President Obama's proclamation for National Arts and Humanities Month

NATIONAL ARTS AND HUMANITIES MONTH, 2012

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

After the bombing of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, a young lawyer named Francis Scott Key reached for his pen and captured the resilience of the American people. His poem became our National Anthem, and almost two centuries later, it continues to speak to the American spirit just as it did on that September day so long ago. Throughout our history, the arts and humanities have given us comfort and confidence, drawn us together, and called on us to strive for a more perfect Union. This month, we celebrate our Nation's rich artistic heritage.

Artistic expression and memorable ideas can resonate with us, challenge us, and teach us important lessons about ourselves and each other. At their best, great works of literature, theater, dance, fine art, and music reflect something common in all of us. They open dialogues between cultures and raise poignant questions about our world. They are also vital components of our children's education and our national growth -- not only teaching our youth to observe closely, interpret creatively, and think critically, but also bringing new cultural experiences to our communities and helping drive economic progress. That is why my Administration is committed to strengthening arts and humanities programs in schools and communities across our Nation.

When children read their first book, pick up their first instrument, or perform in their first play, they demonstrate the power of the arts to ignite wonder and imagination. This month, let us pledge to invest in America's next generation by ensuring our children have the opportunity to participate in and enjoy the arts and humanities. If we give them the tools to create and innovate, they will do their part to disrupt our views, challenge our perceptions, and stir us to be our best selves.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2012 as National Arts and Humanities Month. I call upon the people of the United States to join together in observing this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to celebrate the arts and the humanities in America.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA

October is National Arts & Humanities Month

FMI: Check our blog often for arts events around the state. For info on the national scene, go here. 

UW American Heritage Center invites you to "Name the Tribble"

To celebrate American Archives Month, the UW American Heritage Center invites you To  

Submit your entry to ahc@uwyo.edu (please include Tribble Contest + [your name] in subject line or post it on our Facebook page http:www.facebook.com/ 

Entries must be received by October 22, 2012  

The American Heritage Center holds an authentic Tribble as part of the Forrest J. Ackerman papers, one of its many science fiction collections.

"Esse Quam Videri: Muslim Self-Portraits" exhibit at Heart Mountain Interpretive Center through Sept. 18

From the Heart Mountain Foundation web site:

The Heart Mountain Interpretive Center at the site of a World War II Japanese-American internment camp outside of Cody, Wyo. will present a new exhibit featuring self-portraits that reveal Muslim Americans in everyday life. The exhibit is intended to counteract stereotypes and preconceived notions about Muslims in America at this time in history. Esse Quam Videri: Muslim Self-Portraits will be exhibited in the Ford Foundation Special Exhibition Area through Sept. 18, 2012.

"This exhibit is the first in a series of exhibits at the Interpretive Center that will encourage visitors to think about prejudice, stereotyping and religious, racial and ethnic profiling," said Stevan Leger executive director.

"Esse Quam Videri" means "to be rather than to seem." The exhibit includes photographs, collaged images and self-drawn portraits of and by Muslim Americans are presented with short essays to add context.

For more information, please contact Steve Leger at 307-754-8000 or by email at sleger@heartmountain.org. The Heart Mountain Interpretive Learning Center hours are 10 to 5 Wednesday through Saturday.

Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund board approves $758,858 in grants

As many as 41 Wyoming cultural and heritage projects and sponsoring organizations will benefit from $758,858 in grant awards from the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund.

The grant awards, approved by the five-member Cultural Trust Fund board at a recent meeting in Casper, came from 50 total applications. Requests totaled more than $1.4 million, with requests capped at a maximum of $50,000. This year’s grant recipients anticipate generating $10 in matching local support for every $1 received from the Cultural Trust Fund.

See the entire list at http://wyospcr.state.wy.us/CTF/ViewNL.aspx?NLID=65

Indian Removal Act topic of next Wyoming State Museum lecture

The Indian Removal Act, an unpopular and controversial part of the settlement of the American West, will be the focus of this month’s Wyoming State Museum lecture series presentation, May 8 at 7 p.m.

Dr. Robert Munkres, of Estes Park, Colo., presents “Indian Removal: The Dark Side of American History.” His presentation discusses the problematic relations between the Anglo population and the tribes native to the regions being settled.

Increasingly, white authority called for the removal of native tribes to the West, culminating in the passage of the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

This presentation describes the implementation of the act, together with the terrible cost it imposed upon the Native American population.

For more information about this and other State Museum programs, please call 777-7022. The Wyoming State Museum is located in the Barrett Building, 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne.

LCCC presents "Stabat Mater" concert April 29 at St. Mary's Cathedral

The Laramie County Community College Music Department presents "Stabat Mater" on Sunday, April 29, 3-4 p.m. Free; St. Mary’s Cathedral, 2107 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne.

Karl Jenkins has blended musical ideas from our Western culture with musical ideas from the Near East to create a stunning and expressive masterpiece.

Admission is free. Donations will be accepted for the Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund seeks new board member

From Renee Bovee, Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund Administrator: The Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund will be seeking a replacement for one of our board members whose term will expire in March 2013. The WCTF has a unique appointment process, in that nominations are made by either the State Parks and Cultural Resources Commission (SPCR) or the Wyoming Arts Council Board to the Governor of Wyoming for a board appointee. Board candidates should have a general interest in or a background of service to any of the following disciplines: arts, history, humanities, archaeology or other related disciplines. If you are aware of someone you believe would be an excellent WCTF board member, or you, yourself, are interested in serving, please contact the WCTF Administrator, Renée Bovée, 307-777-6312 or renee.bovee@wyo.gov, for information

"The Horse, Of Course" opens May 1 at Wyoming State Museum

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

“Paleo horses became extinct on the North American continent around 10,000 BC and weren’t re-introduced until the Spanish arrived in what is today Florida and Central America in the 1500s. It wasn’t until the 18th century that horses were brought to this region,” notes the exhibit’s curator, David L. Newell. “So in the history of the world, modern horses have only been in this area a relatively short time.”

But as shown in the new exhibit, their impact was profound. “North America has a population of more than 9.5 million horses today, among the largest concentrations in the world, and the development of the American West would not have been possible without them. Before the invention of the internal-combustion engine, mankind was truly reliant on real horse power!”

“A Horse, Of Course” begins with Sioux ledger book drawings and works its way from the 19th to the 21st century using period and contemporary art, advertisements, documentary photographs and objects relating to horse culture. The exhibit features overviews of the relationships between American Indians and cowboys and their horses, horses at work and in sports, and symbolism relating to horses.

“A Horse, Of Course” will be on display from May 1, through March 31. There will be a public reception on May 24 from 5 - 7p.m.

The Wyoming State Museum is located in the Barrett Building at 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne. The museum is open Monday through Saturday. Hours are seasonal. Admission is free. Call 307-777-7022.

Wyoming Humanities Council seeks programs for forum

The Wyoming Humanities Council seeks programs for the Humanities Forum. The forum is a roster of independent contractors who travel throughout Wyoming, speaking on humanities-centered topics.  The format of presentations varies, but they should be 30 to 45 minutes long, followed by focused audience discussions.  The Wyoming Humanities Council pays a $150 honorarium for each presentation, as well as mileage, lodging, and per diem expenses. 

The council is especially interested in presentations related to the upcoming Wyoming tour of “Key Ingredients: America by Food,” a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit about food and foodways. 

The deadline for applications is June 15, 2012. For information on how to apply, see:
http://www.uwyo.edu/humanities/_files/HF_RFP.pdf

HBO premieres "Saving Face" documentary by Pakistan's Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Cheyenne native Daniel Junge

Academy Award-winning documentary "Saving Face" premieres tonight on HBO. Read a Q&A with Saving Face Documentary (2012) directors Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Cheyenne native Daniel Junge (via Big Think).

Master printer and WAC roster artist Mike Parker conducts residency for Park County students

Wyoming Arts Council roster artist Mike Parker was featured in a story in the Billings Gazette (reprinted today in the Casper Star-Tribune). Reporter Martin Kidston chronicled Mike's two-day residency at the BBHC for Park County students. He instructed them on traditional printing methods. For more about Mike, go to http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/Roster/Artist.aspx?ID=92. Photo by Martin Kidston.

At "Out West at the Autry" in L.A. on Feb. 27, Sen. Al talks about new book and his longtime support of LGBT rights

Wyoming Sen. Al Simpson of Cody will be featured at "Out West at the Autry" Feb. 27 at the Autry in Griffith Park in Los Angeles. How did Sen. Al wind up at an event that in L.A. that celebrates Western art and writing and LGBT issues? It goes beyond the fact that he is the subject of a new biography, "Shooting from the Lip: The Life of Senator Al Simpson." In a Feb. 7 post, writer Gregory Hinton, who grew up in Cody and just finished a research fellowship at the BBHC, muses on how he found common ground with Sen. Al on the issue of being gay in Wyoming. Read the Autry blog post here.

"The Scarlet Letter" at Casper College is simply SIN-sational

This production of "The Scarlet Letter" at Casper College ties into the Humanities Festival that has "SIN" for a topic:

The Casper College Theatre and Dance Department will present Nathaniel Hawthorne’s dramatic morality tale, “The Scarlett Letter” February 16-18 and 22-26 on the Thomas H. Empey Studio Theatre.

“The contemporary adaptation by Phyllis Nagy of Hawthorne’s novel looks at a moral dilemma: Should Hester confess who the father of her illegitimate baby is or should she boldly wear the scarlet letter as a daily reminder of her disgrace in the community. Hester’s struggle makes us all examine the meaning of morality in our contemporary world,” said Douglas Garland, director.

“Everyone in this story is concealing a crazy spider web of emotions except for young Pearl who is struggling to find her true self in this odd world of tortured adults. Phyllis Nagy has done a marvelous job of bringing Hawthorne's novel to the stage in a sparse and complex way,” Garland added.

“The Scarlett Letter” begins at 7:30 each night with a 2 p.m. matinee only on the final day of production. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students ages 16 to 18. The play is for mature audiences only. Tickets can be purchased at the Krampert Theatre Complex box office between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, by phone at 307-268-2500, or one hour before each performance, for that performance only. The Thomas H. Empey Studio Theatre is located in the Gertrude Krampert Theatre Complex on the Casper College campus.

"Sinful Delights" (and humanities) on the menu next week at Casper College

Yum!

From a Casper College press release:

In honor of the upcoming 27th Annual Humanities Festival, the focus for the next Casper College Ethnic Dinner will be on “sinful” foods. The “Sinful Delights” dinner will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Selections for the dinner include fire-roasted red pepper soup with sour cream, cilantro, and Mexican chocolate shavings; fresh greens with passion fruit vinaigrette; homemade jalapeno cheese bread with red onion; sautéed beef tournedos on grilled sun dried tomato polenta with cabernet sauvignon demi-glace, roasted roma tomatoes, and fresh asparagus; vegetarian entree option; and shrimp de jonghe in savory pastry cup. Desert will feature four chocolate-themed treats: rich chocolate mousse with pepper flakes, blackberry-cocoa sabayon torte, Devil's tongue chocolate-dipped cookies, and tri-color chocolate-dipped strawberries rolled in toasted pistachios.

Advance tickets for the Sinful Delights dinner will be sold through Friday, Feb. 20 at a cost of $9.50 each. Tickets will also be available at the door for $11 for adults, $7 for ages 7 through 12, and free for children 6 and under. Tax will be added to all ticket purchases. Because dinners often sell out, advanced ticket purchases are highly recommended.

Tickets may be purchased at the Casper College Business Office or the Gateway Café, both located on the third floor of the Gateway Building. Other locations include the Roberts Commons Cafeteria, and the cafés in Liesinger Hall and the Wold Physical Science Center. Cash is accepted at all locations and credit cards are accepted at the cafeteria and cafés.

African Awareness Week Feb. 13-18 at UW

From a UW press release:

Ghana's representative to the United Nations will be the keynote speaker at the University of Wyoming symposium, "Africa in the 21st Century," from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Wyoming Union West Ballroom. The presentation is part of African Awareness Week 2012.

William Azumah Awinador-Kanyirige, minister/deputy permanent representative of Ghana to the U.N., has been invited by the Wyoming African Student Association (WASA). His talk will be among the many African Awareness Week activities Monday, Feb. 13-Saturday, Feb. 18.

"This event will provide the opportunity for Wyoming to experience the history, culture, cuisine and music of Africa," says Nike Kabwar, WASA president. WASA's mission is to create a strong bond among Africans, increase the number of African students at UW and create awareness about African culture at the university and in Wyoming, Kabwar says.

African Awareness Week 2012 events scheduled are:

Monday, Feb. 13 -- African countries presentation at the breezeway tables, Wyoming Union.

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 7:30-9 p.m. -- African music by Zouk Love Soiree, Wyoming Union West Ballroom.

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. -- African drumming workshop, Wyoming Union Skylight Lounge.

Thursday, Feb. 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m. -- Symposium "Africa in the 21st Century" by keynote speaker William Awinador-Kanyirige, Wyoming Union West Ballroom.

Friday, Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m. -- Free movie "Goodbye Bafana" in the Wyoming Union Family Room, sponsored by Friday Night Fever.

Saturday, Feb. 18, 4:30-6:30 p.m. -- African cultural programs, College of Education auditorium.

Saturday, Feb. 18, 7-8:30 p.m. -- African supper, Washakie dining center. The event is free, but tickets are required and may be obtained at the Wyoming Union information desk Feb. 14-15, beginning at 11 a.m.

Photo: African drummers will perform from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, in the Wyoming Union Skylight Lounge. (WASA Photo)

Casper College's 27th annual Humanities Festival focuses on "SIN"

"SIN" is the theme of the 27th annual Humanities Festival and Demorset Lecture at Casper College on February 21-24. In the Gertrude Krampert Theatre. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday lectures are free and open to all. FMI: http://www.caspercollege.edu/events/humanities

Hear the inside story of the Ames Monument Feb. 9 at Wyoming State Museum

From the Wyoming State Museum:

A unique perspective of Ames Monument is the featured Wyoming State Museum lecture series presentation on Thursday, February 9, at 7 p.m., in the Multi-Purpose Room.

Entitled “The Lonely Pyramid on Sherman Hill,” Anna Lee Ames Frohlich, great- granddaughter of Oakes and Oliver Ames, will discuss the 60-foot-high Ames Monument located in what was once Sherman, Wyoming.

The presentation will explore the history of the monument itself, its builders and the area where it is located.
            
The Ames family history and their involvement with the Union Pacific Railroad will also be discussed. 

The Wyoming State Museum is located in the Barrett Building, 2301 Central Ave. in Cheyenne. For more information about this and other State Museum programs, please call 777-7021.

Buffalo Bill Boycott to perform for tenth anniversary of National Historic Trails Center this summer

Wyoming Arts Council roster artist Buffalo Bill Boycott is beginning to fill in the dates on his spring and summer schedule. If you're interested in bringing Bill to your community through an Arts Across Wyoming grant, go to the WAC home page and click on "grants" on the left sidebar. Call 307-777-7742 for more info.

Here are Bill’s upcoming tour dates:

May 1-3: Performance for Frontier Days in Rock Springs. Working with fourth graders; performances of “History of the Wild West” at 9 a.m. each day.

June 16-17: Saturday and Sunday performances for the Fort Laramie Rendezvous Association. Three performances each day at South Park, town of Fort Laramie. Times TBA.

August 4: 10th Anniversary Celebration of National Historic Trails Center in Casper. Performance at 6-6:45 p.m. “Buffalo Bill” Band sings songs from “Along the Oregon Trail.”

FMI: http://buffalobillboycott.com

UW's Susan Dewey co-editor of Super Girls, Gangstas, Freeters and Xenomaniacs: Gender and Modernity in Global Youth

From a UW press release:

A timely collection of essays that explores how modern youth around the world are forging new identities is the focus of a new book written by University of Wyoming cultural anthropologist Susan Dewey.

An assistant professor in the UW Gender and Women Studies Program, Dewey is the co-editor of "Super Girls, Gangstas, Freeters and Xenomaniacs: Gender and Modernity in Global Youth."  The book will be published by the Syracuse University Press in May.

The book portrays how rapidly changing economic, communication and media environments influence how today's youth define themselves. The book gives ethnographic detail that explores how young women and men in diverse societies negotiate a place -- suspended between the present and the future -- for themselves.

"My co-editor and I undertook this project after we decided that a book focused upon youth in Africa, Asia and Oceania was long overdue, particularly considering that youth constitute a majority in many countries in these geographical areas," Dewey says.

Dewey teaches the Introduction to Women's Studies course and a methods course. She is now teaching a course on sex work and sex trafficking, and also teaches a gender and global change course.

Her current research involves an ethnographic study in a homeless shelter in Denver, Colo. The study is designed to engage law enforcement officers and social service providers about their perceptions of what constitutes force and coercion within prostitution.

Dewey also is the author of "Policing Pleasure: Sex Work, Policy and the State in Global Perspective"; "Neon Wasteland: On Love, Motherhood and Sex Work in a Rust Belt Town"; "Hollow Bodies: Institutional Responses to Sex Trafficking in Armenia, Bosnia and India"; and "Making Miss India Miss World: Constructing Gender, Power, and the Nation in Post-liberalization India."

Dewey joined the UW faculty in 2010. She received a bachelor's degree (1999) at Stony Brook University; and received master's (2002) and doctorate degrees (2004) at Syracuse University.

Photo: Susan Dewey, an assistant professor of gender and women studies at UW, co-edited a new book that portrays how rapidly changing economic, communication and media environments influence how today's youth define themselves. (Lorrie McNamee Photo)