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/

Auditions for rock musical "Rent" set for Feb. 3-5

"Rent" cast performs "Seasons of Love" on Broadway on Broadway in 2005

Auditions for the rock musical "Rent" will be held on Sunday, February 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Monday, February 4, 4:30-6:30 p.m., and Tuesday, February 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Call-backs will be Wednesday, February 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m. All auditions held at the Historic Atlas Theater in downtown Cheyenne

Here's more info from the Cheyenne Little Theatre Players web site:

To audition, we ask that you sing a song from the show "Rent" or another contemporary musical. You may bring your own accompanist or an accompanist will be provided. There will be no cold readings of dialog. We may ask you to sing a song from the show after your initial audition. You will also be learning and performing a short dance. For call-backs, we will be assigning songs from the show "Rent," including duets.  

IMPORTANT!! The Director, Brenda Lyttle, is looking for singing actors who are confident and fearless. "Rent" is an adult show with adult roles, language and situations. The characters must be believable and real. The singing must be strong and confident. This show is set in the Lower East Side of New York City. Racial diversity is crucial. We  strongly encourage singing actors of African-American and Hispanic descent to audition.  

Go to this link for more details: Rent Auditions

Grants available to develop "tourism assets" in the Lander area

If an arts organization isn't a "tourism asset" we don't know what is:

Lander's Tourism Asset Development (TAD) Program offers assistance through the Lander Area Chamber of Commerce from lodging tax proceeds from the Wind River Visitor’s Council.

All applicants are subject to guidelines for requesting Tourism Asset Development funds from the Lander Area Chamber of Commerce.  All requests require appropriate application materials and recommendation of the TAD committee and approval of the Lander Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  Eligible candidates include groups that are able to demonstrate that their programming has a direct benefit to the tourism industry specifically in the Lander area.  The purpose of the TAD Grant program is to attract potential visitors from outside of the Lander area.

Those eligible to apply for the TAD program are non-governmental tourist-related organizations, non-profit organization, Civic organizations or tourism related organizations for the purpose of developing tourism assets in the Lander area.  Eligible expenditures include but are not limited to print media, website, radio, television.  Other expenditures may be eligible dependent upon approval of the Lander Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

TAD grants may be awarded for applications in any amount up to $1,000.

Applications must be submitted to the Lander Area Chamber of Commerce by February 1, 2013 for projects to be completed in 2013.

Call the Lander Area Chamber of Commerce at 307-332-3892.

2Shot Art Show in Torrington offers close encounters with work by 21 regional artists

From Laramie's Joy Keown: This watercolor painting, "Close Encounter," was done from a photo that I took during our 2009 visit to the Serengeti in Tanzania.  I will be showing several Africa paintings as well as landscapes, western and wildlife paintings at the 2Shot Goose Hunt Art show this Friday and Saturday in Torrington.

View work by 21 artists from around the region at the annual 2Shot Goose Hunt Art Show at the Goshen County Fairgrounds Rendezvous Center in Torrington. Hours are noon-4 p.m. today with a quick draw from 6:30-7:30 p.m. with an auction to follow. Hours on Saturday, Dec. 8, are 9 a.m.-4 p.m., followed by a banquet and art auction from 7-10 p.m. FMI: Toby Lewis at 307-532-7364.

New co-op gallery in Laramie holds artists' reception Dec. 2

Sean Hart is holding an artists’ reception at his new co-op gallery in Laramie, 404 S. Second St. It’s on Sunday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mimosas and coffee cake will be served, along with artwork by Bruce Amimanni, Patrick Kelly, Allison Wagg, and Sean Gote, photography by Jennifer Faulkner and Ryan Parker and jewelry by Dolores De Harte. Sean invites everyone to slide on by and see what these artists have to offer. See you there.

"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

Think "local arts" on Small Business Saturday

On Nov. 24 (or any day) in Wyoming, shop small, shop locally, shop creatively. Check out the links on our sidebar for artists, performers and writers in your community. Buy a homegrown painting, a CD, a book! Buy your loved one a ticket to a local play or concert. See more ideas on the Small Business Saturday Facebook page. You can get free downloadable signage at www.shopsmall.com. 

Calling all Cheyenne creatives!

This info comes from Alan O'Hashi of Wyoming Community Media: Do you have a New Creative Economy business that you'd like to nurture with like minds? Primary job creation will be happening not in garages but in collaborative work environments like what's being planned for The Historic Hynds Building Capitol Core Project! Join the movement! Find out more and discuss possibilities at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wyoming-Creative-MediaPlex/375593379195845

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.

Opening reception Nov. 17 for June Glasson exhibit in Laramie

WOW announces Nov. 10 deadline for Affordable Art Show

This Works of Wyoming (WOW) exhibition will showcase Wyoming artists working in varied media. Works are to be retail priced under $100. We'll be promoting this event as an alternative to the big box store's Black Friday. This was our most successful event last year for sales, and we're expecting even more this year! Back up inventory should be anticipated. Submit up to 5 pieces for consideration in the following categories: original 2-D paintings, drawings, mixed media, printmaking, digital media, & photography. 3-D work: sculpture, metal, ceramics, glass, jewelry and mixed media. All work must be new to the gallery at Works of Wyoming (not previously shown), not mass produced, and copyright adherent. All work must be suitably framed, mounted, and wired for installation. Non-glare glass is preferred for photography purposes. Jurors reserve the right to disqualify any work not suitably presented, or any work not corresponding to the entry image or community standards. Size restriction for 2-D work: Outside frame dimensions no larger than 100 total inches.

How to Submit: submit up to 5 images of work via email to:wow@uwyo.edu as an attachment in jpeg format. Please include title, media or technique, & size of the work in the body of your email. Application will be sent upon acceptance.     Schedule:  Nov 10:  Deadline for email submissions  Nov 13: Email notification  Nov 17: Work delivery deadline to begin set up. Nov 23-24: Opening of the show is Black Friday & Saturday, 10- 6pm. Join Us for cookies and a warm mug of hot chocolate. Help sell your and other's work! Jan 5: Show closes at 6 pm  Jan 8-9: Artist pick up their work     *When shipping work, pre-calculate the return shipping and enclose a check for that amount (made payable to WOW) with work. Application forms will be emailed to accepted artists and must accompany work, along with artist statement. $15 entry fee for accepted artists- NO CHARGE for members of WOW. Receipt of the completed application form constitutes your agreement to all conditions established in this prospectus. WOW will provide insurance for all work while onsite; artists are responsible for insuring work in transit. Consent to use photos of work for promotional purposes is assumed unless otherwise stated by artist. Sales: Wow promotes the show via website, email marketing, social marketing, posters, and press releases. Artists will set their own selling price. Wow will retain a 30% commission on all sales in the gallery and commissioned pieces as a result of the show. Questions? We are here to help! WOW Gallery/Gift Shop (307-460-3304), email: wow@uwyo.edu

Actor's Mission & friends present dinner theatre at renovated Broadway Theatre in Rock Springs

Find out more at http://www.facebook.com/TheBroadwayTheater
and http://www.facebook.com/actorsmission

Sean Hart's new Laramie co-op gallery is looking for artists

Painter Sean Hart has a gallery at 404 S. 2nd St. in downtown Laramie. It's called 2 Bazaar Gallery. He is opening another space. He describes his plans this way:

We own another building in downtown Laramie that has been vacant for over a year and I want to open it up to artists as a gallery based on a co-op model. There is about 5,400 square feet on two floors. The second floor has a stage, lighting and sound system and possible artist studio spaces. The university and others have done plays and events there. I am not doing this to make money. It is just that the space has been empty and I have done art shows and sales there with some success. Here is my plan as I see it now. I am open to suggestions and ideas. 

I plan to charge an 18 percent commission on sales. This is what I figure it will cost for insurance, utilities, credit card fees, maintenance etc. Each artist will be required to open the gallery on a Saturday on a rotating basis. If we have 12 artists that would be once every three months. We will set up a studio space in the front window where they can work on art pieces while they run the gallery.

In the beginning we will need to advertise. A 3x4 inch ad in the Laramie Boomerang newspaper is about $60.If 12 artists contribute, that's only five dollars each. Once a month or maybe twice a month we will have an artist reception with featured artists. 

The building is ready to begin accepting art and could be open soon with just four artists to start as early as Saturday, Oct. 20. We plan a big holiday sale. 

If you're an artist interested in this venture, contact Sean at 307-742-2888 or email him any time at LYSETTE555@earthlink.net.

FABulous Women's Art Show opens Oct. 13

FMI: http://www.worksofwyoming.org/

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

The Andy Hackbarth Band will play six tour dates in Wyoming

The Andy Hackbarth Band has announced its fall touring schedule, which includes a number of Wyoming dates. Andy's from La Veta, Colo., and is a one-time resident of Torrington, Wyo. View a video of the band playing a new song at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6nq9R3vWFY. Here are the upcoming dates on the tour:

10/12/12 - Bend, OR

10/13/12 - Boise, ID

10/18/12 - Montpelier, ID

10/20/12 - Kemmerer, WY

10/21/12 - Rock Springs, WY

10/23/12 - Thermopolis, WY

10/24/12 - Casper, WY

10/30/12 - Albuquerque, NM

10/31/12 - Phoenix, NM

11/1/12 - Green Valley, AZ

11/2/12 - San Diego, CA

11/9/12 - Hollywood, CA

11/10/12 - Ojai, CA

11/12/12 - Santa Clarita, CA

11/13/12 - TBA

11/14/12 - Lake Tahoe, CA

11/16/12 - Nampa, ID

11/17/12 - Torrington, WY

11/18/12 - Laramie, WY

1/11/13 - Aspen, CO

2/23/12 - Denver, CO

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...

Call for entries: SculptureWalk in Sioux Falls, S.D.

SculptureWalk is an exhibit of original outdoor sculptures displayed year-round in downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a progressive community of 150,000.

SculptureWalk is a 501c3 non-profit volunteer organization and all money raised goes directly into the program.

The sculptures are owned by the artists and loaned to the exhibit. This will be our 9th year.  All sculptures are insured for liability and physical damage.

We actively promote the sale of sculptures to the public, and 63 sculptures were sold and 5 commissions occurred during the first five years. Eighteen sculptures have been leased. SculptureWalk receives 25% commission on sold and commissioned works.

Sculptors may submit up to four original sculpture entries.

All SculptureWalk artists receive travel reimbursements as explained in the Call to Artists. The formula is up to 50 cents a mile round-trip if traveling to Sioux Falls, and up to $500 for shipping expenses if the sculpture is shipped to Sioux Falls. Accommodations for two nights at the Holiday Inn City Centre in downtown Sioux Falls is also provided on delivery weekend in May.

Most of the sculptures will be displayed on 3' or 4' high quartize pedestals, 25" to 60" sculptures look fantastic on these pedestals. Larger sculptures will be placed on concrete pads. We ask sculptors to secure steel plates to the bottom of the sculptures because all sculptures will be welded down for security and safety.

Our objective is to have a well balanced exhibit with all styles, types, materials and sizes of sculptures.

All sculptures need to be made of durable material for the year-long outdoor weather and constructed with safety in mind for display in a public setting.

General Information -

• Deadline - All entries must be postmarked no later than October 15, 2012. We encourage early entry.
• Originality - All entries must be original works by the submitting sculptors.
• Acceptance - The entries are selected for entry with notification of results by November 15, 2012.
• Best of Show Awards - All entries are judged for Best of Show by 3 very well known and respected art experts.
• All sculptors will receive further program information after entry is accepted.
• Each sculpture is assigned a time for plahttps://www.facebook.com/AIR.Arts.Incubatorcement. There will be a team of 4 lifters with a welder that assist the sculptor with placement. The lifters move the sculpture to the base and it is welded down. The whole process usually takes about 5-10 minutes and then the sculptor is free to enjoy the city.
• Sculptors can make arrangements for early placement if necessary.

AWARDS -  $15,000

Best of Show

• Overall - $3,000

Best of Show - Bronze

• 1st Place - $2,000
• 2nd Place - $1,000
• 3rd Place - $500

Best of Show - Other Material    

• 1st Place - $2,000
• 2nd Place - $1,000
• 3rd Place - $500

Peoples Choice -

• 1st Place - $3,000 & Sculpture purchased to $15,000
• 2nd Place - $1,000
• 3rd Place - $500

Random drawing for non winners - 5 at $100

The schedule for 2012 is on the Call to Sculptor entry form.

Contact: Jim Clark, Director, 605-838-8102

Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund board meets in Sheridan Oct. 9-10

The Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund Board (WCTF) will meet in Sheridan at the WYO Theater, 42 N. Main, October 9-10.

This board meeting will focus on long range planning and discussion of potential grant process changes. The meeting begins at 1:30 p.m., October 9 and concludes early afternoon on October 10. It is open to the public. A complete agenda is available on the WCTF website, http://wyospcr.state.wy.us/CTF/Index.aspx.

WCTF Board members include Chair Nancy Schiffer of Kaycee, Dave Kathka of Rock Springs, David Reetz of Powell, Susan Stubson of Casper and Sara Needles of Laramie.

The mission of the WCTF Board is to serve the citizens of the state by supporting Wyoming’s culture and heritage through grant funding of innovative projects for the enjoyment, appreciation, promotion, preservation and protection of the state’s arts, cultural and historic resources. The program will also look to support and invest in Wyoming institutions that support the state’s culture and heritage.

For more information, contact Renée Bovée, WCTF Administrator at 307-777-6312 or via email at renee.bovee@wyo.gov.