THE Sweet Potato Queen drops in on the Jackson Hole Writers Conference

News from the 2013 Jackson Hole Writers Conference, June 27-29 at the Center for the Arts in Jackson:

Multiple #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Jill Conner Browne, THE Sweet Potato Queen™, has created a global phenomenon — 6,300 chapter groups in 37 countries — based upon her philosophy and world-view as recounted through her rollicking, raucous and riotously funny essays. Women and smart men understand that the bawdy, sassy, down-to-earth humor is simply the vehicle by which the greater message is conveyed — that is, one of self-reliance and empowerment, inspiring all to do what makes their hearts sing.

FMI: http://www.sweetpotatoqueens.com/

Teton County wildlife art gets winterized courtesy of The Knitting Project

The Knitting Project is dressing up wildlife art in Teton County, such as "Bruce the Moose" in Wilson shown above. Find out more at Suzanne Morlock's web site or read an article about the unique project in the winter issue of Wyoming Artscapes, which comes out next week. 

Beth McIntosh and Friends in concert Dec. 22 in Jackson

At the Center for the Arts In Jackson. Get tickets here. 

Focus is on Rocky Mountain Foodways Dec. 2 at Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum

Foodways! One of our favorite topics here at the Arts Council. Found this on Tammy Christel's excellent Jackson Hole Art Blog:

The Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum opens “Key Ingredients: Jackson Hole Flavors,” on Sunday, December 2, from 1-5 p.m. Emphasis is on “local.” The exhibit explores Jackson Hole food culture and is associated with Key Ingredients: America by Food, a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition. Artifacts from the museum collection, including select recipes that have been interpreted, give museum visitors a sense of Jackson’s the evolving food culture.

At 2 p.m. Andrea Graham, Folklife Specialist, delivers a program entitled Foodways in the Intermountain West, says the museum. During the program attendees will learn about the importance of our food traditions. Graham studied food culture in the American Studies Program at the University of Wyoming, where she conducts fieldwork statewide and produces public programs.

Beverages and favorite cookies from Jackson Hole cooks will be served during Sunday’s afternoon opening celebration. Free! www.jacksonholehistory.org/

Center of Wonder in Jackson wants compelling stories from local non-profits

"Silverspot: A Graphic Novel" debuts this evening at Mix'd Media in Jackson

Art Association in Jackson invites you to Nov. 12 celebration at St. John's Living Center

Exhibition of artwork created during weekly classes with the Art Association will be shown,  followed by cake and refreshments. At St. John’s Living Center in Jackson, 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12. The event is free and open to the public. FMI: http://www.artassociation.org/

"Black Friday" becomes "Art Friday" at Trio Fine Art in Jackson

News from Trio Fine Art in Jackson:

Just in time for the holidays, Trio Fine Art will be hosting a showcase of smaller works with a special reception held on the traditional Black Friday. During “Art Friday,” November 23, the gallery will have extended hours (10 am- 8 pm) to host visitors and ring in the holidays with new artwork, live music and refreshments. Gallery artists include valley favorites: Jennifer L. Hoffman, Kathryn Mapes Turner, and Bill Sawczuk. 

Because the gallery artists/owners believe art is meant to be shared, they are providing this as a festive opportunity to make artwork attainable to as many visitors as possible.  The show will be on display through January 5, 2013.  Free shipping and free gift wrapping will be offered until Dec 24.

Featured artists:

Kathryn Mapes Turner: In this body of work, we include a lot of drawings.  For me, drawing is a very expressive medium that can illustrate the artist’s creative thought development.  It is a foundational practice that we use to understand our subject matter.  In this way drawings can communicate the artistic process in a dynamic way.

Jennifer L. Hoffman: The holiday season is always so full of hustle and bustle - Black Friday is exciting but hectic!  We thought we could provide a little bit of an artistic respite from the rush.  I love smaller works because you have to step in closer to take them in.  It’s almost as if I (as the artist) am in a dialogue with the viewer.  Drawings are special because they are so pure – there’s no color or impasto to hide behind.  It’s just the bare bones of my thought process.  Because they are both so personal, small works and drawings just seem to fit together!  I am excited to see this show come together.

 Bill Sawczuk: “Since we will be exhibiting a variety of media, it is a special opportunity to see works on paper as well as small oil studies. For this exhibition, I prepared a collection of small plein air paintings that feature historic local building and landscapes. In my drawings, I depict animals.”  This is a rare opportunity to acquire drawings by Sawczuk since he doesn’t always make them available for sale. 

Trio Fine Art is located at 545 N Cache St., across the street from the visitors’ center.  Winter hours - Thursdays - 12-6 and by appointment.  For additional information, please visit www.triofineart.com.

"A Visit from the Goon Squad" author Jennifer Egan visits Jackson Nov. 30-Dec. 1

The Teton County Public Library's next Page to the Podium presentation will feature Jennifer Egan, 2011 Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “A Visit from the Goon Squad,“ for an evening talk at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 30, 2012 at Four Seasons Resort. Free tickets will be available beginning Thursday, November 15 at 5 p.m. at Teton County Library & Alta Branch with the presentation of a library card or library card number.

Teton County Library Foundation will also present an Breakfast Author Chat at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 1, with Jennifer Egan in the Four Seasons Lobby Lounge. A continental breakfast will include an interview of Egan by local architect and music lover, Nona Yehia, who will also facilitate an audience Q & A with the author. Book signing to follow.

Tickets are $50 (with a portion supporting the Library Foundation) available by calling 307-732-5000, starting November 1. For a special overnight rate at Four Seasons Resort 11/30 and/or 12/1 call reservations: 732-5000.

National Geographic photo exhibit opens Oct. 27 at National Museum of Wildlife Art

Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah. Photo by Jim Richardson, 2008. From National Geographic Magazine stock. 

National Geographic Greatest Photographs of the American West, a collection of iconic Western images gathered by National Geographic over a span of some 125 years, will open in 10 museums across the U.S. on October 27, 2012. You can see the exhibit in Wyoming at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson. 

National Geographic Greatest Photographs of the American West represents the first time a photography exhibition of this magnitude has opened at so many U.S. venues simultaneously. The exhibition presents a powerful and nuanced portrait of the West over more than a century, and it’s exciting that the medium of photography allows multiple openings across the country for greater impact in sharing the combined vision of such an important group of photographers.

"Bilingual Music & Stories: De Colores" Oct. 8 in Jackson with Jose Luis Orozco

"Bilingual Music & Stories: De Colores" with Jose Luis Orozco
Monday, Oct. 8, 6-7 p.m.
Jackson Elementary School Commons, 155 N. Jean St.
Free!

José-Luis Orozco, bilingual educator, children's author and recording artist, will give parents important demonstrations of how to use music, rhythm, games and songs to develop and nurture language and literacy skills, as well as promote cultural diversity and positive self-esteem. This highly interactive workshop brings the rich heritage of the Spanish-speaking world to children and parents. This program will feature stories and songs in Spanish and English.

Born in Mexico City, Orozco grew fond of music at a young age, learning many songs from his paternal grandmother. At age 8, he became a member of the Mexico City Boy's Choir, and traveled the world visiting 32 countries in Europe, the Caribbean, Central and South America. During his tour around the world, he gained the cultural knowledge he now shares with children through his books and recordings.

See more of Orozco and his music and stories at www.joseluisorozco.com or at www.facebook.com/MiJoseLuisOrozco. To learn more about Spanish and bilingual programs at the library, contact the library’s Latino Programs Coordinator, Pati Rocha, 733-2164 ext. 237, procha@tclib.org.

Get your Harvest Festival on in Jackson Sept. 29

Slow food + fast music = loads of fun at Harvest Festival in Jackson

Wyoming Filmmakers' Showcase Sept. 21 at Center for the Arts in Jackson

Investigate "Instigate" with artist Suzanne Morlock Sept. 27 in Jackson

"Terrible Beauty: Three Artists Discuss Content and Aesthetics" Aug. 30 in Jackson

Jackson Community Book Discussion features Tracy Kidder's "Mountains Beyond Mountains"

Abbie Miller in TERRA: TEXTILE Show Aug. 17 at Center for the Arts in Jackson

Tickets on sale now at Shades Cafe, Teton Valley Bookstore, Teton Art Lab and the Center for the Arts Box Office

Drink lemonade -- support dance in Wyoming

Nothing says summer like ice cold lemonade! Stop by and wet your whistle at Dancer's Workshop lemonade stand Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 17-19) during Art Fair in Jackson. DW staff and volunteers will be over at Miller Park all weekend!

Filmmaker plans second premiere on Sept. 8 for "The Coach: An American Crossroads"

This article was in the latest issue of the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund newsletter: What happens when you have a film premiere event that sells out quickly and you have a waiting list of a 100+ folks…well, if you are Jennifer Tennican and the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum, you hold a Second Premiere! Okay, technically it is called a second screening. This locally produced film will be shown at 8 p.m. on September 8 at the Walk Festival Hall in Jackson, as part of the Jackson Hole Arts Festival. “The Coach: An American Crossroads” is a documentary film on the renowned Stagecoach Bar which serves as a prism projecting 70 years of Jackson Hole’s cultural evolution. The film introduces a multifarious cast, including the beloved Stagecoach Band, which has been serving up musical entertainment every Sunday for more than 40 years. Meet the Stagecoach Bar’s first owner Walt Callahan and attend his rowdy rodeos beginning in the 1940s. Then roll through the decades with ranchers, hippies, second homeowners, skiers, downhill bikers, Sunday night toe-tappers, Stagecoach Band members and Disco Night dancers, who all mix it up at this unpretentious and cherished community watering hole. The high-definition film features rarely seen and new discovered historic footage and photos along with interviews from everyone from old timers to newcomers to Western scholars. The WCTF is proud to have helped support this film with a grant to the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum. Additional funders include the Wyoming Arts Council, the Wyoming Humanities Council, the Wyoming State Historical Society and the Wyoming State Historical Records Advisory Board. Tennican donated her $25,000 prize money from the 2011 Wyoming Short Story Film Contest sponsored by the Wyoming Film Office and the Wyoming Office of Tourism for this project. In addition to grants and prize winnings, over 200 individuals, foundations and businesses have supported the project through tax deductible donations. 

Caldera Festival, Jackson, August 17-18

If you are in the Jackson area (or if you like music and art), don't miss the annual Caldera Festival, presented by the Teton Artlab! 

The festival kicks off on August 17th with the Terra: Textile runway show at the Center for the Arts Theater, billed as "a multi-dimensional event...exploring the relationship between cloth & landscape." The show features Ashley Ernest, Lizz Basinger, and Wyoming's own Orwell Ashelter and Abbie MIller. 

August 18th promises a big night of music on the Center's lawn, with internationally renowned headliner Andrew Bird supported by critically acclaimed musicians Kelly Hogan and Sharon Van Etten. 

General admissions tickets for both events are each $20, and available online. VIP tickets are also available for $75 and offer special seating/ viewing areas and complimentary beverages.