New look & new venue for 12th annual Governor's Capitol Art Exhibition

This year, the 12th Annual Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition will feature a new look and a new venue with the show moving to the Hynds Building in downtown Cheyenne.

“We were searching for a way to expand the show, which has outgrown the constraints of the State Museum, and one which would accommodate other activities associated with the show in a more centralized setting,” David L. Newell, show organizer and curator of art at the Wyoming State Museum said. “The opportunity at the Hynds Building presented itself and we said yes!”

The Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition is an annual juried group show featuring works from some of Wyoming’s best artists.

“Last year’s show included 43 works. This year we are able to include 70 works representing the creativity of 53 Wyoming artists,” Newell said. “And at 203 we also received a record number of submissions. I was thrilled that all areas of the state were represented in those submissions.”

All artwork in the show is for sale, as are the works in the adjoining Artist Alley. All sales benefit the purchase fund for the permanent art collection at the Wyoming State Museum.

Artists participating in the 2012 show include Joe Arnold (Laramie), Mike Beeman (Cheyenne), Joanne Bornong, (Sheridan), Mack Brislawn (Laramie), Sonja Caywood (Dayton), Mike Conaway (Evanston), Niki DeLancey (Laramie), Ken Driese (Laramie), Vanda Edington (Cheyenne), Michele Farrier (Alta), Michael Flicek (Casper), Tom Ford (Gillette), Jerry Glass (Laramie), William Hart (Green River), Jill Hartley (Rock Springs), Karen Henneck (Casper), Gary Huber (Buffalo), Travis Ivey (Laramie), Tony James (Cheyenne), William Jennings (Buffalo), Gary Keimig (Dubois), Joy Keown (Laramie), Chuck Kimmerle (Casper), Marian Kline (Cheyenne), Eric Lee (Cheyenne), Claire Leon (Story), Jessica Lippincott (Thermopolis), Virginia Madsen (Laramie), Jon Madsen (Laramie), David McDougall (Dayton), Greg McHuron (Jackson), Mike McIntosh (Cheyenne), Ron McIntosh (Laramie), Christine Meytras (Jackson), Lynn Newman (Cheyenne), Paul Ng (Rock Springs), Catherine Nicholas (Cheyenne), Eileen Nistler (Upton), Connie Norman (Cheyenne), Jerry Palen (Saratoga), Paul Prosinski (Buffalo), Win Ratz (Cheyenne), James Robinette (Cheyenne), Georgia Rowswell (Cheyenne), Tom Shaffer (Cheyenne), David Schuster (Lander), Ken Smith (Cheyenne), Joan Sowada (Gillette), Shane Steiss (Green River), Fairy Todd (Gillette), AB Word (Kirby), Jenny Wuerker (Buffalo), and Dianne Wyatt (Sheridan).

Established under an initiative by Governor Jim Geringer, and organized under the auspices of the Wyoming Arts Council and the Wyoming State Museum, the Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition creates a collection of original Wyoming art for display in state offices. Works receiving purchase awards join this growing collection of prestigious art. The state’s five elected officials, and representatives from other state agencies participating in the program, select the purchase award winners.

The show will be on public display from 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Saturday, June 30, and Sunday, July 1 at the Hynds Building in downtown Cheyenne. The awards presentation ceremony is Saturday evening, June 30, from 5-7 p.m.

Call for entries: "Embracing our Differences"

"Embracing Our Differences" invites art submissions for its 10th annual outdoor art exhibit celebrating diversity. National and international submissions are encouraged. 39 artists will be selected for the exhibit. The exhibit will be displayed April and May 2013 at Island Park along Sarasota, Florida’s beautiful bayfront. Since 2004, the exhibit has been viewed by more than 1,300,000 visitors. The exhibit will contain 38 billboard-sized (16 feet wide by 12 1/2 feet high) images of the selected artworks.

Final selections will be chosen based on artistic excellence in reflection of the theme “embracing our differences”. Submissions will also be evaluated on how effectively it will read outdoors when enlarged to billboard size. Final selections will be made by a 3-judge panel of professional artists, curators and art professionals. A total of $3,000.00 in awards will be presented.

Submissions must be postmarked no later than January 7, 2013. There is no submission fee nor limit on the number of entries.

The mission of Embracing Our Differences is to use art as a catalyst for creating awareness and promoting the value of diversity, the benefits of inclusion and the significance of the active rejection of hatred and prejudice.

Submission forms and more information concerning past winning entries are available at http://www.embracingourdifferences.org/ or by emailing mailto:emailingInfo@EmbracingOurDifferences.org.

"Jentel Presents" June 5 in Sheridan

From the Jentel Artist Residency Program:

“Jentel Presents” will take place Tuesday, June 5, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at Sagebrush Community Art Center, at 5th and Broadway, Sheridan. This month’s presenters include an ecological photographer, a visual artist and critic, a printmaker, a collage artist, a poet, a photographer. “Jentel Presents” is a community outreach program that features visual presentations and readings by the visual artists and writers at the residency.

Presenters include: Jim Fike, Phoenix, AZ; An ecological photographer, Jim was born on a cold winter morning near Birmingham, Alabama in 1970. Since then he’s traveled extensively, read many books, and made a lot of art. His photographic work explores the intersection of identity, place, ecology and technology. Tanya Hartman, Lee’s Summit, MO; Tanya is a visual artist & writer currently living in Lee’s Summit, MO. She was raised in New York City, London & Cuernavaca, Mexico. A grandchild of Jewish Holocaust survivors, her work addresses war and redemption. William Hosterman, Coopersville, MI; A printmaker, upon completing a thorough hike of the Appalachian Trail in 1990, Bill has continued to move forward with printmaking, exhibiting, teaching and family. David King, San Francisco, CA; David’s obsessively detailed, cut and paste collages explore his profound interest in the fundamental interconnectedness of things. The imagery is abstract but the feelings it evokes are deeply real. Lisa Sewell, Philadelphia, PA; A poet, Lisa studies yoga and teaches poetry writing. From California, living in Philadelphia; a white water kayaker and scuba diver, she has loved water her whole life. Millee Tibbs, Detroit, MI; A photographer, Millee liked unicorns as a child. Much to her parents chagrin, she realized that horses were unicorns without horns, and with tenacious perseverance she finally got that pony she asked for her birthday.

The inequality of art collecting

Here's a link to an interesting article that came across the blogger desk.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/magazine/how-the-art-market-thrives-on-inequality.html?_r=2&ref=magazine

New film documents changing colors in Grand Teton National Park

Yellowstone Gate: Grand Teton film looks at changing colors in park

June 27 film premiere celebrates 70 years of the "Coach" roadhouse

World premiere of the documentary film, "The Stagecoach Bar: An American Crossroads," is set for Wednesday, June 27, 6:30-10:30 p.m., at the Center for the Arts in Jackson. $10 tickets (general admission). Live music and dance follows film. The film itself and the premiere were partially funded by grants from the Wyoming Arts Council. FMI: http://www.thestagecoachbarfilm.com/

Grub Street Writer brings its "gritty alt-folk" sound to UW June 6

From a UW press release:

Denver-based band Grub Street Writer will perform from 11:45 a.m-1 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, on the University of Wyoming Simpson Plaza.

Described as "gritty alternative-folk at its finest," Grub Street Writer is led by Brooklyn public defender and songwriter Andy Palmer. Many of Grub Street's songs, based on Palmer's experiences working in the trenches of Brooklyn's underbelly, feature the darker side of the human spirit. However, there is always a sense of hopefulness that aids the music's emotional response.

"His (Palmer's) concentrated growl is a constant across a variety of structures and themes, tying epic songs to more traditional lovelorn cues," says A.H. Goldstein of Westword.com.

Grub Street Writer has performed at such major festivals as South by Southwest and Denver's Westword music festival. The band recently was nominated as Denver's best "roots rock" band.

The performance is part of UW Summer Programs' Summer Concert Series. To hear more from Grub Street Writer, visit http://www.grubstreetwriterband.com .

The Campus Activities Center sponsors Wednesday's concert. Individuals needing assistance to attend should call (307) 766-6340. For more information, visit www.uwyo.edu/cac .

Photo: Grub Street Writer performs from 11:45 a.m-1 p.m. June 6, on the University of Wyoming Simpson Plaza.

M.L. Liebler, poet and teacher -- from Kabul to Casper

Here's a link to M.L.'s latest article in the Detroit Metro Times. M.L., who was in Cheyenne with Peter Lewis last year for Wyoming's Poetry Out Loud program, also works for the U.S. State Department in the division of cultural affairs, traveling to political hot spots to teach. 

M.L. is also part of the Wyoming Writers faculty this coming weekend at its annual literary conference. Check out his website and his Facebook page. He's won many awards, accolades, and has published several books. 

An incredibly generous man, dedicated to his teaching, he loves music, the Hollywood mystique, Pink's hot dogs, the Amoeba Records store, and will show up anywhere he has been invited to read and teach. We're glad he had the time to come back to Wyoming and see us!

Jackson Hole Fire Festival June 14-20

Jackson Hole Fire Festival is a week-long Solstice party of cultural and arts events in Jackson Hole, celebrating the natural world of our valley, Japanese-style! With the high-powered rhythm of Japanese drumming, film screenings, family events, food and drink, a festival market and performances, our celebration culminates in the Japanese fire ceremony – a dazzling street fair lit by the blaze of torches.

FMI: http://www.jhfirefestival.org/

Sponsoring organization: Vista 360, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization connecting mountain cultures around the world.

UW Theatre for Young Audiences holds auditions on June 6

Children ages 8-17 are invited to audition Wednesday, June 6, for a University of Wyoming Theatre for Young Audiences production of "Evo-Cete: The Big Blue Journey."

The auditions will be held from noon-3 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. in the UW Fine Arts Building Mains Dance Studio. The production calls for three speaking parts -- evolution sister (a talking robot), Sea Queen and a pirate -- with the remaining cast members performing different styles of dance ranging from hip-hop to classical.

Callbacks are scheduled at 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, June 8-9. Those selected will rehearse for approximately two hours daily June 13-14, June 18-21, June 25-28 and July 9-12. The public performances will be July 13 at 7:30 p.m. and July 14 at 2:30 p.m. in the College of Education auditorium.

Produced by the UW departments of Theatre and Dance and Geology and Geophysics, the performance is an educational program using dance, puppetry and drama to teach young people about the evolution of the whale. Veteran dance choreographer Wendy de la Harpe directs the production. She hopes to use at least 40-50 students in the production, and encourages both experienced dancers and kids with little or no dance experience to audition.

Cecilia Aragon, UW Theatre and Dance associate professor, and Mark Clementz, associate professor of Geology and Geophysics, are co-creators of the Evo-Cete project and have collaborated as producers. UW playwriting student Jeremy Smith wrote "Evo-Cete: The Big Blue Journey."

For more information, call de la Harpe at (307) 742-9568.

Photo: Wendy de la Harpe is the director and choreographer for "Evo-Cete: The Big Blue Journey."

Cokeville Arts Council sponsors plein air painting workshop with Kathryn Stats

The Cokeville Arts Council is pleased to announce a two-day plein air painting workshop July 19-20 with one of the finest landscape painters in the West, artist Kathryn Stats. This oil painting workshop will include demonstrations, group and personal instruction, and a critique. Kathryn will show students how to set up a good composition, use proper values, get light into your painting, and color mixing.

Kathryn’s earliest lessons came from the books of such painters as Emil Gruppe and John F. Carlson; she later studied with Utah artists Ken Baxter and Frank Erickson. Her love of color, unerring sense of proper light and skillful brushwork make her strong, deliberate paintings feel effortless. Her floral studies and the distinctive landscapes that have become the hallmark of her work are in private and public collections worldwide. Cost for two days: $160

This workshop will be held in conjunction with the Western Wyoming Plein Air Competition (July 18-20) and the Minerva Teichert Invitational Art Show (July 19-20). FMI: http://www.cokevillewy.com/

To register or for more information, please call 307.220.8542 or email charlesdayton@allwest.net.

NPR to air Memorial Day story on Utah veterans using sweat lodge ceremonies to overcome PTSD

In honor of Memorial Day, NPR's All Things Considered is airing our Deep West Radio Documentary about an unusual healing ceremony that is being offered to veterans at the Salt Lake City VA Center—a Native American sweat ceremony. Conducted by a medicine man in a dome-shaped structure or lodge, these sweats are helping veterans overcome symptoms related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and are drawing increasing numbers of non-native veterans. This story is part of a larger documentary project called First Nation Warriors that is in development by the Western Folklife Center's Media Department.This television documentary will explore Native American service in the US military, and the warrior traditions that help returning soldiers readjust to life back home.

It's official -- UW Writer-in-Residence Mark Jenkins reaches Everest summit

One of Mark Jenkins' climbing partners, North Face athlete Emily Harrington, sends an Instagram self-portrait from the Everest summit at 8,850 meters (29,035 feet). “What a climb it’s been!”

From a UW press release:

Twenty-six years after he unsuccessfully attempted to climb Mount Everest as a graduate student at the University of Wyoming, Mark Jenkins has reached the summit of the world's highest mountain.

Jenkins, a Laramie resident who works as a field staff writer for National Geographic, reached the 29,035-foot summit of Everest at around 6:15 p.m. MDT Thursday, says his wife, Sue Ibarra. She spoke to him by satellite phone about 9:15 p.m. Thursday, after he had returned to Camp 4 at an elevation of 26,000 feet.

"He's exhausted, but doing fine," Ibarra says. "He sounded good, but I'm sure he's probably relieved and ready to be down."

Jenkins, also a writer-in-residence for the UW master's degree program in creative writing, has been part of a National Geographic team marking the 50th anniversary of the first American ascent of Everest. He left Laramie in late March and had spent several weeks acclimatizing to the extremely high elevations of the Himalayas. He has been chronicling the expedition with blog entries at www.natgeo.com/oneverest .

In 1986, Jenkins was part of an expedition that attempted a new route on Everest's North Face, but weather prevented the group from reaching the summit. At the time, he was pursuing a master's degree in geography at UW, and he collected snow samples at an elevation higher than anyone had before, as part of his research into acid snow. Since then, he has traveled the world as an adventurer and writer, including 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.

Ibarra says reaching the summit of Everest via its southeast ridge "is definitely up there" in her 53-year-old husband's list of accomplishments.

"It's somewhat been a monkey on his back," she says. "I'm sure he's happy to tick it off the list."

She expects him to return to Laramie as early as next week.

Jenkins has since been published in dozens of national and international publications, and he's the author of four award-winning books. Before going to work for National Geographic, he was a columnist for Outside magazine for eight years and worked as a freelance journalist.

Mark Jenkins narrates this video about another Everest climb taking place this month:

Sara Wiles and Pat Frolander are High Plains Book Awards finalists

After the review of 86 nominated books, 19 finalists have been chosen for 7 categories in the 2012 High Plains Book Awards. The books were reviewed and ranked by volunteer readers throughout Billings, Mont. The books by finalists in each category have been send to professional authors in the US and Canada. The authors come from eleven different states – Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Texas, Maine, Washington, Iowa, Connecticut, Arizona and Montana as well as the Canadian providences of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Winner is each category will receive a $500 cash prize.

Two Wyoming writers made the final list of 19:

Best Art & Photography category: Arapaho Journeys: Photographs and Stories from the Wind River Reservation, Sara Wiles, Lander, Wyoming
Best Woman Writer category: Married Into It, Patricia Frolander, Sundance, Wyoming

Sara has been awarded the Wyoming Govenor's Arts Award and Pat is Wyoming's poet leaureate.

The High Plains Book Awards and BookFest will take place October 18-20, 2012. There will be a reception for the finalists on Friday, October 19, at the Babcock Theatre, followed by a public reading. All the finalists are invited to read at the Yellowstone Art Museum on Saturday, October 20 as a part of the 10th annual High Plains BookFest. The High Plains Book Award Banquet will also be held at the Yellowstone Art Museum later that night. Readings are free and open to the public. Tickets for the banquet will be available later this year.

The Parmly Billings Library Board established the High Plains Book Awards in 2006. The awards were established to recognize regional authors and/or literary works which examine and reflect life on the High Plains including the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.

Round up the usual suspects for CLTP radio drama

CASABLANCA & MALTESE FALCON RADIO DRAMA

Performance Dates: May 24-May 25, 2012 @ 7:30 pm at the Mary Godfrey Playhouse

All tickets only $5 each!

Front of House help is needed for performances. If you are interested in lending a hand, please email dheying@cheyennelittletheatre.org or call our office. Our volunteers are the heart of CLTP...we'd love to have you join us!

Call for entries: "Politicizing Aesthetics" at USD Galleries

The University Art Galleries (UAG) at the University of South Dakota invites all professional artists and students enrolled in graduate programs to submit entries to “Politicizing Aesthetics,” a national juried exhibition. Contemporary, original artworks in new media, installation, film, print, sculpture, ceramics, painting, handmade artist books, photography, and fiber are welcome. We are looking for works that address current political and social issues, such as debt, war, human rights, and land rights; works that explore the body politic; works that examine the relationship between politics and aesthetic form; and works that explore the relationship between political choices and aesthetic taste. The selected works will be on display October 1- November 2, 2012 at the John A. Day Gallery. www.usd.edu/uag

Artists should submit a CD, readable on a PC and Mac, containing JPEG images for up to 3 works with one image per piece. The image should be no greater than 3 MB with the longest dimension at 1000 pixels and a resolution of 200 pixels per inch. The CD should also contain an artist statement and resume, saved as PDFs. Entry fee is $30; checks payable to the ‘University of South Dakota.’ Entries must be postmarked by Friday, July 6 2012. Notifications will be sent by email on August 6, 2012. Politicizing Aesthetics opens October 1, 2012. Submissions will only be returned with a SASE. Cash awards total up to $750. Only complete submissions will be considered. For more information email: Alison.Erazmus@usd.edu

Send submissions to:

Attention: Politicizing Aesthetics
University Art Galleries
University of South Dakota
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069

Reid Rosenthal rides into Cheyenne to promote "Maps of Fate"

Reid Rosenthal will sign copies of “Maps of Fate,” the second novel in his “Threads West American Saga” series. He will also read from his latest book.

When: Saturday May 26, 1 to 4 p.m.

Location: Barnes and Noble Booksellers of Cheyenne, WY. 1851 Dell Range Blvd.

Phone: 307-632-3000. Rosenthal’s books are available for sale at Barnes and Noble of Cheyenne.

Author information: http://www.reidlrosenthal.com/

“Threads West”information: http://www.threadswestseries.com/

Read an interview with Reid on Karen Cotton's blog at http://lifeisassweetascottoncandy.wordpress.com/

REMINDER: Reception this evening for "A Horse, Of Course"

A public reception for “A Horse, Of Course,” one of the Wyoming State Museum’s newest exhibits, will be held May 24, from 5-7 p.m.

Horses have had a huge influence on the western experience and Wyoming history, a new exhibit “A Horse, Of Course,” which opened 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 focues on the important role horses played in opening the American West.

Bill Downs on "The Writer's Life: Creativity, Censorship and Copyright" June 2 in Jackson

Bill Downs

UW news release:

Writing and censorship, waterfowl management and comparisons of two popular museum exhibitions are among topics for discussion Saturday, June 2, for the summer term of Saturday U -- the University of Wyoming's free one-day college education program.

A half-day of college classes and discussion begins with refreshments at 8:30 a.m., followed by a welcoming address at 8:45 a.m. at the National Museum of Wildlife Art Cook Auditorium in Jackson.

Three representatives from UW will then present lectures, followed by a free lunch and a question-and-answer session.

Saturday U is a collaborative program that connects popular UW professors with lifelong learners in Jackson Hole. Offered three times a year, Saturday U is sponsored by the university, the UW Foundation and Wyoming Humanities Council. Saturday U is presented by Central Wyoming College (CWC), the National Museum of Wildlife Art and Teton County Library Foundation.

Program topic descriptions and UW representatives lecturing are:

9-10 a.m. -- "The Writers Life: Creativity, Censorship and Copyright," William Missouri Downs, UW Department of Theatre and Dance professor of play and screenwriting. Who owns the copyright on the movies and plays you attend? How does censorship affect the writer's voice and, ultimately, the intellectual life of the audience?

Downs says there are vast differences in the creative process when writing for the stage or screen -- a process influenced by copyright and censorship. He will discuss how these factors can be a major influence on those who write for the stage and screen, and how the end result impacts those seated in the audience.

10:15-11:15 a.m. - "The Future of Waterfowl Management, Conservation and Hunting," Benjamin Rashford, UW Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics assistant professor. Waterfowl management and conservation in America is a success story of the North American wildlife conservation model -- a globally unique model that manages wildlife as a public resource, using science and funded largely by hunters.

Since 1846, hunters have played a critical role in developing and financing nearly every major waterfowl management and conservation initiative. But complex forces, from demographic shifts and agricultural policy, to economics and climate change, are casting an increasingly dark shadow over the future of waterfowl conservation, Rashford says.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. -- "Ghosts in the Museum: The Shockingly Similar Visions of BodyWorlds and Yves Saint Laurent," Kent Drummond, UW Department of Management and Marketing professor. At first glance, the two contemporary museum blockbusters, "BodyWorlds" and "Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective," would appear to have little in common. One presents dozens of highly stylized corpses in life-like poses, while the other presents dozens of mannequins draped in artful haute couture of the age.

"One uncovers the body to reveal a dazzling display of materials, while the other uses a dazzling display of materials to cover up the body," Drummond says. "One brings to mind Dr. Frankenstein; the other, Matisse. Yet, a closer look reveals striking similarities between the two."

12:30-1:30 p.m. -- Lunch and a speaker roundtable moderated by Jim McNutt, Museum of Wildlife Art president, plus an audience question-and-answer session in the Wapiti Gallery.

Participants may attend one, two or all three lectures, plus the final roundtable. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, or to register for college credit or Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB) credit, call Susan Thulin, CWC outreach coordinator, at (307) 733-7425.

For more information about Saturday U, visit the website at http://www.uwyo.edu/SaturdayU/ or contact Teton County Library Adult Humanities Coordinator Oona Doherty at (307) 733-2164, ext. 135, or email odoherty@tclib.org .

Photo: William Missouri Downs, UW Department of Theatre and Dance professor, will present "The Writers Life: Creativity, Censorship and Copyright" at the summer term of Saturday U, Saturday, June 2, in Jackson.

Gregory McHuron conducts free plein air painting demonstration June 9 at GTNP

Gregory McHuron painting the Chapel of the Transfiguration at last year's "Artists in the Environment" event in Grand Teton National Park.

The Grand Teton Association invites the public to join world-renowned artist Gregory I. McHuron, for a live plein air painting demonstration at Grand Teton National Park's Blacktail Pond, one of the Park’s most beautiful overlooks. The event is free and open to the public. McHuron will paint on site Saturday, June 9, 2012, 4:00-7:00 pm.

A leader of Jackson Hole’s plein air painting tradition, Greg McHuron primarily paints wildlife and landscapes throughout the United States and Canada. Classically trained, McHuron is a master draftsman and favors capturing the natural world using oil paints and watercolor/gouache.

A co-founder of the Grand Teton Association’s “Artists in the Environment,” (he shares the achievement with renowned plein air painter Conrad Schwiering) McHuron began sketching at an early age. His interest in wilderness and wildlife propelled him to graduate from Oregon State University with a degree in Art, and a curriculum emphasis in Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife studies.

“Painting oils and watercolor/gouache en plein air for the past 35 years, I am inspired by and able to distill my passion for nature in a direct and personal manner by painting my emotional response to the ‘WOW’ that I see as I watch scenes unfold,” says the artist. “People have said that they are immediately struck by my strong sense of design--then, the interesting color combinations, juxtapositions, and light and dark patterns. The common thread in all my work is that I was THERE - that I have experienced what I turn my brush to."

McHuron has taught workshops, given demonstrations and participated in quick-draws for a variety of organizations including the Wyoming Artists Association, Wind River Artist Association, Scottsdale School of the Arts and the Lodge at Palisades. The National Museum of Wildlife Art, CM Russell Show, Grand Teton National Park, Isle Royale National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve all include McHuron’s work in their permanent collections.

McHuron paints the West from Alaska--venturing above the Arctic Circle--to the Southwest, doing whatever it takes to “get the painting.” Ever the explorer, McHuron is fearless in his quest to create. Standing in rivers, on the edge of cliffs, in a bobbing raft down the Grand Canyon or on a ship along the coast up to Alaska, riding horseback into wilderness areas, or accidentally finding myself in the middle of a buffalo stampede---it’s all part of Gregory I. McHuron’s mission to paint the “WOW.”

About the Series: “Artists in the Environment” is funded by the Grand Teton Association, an organization whose purpose is to promote appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of the Grand Teton National Park and the Greater Yellowstone Area. Free to all, viewers are invited to bring a chair, a snack, and those who would like to are welcome to paint alongside the artist. Look for the big, bright "Artist's Demonstration" banner!

FMI: http://www.grandtetonpark.org/ or 307.739.3403

Danielle Ate the Sandwich performs May 30 at UW

Fort Collins-based musician Danielle Anderson, who goes by the stage name Danielle Ate the Sandwich, will perform 11:45 a.m-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, on the University of Wyoming Simpson Plaza.
An independent folk musician and songwriter, Danielle has toured nationally since 2009, playing for a loyal fan base of online followers.

With her YouTube videos gaining millions of views, Danielle has been able to turn her passion for music into a full-time career. Having released four albums, Danielle Ate the Sandwich will soon release her fifth full-length studio album, "Like a King."

Described by Denver's Westword as "cripplingly enchanting with lyrics telling the story of a generation coming of age in an age of uncertainty," Danielle brings her own quirky attitude to her music that has an alluring quality for listeners.

The program is part of UW Summer Programs' Summer Concert Series. For more information on Danielle Ate the Sandwich or to listen to some of her songs, visit http://www.danielleatethesandwich.com/ .

Photo: Danielle Ate the Sandwich will perform 11:45 a.m-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, on the University of Wyoming

Blue Star Museums offer free summer admission to active-duty military personnel and families

From a National Endowment for the Arts press release:

Today, Blue Star Families announced the launch of Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 1,600 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel, including active Reserve and National Guard, and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2012. Leadership support has been provided by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families. The complete list of participating museums is available at www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. Find the list of participating museums in Wyoming at http://www.nea.gov/national/bluestarmuseums/index2012.php?st=WY#list

The launch of the program was announced today at a press event at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The event was hosted by Metropolitan Museum President Emily Rafferty, who was joined by Blue Star Families CEO Kathy Roth-Douquet, NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman, A. Dennis White, CEO and President of MetLife Foundation, local military families and representatives from the more than 40 New York City museums participating in Blue Star Museums this summer. Following the event, the presenters escorted local families representing the Armed Forces on a tour of several galleries at the Metropolitan Museum, which has been a Blue Star Museum since the program began in 2010.

Call for entries: Cody Country Art League annual art show

The Cody Country Art League is holding its 47th Annual Art Show. Judge for this year's competition is Lili Francuz, an artist from Fort Collins, Colo., who -- until retirement -- was the Wyoming State Museum curator and visual arts specialist at the Wyoming Arts Council. Submission deadline is May 31 although the Art League will be accepting pieces through June 8. Get complete guidelines at office@codycountryartleague.com or 307-587-3597. Web site: http://www.codycountryartleague.com/

Wind River Reservation's North Bear drum group wins National Hand Drum prize

North Bear drum group from the Wind River Reservation wins 2012 National Hand Drum prize in Albuquerque NM this past weekend.

Auditions for "The Maid of the Mill" Melodrama will be held May 21-22 at Atlas Theatre

Auditions for the 2012 Old-Fashioned Summer Melodrama, THE MAID OF THE MILL or TIED BUT TRUE, will be held May 21 & 22 @ 6:30pm at the Historic Atlas Theatre, 211 W. Lincolnway, Cheyenne These evenings are for all cast members, dancers, sheriffs, emcees, and card girls. Even if you have participated with melodrama in the past we need you to come and audition one of these nights. Get more info at http://www.cheyennelittletheatre.org/_pdfs/2012/audition_information_melodrama_play.pdf

In the news: "Celebrating Dutch Hop"

Dutch Hop street dance. Photo by Ronna Lee Sharpe.

Last summer's "Celebrating Dutch Hop" event in Loveland, Colo., was featured in the Colorado Creative Industries newsletter. Similar gatherings were held in Wyoming and Nebraska. Organizers of the events featuring German Rusian Culture were Annie Hatch, Wyoming Arts Council folk and traditional arts specialist, and Georgia Wier, former CCI folklorist.

The NIC to hold two conservation care workshops May 30 & 31

On May 30 & 31, the NIC will host two conservation care workshops led by conservator Victoria Montana Ryan. One workshop will be geared for the general public, which will look at basic care and cleaning for family heirlooms and art. The other workshop will be for museum professionals and will examine risk factors to museum collections.

Preserving Your Treasures
Wednesday, May 30, 6:00pm
Open to the Public
Members: FREE
Non-members: $5 per person.

Own a Picasso? How about family photos? Whether you're a collector of fine art or have precious family heirlooms, you want to be able to provide appropriate care for your treasures. This presentation will introduce you to basic care steps, based on conservation principles, which you can take to prolong the life of your collection. There will be time for questions after the presentation.

Collections Care Workshop
Thursday, May 31, 9:00am- 3:00pm
FREE to Museum Professionals

This Collections Care Workshop will review the primary risks to our collections, including the environment, materials, and handling. Environmental parameters, equipment and monitoring, and new topics of interest will be discussed. For handling and materials, the workshop will have a hands-on section along with materials identification and discussion of which materials options may be the "greenest." Attendees are encouraged to bring questions regarding their collections, environments or materials, as there will be time after the presentation for discussions. Please indicate your intention to attend by May 29, 2012 to guarantee copies of the handouts by emailing iburnett@thenic.org

Victoria Montana Ryan is a Fellow Member of the American Institute for Conservation. She is currently the owner of Art Care Services, Colorado Springs.

FMI: Lisa Hatchadoorian, Nicolaysen Art Museum, 400 E. Collins, (307) 235-5247

"Between Heart and Place" -- New landscape paintings by Kathryn Mapes Turner

"Summer Storm," 9x20, Kathryn Mapes Turner

“Between Heart and Place,” An Artist Explores Homeland in Collection of New Landscape Paintings

Trio Fine Art Gallery, 545 N. Cache Avenue, Jackson, will host an exhibition of the works of Kathryn Mapes Turner August 1-18. Artist Reception will be held on August 9, 5-8 p.m., Turner will lead a conversation on creativity as it relates to the landscape at 6:30 p.m. FREE and open to the public. Gallery hours Wednesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m.

About the artist and her work:

Turner was born into a fourth generation ranching family in Jackson Hole. As a teen, Turner had the opportunity to study with acclaimed landscape painters and then continued her art education in such celebrated places as Italy, Mexico and Washington DC. The artist has since returned to her native Wyoming, but remains committed to her evolution as an artist beyond the sphere of her youth. Kathryn’s hard work has yielded both local accolades and national recognition. Last fall, her painting, “Siena” won the “Best in Show” at the American Impressionist Society. Her work is also featured in celebrated national exhibitions such as Birds in Art at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum and Western Visions at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Southwest Art Magazine once distinguished Turner among the “Artists to Watch,” predicting what has indeed become a most promising career.

Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day and ballet

Roman Baca, on the shoulder of the standing male dancer, during a performance of Baca 's "Homecoming". Baca is a USMC Veteran of Iraq: choreographer & ballet dancer and co-founder of Exit 12 Dance Company of New York City. Photo Courtesy of Roman Baca. Read about Baca's lifelong devotion to ballet at American Homecomings at the Denver Post. 



"Wyoming Showcase" night at the Cheyenne International Film Festival

Tonight is officially opening night at the Cheyenne International Film Festival. Wyoming films are showcased, including "The Summer of '81," winner of the Wyoming Film Office's Short Film Contest. It all wraps up with a screening of "Wyoming Triumph." Get the complete schedule by going to http://cheyenneinternationalfilmfestival.com/blog/film/opening-night-showcases-wyoming-films/

Tickets on sale today for Lyle Lovett's July 18 Casper concert

Who: Lyle Lovett

When: 8 p.m. JULY 18

Where: Casper Events Center

Tickets on sale 11:30 a.m. TODAY: $39.50, $59.50, available at the Casper Events Center Box Office, charge by phone at 800-442-2256 or http://www.caspereventscenter.com/.

Info: http://www.lylelovett.com/

Read more: http://trib.com/weekender/music/casper-lyle-lovett/article_c619ba61-953d-56b8-a48f-a037024bfc97.html#ixzz1vFAC3jHB

Wyoming Tribune Eagle Online: "Cheyenne's favored son returns for film festival"

Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Daniel Junge returns to his hometown for Cheyenne International Film Festival. Read more at Cheyenne's favored son returns for film festival .

Editor's note: We always thought that the expression was "favorite son." We looked up "favored son" online and found a reference to a book by that title, which sounded interesting, and looked up the dictionary definition of favored: "Treated or looked upon with special kindness or liking;" "having special talents." That sounds right to us. Welcome back, Daniel!

Reception tonight for Historic Governor's Mansion exhibits

Three new Historic Governors’ Mansion exhibits exploring various unique topics in the inner workings of the First Families, the staff and the mansion will open May 19. An opening reception celebrating the mansion’s new look will be held from 4-6 p.m., May 18, with refreshments reminiscent of the 1950s served in the Carriage House. For more information about the new exhibits or the mansion, please call 777-7878 or visitwyoparks.state.wy.us.

Lotsa people viewing "Lotsa Locks" and other paintings in the Cheyenne Depot Museum's RailART Show & Sale

Lotsa people turned out yesterday evening at the Cheyenne Depot Museum for a preview of the RailART Show and Sale which includes "Lotsa Locks" (shown above), an acryclic painting, 36x48 inches, by Wyoming artist Jeanie Schlump. The art show and sale kicks into high gear this weekend and will be on display through July 29. Sales will go toward establishing a permanent railroad art collection at the museum. After viewing the art, you can marvel at the huge model train set. It's a unique experience to watch the miniature trains move around the set while viewing freight trains rumble through the railyard outside the big picture windows. To get more info, and view the art show catalog, go to http://www.cheyennedepotmuseum.org/. Also at the Depot on Saturday, May 19: Depot Days and the Laramie County Master Gardener's Garden Festival.

From the blogs: Jack Nicholson and Josh Brolin attached to star in C.J. Box's "Blue Heaven"

Local writer Karen Cotton has posted on her blog a nifty Q&A with mystery writer C.J. Box. It's all about writer's block ("a writer without ideas") and news about upcoming films made from C.J.'s novels. Are you ready for Jack Nicholson, Joe Pesci and Josh Brolin in "Blue Heaven?" We are... C.J. says that they are "attached" to the film which is Hollywood-speak for an almost-done deal. Wonder if Josh Brolin will be playing the part of rancher Jess Rawlins? Seems like a great fit. Go to http://lifeisassweetascottoncandy.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/380/

Ozymandian Theater is out to "Save the Future" June 1-2

John Roedel & Co. want to save the future – and they need your help:

We live in a world gone mad. The Stock Market is wavering, the music of Enya is still being played, and the beautiful town of Buford is boarded up. With the future of our planet on the brink of chaos, Ozymandian Theater is bringing a sketch comedy show that just might be our only hope.

This is the most important sketch comedy and improv show Ozymandian Theater has ever produced. The future of the human race is at stake....

"Save The Future" Comedy Show

June 1st & 2nd
@ Mary Godfrey Playhouse
7:30 pm (doors open @ 7:00)
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students
This show is rated PG-13

For more info please visit http://www.ozytheater.com/

Every jabronie with a snowboard in Jackson likes "Broetry"

The Teton County Public Library is sponsoring the "Broetry" Project in June:

You say you don't like poetry? What about poetry written by a "bro" for "bros" worldwide? “Broetry” is poetry inspired by beer, women, and the muse inside the soul of every jabronie with a snowboard. In a grassroots effort to trick Millennials into reading verse, Teton County Library has distributed Broetry posters at bus stops, bathrooms and bars around town. You can catch Broetry at these various locales in town, visit the Teton County Library to read Broetry by writer Brian McGackin and other surprisingly atypical literary offerings, or check out brianmcgackin.com. Free. Marisa Schweber-Koren, 733-2164 ext. 261, mschweberkoren@tclib.org

BTW: What’s a jabronie? Or who? The Urban Dictionary has several definitions at http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=jabronie

So your arts business is on Facebook -- now what?

Artists may be interested in these Fremont County seminars:

Pitch Engine is presenting two seminars tailored to help Wyoming businesses build their online presence and digital marketing in June. These seminars have been very popular in Fremont and Teton Counties. Please view the attachment for more information and registration details.

Session One
My Business is on Facebook. Now what?
Wednesday, June 6
9 AM-4 PM
Central Wyoming College, Riverton
Session Two
Practical, Relevant Ways to Grow Your Business in the Digital Era
Thursday, June 14
9 AM-4 PM
Pitch Engine, Lander

Contact:
Anne Even
Workforce Training Coordinator
Central Wyoming College - Lander Outreach Center
427 Main Street
Lander, WY 82520
Phone (307) 332-3394
Direct Line (307) 855-2335

Volunteer guitarist needed for annual Walk in My Shoes fund-raiser on June 9

From Virginia Sellner, Wyoming Coalition for the Homeless:

I've asked my friends
to brave Wyoming's winds
on the second Saturday in June
to raise funds for those in need.

The Wyoming Coalition for the Homeless in Cheyenne needs a volunteer to play guitar for those participating in the annual Walk In My Shoes fund-raiser on June 9. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. Walk takes off at 9:00 a.m. from the main WCH building at 907 Campbell.

Food, fun, door prizes, music, and more. Bring your children, your dogs (on a leash), your friends, family, club members, church members, employees/employers.

Click on the links below to sign up as a ghost walker/walker http://www.wch.vcn.com/walkregis11.htm, (this is for June 9, 2012) or as a sponsor at http://www.wch.vcn.com/sponsorregis.htm
For more information contact Virginia at 634-8499, Mon - Fri from 10 am until 2 pm

Jalan Crossland gets big crowd for rare Cheyenne concert stop

As he wrapped up last night's second set at the Historic Plains Hotel in Cheyenne, Jalan Crossland invited the audience to his hometown August hootenany -- the NoWoodstock Festival in Ten Sleep.

"Did he say NoWoodstock?" my wife Chris asked.

I nodded. And tried to explain. NoWoodstock is not exactly the opposite of the legendary gathering. It is held outdoors, and sometimes it rains, but it's not likely to draw 500,000 retro-hippies for three days of peace and love and cause a blockbuster film and album (remember those?) to be made.

NoWoodstock is a bit like Jalan. A little bit country, a little bit folk, a little bit storytelling, with equal parts singing and picking the guitar and banjo. Throw in some food and drink, mosquitoes and sunburn, and there you have NoWoodstock.

But back to last night. Jalan's solo concert was arranged by the Cheyenne Guitar Society, its third event of the season. The series had a number of sponsors, including the Wyoming Arts Council and the LCCC Foundation. The performance was delayed by 20 minutes so that hotel staff could bring in more chairs. By the time Jalan took the stage, the room was packed and very warm. There was a long line at the ballroom bar.

Jalan writes and plays his own songs. Most come with a splash (sometimes a raging torrent) of humor. So when he said that this was the first time he'd played in Cheyenne outside of a couple of weddings, nobody knew if he was kidding. I didn't get to ask him, but it seems unlikely. In the past couple months, he's been to New Orleans and the annual songwriters' festival in Key West. His next stop is the Upper Meramac Flatpicking Guitar Camp & Americana Music Festival in Steelville, Mo. Then come stops in Nebraska and Iowa before a big concert June 1 at the WYO Theater in Sheridan. He arrives back in Ten Sleep August 12 for NoWoodstock. Get the full concert schedule at http://www.jalancrossland.com/concerts.htm

At the Plains, Jalan played some of his favorites, many of them shouted out from the audience. They included "Don't Taze Me Bro," "Trailer Park Fire," "The Little Girl & the Deadly Snake," "The Loneliness of the Long-Distance, All-Night Chicken Trucker," "Trailer Park Fire" came with a whiff of smoke blown to Cheyenne by the wildland fires burning in northern Colorado. Jalan played some tunes from his new CD, "Portrait of a Fish," including a moving rendition of Gordon Lightfoot's "Don Quixote." He alternated between banjo and guitar. Some of the up-tempo numbers caused some impromptu dancing to break out at the front of the room.

The evening ended too soon. Judging by the crowd at the merchandise table, Jalan was selling a lot of T-shirts and signing scads of CDs and posters. Weddings are nice and all, but it seems odd that Jalan's public appearances in Cheyenne are so rare. But it is a long way from the wilds of Washakie County and NoWoodstock. That's not Jalan's next concert stop, but it may be ours.

--Michael Shay
Cross-posted from Hummingbirdminds blog

Get tix now for May 19 CIFF event honoring filmmaker Daniel Junge

The Cheyenne International Film Festival is honoring Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Daniel Junge on Saturday, May 19. The full evening event is selling out, but CIFF is offering tickets for the films, interview and questions and answers with Daniel Junge. The films include “One Day” which is Daniel’s latest short film followed by the Oscar-winning “Saving Face.” Tickets are also available at the Phoenix Books and Music walk-up box office 1612 Capitol Avenue in Downtown Cheyenne. Tickets for the reception honoring Daniel Junge are also on sale online and at the box office.

Cat Urbigkit's "The Guardian Team" chosen as Wyoming book for National Book Festival

Pinedale's multitalented writer and photographer Cat Urbigkit has some great news:

The Guardian Team has been selected as the Wyoming book for this year's National Book Festival, which will be held Sept. 22 & 23 in Washington, D.C.

Congrats, Cat. It's been a good year. In March, she received an honorable mention in the Wyoming Arts Council's visual arts fellowship competition.

CORRECTION: Reception for "A Horse, Of Course" exhibit is May 24 at the Wyoming State Museum

Stage III looking for volunteers for Aug. 18-19 Renaissance Faire in Casper

From Stage III Community Theatre in Casper:

Mark your calendars. The Renaissance Faire is returning to Casper August 18-19 at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds Arena Building. Stage III is happy to announce the return of this family friendly event. There are many venues for Renaissance Faire fans to get involved. Stage III is looking for volunteer musicians, jugglers, mask makers, face painters, hair and headpiece designers and crafters of all kinds. Auditions for Renaissance performers will be held at Stage III May 14 & 15 at 7:00 pm. Actors of all ages are needed for Shakespeare's “Hamlet;” as well as fairies, jesters, knights, fair maids, heralds and more. Would you like to write and perform your own middle ages play, poetry, or song? Contact Stage III with your ideas and they will work with you to provide stage time. Stage III is also seeking food vendors for the two-day event. You can provide a full meal such as grilled turkey legs, burgers and hot dogs, pizza or pulled pork. Snack vendors for drinks, cotton candy, fudge sno-cones, or kettle corn, for example, are also wanted. There will be lots of activities to work up the appetites of faire participants. The Renaissance Faire Committee welcomes anyone with ideas or interested volunteers wanting to help plan and carry out this event to attend the next planning meeting 6:30 pm April 30 at Stage III 900 North Center Street. Want to know more? Email Stage III at stage3@wyoming.com or visit our http://www.stageiiitheatre.org/ or call 307-234-0946 or for details.

"Paul Gregg: Caught in Cartoons!" at CFD Old West Museum

The Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum presents the "Paul Gregg: Caught in Cartoons" exhibit. We are delighted to pay tribute to a notable artist who captured the humor and energy of Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Paul Gregg was born in Baxter Springs, Kansas in 1876. At the age of seventeen he left his home to go to St. Louis, Missouri where he attended the St. Louis Art Museum’s School of Fine Arts, an affiliate of Washington University. After he graduated he was hired by the St. Louis Republic newspaper and later with the St. Louis Post–Dispatch. During this time, newspaper photography was in its infancy and he, like other artists, was hired to illustrate news stories, draw political cartoons and to create decorative scenes for the press. Gregg had to rely on his memory, details from reports or even visiting the scene of an event to capture the moment. When he wasn’t working for the newspaper, he was constantly striking out for the West where he made several pack-trips through his favorite countryside.

In 1902, Paul Gregg visited Denver and met with Harry H. Tammen and Frederick G. Bonifils of the Denver Post. He was hired to work for their paper and continued to do so until 1949. His talent in capturing the scenery and people of the West proved to be a great asset for the paper which asked him to paint a new cover for the Sunday Denver Post’s magazine The Rocky Mountain Empire every week. Throughout his long 40 year career with the Post, Gregg painted over 2,000 paintings. One of his favorite subjects was the Indians. He related that he was adopted into the Quapaw Indian tribe along with his parents and sister making him “an Osage Indian once removed.”

For many years, Gregg painted scenes celebrating Cheyenne Frontier Days for the Denver Post, which had a special relationship with the rodeo from its beginning. The Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum is proud to offer this unique look at the humor, attention to detail and care Paul Gregg used in bringing the excitement of the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo to the people of the Rocky Mountain Front Range.

The Paul Gregg Exhibit can be seen through July 8, 2012. Select pieces will be on display through Frontier Days in the Museum rotunda.

For more information call (307) 778-7290 or visit us online at http://www.oldwestmuseum.org/.

The "Paul Gregg: Caught in Cartoons" Exhibit is sponsored by the Denver Post.

Piatigorsky Tour makes stop in Lander May 16

Classical guitarist Jack Sanders will perform twice during his Piatigorsky Tour stop in Lander on Wednesday, May 16:

1:45 p.m., Lander Middle School, 755 Jefferson
Contact: Susan Masson, Music Teacher, 307-332-4040

7:00 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church
Contact: Marvin Brown, (307) 332-2509, marvjobrown@wyoming.com

Deadline is June 8 for Wyoming Arts Council poetry fellowships

The postmark deadline is June 8 for the Wyoming Arts Council creative writing fellowships in poetry.

To apply, you must be a Wyoming resident, 18 or older, and not enrolled as a full-time student pursuing high school, college or university art-related degrees. There is no entry fee.

Up to three, $3,000 awards will be given. Winning poets also will receive a $500 stipend to attend the Equality State Book Festival in Casper Sept. 14-15 and read from their work with fellowship judge, Brian Turner.

Turner is a soldier-poet and the author of two poetry collections, Phantom Noise (2010) and Here, Bullet (2005). His work is drawn from his seven years in the U.S. Army, including one year as an infantry team leader in Iraq with the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. Prior to that, he was deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1999-2000 with the 10th Mountain Division. Turner was also featured in Operation Homecoming, a unique documentary that explores the firsthand accounts of American servicemen and women through their own words. He earned an MFA in creative writing from the University of Oregon and has lived abroad in South Korea.

At the book festival in Casper, Turner will participate on a panel about soldier-writers with Luis Carlos Montalvan, U.S. Army Iraq War veteran and author of Until Tuesday: The Story of a Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him.

Printable applications are available on the Wyoming Arts Council web site at http://www.wyomingartscouncil.org/. To receive in the mail, call the WAC at 307-777-7742. For more information, contact Michael Shay, 307-777-5234 or mike.shay@wyo.gov.

Snowy Range Summer Theatre: "Santaland Diaries," "Romance, Romance" and "Always... Patsy Cline"

From a UW press release:

An irreverent, hilarious tale of a Christmas elf gone bad; a family-friendly, toe-tapping tribute to a country music legend; and a romantic musical about the roller coaster of love are all subjects of the 59th season of Snowy Range Summer Theatre.

Presented by the University of Wyoming Department of Theatre and Dance, the summer theatre season opens June 5-8, with David Sedaris' "The Santaland Diaries," followed by the crowd-pleasing "Always ... Patsy Cline" June 26 -30. The season closes July 10-14, with the Tony-nominated Broadway musical "Romance/Romance."

All theatre performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. "The Santaland Diaries" and "Romance /Romance" will be presented in the UW Fine Arts Studio Theatre, while "Always ... Patsy Cline" will be presented on the UW Fine Arts Main Stage. Tickets for theatre cost $10 for the public and $7 for students, seniors and children over 5. Discounts are available for groups of 20 persons or more. For tickets and information, call (307) 766-6666 or go online at www.uwyo.edu/finearts .

"The Santaland Diaries" chronicles Sedaris' real-life experience as Crumpet the Elf in a Macy's Santaland display. Touted by critics as "... quite possibly the 31 funniest pages of text published in the past quarter century" (Seattle Weekly), "The Santaland Diaries" riffs on a few of Sedaris' truly odd encounters with his fellow man during the height of the holiday crunch.

This breakout piece for the now best-selling author of "When You Are Engulfed in Flames," "Me Talk Pretty One Day," and "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim" follows Sedaris' attempts to enter into the holiday spirit as he deals with the humiliation of elf training, abusive customers, screaming children and badly cast Santas.

Directed by Rebecca Hilliker and featuring guest artist Paul Hope from Houston's Alley Theatre, "The Santaland Diaries" is a regular holiday feature on National Public Radio, where it debuted in 1992. It is recommended for mature audiences.

A sold-out hit off Broadway, "Always ... Patsy Cline" is a family-friendly, toe-tapping tribute to the musical legend and one of the most frequently produced musicals in the United States. Based on an endearing true story, the show recounts the real-life friendship between Cline and fan Louise Seger, who befriended the country music legend in a Texas honky-tonk in 1961, and continued with a correspondence until Cline's untimely death.

Directed by Charlotte Guyette, "Always ... Patsy Cline" combines down-home country humor, true emotion and even some audience participation. It features renditions of more than two dozen of Patsy's unforgettable hits, including "Crazy," "Walkin' After Midnight," "Sweet Dreams" and "I Fall to Pieces."

"Romance/Romance" is a musical pairing of two distinctive one-act comedies that explore the roller coaster of love. Based on Austrian writer Arthur Schnitzler's tale, "The Little Comedy," Act 1 is a flirtatious affair, set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, between two worldly high-society types in search of real love.

Act 2 is a modern look at affection and disaffection between two married couples sharing a summer house in the Hamptons, based on the Jules Renard play, "Pain de Menage." Directed by Lee Hodgson and featuring UW Department of Music faculty members Larry Hensel and Nicole Lamartine, "Romance/Romance" was an off-Broadway sensation that moved successfully to Broadway, and is a perfect change from the modern mega musical.

Photo: Katrina Despain and Cameron Rush are shown in a scene from the 2010 UW summer theatre production of "Private Lives." The 2012 season will open June 5-8, with David Sedaris' "The Santaland Diaries," followed by the crowd-pleasing "Always...Patsy Cline" June 26 -30, and the Tony-nominated Broadway musical "Romance/Romance" July 10-14. (UW Photo)

Public invited to Wyoming Arts Council Board events May 17-18 (and two Piatigorsky Tour concerts)

The Wyoming Arts Council will hold its quarterly board meeting in Buffalo May 17-18. It will be held in the new (and as yet unnamed) Art Center, 19 North Main, in the Buffalo Downtown Association Offices.

Agenda items include the decisions on FY13 Grants to Organizations, Arts Education and Operating Support grants, Community Arts Partner grant awards for the final quarter of FY12, review of WAC budgets, FY13 partnership proposals, the Council’s new Communications Plan, discussion of current Art in Public Buildings projects, the next Governor’s Arts Awards and other special event planning, as well as the election of board officers for FY13.

The board invites individuals and organizational representatives to attend any part of the meeting to observe the board process, and to address the board during the public comment session beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 17. Comments about the agency's policies, funding priorities, on-line granting system, and other arts-related topics are welcomed. For a detailed agenda, please contact the Wyoming Arts Council office at 307-777-7742. 

At the conclusion of Thursday’s session, a public reception for members of the community will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the home of Margo Brown and David Romtvedt, 457 N. Main in Buffalo. 

           After the meeting concludes on Friday, some board members will remain for the 7 p.m. Piatigorsky Tour Concert by Richard Dowling, pianist, at Buffalo High School, 29891 Old Highway 87. The concert is free and open to the public. Dowling also will play Thursday evening at the First Presbyterian Church, 2121 Colonial Drive, Sheridan.

Piatigorsky Tour features guitarist Jack Sanders in Evanston May 18

From Young Musicians, Inc.: FREE CONCERT this Friday, May 18, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Evanston. The concert will start at 7 pm, and features solo guitarist Jack Sanders. The concert is sponsored by the Piatigorsky Foundation, and is being made available to us in Wyoming courtesy of Dr. Seymour Thickman and the Wyoming Arts Council. Canned or dry food donations for The Lord's Storehouse have been requested in lieu of admission. Please join us for an evening of fantastic music!

Donations being accepted for the Gregory Gaylor Art Fund

Gregory Gaylor

This comes from Pinedale artist Sue Sommers:

One month ago, the studio of Rock Springs artist and arts advocate Gregory Gaylor burned up. The emotional, professional and financial wreckage continues to be devastating. The demolition crew reduced the building to a pile of rubble today.

A fund has been established to help Gregory recover. Please consider donating.

Checks can be made out and mailed to:

The Gregory Gaylor Art Fund
Rock Springs National Bank
PO Box 880
Rock Springs, WY 82902

If moral support is more your thing, send Gregory your good wishes at kgaylor@sweetwaterhsa.com, or 628 B St., Rock Springs 82901.

Thank you Artist Friends! Gregory served us well on the Wyoming Arts Council Board, and we want him to keep making art!

UW Art Museum holds May 18 reception for summer exhibits

From a UW press release:

The University of Wyoming Art Museum will open its new summer exhibitions during a free public reception Friday, May 18, from 6-8 p.m.

New exhibitions are "Francisco Goya: Los Caprichos"; "Drawn from Life: Northern Plains Indian Portraits by David Humphreys Miller"; "Linda Fleming: Modeling the Universe"; "Journeys along the Sepik River: Tribal Art from Papua New Guinea"; and "Through the Looking Glass: The Portrait of the Artist."

Francisco Goya (Spanish, 1746-1828) is recognized as one of Spain's most important and influential artists. His "Los Caprichos" suite, which he began in 1799, established him as the father of the Modern movement in Europe. In the 80 allegorical etchings of the series, Goya explores creative freedoms that were not acceptable to the conventions of art in his time. The exhibition closes Aug. 4.

In 1935, at the age of 16, David Humphreys Miller (American, 1918-1992) arrived in South Dakota and began interviewing and drawing the Northern Plains Indians who were at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. "Drawn from Life: Northern Plains Indian Portraits by David Humphreys Miller" presents portraits of Native American men and women whose interviews contributed to his research and eventual publications as well as those who had connections to the early Hollywood film industry. The exhibition closes Aug. 11.

"Linda Fleming: Modeling the Universe" presents more than 60 maquettes that provide insight into Fleming's (American, born 1945) creative process and inspiration. The small-scale models are in a variety of mediums including cut paper, laser-cut plywood, cast bronze, and felt and combine architectural structures with patterns found in nature. This exhibition closes on Aug. 4.

"Through the Looking Glass: The Portrait of the Artist" explores the tradition of self-portraits and portraits of artists in a variety of mediums, including drawings, prints and photography. Curated from the Art Museum's permanent collection, the exhibition is available for statewide tour through the Touring Exhibition Service following its Aug. 4 closing.

"Journeys along the Sepik River: Tribal Art from Papua New Guinea" tells a story about three travelers who ventured to Papua New Guinea and the objects they acquired. Objects include skull racks, canoe prows and items of adornment. The exhibition closes Aug. 18.

"Imagine learning from the masters" is a guiding principle of the UW Art Museum's programs. The museum is located in the Centennial Complex at 2111 Willett Drive in Laramie. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free.

Photo: "Fish Wolf Robe" is among works in "Drawn from Life: Northern Plains Indian Portraits by David Humphreys Miller." (Courtesy of the Sandra L. Solomon Trust)

"Crazy Sweater Party" set for May 15 at the Center for the Arts in Jackson

The invitation...

...and the crazy sweater.

Clarification: Creative writing fellowships for this year are in the poetry category

Every so often, there is a typo that gets past the WAC staff. That happened with the creative writing fellowship application that was sent out in February. The header at the top of the application page on page 3 reads: "2013 Creative Writing Fellowships in Fiction." That should, of course, read: "2013 Creative Writing Fellowships in Poetry." Sorry about the error. And please get your poetry submission postmarked to the WAC by June 8. Find the corrected application blank online at http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/pdf/2013cwfellowshipapplication.pdf. Get more info at http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/Artists/Literature.aspx or call Mike Shay at 307-777-5234.

Part-time job opportunity: Wyoming Writers, Inc.

Wyoming Writers, Inc., will be hiring an administrative assistant for a part-time contract position.

Applications will be accepted until June 25, 2012 (postmark deadline).

Responsibilities include:
· Write, edit, design, create, and distribute (USPS and email) five newsletters per year.
· Write, edit, design, create, and distribute (USPS and email) annual conference brochure.
· Maintain and update web site information and navigation.
· Develop general and conference publicity materials for WWInc.
· Attend Board of Directors' meetings and the WWInc. annual conference.

To apply for this position:
· Send resume, cover letter, and the name and contact information for one reference to: Wyoming Writers, Inc., P.O. Box 999, Sundance, Wyoming 82729.
· Application materials must be postmarked by June 25, 2012.
· Selected candidates will be notified of the scheduled interview date and location.
· For full job description and questions e-mail mailto:e-mailmember1@wyowriters.org

Last weekend for "Annie Get Your Gun"

Order tickets online at http://www.cheyennelittletheatre.org/.

Yiddish Food Festival features Klezmer music, Israeli folk dancing and (of course) great ethnic foods

Hal Aqua and The Lost Tribe perform "noveau Klezmer music" May 20 at the Yiddish Food Festival in Cheyenne.

The seventh annual Yiddish Food Festival is scheduled to take place in Cheyenne at Mt. Sinai Synagogue on Sunday, May 20, between the hours of 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Mt. Sinai Synagogue is located at 2610 Pioneer Ave in Cheyenne Wyoming. The festival is an open-house style event designed to introduce visitors to Mt Sinai Congregation's historic building, rituals, music and delicious ethnic foods. FMI: https://www.facebook.com/events/289859201089398

The Festival includes Klezmer music, Israeli folk dancing, and Synagogue tours. Hal Aqua and the Lost Tribe, self described as playing "an exuberant musical experience, rooted firmly in traditional Jewish modes and melodies and driven by contemporary rhythms and danceable grooves," are scheduled to play Klezmer music. In addition, there will be trained, costumed folk dancers performing a variety of Israeli folk dances with time allotted to teach the audience.

The Yiddish Food Festival will also include a variety of traditional Jewish foods ranging from matzah ball soup and cabbage rolls to Israeli salad and rugelah. Each item is prepared using recipes congregation members have perfected through years of home preparation.

This project is supported in part by a grant from Wyoming Arts Council, through funding from the Wyoming State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Great ethnic desserts, too...