"The Art of Storyelling" this weekend at Casper's Corridor Gallery and Wind City Books

"Glitch" by Karla Oceanak with illustrations by Kendra Spanjer. Spanjer's work will be featured in "The Art Of Storytelling"
art show and book sale in Casper Nov. 30-Dec. 1.

From the Nov. 23 Casper Star-Tribune Weekender section:

The Corridor Gallery and Wind City Books in downtown Casper present an art show and book signing celebrating “The Art of Storytelling.”

The gallery show features original artworks used in illustrated books by artists Bruce MacPherson, Aumi K. Perry, Zachary Pullen and Kendra Spanjer. In conjunction, Wind City Books will host these illustrators and many Wyoming authors in an all-day book signing.

MacPherson, of Vienna, Va., has illustrated for magazines, newspapers, games, books and national advertising campaigns. His clients include Mattel, National Geographic Society, New York Times, Texas Roadhouse Restaurants, Radio Shack, Red Robin Restaurants and many more.

Perry, of Casper, earned her fine arts degree from the University of Wyoming in 2001. She then studied drawing and painting under Hans-Peter Szameit and Sanna Tomac for three years. She has also studied with noted painters John Michael Carter and David Leffel. Aumi’s paintings have been featured in shows, galleries and private collections across the U.S.

Pullen’s character-oriented illustrations have been seen in The New York Times Book Review, Sports Illustrated, Esquire, GolfWorld, The Wall Street Journal and many other publications. His first picture book, “The Toughest Cowboy or How the Wild West was Tamed,” garnered a starred review from the School Library Journal and was placed on the Texas Blue Bonnet Master List for 2006-2007. His second book, “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” also received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. He lives in Casper.

Spanjer divides her time between being “a writer who illustrates” and “an illustrator who writes.” She and Karla Oceanak are the co-creators of an alphabetically-inspired graphic novel for middle grade readers: the Aldo Zelnick Comic Novel Series, published by Bailiwick Press. Titles so far include “Artsy-Fartsy” (December 2009), “Bogus” (June 2010), “Cahoots” (May 2011), "Dumbstruck” (August 2011), “Egghead” (May 2012), “Finicky” (September 2012) and “Glitch” (November 2012). She lives in Fort Collins, Colo.

Details:

Gallery show: Opening reception is 7 p.m. NOV. 30 at the Corridor Gallery, 120 E. Second St. The show will continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. DEC. 1. It is free.

Book signing: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. DEC. 1 at Wind City Books, 152 S. Center St. The art show illustrators will be joined by authors Craig Johnson, Gayle Irwin, Cat Urbigkit, Walter Jones, Curt Wendleboe, Kendra Spanjer, Bill Sniffin, Margo Bean and Gene Gagliano.

Info: www.windcitybooks.com, www.thecorridorgallery.com

Nov. 16 Casper meeting to focus on forming a "Wyoming First" cooperative

A Touch of Home by Wyoming is looking for Wyoming First members interested in selling their products as part of a cooperative store in Casper. This cooperative would be the first of its kind in the state in which Wyoming-made product businesses, local business owners and the community would work together to build, run and support a store front to showcase the talents of the people here in our great state. It will be a membership-driven, locally sponsored and privately-marketed-and-advertised cooperative. With the assistance of the Wyoming Business Council, Wyoming Small Business Development Center, and others, the cooperative will provide an economically feasible way for all the Wyoming-made product businesses to have a store front, centrally located within the state.

It is anticipated a yearly membership fee and a 20% consignment fee on individual company sales, sponsorships from locally owned businesses will help with the overhead costs of the store, provide for individual trade shows, events, building the store front, marketing and advertising of the Cooperative.

Members receive:
• full access in the running of the Cooperative
• opportunity to sit on the board of directors
• design own displays
• set up individual shows
• create group shows and events
• work your own schedule

As a cooperative members would own a store front without having to spend 8+ hours a day away from creating art and products and the running of their own store.

The opportunity exists for this type of cooperative to be developed in communities across the state who could work together to bring more awareness to “Buy Wyoming” within the state. You are invited to an event on Friday, November 16, at the Eastridge Mall in Casper to see the location and network with other interested Wyoming First members. The meeting will be from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

If you would like more information on this opportunity or are interested in attending contact Perry White at ipwhite1008@gmail.com or 307-287-4534.

Casper College Percussion Ensemble stages "soundscapes" Nov. 15 to celebrate John Cage's centennial

As part of John Cage’s worldwide centennial celebration the Casper College Percussion Ensemble will present works by the American composer on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Aley Fine Arts Center on campus.

“The audience will have the freedom to wander through the space of the Aley Fine Arts Center and experience performances of Cage’s works in a unique and multi-layered soundscape. The works will be performed at different points during the evening, often overlapping,” said Neeraj Mehta, DMA, percussion instructor and director of the percussion ensemble.

In addition to the percussion ensemble, the event will also feature Jerome Fleg, woodwind instructor on clarinet; Kristen Lenth, vocal instructor, vocals; Holly Wendt, English instructor, spoken word; and the students of Larry Burger, sound design instructor, electronic music.

Works to be performed include “Double Music,” Living Room Music,” “A Flower,” “In a Landscape,” “Dream,” “Radio Music,” “4’33”,” “Sonata for Clarinet,” and “A Lecture on Nothing.”

The performance is free and open to the public. The Aley Fine Arts Center is located on the Casper College campus.

John Kirlin and the High Plains Drifters announce upcoming performances

John Kirlin and the High Plains Drifters announced its schedule for the rest of the year. First up is a gig on Saturday, Nov. 10, 9 p.m., at Dorn's Firesuide in Casper. For full schedule, including dates for a summer 2013 tour with stops in MT, WA, ID, OR and WY, go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Kirlin-and-the-High-Plains-Drifters/283512231863?sk=events

Professional theatrical agent Craig Holzberg to present master class at Casper College

Press release from Casper College:

Professional theatrical agent Craig Holzberg will present a free master class for those interested in professional theatre on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Thomas H. Empey Studio Theatre at Casper College.

Holzberg is president and founder of Avalon Artists Group, a full-service talent agency with offices in both New York and Los Angeles. “Avalon Artists Group represents actors and models of all ages for film, TV, theatre, commercials, voice-over, and print,” Holzberg said.

During the master class, which is free and open to the public, Holzberg “will cover what to expect, look for, and focus on in an audition for agents,” said James Olm, Casper College music theatre and voice instructor.  A question-and-answer session will follow Holzberg’s presentation.

A guest artist at Casper College, Holzberg is also the agent for another Casper College guest artist, Lindsie VanWinkle, who is playing the lead of Eva Peron in the Casper College fall musical “Evita.”

Remember "The Martian Missile Crisis?" Stage III Community Theater does...

Stage III Community Theatre and the Casper Planetarium present: Theatre of the Mind – “The Martian Missile Crisis.”

November 1, 2, and 3 at 7:30 PM
November 4 at 2:00 PM
Tickets: $6.00

Performances take place at the Casper Planetarium. Tickets are available at the door or at the Casper Planetarium. Call 577-0310 for more information!

Written and directed by Ron Richards. Secrets, suspense, and clandestine behavior erupt in this high-stakes tale about interplanetary warfare. In the latter half of the twenty-third century, the Union of Solar System Republics (headquarters: Earth) is supplying the Martian moon Phobos with Gamma Warhead Phase Missiles. The United States of Mars is furious, and prepares to combat both Phobos and Earth with nuclear warheads of its own. As the stakes rise, so do the tensions between Mars and Earth, and the fate of the Solar System hangs in the balance.

FMI: http://www.casperplanetarium.com/2012/08/the-martian-missile-crisis/

Donna Fisher stepping down, Casper's Painted Past Productions seeks new executive director

Donna Fisher, executive director of Painted Past Productions in Casper, is stepping down Jan. 1, 2013. She is looking for a replacement:

Painted Past Productions is looking for someone to replace the existing retiring Executive Director. The replacement person will have the following skills. To apply for this position, please contact Donna Fisher at 307-267-7243 for an application or visit the downtown office at 330 S. Center, Suite 414, 9:00-3:30 Monday-Thursday.

Background in theater, i.e. directing and acting

Non-profit Business background, i.e. running a non-profit, or profit business with experience in non-profit.

Personnel management skills

Excellent communication skills

Extensive Computer Skills with Publisher, Word, Quick Books, Excel

Skill in Attention to Detail

AACT individual member

Experience in Office Management

Major areas of responsibility typically include:

·         Coordination of long-range and annual planning in collaboration with the Board of Directors.

·         Providing leadership for and actively participating in fundraising activities, donor development, grant seeking and grant reporting.

·         Developing the annual budget, including providing monthly financial reporting and forecasting, cash flow management, capital spending and expenditures review and approval.

·         Supervising the administrative staff and directing administrative operations.

·         Acting as the representative and advocate of the theatre with government agencies, insurance companies, community and local business groups and arts organizations.

Someone in this position would be expected to:

·         Possess experience in a non-profit arts management/leadership position, with demonstrated experience in fund-raising, grant writing and marketing;

·         Possess strong budgeting and financial management skills;

·         Demonstrate capacity to lead, manage, motivate and inspire the theatre’s team.

·         Have experience in marketing, advertising and public relations activities, including driving growth in ticket sales and associated revenues;

·         Exhibit excellent interpersonal leadership, and communications (both written and oral) skills;

·         Demonstrate a strong work ethic, stamina and passion.

Q&A session follows "Evita" performance Nov. 7 at Casper College

A special question and answer session will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 7 following the performance of the fall Casper College musical “Evita.”

The Q & A session will feature the cast and artistic staff  “who will cover questions about the show, its history, and even specific questions to our New York guest artist, actress Lindsie Van Winkle, who is playing the starring role of Eva Peron,” said James Olm, musical theatre coordinator at Casper College.

Tickets for “Evita” will be available to the general public beginning Monday, Oct. 29. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students ages 5 to 18. Tickets can be purchased at the Krampert Theatre Complex box office between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday or by phone at 268-2500.

Casper College music lecture to explore George Harrison's India involvement

A guest music lecturer will examine musician George Harrison’s life-long ties with Indian classical music and culture on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at Casper College.

Kathyrn Cox’s lecture, “Not Quite ‘The Quiet One,’” will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Durham Hall, located in the Aley Fine Arts Center. It is free and open to the public.

Cox notes that during his career with the Beatles, George Harrison became known as “The Quiet One” when compared to the vociferous John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and this nickname stuck with him throughout his solo career.

“For someone who acted as a musical and cultural ambassador for Western counterculture, however, this appellation seems hardly appropriate, especially considering his life-long dialogue with Indian classical music, and indeed, India itself,” she says. “This talk examines Harrison’s fascination with India and the myriad of issues that arose from it—including ethnic representation and exoticism, globalization, and political involvement—showing how Harrison’s musical gestures and musical activism spoke louder than words.”

Cox is currently a doctoral candidate in historical musicology at the University of Michigan after receiving her B.A. in music from the University of Chicago in 2007. Her research and teaching interests focus primarily on popular music; late-19th/early 20th-century Austro-Hungarian music; music and globalization; and music, text, and language.

Note to self: It's never too late to start dancing!

Zak Pullen inks new album cover for John Kirlin & The High Plains Drifters

Latest album cover by the energetic Zak Pullen of Casper. CDs are for sale at Zak's Corridor Art Gallery and Derby Boutique in downtown Casper. The band will be selling them when it plays at the Wonder Bar on Oct. 12 and at Galloways on Oct. 13.

Wyoming's creative economy on display in latest issue of Wyoming's 307 Magazine

For a glimpse into Wyoming's creative economy, read the latest issue of Wyoming's 307 Magazine. We picked up a comp copy at Ernie November in Cheyenne. But you can subscribe to this Casper-based glossy quarterly by going to http://307magonline.com.

The new issue features a Q&A with Powell artist John Giarrizzo, who left Cleveland for Powell more than 30 years ago and has been a mentor to hundreds of young artists. One of our former WAC interns, Katie Smith of Cheyenne, is now studying with Giarrizzo and his talented colleagues in the Northwest College visual arts program. John has received two visual arts fellowships from the Wyoming Arts Council, as well as the Kim Baer Award in Painting. He received a 2003 Governor's Arts Award. Thanks, John, for mentioning the WAC.

"Music Rocks" features another Q&A, this one with John Kirlin and the High Plains Drifters, a "newgrass" band whose new album, "Porch Horses," has a funny story behind it (you have to read the mag). The article also features sketches of band members by Casper's Zak Pullen.

Nicole Marron explores Lander and finds it filled with many choices, both outdoors (Sink's Canyon, Sweetwater Rocks) and indoors (Lander Art Center, Main Street Books, Lander Brewing Company).

307 Magazine (motto: "Straight from the horse's mouth") also explores the culinary arts in the form of the boom in community gardens and the debut of a new Casper eatery (J's Pub & Grill) with Chef Robert Hesse, a two-time contestant on TV's "Hell's Kitchen, supervising the kitchen. Barbecue and microbrews (this pub lists a "beer czar" on the masthead) also get articles, as does automobile art in the form of a 1958 Chevy Delray wagon tricked out by Jackson Sisneros.

Take a look...

WAC and WCH have a shared presence at the Wyoming Library Association conference

Jenny Ingram of the Wyoming Humanities Council staffs the shared WHC/Wyoming Arts Council information table at the Wyoming Library Association conference in Casper. Photo by the WAC's Michael Lange.

Casper Area Community Foundation awards grants to Casper and Douglas nonprofits

This comes from this morning’s Casper Star-Tribune. Note that there are a number of arts groups that received grants from the Casper Area Community Foundation, which is just one of the local entities affiliated with the Wyoming Community Foundation. Most of them give grants. The others are in the Dubois Area, Evanston Area, Park County, Rock Springs Area and Sheridan-Johnson. Here’s the news from Casper:

The Casper Area Community Foundation recently awarded a total of $131,654 in grants to Casper and Douglas nonprofits. 

The largest of 14 grants went to the Child Advocacy Project Inc., which collaborates with organizations to reduce the trauma caused when victims of child abuse must repeatedly tell their stories, according to a CACF press release. 

The second largest grant went to CLIMB Wyoming, which assists low-income, single mothers in obtaining training needed for a professional position. 

The foundation also awarded grants to the Arc of Natrona County, Artcore Inc., the Casper Chamber Music Society, the Casper Family YMCA, The Science Zone, the 12-24 Club Inc., the Cadoma Foundation, Children and Nutrition Services Inc., Joshua’s Storehouse & Distribution, Reach 4A Star Riding Academy, the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps Inc., the Women’s Self Help Center and the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra. 

Find out more about the Casper Area Community Foundation at http://www.wycf.org/who/affad/casper.html

Opening reception for an exhibit by Marta Amundson will be Sept. 28 at The NIC

An opening reception for an exhibit by Marta Amundson of Riverton will be held at the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper on Friday, Sept. 28. The exhibit is entitled "Seven Cattle Guards from Civilization: Art Quilts from the WY Frontier." A member's preview with an artist talk will take place at 6 p.m. A free public reception begins at 7 p.m., featuring appetizers by Kyle Hunsicker of Plated Catering. The show runs through Jan. 6, 2013. Shown above: "Got Health care?" 2009. FMI: www.thenic.org 

"Active Duty, Active Voices" book festival panel teams up Iraq War soldier-writers Brian Turner and Luis Carlos Montalvan

Luis Carlos Montalvan, author of "Until
Tuesday" with his service dog, Tuesday

The Wyoming Arts Council has been a partner in the Equality State Book Festival since its launch in 2006. The 2012 edition makes for an action-packed two days in Casper. Most of the events will be held in Casper College's shiny new Gateway Building. I urge you to attend for the many reasons spelled out in this line-up of events.

 Here are some of the highlights:

A craft talk by David Romtvedt, poet and musician, gets things going on Friday. David, who was Wyoming Poet Laureate for eight years, will speak about "Invisible Craft, Ordinary Language." I'll be introducing him in my role as Wyoming Arts Council literature guy. I'll also be sticking around to learn some things, as poets have much to teach us prose writers about craft and language.

Current Poet Laureate Pat Frolander will discuss revising, Rebecca O'Connor conducts a craft talk about "Finding your writing through blogging and journaling, and Renee d'Auost explores writing and dance. 

Readings by Romtvedt and Linda Hasselstrom enliven the afternoon. Things get started with a 1 p.m. reading by the Wyoming Arts Council's poetry fellowship winners Matt Daly and Claudia Mauro of Jackson and W. Dale Nelson of Laramie. They'll be joined by soldier-poet and fellowship judge Brian Turner, author of "Here, Bullet" and "Phantom Noise."

The happenings head downtown that evening with a reception at The Corridor Gallery, a reading by Frolander at 7:30 at Metro Coffee Company followed by a poetry slam at 8:30. The slam is always the highlight of the bookfest as you never know who's going to show up. It's been rumored that there will be music as well as poetry.

Brian Turner, author of "Here, Bullet"
 and "Phantom Noise"

Saturday is panel discussion day. Two biggies go head-to-head at 10 a.m. "Active Duty, Active Voices" features Iraq War veterans and writers Brian Turner and Luis Carlos Montalván talking about writing and war. The panel will be moderated by Casper College Professor and miltary veteran Patrick Amelotte. If you write children's books (or are thinking about it), you'll want to catch the publishing panel with Cat Urbigkit, Zak Pullen, Karla Oceanak and Kendra Spanjer.

Fiction writer and UW Creative Writing Program Professor Alyson Hagy will be the luncheon speaker -- this is the only event that has a fee.

The afternoon features a number of readings. At 3:30 p.m., there is a panel discussion, "Writing Nature, Writing Self," with four writers who know both subjects well: Frolander, Hasselstrom, O’Connor and Urbigkit. The events wrap up with a 5 p.m. book signing.

This is the fourth edition of Wyoming's statewide book festival, held each even year. It's a fantastic event with something for everyone who loves books.

Casper College Osher Lifelong Learning Center offers "From Mozart to Merle Haggard" class

From a Casper College press release:

Registrations are now being taken for a fun and interesting music appreciation class through the Osher Lifelong Learning Center (OLLI) at Casper College.

“From Mozart to Merle Haggard: Music Appreciation for Fun” (OLLI 2016) is for those who “are in a rut and listen to the same genre of music all the time, but would like to explore and learn to appreciate other music genres,” said Vicki Pollock, lifelong learning specialist at Casper College.

Those taking the class will “listen to and discuss the appeal of a variety of music genres from classical to country. Students may also bring a sample of their favorite music to share and discuss with their classmates in a fun and friendly environment,” noted Pollock.

The class will be taught by Sandra Davies and will be held on Wednesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. Sept. 19 through Oct. 24. For more information, or to register, contact Pollock at 268-2097 or Karen Arnold, lifelong learning specialist at 268-2099.

Equality State Book Festival presenter Zak Pullen illustrates cover of new album by The Wiyos

Cover illustration by Casper's Zak Pullen.

Casper artist and illustrator Zak Pullen will participate in a panel discussion about children's book publishing on Saturday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m., during the Equality State Book Festival in the Casper College Gateway Building. Also on the panel are Cat Urbigkit, Karla Oceanak and Kendra Spanjer. Zak is the co-owner of the The Corridor Gallery in downtown Casper where the bookfest's author reception will be held on Friday, Sept. 14, 5:30 p.m. Zak is branching out to do cover designs for music CDs. His latest is a cover illustration for The Wiyos newly-released album, "Twist." Zak is releasing 100 CD/book combinations at $55 each. That includes a meet-and-greet jam and story session and two tickets to the Sept. 14 The Wiyos' concert at the Wolcott Galleria Theatre, 136 S. Wolcott in Casper. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Also playing will be Ten Sleep's Jalan Crossland and John Kirlin and the High Plains Drifters. A great line-up! We hate to tell you all this because we want you to attend the free bookfest events that continue that same evening at 7:30 p.m. with a reading by Wyoming Poet Laureate Pat Frolander followed by a poetry slam (with emcee George Vlastos) at 8:30. Both events are at the Metro Coffee Company downtown.

Casper College grad Emily Brantz adapts Orwell's "1984" for the stage

FMI: http://www.caspercollege.edu/sandbox/12.html

Orange you glad you're going to the NIC's Orange Dinner and Auction Gala?