available for a special performance by Nashville recording artist, Pete Martinez who will appear at the Nicolaysen Art Museum on Thursday, May 3, 2012; doors open at 6:30 pm and the concert will begin at 7:00 pm. Tickets may be purchased at the Nicolaysen Art Museum, The Cadillac Cowgirl, and Metro Coffee Company. Proceeds from the performance will support production of touring exhibition from the Conrad Schwiering collection, Landscapes of Conrad Schwiering: Secrets from the Studio, which has been on exhibit at the NIC since September 30, 2011. Support for this program is provided by the Joe Scott Foundation.

Friday, May 4, 2012, 12 noon

Nic at Noon: Suzanna Morrison

Suzanna Morrison will bring her "feel-good" pop sounds to The Nicolaysen Art Museum for Nic at Noon on May 4. Free to the Public.

Morrison, a Wyoming singer-songwriter, has a friendly sound that goes over great with audiences. She says has been writing music for many years and playing music since she was 14. Recently Morrison was published by a small company out of Nashville. Her distinctive voice and solid guitar rhythms deliver songs of life, love, family and faith.

17th annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta May 5 at Forum 619 in Cheyenne

One of the vendor tables at Cinco De Mayo Fiesta 2010
The Cinco De Mayo Celebration is presented by the Cinco De Mayo Hispanos Unidos Committee. The 17th annual Cinco De Mayo Fiesta will be held on Saturday, May 5, at the Forum 619 on South Greeley Highway in Cheyenne. It will be from noon to 5:00 pm and is FREE to the public. The fiesta consists of vendors, live entertainment, food, kid carnival and a car show! We also recognize our Cinco de Mayo king and queen, high school students displaying involvement and a positive image for Hispanics. FMI: Contact Linda at 307-635-4369 or by email at ljlovato@bresnan.net.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund seeks new board member

From Renee Bovee, Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund Administrator: The Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund will be seeking a replacement for one of our board members whose term will expire in March 2013. The WCTF has a unique appointment process, in that nominations are made by either the State Parks and Cultural Resources Commission (SPCR) or the Wyoming Arts Council Board to the Governor of Wyoming for a board appointee. Board candidates should have a general interest in or a background of service to any of the following disciplines: arts, history, humanities, archaeology or other related disciplines. If you are aware of someone you believe would be an excellent WCTF board member, or you, yourself, are interested in serving, please contact the WCTF Administrator, Renée Bovée, 307-777-6312 or renee.bovee@wyo.gov, for information

First book signings for "Butch Cassidy, My Uncle" will be held in Casper April 28 w/update

From Nancy Curtis at High Plains Press: On Saturday, April 28, Bill Berenson, the author of BUTCH CASSIDY, MY UNCLE, will be signing books in Casper. It will be the first signings anywhere for the book (official release date: May 1). Bill will be at Tomcat's Books at Sunrise Shopping Center from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and at Wind City Books in downtown Casper from 2-4 p.m.

UPDATE (4/27): Excellent front-page story about the book and author in today's Casper Star-Tribune. Read "Telling Butch Cassidy's Story."

Cheyenne All-City Children's Chorus holds open auditions in May

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Join us May 3 for the retirement of Marirose Morris from the Wyoming Arts Council


Marirose Morris (photo by Linda Coatney)
 Wyoming Arts Council staffers often kid our colleague Marirose Morris that she knows everyone in the state.

All of her friends and family and coworkers are invited to a retirement reception honoring Marirose for her 19 years of service to the State of Wyoming in her position as Arts Access Specialist at the Arts Council.

It will be held in the State Museum Multipurpose Room in the Barrett Building, 2301 Capitol Ave., Cheyenne, on Thursday, May 3, 3-5 p.m.

If you cannot attend, please send your good wishes to Marirose at marirose.morris@wyo.gov or call her at 307-777-7723. You can also leave comments on this post.

We hope you can join in the fun on May 3!

"Dust in the Wind" -- UW Symphony performs with legendary rock band Kansas on April 27

Legendary rock band Kansas will perform with the University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Friday, April 27, at 8 p.m. in the UW Arts and Sciences auditorium. Tickets cost $49 for premium seating and $39 general admission. For ticket information, call the UW Fine Arts box office at (307) 766-6666 or visit www.uwyo.edu/finearts.

The 2012 Kansas Collegiate Symphony Tour is an effort to raise funds and awareness for collegiate music programs.

"The UWSO has performed with some of the world's great artists, but this is the first time we've backed a rock band," says Michael Griffith, UW Symphony Orchestra conductor. "It's a terrific opportunity to be heard by a new audience, and to have this wonderful new experience. We'll be the ‘warm-up band' before Kansas takes the stage."

Kansas' hits "Carry on My Wayward Son," "Point of Know Return," and "Dust in the Wind" will be performed with orchestral parts. The symphony's conductor, Larry Baird, has conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the St. Louis Symphony, in addition to major pop-music names such as Three Dog Night, Al Jarreau, the Moody Blues and Michael Bolton.

In 2010, Kansas began performing concerts with college and university symphonies throughout the United States. After the successful 2010 Kansas Collegiate Symphony tour, the band expanded the 2012 tour to include 27 collegiate symphonies with added performances in the western region.

"Kansas and all the school symphonies hit it off big time," say Phil Ehart, Kansas drummer. "The only people having more fun than us are the students playing on stage with us."

This concert tour is presented by D'Addario & Company. For more information on Kansas, visit http://www.kansasband.com/ .

Photo: The University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra will perform with the legendary rock band Kansas Friday, April 27, at 8 p.m., in the UW Arts and Sciences auditorium.

Casper College Multicultural Film Festival features India's "Hum Tum" and "Amu"

“Exploring India” is the theme for the 2012 Casper College Multicultural Film Festival, which will show two films: “Hum Tum” and “Amu.”

The first film, “Hum Tum” will be shown on Friday, April 27, and according to Erich Frankland “is a modern Bollywood romance.” “This 2004 film is a refreshing look at the eternal battle of the sexes and the trials and tribulations of 'every man' and 'every woman' and their attempts to understand each other,” said Frankland, film festival director and political science instructor.

“Hum Tum” was directed by Kunal Kohli and features major Bollywood stars Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukerji, and Kirron Kher. The post-film discussion will be led by Dr. Joseph Campbell, English instructor at Casper College.

The second film, “Amu” was released in 2005 and “received a number of international film honors including at the Berlin Film Festival, the Toronto Film Festival, and the American Film Institute Film Festival. It also won two National Film Awards in India,” said Frankland. The film features Konkona Sensharma as a young Indian-American who returns to India to visit her family, and in the process learns more than she anticipated about the nature and problems of the country. The film also starred Ankur Khanna and Brinda Karat, and was directed by Shonali Bose.

“Amu” will be shown on Friday May 4 with the post-film discussion to be led by David Zoby, English instructor and director of Casper College's Honors Program.

“India's growing economic, political, and cultural importance make it a logical choice for the 2012 festival. It is a country of multiplicities: cultures, languages, regions, castes, etc. As the world's largest democracy India continues to wrestle with these multiplicities as it modernizes and urbanizes, and fully enters the increasingly globalized world. India also has made a growing cinematic splash with "Bollywood" alone responsible for the production of over 800 feature-length films a year, compared to Hollywood's less than 600,” said Frankland.

The 2012 Multicultural Film Festival “Exploring India,” is sponsored by the Casper Committee on Foreign Relations, the Casper College Political Science Department, the Casper College International Studies Program, the Casper College Honors Program, and Casper College.

Both films will begin at 7 p.m. in Wheeler Auditorium, Room 103 of the Wold Physical Science Center on the Casper College campus. The showings are free and open to the public.

Film and wine and food tonight at the Center for the Arts in Jackson

Monday, April 23, 2012

Verismo Trio hits the road for spring residency and performance tour

Thrilling audiences throughout the Rocky Mountain region with dynamic performances, the "Verismo Trio," in conjunction with the UW Fine Arts Outreach and the UW Department of Music, will launch its spring residency and performance tour on Wednesday, April 25, at various locations around the state.

"Verismo Trio" is composed of UW Music Department faculty members Theresa Bogard (piano), Nicole Riner (flute) and Scott Turpen (saxophone). The group performs regularly throughout the state. Verismo also is featured on the Wyoming Arts Council artist roster.

The spring tour will take the trio to Buffalo High School, Cody middle and high schools, and Northwest College in Powell for residency activities where the UW musicians will work with students in master classes.

The group will perform a free public concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, in the Northwest College auditorium.

For more information, contact Janelle Fletcher-Kilmer, fine arts outreach director, at (307) 766-5139, or email Janelle@uwyo.edu .

Photo: "Verismo Trio," in conjunction with the University of Wyoming Fine Arts Outreach and the UW Department of Music, will launch its spring residency and performance tour Wednesday, April 25, in various locations around the state.

Still time to register for WyoPoets workshop April 28 in Casper

WyoPoets will hold its 2012 workshop on Saturday, April 28, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Casper. The speaker is Wyoming Arts Council roster artist George Vlastos of Casper. Theme is "Place Makes Person." Rooms available next door at the Hampton Inn at a group rate of $84. See conference brochure for details.

WAC roster artist Jenny Dowd presents "Altered Book Sculpture Workshop" April 28 at the NIC

The Nicolaysen Art Museum will present:

"Altered Book Sculpture Workshop" with Jenny Dowd

Saturday, April 28th: 12:00 - 4:00 pm (Please pre-register by April 26th.)

$45.00 for members, $30.00 for students with valid student ID, and $55.00 for non-members.

Fee includes all materials.

Join the artist Jenny Dowd and learn how to turn an old or discarded book into a sculptural object. Take inspiration from the subject of the book and alter the book into something unexpected. You can choose to use only the book and re-construct the form, or bring in found objects and materials to fabricate your own concept. At the end of this workshop you will have a 3D book based sculpture.

This class is suitable for anyone 17 years of age and older. This class is open to all experience levels and is great for beginners and experts alike. For more information, please contact Zhanna Gallegos at 307-235-5247.

For images, please go to: http://www.thenic.org/index.php?/events/more/altered_book_sculpture_workshop_with_jenny_dowd

In concert: Steinbach, Helvey & the Casper Civic Chorale

Steinbach & Helvey, and the Casper Civic Chorale

April 24, 2012 • 7:30 p.m.

First United Methodist Church, Casper

FMI: http://www.artcorewy.com/

Friday, April 20, 2012

Chattanooga public art project open to all U.S. artists

THE BRIGHT SCHOOL CENTENNIAL PUBLIC ART PROJECT

Deadline: May 17. Public Art Chattanooga and the Bright School in Chattanooga, TN, are looking for artists or artist groups to create a permanent piece for the entrance of the school. This call is open to all applicants in the United States over the age of 18. Project proposals must maintain the ability to withstand weather and public interaction with the piece.

FMI: www.publicartchattanooga.com/about/callstoartists.htm

ESPN's Howard Bryant to sign copies of "The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron" April 26 at UW

ESPN sports writer Howard Bryant will be the guest speaker at the University of Wyoming Libraries Book and Author Luncheon at noon Thursday, April 26, at the UW Conference Center at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Admission is $50, and raffle tickets cost $20 each. To reserve a seat or to purchase a raffle ticket, call UW Libraries at (307) 766-3279. Reservation deadline is Tuesday, April 17.

Copies of Bryant's recent book, "The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron," will be available for purchase at the luncheon. Two drawings -- one for four tickets to a Colorado Rockies game, and another for four tickets to UW vs. CSU basketball and football games -- will take place at the event.

The author of several sports books, Bryant is a senior writer for ESPN.com and ESPN the Magazine. Before joining ESPN, he spent two years at The Washington Post.

He appears regularly on ESPN's "The Sports Reporters," "First Take" and "Outside the Lines," and serves as sports correspondent for National Public Radio's "Weekend Edition Saturday."

Photo: Howard Bryant

Correction: Cheyenne Family YMCA silent auction will be held in May

Wyomingarts previously published news about the Cheyenne Family YMCA silent art auction deadline being April 30. Here's the correction:

Works by local artists Marlin Glasner, Tom Shaffer, Aaron Curry, Win Ratz, Joyce & Casey Stone will be up for bids at a silent auction held during May by the Cheyenne Family YMCA. The artwork may be viewed beginning May 1 in the swimming pool lobby. Proceeds go to the YMCA's Community Support Campaign. Hours 5 a.m.-9 p.m., M-F; Saturday 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday noon-4 p.m. FMI: 307-634-9622.

"The Horse, Of Course" opens May 1 at Wyoming State Museum

Horses have had a huge influence on the western experience and Wyoming history, a new exhibit “A Horse, Of Course,” opening at the Wyoming State Museum May 1, explores that relationship.

Through photographs, artwork and artifacts drawn exclusively from the collections of the Wyoming State Museum and State Archives, the exhibit focuses on the important role horses played in opening the American West.

“Paleo horses became extinct on the North American continent around 10,000 BC and weren’t re-introduced until the Spanish arrived in what is today Florida and Central America in the 1500s. It wasn’t until the 18th century that horses were brought to this region,” notes the exhibit’s curator, David L. Newell. “So in the history of the world, modern horses have only been in this area a relatively short time.”

But as shown in the new exhibit, their impact was profound. “North America has a population of more than 9.5 million horses today, among the largest concentrations in the world, and the development of the American West would not have been possible without them. Before the invention of the internal-combustion engine, mankind was truly reliant on real horse power!”

“A Horse, Of Course” begins with Sioux ledger book drawings and works its way from the 19th to the 21st century using period and contemporary art, advertisements, documentary photographs and objects relating to horse culture. The exhibit features overviews of the relationships between American Indians and cowboys and their horses, horses at work and in sports, and symbolism relating to horses.

“A Horse, Of Course” will be on display from May 1, through March 31. There will be a public reception on May 24 from 5 - 7p.m.

The Wyoming State Museum is located in the Barrett Building at 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne. The museum is open Monday through Saturday. Hours are seasonal. Admission is free. Call 307-777-7022.

Sheridan County Museum raising funds for statue of Wyoming artist E.W. Gollings

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Wyoming's Poetry Out Loud winner performing at the state competition


Here is contestant Sara Ellingrod performing at Wyoming's Poetry Out Loud state competition, held in Cheyenne, March 5-6. Thanks to Alan O'Hashi of Wyoming Community Media for filming this event. Click on Sara's name to see more Wyoming POL contestant performances.

City of Missoula sends out call for proposals for public art project

The City of Missoula (Mont.) Public Art Committee invites artists in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington and Oregon to submit a design proposal for a public art piece at Missoula's new Park Place Parking Structure. The project goal is to initiate the visual landmark linking -- if not drawing -- individuals from the downtown community to Missoula's vibrant riverfront system. The commission challenges artists to reflect on the diversity of the Missoula community, and integrate and enhance the site and public space. Deadline for proposals is May 30. Get the details at http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/18921

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Get your style fix on at the Wyoming State Museum

Pretty dresses, paper flowers, and parties! The opening reception for the exhibit, “Dressed to the Nines,” is Thursday, April 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Wyoming State Museum.


The reception features kids’ activities and refreshments including lemonade and coffee from Paramount Café. The reception is free and open to the public.

The exhibit features inaugural gowns worn by some of the first ladies of Wyoming and outfits worn by Princess Blue Waters, Miss Rodeo Wyoming, and Miss Wyoming, among others.

The gowns, suits and outfits present a glimpse into the personal style of each woman, and the fashion of the time. The exhibit will remain open through March, 2013.

The Wyoming State Museum is located in the Barrett Building, 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne. For more information about this and other State Museum programs and exhibits, please call 777-7021.

Plaza Diane's namesake would be thrilled to see downtown Powell these days

Andrew Michler, a writer who writes about sustainable building practices, has profiled Plaza Diane, in Powell, on his website. Take a gander at the slide show of how this old corner gas station was updated and made into a contemporary art space, both inside and out.  

The image is not great, but the photos of this arts center on the Andrew's website are sharp and show several views of the outside and inside of the remarkable transformation.

Come meet Tom O'Day and Bronco Nell and keep your horse in plain sight!

Tom O'Day
Experience the Wild West through the eyes of real life outlaws as Ray Maple and his wife, Jackie, portray the life and times of Tom O’Day and Bronco Nell, April 20, at 7 p.m. in the Wyoming State Museum Multi-Purpose Room. The presentation is free and open to the public.


Bronco Nell
Both O’Day and Nell are colorful characters in Wyoming history. O’Day, along with Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid and Kid Curry, were sometimes members of the infamous Hole in the Wall Gang, and participated in a number of famous robberies throughout the region.

Nell split time between running a freight company and stealing horses. Both O’Day and Nell served time in the Wyoming Territorial Prison for their crimes.

The Wyoming State Museum is located in the Barrett Building, 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne. For more information about this and other State Museum programs and exhibits, please call777-7021.

Powell student wins "Best of Show" in Wyoming Junior Duck Stamp Contest


Fifteen-year-old Sierra Morrow of Powell, Wyo., is “Best of Show” winner of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest for Wyoming. For the eighteenth consecutive year, the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole serves as Wyoming host for the contest, a national art competition for K-12 students. Sierra’s winning drawing, titled “A Dip in the Evening,” will be on display as one of the top 36 ribbon winners for the state – out of a total of 691 Wyoming entries – for the museum’s annual Federal Junior Duck Stamp Exhibition, May 3 through August 5, 2012.

Sierra’s drawing will represent Wyoming at the Federal Junior Duck Stamp contest scheduled for April 20, at the Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, Md. The winner of the national competition receives $5,000, a trip to our nation’s capital with a parent and the art teacher. The artwork is also used to make the 2012-2013 Junior Duck Stamp. Proceeds from the sale of the $5 stamps support conservation education.

Sydney Nate, an eight-year-old from Cokeville, Wyo., was this year’s Betty Nelson Artistic Promise Award-winner for the best art in the youngest age group. The Betty Nelson Artistic Promise Award was established 12 years ago to recognize the artistic accomplishment of K-3 students and to honor the late Betty Nelson, a generous supporter of the Junior Duck Stamp program.

The Jr. Duck Stamp exhibit will travel to the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne after it closes at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and winners will be honored at a September awards ceremony at the Wyoming State Museum. The 1st- through 3rd-place Wyoming winners of the contest can be viewed on the museum’s website beginning in early May at http://www.wildlifeart.org/,  and information for next year’s contest will be posted on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck. For a complete list of the 2012 Wyoming ribbon placers, visit http://www.wildlifeart.org/Learn/FedJrDuckStamp.

A complete schedule of exhibitions and events at the National Museum of Wildlife Art is available online at http://www.wildlifeart.org/. The museum is also active on Facebook at wildlifeartjh and on Twitter at @wildlifeartjh.

Harmonic Temple Chant And Voice Retreat -- September 21-23

Get ready for the gathering of men's and women's voices at Sunrise Ranch in Loveland, Colo., using chants from world wisdom traditions in four-part harmonies of soprano, alto, tenor and bass, with Grace Marie, North American teacher for Harmonic Temple, with local, regional and from-around-the-world singers. No experience is necessary. Further details will be forthcoming.
FMI: http://www.kundagrace.com/

P.S. I have sung with Grace's small group in Ft. Collins. The great variety of ethnic, cultural and not-your-mainstream-kind-of music she brings for us to sing is always challenging, but fun and inspiring. If you enjoy singing in a rather informal choir setting, or have never sung in a choir and would like to try some unconventional group singing, this might be a really fun for you. And men's voices are always needed! -- Linda

Roster Artist Deborah Britt part of show and sale

Here is a link to the flyer for the grand opening of Sweetwater Studio in Lander. A show and sale will take place May 4-5. Sweetwater Studio and Potters of the Wind Rivers (POWR) Spring Sale and Celebration 

POWR (Potters of the Wind River) is made up of many regional clay artists from Lander, Riverton, Rock Springs, Dubois and surrounding areas. We support one another and work toward promoting the arts in our community and beyond.

Sweetwater Studio was created by Jenny Reeves-Johnson to provide a physical space for clay art, artists gatherings, collaboration, and inspiration.  The studio houses 4 working artists, Jenny Reeves-Johnson, Shawna Pickinpaugh, Stephanie Peterson and Nancy Ebert.  It has become our home away from home as we inspire each other to grow as ceramic artists.

WY Game and Fish names winners in 29th annual Conservation Stamp competition

This  just gives a real life image
of what a Greater Short-horned
Lizard looks like, and does not
represent any visual art images
that were entered in the contest.
A reception, awards ceremony, sales and art show was held at the Cheyenne Wyoming Game and Fish headquarters on April 13, 2012 to name the winners in the 2013 Wyoming Conservation Stamp Art Compeition, featuring the Greater Short-Horned Lizard.

Linda Johnson of Riverton, a Wyoming Arts Council roster artist, received 3rd place for her water color entry. She quotes, "I felt very honored, as there were a lot of really great entries."

                                                  

Amy Kitchener, literary activist and "Angel"

Check out Amy's "Literary Angels Without Wings FDN" website here: http://www.amykitchenerfdn.org/  There's a lot going on and poetry contests to enter.

Here's a link to her newsletter, featuring Neal Whitman, the 2012 White Buffalo Native American Poet Laureate: http://amykitchenerfdn.org/2012_april_diploemat/april-2012.html

Good stuff!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Opening reception April 18 for Susan Thulin and Suzanne Morlock at Tayloe Piggott Gallery

Casper College Opera Workshop performs scenes from "The Magic Flute" on April 21

The Casper College Opera Workshop will perform six scenes from Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” on Saturday, April 21 at 2 p.m. in Durham Recital Hall.

The workshop is under the direction of Kristen Robinson, Casper College voice instructor. This is the third semester for the opera workshop, but it is the first time that we will be doing all scenes from one opera,” said Robinson.

Members of the CC Opera Workshop are Ty Hebbert, Danielle Hockett, Molly Green, Alex Arveschoug, Mike Schadwill, Ashlee Belveal, Gwen Colgrove, Phil Carlson, Alison Zick, Heather McAteer, and Emily Appel. Paula Flynn, who provided musical preparation, will provide piano accompaniment for the concert.

Durham Recital Hall is located in the Aley Fine Arts Center. The concert is free and open to the public.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Call for entries: Lander Art Center Annual Members' Show

The Lander Art Center's Annual Members' Show is scheduled to open May 18, 2012.  We encourage artists around the state to become a Lander Art Center member and participate. Entry fee is $20 for up to three pieces or free to members at the supporter level and up. Deadline is May 5. All mediums accepted. Details and entry guidelines at http://www.landerartcenter.com.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Fire destroys Rock Springs studio of artist and arts advocate Gregory Gaylor

Long-time Rock Springs artist and arts advocate Gregory Gaylor's studio burned down this week. He lost a lifetime of artwork and all of his digital records. He needs our encouragement and support and would welcome emails to kgaylor@sweetwaterhsa.com. Greg also is a past board member of the Wyoming Arts Council. Artist friends are working on a fund-raiser. Find updates on this blog and at the Studio Wyoming Facebook page.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Nicolaysen hosting recording artist Pete Martinez

UW Art Museum screens "Art21" PBS Series on April 16

Beet Street unveils Arts Incubator of the Rockies curriculum design at April 25 public meeting

The Wyoming Arts Council is one of the state arts agencies in the West participating in the Arts Incubator of the Rockies (AIR) project launched last year by Beet Street in Fort Collins, Colo. Here's a press release from Beet Street about the next phase of AIR:

The Arts Incubator of the Rockies (AIR) is proud to announce a public unveiling of the AIR Curriculum Design that will highlight the hard work, time, and creativity that has been put into place over the past three months of developing the core curriculum. On Wednesday, April 25th, AIR will be hosting an "Unveiling of Curriculum Design" from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Center, Canyon West room.

The Arts Incubator of the Rockies (AIR) is an ambitious initiative of Beet Street, created in partnership with the City of Fort Collins Cultural Services Department, and Colorado State University (CSU) School of the Arts. AIR is a regional arts incubator that serves 10 states and more than 280,000 artists and creatives in the Intermountain West. Based in Fort Collins, AIR is designed to serve both the local and regional cultural workforce by providing professional development classes, entrepreneurial and business training and other skills-based activities through distance learning, internships, collaborations and resource sharing. AIR serves all creative and community members who want to shift the paradigms about art, money, value, and community. 

Please RSVP online at Beet Street by April 23, 2012. Seating is limited.  

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Steve Schrepferman conducts workshop April 19-20 at CWC Ceramics Studio

Steve Schrepferman will conduct a
TWO-DAY DEMONSTRATION WORKSHOP
THURSDAY, APRIL 19 (10 am-4 pm)
FRIDAY, APRIL 20 (10 am-4 pm)
Central Wyoming College, Ceramics Studio, Fine Arts Building
2660 Peck, Riverton, Wyoming
Cost:  $60 per person, Free to currently enrolled CWC Art Students

Steve Schrepferman is a mudman who tailors workshops in clay construction, surface treatment and concept development. He is best known for his constructed work of tying wire around soft wheel-thrown clay forms. During his over 30-plus years of professional experience, Steve has mastered a variety of hand building, sculpture, and surface treatment techniques. Steve juggles the making of his art with adjunct teaching at Northwest College in Powell, the duties of being Executive Director for the Park County Arts Council, and the responsibilities serving as Co-President of the Wyoming Arts Alliance. He also is a member of the Wyoming Arts Council artist roster.
FMI: Deborah Britt at britt.deborah@gmail.com
Sponsored in part by POWR, Central Wyoming College, Lander Art Center and Wyoming Arts Council.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Cheyenne's 1st of the season Art Design and Dine tomorrow, April 12

Brave the rain, maybe even snow and hit the pavement tomorrow evening for Cheyenne's first of the season Art Design and Dine on April 12. Check out the website here for participating galleries, art venues, and businesses.

2012 Equality State Book Festival announces confirmed slate of authors and illustrators

Holly Wendt & Laurie Lye, co-directors of the 2012 Equality State Book Festival, send word that the bookfest web site has been updated with some exciting news to share about September's event in Casper:

The Equality State Book Festival organizers are pleased to announce this year's festival date has been set for Sept. 14-15 in Casper. This celebration marks the 26th anniversary of the annual Casper College/ARTCORE Literary Conference, which has been called "The Equality State Book Festival" every other year since 2006, this being our fourth venture in that spirit.

For the two-day event, more than 15 authors and illustrators will share their talents, giving readings, leading craft talks, emceeing a poetry slam, visiting local schools, and participating on panels. This year's group includes poets, novelists, memoirists, essayists, illustrators, and publishers. 

Among the participants slated are state-wide and regional favorites: Pat Frolander, current Poet Laureate for Wyoming; Zak Pullen, Cat Urbigkit, Kendra Spanjer and Karla Oceanak who will be making school visits; Alyson Hagy and David Romtvedt, faculty from University of Wyoming's MFA program, who will give readings and lead craft talks; and essayist and poet Linda Hasselstrom. From further regions, we are also joined by Rebecca O'Connor and Renee d'Aoust.

The Wyoming Arts Council will be announcing their annual Creative Writing Fellowship awards which celebrate poetry this year and will be judged by Brian Turner. Our friends at Natrona County Public Library are sponsoring a visit from Luis Carlos Montalvan. 

We hope you can join us to appreciate the good company of fellow readers and writers and help celebrate books and the written word Sept. 14-15, 2012, at Casper College and a few other Casper locations, all to be detailed on this web site soon.

For more book festival information, please contact Laurie Lye at llye@caspercollege.edu or 307-268-2639.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

UW Writer-in-Residence Mark Jenkins departs for Everest Expedition

 
Mark Jenkins in Ireland
From a UW press release:
The last time Mark Jenkins tried to climb Mount Everest, he was pursuing a master's degree in geography at the University of Wyoming. He was unable to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain on that 1986 expedition but, as part of his research into acid snow, he collected snow samples at a higher elevation than anyone had before.
In the 26 years since, the Laramie resident has traveled the world as an adventurer and writer. Jenkins' excursions have included ascents of some of the globe's other tallest peaks, dangerous trips to some of the world's last remote regions, and travel by foot or bicycle across continents. He's an internationally recognized author and journalist now working as a field staff writer for National Geographic -- and as writer-in-residence for the UW master's degree program in creative writing .
And he's heading back for another try at Mount Everest.
Read the rest of the story at http://www.uwyo.edu/uw/news/2012/04/uw-writer-in-residence-departs-for-everest-expedition.html

EDITOR'S NOTE: Mark has received two creative writing fellowships from the Wyoming Arts Council. The WAC wishes him well on his latest adventure.

Judging & reception for Wyoming Conservation Stamp Art Competition will be held April 13 in Cheyenne

Greater short horned lizard or horned toad
Judging and a reception for the 29th annual Wyoming State Conservation Stamp Art Competition will be held Friday, April 13, at Wyoming Game and Fish Headquarters, 5400 Bishop Blvd. in Cheyenne. The wildlife species for this year's competition is the greater short horned lizard or horned toad.

The Game and Fish has received 59 paintings this year from artists in 18 states competing for the $3,500 first place prize money and the right to have their work reproduced on the 2013 conservation stamp. All paintings will be on display at the reception. A conservation stamp is required for most licensed hunters and anglers. Approximately 100,000 conservation stamps are printed each year.

Judging will take place on the afternoon of April 13. Following the judging, Wyoming Wildlife- The Foundation and the department will host a reception open to the public beginning at 5 p.m. with winners announced at 6 p.m. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.

All paintings will remain on display at Game and Fish Headquarters through May 11. Contact: Al Langston (307) 777-4540 

Call for proposals: City of Ketchum, Idaho, public art project

The City of Ketchum’s Ketchum Arts Commission (KAC) invites artists to apply for a public art project for vinyl images of original art to be applied (wrapped) on selected utility boxes located throughout the city. The intention of the project is to use utility boxes as canvases to further enliven the city with art.

The selection process is two steps – a Request for Qualifications, due May 4, 2012, with selected artists submitting proposals later. Full information may be obtained on the City of Ketchum website at www.ketchumidaho.org.

Friday, April 6, 2012

New artists join the 2012-2013 WAC Artist Roster

Summit Chamber Players
Twenty-one Wyoming artists were approved by the Wyoming Arts Council (WAC) Board to be included in the Council’s Artist Roster, which serves as a resource for communities seeking artists for festivals, performances and other types of art programs. Seventy-nine artists complete the 2012-2013 roster.

Robert Berky
New Roster Artists include performing artists: Summit Chamber Players and Verismo Trio, both classical chamber music groups from Laramie; Amy Gorbey, Cheyenne, a director and producer of youth theater camps and after school programs; Robert Berky, Jackson, an actor, theatrical clown and playwright; Fat City Mardi Gras Band, Riverton, New Orleans style and early jazz music; Flores De Colores, Cheyenne, a Mexican folkloric dance group; Scott Bragonier, Cody, Jared Rogerson, Pinedale, and Dave Munsick, Dayton, cowboy singer/songwriters.

Dan Hayward
Visual artists include, from Laramie: Larry W. Hazlett, a theater and technical design consultant; Daniel Hayward, photographer; and Mary Maynard, tatter and needle artist. Dave Buckles, Cody, wildlife woodcarver; Curt Theobald, Pine Bluffs, segmented woodturner; Joshua Ray Smith, Rawlins, sculptural and public art installations; Aaron Wallis, Jackson, works in printmaking, silkscreening and letterpress; Terry Kreuzer, Cheyenne, ceramist and sculptor; and David Osmundsen, Buffalo, an artist blacksmith.

Dave Buckles
Literary artists include Pat Frolander, Wyoming’s Poet Laureate; Eugene Gagliano, Buffalo, poet and children’s author; and Barbara Smith, Rock Springs, poet and creative non-fiction writer.

WAC Roster Artists are selected through a rigorous panel process that rates artists on art professionalism, presentation, expression and subject matter. Artists represent a wide range of art forms, cultural and ethnic programs and presentation styles. Organizations can apply to the WAC’s Artists Across Wyoming grant category to bring a Wyoming roster artist into their communities and schools for performances, readings, workshops, presentations and more.

For more information on the Artist Roster, go to the WAC’s web site at www.wyomingartscouncil.org or call the Council office at 307-777-7742.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Nominations for 2013 Community Spirit Awards are open

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS MAY 31, 2011

The Community Spirit Awards is a national fellowship award for American Indian artists. First Peoples Fund chooses honorees for their commitment to sustaining the cultural values of native people. The process of bringing spirit back to community is an important responsibility for artists - it is part of a sacred honor system. First Peoples Fund works to strengthen that honor system by recognizing these exceptional artists for knowing themselves, honoring others, and sustaining spirit in their own communities.

Nominees must be:
Practicing artists of demonstrated maturity in their field.
Continually practicing artists for a minimum of 10 years.
Documented affiliate of a United States tribe. (Native Alaska or Hawaii included!)
Note: In addition to Visual Arts, First Peoples recognizes contemporary and traditional forms of Performing Arts and Literary Arts.

Fellowships will be awarded to artists who demonstrate:
An artistic practice that passes on the traditions and the life ways of the people.
A commitment to building the strength of native communities by sharing their skills and talents with others in their respective communities; and
Deeply rooted and maintain direct ties to their tribal community.

Nomination Procedure:
Nominate online at First Peoples Fund or send a postcard to include complete names and addresses of both nominee and nominator to PO Box 2977, Rapid City, SD 57709.
Nominated candidates must be from an American Indian community.
Applications will be mailed out after nomination deadline has passed.

Selection Process and Expectations:
A national selection committee will review nominees and select awardees from those that meet the outlined qualifications.
Fellowship recipients will receive $5,000 designed to give them the opportunity to "practice their art."

First Peoples Fund
PO Box 2977
Rapid City, SD 57709
605.348.0324
http://www.firstpeoplesfund.org/

2011 "Oklahoma Painters" Paris art show features Native American artists

Heap of Birds, with his painting, "Smile for Racism"
From Indian Country Today Media Network, LLC, an internationally-recognized multimedia platform, solely-owned by the Oneida Indian Nation of New York, comprised of a full-service website, and This Week from Indian Country Today, a weekly magazine, comes this article about the 2011 art show in Paris that included eleven Native American artists from Oklahoma.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

"On the road" with Nebraska writer Poe Ballantine

Attend a presentation by Nebraska writer Poe Ballantine on Monday, April 9, 7-9 p.m., at Recover Wyoming, 512 E. Lincolnway, Cheyenne. It's free and open to the public with refreshments provided. Poe will be at LCCC's Conferences and Institutes Building on Tuesday, April 10, for a writing workshop at 2 p.m. and a reading at 7 p.m. These events also are free and open to the public.
Share in the insights of Poe Ballantine, his writing life and the experiences he draws from decades of tramping about the country, taking odd jobs, living on $400 a month and failing spectacularly. Poe has been called “The Voice of the People” and the “The King of the Personal Essay.” You are invited to view into his writing life, how he got here, how he sustains, the imperative of virgins in volcanoes and the ghosts who watch over us, matters of process, magic, mechanics, flambéing with banana liqueur and whatever else you want to know.

Wyoming Humanities Council seeks programs for forum

The Wyoming Humanities Council seeks programs for the Humanities Forum. The forum is a roster of independent contractors who travel throughout Wyoming, speaking on humanities-centered topics.  The format of presentations varies, but they should be 30 to 45 minutes long, followed by focused audience discussions.  The Wyoming Humanities Council pays a $150 honorarium for each presentation, as well as mileage, lodging, and per diem expenses. 

The council is especially interested in presentations related to the upcoming Wyoming tour of “Key Ingredients: America by Food,” a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit about food and foodways. 

The deadline for applications is June 15, 2012. For information on how to apply, see:
http://www.uwyo.edu/humanities/_files/HF_RFP.pdf