Spend the Cheyenne weekend with Jalan Crossland and his band

Jalan Crossland on the songwriters' stage at the 2011 French Quarter Festival in New Orleans.

Ten Sleep's Jalan Crossland will receive a 2012 Governor's Arts Award Friday, Feb. 8, at the annual GAA Awards Gala at Little America in Cheyenne. He'll be performing a few of his trademark songs to wrap up the night's festivities. If you want more, and you probably will, catch Jalan and his band the next night in concert.

The Jalan Crossland Band will perform in concert on Saturday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m., at the Terry Bison Ranch just off of the Terry Ranch Rd. exit on I-25 South, just before you get to to the Colorado border. Doors open at 6 p.m.

PRESALE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT ERNIE NOVEMBER RECORD STORE in downtown Cheyenne. Tickets are $12 or $15 day of show.

If you've never experienced Jalan Crossland, you're in for a jaw-dropping experience. He has won many prestigious awards, including second in the National Fingerstyle Guitar Competion and first place in the state Flatpicking Contest. He has toured multiple times with Robert Earl Keen, and toured in Europe and Australia. He has been often showcased on NPR, made multiple TV appearances and been in the New York Times. Jalan is featured in a cover story in the winter issue of Wyoming Artscapes, the quarterly magazine of the Wyoming Arts Council. 

The complexities of his combination of edgy, alt-country and traditional guitar and banjo picking seem effortless as he weaves tales of heartbreak, the sometimes-dark crevices of small town America, and most of all the joy, humor and love that can be found in every rusty-lining.

Hell froze over and his band is back together. The massively talented duo of Shaun Kelley, who plays upright and electric bass and Andy Phreaner plays trapset, wackadoo, harmonica and percussion. You want a show? Well, folks, here's something you'll never forget.

Tickets are still available for the Governor's Arts Awards Gala Feb. 8, 6 p.m., at Little America. Call the Wyoming Arts Council at 307-777-7742. 

AVA, Jalan Crossland and Lynn Munns are 2012 Governor's Arts Awards honorees

Announcing the 2012 Wyoming Governor's Arts Awards recipients: Advocacy for Visual Arts (AVA) Center of Gillette, musician Jalan Crossland of Ten Sleep and artist and educator Lynn Munns of Casper. Congratulations! See you all at the awards gala Feb. 8 in Cheyenne. More details soon !

Governor Matt Mead announces appointments to Wyoming Arts Council board

Governor Matt Mead has appointed two new board members and two returning members to the Wyoming Arts Council Board.

New board members are Erin Taylor of Cheyenne, Executive Director of the Wyoming Taxpayers Association, and Casper’s Holly Turner, Executive Director of the Trails Center Foundation and past Executive Director of both the Nicolaysen Arts Museum and the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra.

Reappointed board members are Janelle Fletcher-Kilmer of Laramie and Neil Hansen of Powell. Fletcher-Kilmer is Director of Fine Arts Outreach at the University of Wyoming. Hansen is Chairman of the Music Department at Northwest College.

Stepping down from the board are artist and retired arts educator Ila Miller of Aladdin and David Neary, Lander, Technical Director of the Wyoming Shakespeare Festival Company.

“I thank Ila and David for their service and dedication to the arts in Wyoming,” Governor Mead said. “The arts enrich the lives of everyone and this Board has an important role in fostering both the arts and artists in Wyoming. I am pleased to have Erin and Holly join the board and that Janelle and Neil are willing to stay on. They are all contributing time, talent and energy to promote arts in Wyoming.”

The Wyoming Arts Council Board is made up of 10 members who are appointed by the Governor for three-year terms. The board serves in an advisory capacity to the Wyoming Arts Council, and makes determinations on grants awards.

Other board members are:  Karen Stewart, Board Chair from Jackson; Duane Evenson, Gillette; Bruce Richardson, Casper; Chessney Sevier, Buffalo; Leslie Shinaver, Afton; and Tara Taylor, Mountain View. 

The mission of the Wyoming Arts Council is to provide leadership and invest resources to sustain, promote and cultivate excellence in the arts.

For  more information on the Wyoming Arts Council, the board members, the schedule of quarterly board meetings and other items, call the Cheyenne office at 307-777-7742 or go to the web site at http://www.wyomingartscouncil.org

Governor's Capitol Art Exhibition purchase awards announced

Purchase award winner Michele Farrier of Alta, "Stateline Road," pastel, 18" x 20", $800.00. Michelle's work
 will be on display as part of the Governor's Capitol Art Exhibition
 this weekend at the Hynds Building in Cheyenne.  

This was announced Tuesday by the Wyoming State Museum:

Purchase Award recipients for the 2012 Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition have been announced, and will be recognized during the show’s awards presentation ceremony Saturday, June 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hynds Building in downtown Cheyenne.

An exhibition of all 70 artistic pieces included in this year’s show will be on display at the Hynds Building June 30 and July 1, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“We will be purchasing eight artworks from this year’s show,” said the show’s coordinator and curator, David L. Newell. “That is up from six from last year’s exhibit. This year’s show also includes 70 artworks, as opposed to 43 last year.”

This year’s eight winning artists include: Mack Brislawn, of Laramie, for his painting “Somewhere in the Powder River Basin;” Travis Ivey, of Laramie, for his painting “Spring Thaw on the Little Laramie;” Tony James, of Cheyenne, for his photograph “High Plains Thunder;” and Georgia Rowswell, of Cheyenne, for her mixed media composition “Paint Pot – Yellowstone.”

GCAE purchase award: Georgia Rowswell, Cheyenne, "Paint Point-Yellowstone,"
mixed media - compressed fiber, 21" x 21", $1,500.00

Also included are Shane Steiss, of Green River, for his mixed media composition “Aspen #14;” Michele Farrier, of Alta, for her pastel “Stateline Road;” Michael Flicek of Casper for his photograph “Prehistory Revealed;” and Joy Keown, of Laramie, for her painting “Rising From the Plains.”

“In a Hard Place,” a painting by Laramie’s Jerry Glass, received the Juror’s Choice Award.

“All of this year’s winning artworks have distinct Wyoming themes, in addition to being stunning works of art.” commented Newell.

The Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition is an annual juried group show. All the remaining artworks in the Hynds Building show are 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.

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 forms a collection of original Wyoming regional 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 participated in the program to select the Purchase Award winners.

Another GCAE 2012 purchase award goes to Shane Steiss of Green River
for "Aspen #14," mixed media collage, 48" x 24", $500.00

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.

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.

See it now -- Gov. Matt Mead's "State of the Arts" speech

2. Gov. Mead State of the Arts from Indie Media: The New Journalism on Vimeo.

Governor's Capitol Art Exhibition application available on WAC web site

The 2012 Governor's Capitol Art Exhibition will be held June 30 - July 1 at the Hynds Building in downtown Cheyenne. The postmark deadline for entries is March 30, 2012. Participating artists must be members of the Wyoming Arts Council's Artist Image Registry (AIR). For further details call 307-777-7677. Get application at http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/pdf/2012GCAEapplication.pdf

Encana purchases student-made glass art centerpieces featured at Feb. 24 Governor's Arts awards gala

Riverton High School Principal Joanne Flannigan (left) and arts teacher Marianne Vinich at Governor's Arts Awards gala Feb. 24 in Cheyenne.

From County 10 in Fremont County:

The art glass centerpieces at the 30th Annual Wyoming Governor’s Arts Awards held Friday night in Cheyenne came from the imagination of Riverton High School Art Students enrolled in the Glass Art Program there.

Eighty-seven centerpieces, including two set aside for Governor Matt Mead, were produced for the event under the guidance of art instructor Marianne Vinich. RHS Principal Joanne Flannigan and Vinich were recognized at the awards dinner for the students’ contributions. Each of the glass art discs were offered for sale at a suggested donation of $40 to help purchase new glass and supplies for the program, which is the state’s longest-running such class. However,  before any of the discs could be purchased, Encana Oil and Gas made an $80 donation per piece and gave each centerpiece away. It was up to each table as to who got claim the centerpieces.

Read the rest at http://county10.com/2012/02/27/rhs-art-glass-program-recognized-at-governors-arts-awards-encana-purchase-to-fund-supplies/ 

Governor's Capitol Art Exhibition call for entries will be in the mail this week

The Wyoming State Museum's Curator of Art, David L. Newell, reports that the Call for Entries for the 2012 Governor's Capitol Art Exhibition and Sale are mailing this week.

"The show is slightly later this year and we are also experimenting the a new venue and format. The exhibition will be held at the Hynds Building in downtown Cheyenne rather than at the State Museum. It will also be a two-day installation -- although I can't call it a pop-up show because people know about it. The new space allows us to grow the show and accept larger pieces."

The show will be June 30 and July 1. The postmark deadline for entries is March 30. Artists must be registered with the Wyoming Arts Council's Artist Image Registry (AIR) to participate in the show. There are no entry fees.

FMI: 307-777-7677

Gov. Matt Mead views fused-glass medallions created by Riverton High School art students

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead took time out from his busy legislative schedule to walk over to the Wyoming Arts Council Gallery to view the 87 fused-glass medallions made by art students at Riverton High School. The medallions will serve as centerpieces for the 30th annual Governor's Arts Awards gala Feb. 24 in Cheyenne. Pictured with the Governor are (center) Wyoming Arts Council Manager Rita Basom and (right) Marirose Morris, Arts Access Program Specialist. Register for the Governor's Arts Awards gala at the WAC web site. 

Early registration deadline Feb. 15 for Governor's Arts Awards gala

Early registration deadline Feb. 15 (tomorrow) for Governor's Arts Awards gala Feb. 24 at Little America. Register here.

Sneak peek at video featuring Promoting Arts in Lander Schools (PALS)

Governor's Arts Awards - PALS to be feted Feb 24th from Indie Media: The New Journalism on Vimeo.

Gov. Matt Mead announces winners of Governor's Arts Awards

Governor Matt Mead has announced the recipients of the Wyoming Arts Council’s 2011 Governor’s Arts Awards.

The winners are: the Eagle Bronze Foundry, an arts organization/business from Lander; Michael C. Poulsen, artist/painter from Cody; Promoting Arts in Lander Schools – PALS, a non-profit arts organization from Lander; and Dr. Seymour Thickman, an arts patron from Sheridan.

Established in 1982, the Governor’s Arts Awards winners are selected based on their substantial contributions made in Wyoming that exemplify a long-term commitment to the arts, with special consideration given to nominees whose arts service is statewide.

There are many nominations submitted for the Governor’s Arts Awards each year, and the selection process is quite competitive. Nominations are submitted to the Wyoming Arts Council in October, and reviewed in November by the Wyoming Arts Council Board, which sends recommendations to the Governor, who makes the final decisions on which recipients are honored.

Nominations are open to any Wyoming citizen, business or community member. Award criteria includes: length of commitment to the arts, outstanding contribution or impact, breadth of support, involvement in special initiatives supporting the arts, artistic excellence/level of standards.

The Governor’s Arts Awards were first made possible by an endowment from the Union Pacific Foundation in honor of Mrs. John U. Loomis, a life-long patron of the arts. Over the years, individuals and organizations from more than 20 Wyoming communities and state-wide organizations have been honored for their dedication to the arts in Wyoming.

For reservations to the February 24 dinner and awards ceremony, or for more information on this event, contact the Wyoming Arts Council at 307-777-7742, or visit wyomingartscouncil.org to download the registration form.

Gov. Hathaway statue to be unveiled Friday

A workman applies finishing touches to the pedestal that supports a new sculpture (covered by tarp) of former Wyoming Gov. Stan Hathaway by Wheatland artist Carl Jensen. Dedication of the statue is set for Friday, Nov. 18, 11 a.m., and will be attended by Gov. Matt Mead. The statue was a gift to the state of Wyoming accepted by the Capitol Commission and the State Building Commission. It is not part of the Wyoming Art in Public Buildings program.

WY Poet Laureate Pat Frolander will read from her work and sign books in Casper Nov. 17-18

Nice article in today's Casper Star-Tribune about new Wyoming Poet Laureate Pat Frolander of Sundance. Pat will be signing copies of her book, Married Into It," on Thursday, Nov. 17, 8 p.m., at Wind City Books, 152 Center Street, Casper. On Friday, Nov. 18, she will host a poetry reading and book signing at the Wyoming Women in Ag Symposium at the Parkway Plaza.

Gov. Matt Mead names Pat Frolander of Sundance the new Wyoming Poet Laureate

High Plains Press published Pat Frolander's
new book of poetry earlier this year.

Press release from Gov. Matt Mead:

Governor Matt Mead signed an Executive Order today naming Patricia Frolander as Poet Laureate of Wyoming. Frolander is Wyoming’s fifth Poet Laureate and is a rancher from Wyoming’s Black Hills.

At the signing ceremony today, Governor Mead noted that Frolander has won several awards for her work and been published in anthologies, literary reviews, magazines and newspapers. Governor Mead complimented Frolander for her book of poetry titled, Married Into It. “It’s great work and it resonates with me and should resonate with all of Wyoming because it speaks about Wyoming and speaks about our people.”

The Poet Laureate of Wyoming position is an honorary title and Frolander will serve without compensation. She can submit writings for occasions of her choice. Today, Frolander came to the Capitol with a group of fellow writers. She said receiving this distinction was a great honor. “It’s a privilege and I am excited to serve the State of Wyoming. I not only want to further poetry, but literature in general. I think this is a wonderful opportunity and I would like to thank everyone who accompanied me and all of those poets in Wyoming whom I dearly love.”

Governor Mead also expressed thanks to the Wyoming Arts Council and its board for the help in selecting a Poet Laureate.

Nomination deadline is Oct. 7 for 2011 Governor's Arts Awards

The Wyoming Arts Council is accepting nominations for the 2011 Governor’s Arts Awards, an annual honor presented to citizens, organizations, businesses or communities in The Equality State that make substantial contributions to the arts.

The awards are presented based on accomplishments that reflect substantial contributions made to the arts in Wyoming, and exemplify a long-term commitment to the arts. Nominations must be postmarked no later than October 7, 2011.

To request a nomination form, selection criteria and a list of previous Governor’s Arts Awards recipients, contact the Wyoming Arts Council office at 307-777-7742, or via email at evangeline.bratton@wyo.gov. Forms may also be accessed on the Arts Council’s web site http://www.wyomingartscouncil.org

Previous Governor’s Arts Award recipients are not eligible; however, nomination of previously unselected nominees is encouraged.

Established in 1982, the Governor’s Arts Awards recognize excellence in the arts or outstanding service to the arts in Wyoming. These awards were first made possible by an endowment from the Union Pacific Foundation in honor of Mrs. John U. Loomis, a life-long patron of the arts.

Over the years, individuals and organizations from throughout Wyoming have been honored for their dedication to the arts in Wyoming. This year is the 30th anniversary of these prestigious awards. This year’s recipients will be honored at a dinner and awards ceremony in Cheyenne on February 24, 2012.

Through the Governor’s Arts Awards and its many other program, the Wyoming Arts Council fulfills its mission to enhance the quality of life for the people of Wyoming by providing resources to sustain, promote and cultivate the arts.

State leaders pose with new state seal on renovated Capitol Plaza

Wyoming politicians and their families were out in force for the first Cheyenne Frontier Days parade on July 23. Posed by the new state seal on the renovated Capitol Plaza are (left to right): U.S. Sen. John Barrasso; First Lady Carol Mead; Mary Mead; Bobbi Barrasso; Gov. Matt Mead; and Pete Mead. Photo by Joe McKee.

Gov. Matt Mead presents purchase awards to six artists at Governor's Capitol Art Exhibition

Six Wyoming artists received purchase awards totaling nearly $8,500 during the Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition reception recently held at the Wyoming State Museum.

Following remarks by First Lady Carol Mead (at far left in photo), Governor Matthew H. Mead (at far right in photo) presented  purchase awards to Jerry Antolik of Hudson for his painting, “Mallard;” Sonja R. Caywood of Dayton for her painting, “Evening Cattle on West Pass;” Travis Ivey of Laramie for his painting, “Two Track Morning;” James Kevin Robinett of Cheyenne for his painting, “Brisbee Hill #2;” Georgia Rowswell of Cheyenne for her mixed media work, “She Discovered the West in a Dress;” and Randy Nottingham of Casper for his painting, “Rounding the Hill.”

Secretary of State Max Maxfield awarded the Bobby Hathaway Juror’s Choice Award to Story photographer, Claire L. Leon for her image, “Stained Glass Brook.” The Juror’s Choice Award was selected by exhibition juror, Anne Morand, curator of art, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

This year’s People’s Choice Award was presented to Lindsay Olson of Laramie for her lush photograph “Zamaora – Zamora, Ecuador.”

The pieces receiving purchase awards will be included in the Capitol Art Collection, and are now eligible for display in the offices of the state’s five elected officials. The governor, first lady, secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer, state superintendent of public instruction, Wyoming Business Council and representatives from the Division of Tourism selected the purchase award recipients.