Register now for Wyoming Writers, Inc., annual conference in Cody

Wyoming Writers, Inc., opens registration for annual conference in Cody:

Since 1974, Wyoming Writers, Inc. has educated, inspired, and connected a generation of writers in the American West. Join us in Cody, Wyoming at the Holiday Inn for our 36th Annual Conference, June 4-6, 2010.

The city of Cody—named in honor of famed Wild West showman, Buffalo Bill—is located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, and is less than fifty miles from Yellowstone: America’s first and most-spectacular national park. Cody is home to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center and its five museums, all located under one roof. Art galleries and shops abound, as do attractions devoted to local history. Old Trail Town is located just west of the city.

Fifteen miles east is the Heart Mountain Relocation Camp and Memorial. Once sagebrush-covered prairie, the Heart Mountain area was transformed into the third largest city in Wyoming when thousands of Japanese-Americans were ‘relocated’ there following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The camp and its history will be the topic for our opening presentation on June 4th.

With the majesty of Yellowstone at its doorstep, Cody is a slice of the Old West—of America—not to be missed. We hope you’ll join us here in June.

Find the list of presenters and more info at: http://www.wyowriters.org/

Print out this form -- or cut and paste into a Word doc -- fill out, enclose check, and send to the address at the bottom of the form

Wyoming Writers Conference Registration
Holiday Inn at The Buffalo Bill Resort
June 4-6, 2010; Cody, Wyoming

Name _______________________________

Address______________________________

City, State, Zip_________________________

Phone _______________________________

Email _______________________________

Website______________________________

NOTE: Conference Registration includes all meals on Saturday, including the Banquet, and Sunday Breakfast.

Early Bird Registration postmarked by MAY 4, 2010:
Members: $155 x ______ persons = $________
Non-members: $170 x ______ persons = $________
Not a member??? Join below, get member benefits and take the member discount!

Registration AFTER May 4, 2010:
Members $175 x ________ persons = $________
Non-members: $200 x ________ persons = $________

Guest Meal Tickets – for those not registered for the conference:
Saturday Breakfast $15.00 x ________ persons = $ ________
Saturday Lunch $17.00 x ________ persons = $ ________
Saturday Banquet $25.00 x ________ persons = $ ________
Sunday Breakfast $15.00 x ________ persons = $ ________

Annual Membership Dues:

For fiscal year July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011
Membership types: Regular $35. Sustaining Membership $75; Patron $250; Student $10. Student fee must be accompanied by student ID or other proof of status.

Type of Membership (select one):

Regular ($35) ____ Sustaining ($75) _____ Patron ($250) _____ Student ($10) _____

Add all costs you have selected on this page. TOTAL ENCLOSED _____________

Make checks payable to Wyoming Writers, Inc. and mail with this form to:
Pat Frolander; 19652 Hwy 14; Sundance, WY 82729

Call for entries: Spring Into Art Festival

From a press release:

Calling all Artists & Crafters!

Spring into Art Festival, May 1- 2, 2010

Makers of Special Things and Spring Specialties ! Booths available for Spring Gift Market
at Unitarian Universalist Church of Cheyenne.

Open to all artists, craftspeople and other vendors of hand-made items.. Booth and/or table fee $ 60. and shared booths for $75. Reservation forms & fees due by April 24th.

Entry form download & info: www.uucheyenne.org/artfest/

May 1, Saturday 9 am - 5 pm & May 2, Sunday 10 am - 1 pm, with a opening reception/preview on April 30, Friday, 4:30 - 6:30 pm

In the UUCC Social Hall, 3005 Thomes Avenue, Cheyenne

Special exhibition in the Sanctuary with an opening reception/preview on Friday, April 30, 4:30- 6:30 p.m.

For booth/table reservations & info, contact Terry Kreuzer at 214-3932 or kreuzer@terrykreuzer.com or Andrea Heater at 638-4554 or administrator@uucheyenne.org.

Call for entries: Jackson Hole Writers Conference scholarship contest

An announcement from the Jackson Hole Writers Conference:

Win a scholarship to this summer's Writers' Conference

This year we're adding poetry, giving you two chances to win a Conference scholarship and have your work printed in the Jackson Hole News & Guide.

Submission Guidelines:

Flash Fiction - 600 words or less — AND/OR poem of no more than 20 lines, by April 7, 2010.

One entry per category. Previously published work, ok. No fee to enter.

Entries will be judged by a panel of JHWC faculty.

Entries can be mysterious, funny, sorrowful, adventurous, reflective, villanelle, free verse, lyrical, or anything in between.

Winner to be announced on May 7, 2010, at the Mark Spragg and Laura Bell reading at the Center for the Arts. That event is also free and open to the public.

For full information about how to submit your entry, here.

Ready, set, write!

Funeral details for Karol Griffin

Thanks to Riverton writer Carol Deering for this info:

Karol Griffin’s funeral will be Friday, March 12, at 1 p.m. at the Davis Funeral Home, 2203 W. Main St., Riverton. Visiting hours will be 6-8 p.m Thursday, March 11, at the same place.

FMI: 307-856-3217 or http://www.thedavisfuneralhome.com. Also see previous Wyomingarts post.

In memoriam: Karol Griffin, writer

Writer Karol Griffin of Riverton passed away March 4 due to renal failure.

No details yet about a memorial service.

But colleague Jeffe Kennedy wrote a fine post on her blog. Read it at http://lovepowerandfairytaleendings.blogspot.com/

Karol was awarded a 2000 Frank Nelson Doubleday Memorial Award for women writers. She was the author of the memoir, "Skin Deep: Tattoos, the Disappearing West, Very Bad Men, and My Deep Love for Them All." When she lived in Laramie, she was a member of the Silver Sage Writers Alliance. The group spawned a number of talented writers, including Jeffe, who now lives in Santa Fe, N.M.

Wyomingarts will pass on more information as it becomes available.

Other readers who've penned memorials to Karol may e-mail them (or links) to mshay@state.wy.us.

Brazilian pianist Hamilton Tescarollo in concert

From a UW press release:

Brazilian pianist Hamilton Tescarollo will perform a free concert Friday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the University of Wyoming Fine Arts Center concert hall in Laramie.

Tescarollo's performance will include the complete "24 Preudes" by F. Chopin, "Variations in F" by Haydn, "Jeux d' eau" by Ravel and "Tango for four-hand piano" by Miranda, featuring Rubia Santos, UW assistant professor of piano and collaborative arts.

He had his orchestral debut with the Sao Paulo State Symphony Orchestra as a winner of its prestigious Young Soloists National Competition. Tescarollos was named "Teacher of the Year" at the 2001 Schimmel-AZ Piano Young Artist Piano Competition.

Now an assistant professor of piano and director of keyboard studies at Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, Tescarollo has performed both as a soloist and as a chamber musician in the United States, Canada, Europe and South America.

The concert is supported by the Luso-Brazilian Club Student Organization. For more information, call Santos at (307) 766-5394.

Student night March 19 for DCTC's production of "Mama Hated Diesels"

From a press release:

The Denver Center Theatre Company hosts a $10 Student Night on Friday, March 19, for its production of "Mama Hated Diesels."

DRESS UP IN YOUR BEST TRUCKER OUTFIT AND JOIN US FOR THE FOLLOWING EVENTS:

6 p.m. - "Perspective on the Play" (a look at the play with the actors and creative team) in The Jones Theatre. After the perspective, come hang out with us at the "Student Lounge" in the main lobby.

7:30 p.m. - Performance of MAMA HATED DIESELS in The Stage Theatre: This rambunctious musical portrait of America’s long-distance truckers is drawn from interviews with the men and women who criss-cross the country in their 18-wheelers. Featuring the music of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and John Denver.

After the play - Meet and greet with the cast and crew in the "Student Lounge" - take pictures with the actors in your trucker gear! THOSE WHO WEAR TRUCKER GEAR GET A FREE MAMA HATED DIESELS TRUCKER HAT!

To purchase tickets, go to www.denvercenter.org/groupticketwindow and enter Login: COLLEGE Password: STUDENT. $3 processing fee applied. Limited availability. Students must show their Student ID at the door.

From Ten Sleep to Paris: Craig Johnson's touring schedule for spring 2010

In his latest Post-It e-letter, Ucross novelist Craig Johnson listed his touring schedule through May. He'll have more info by May 31 about his national tour for huis new book, "Junkyard Dogs." But here's what he's up to the next few months:

• Tucson, AZ., Tucson Festival of the Book, "Hard Characters and Hard Landscapes," 3/13, 4 PM, "Another Man’s Moccasins, A Conversation with Craig Johnson," 3/14, 10 AM, signings to follow each presentation and at Mysterious Galaxy, 3/13, 2 PM, and Clues Unlimited, 3/13, 5 PM and 3/14 at noon;
• Greybull, WY, Greybull Library, 3/26, 4:30-6 PM;
• Basin, WY, Basin Theatre, 3/26, 7 PM;
• Ten Sleep, WY, Washakie County Library, 3/27, 2 PM;
• Paris, France, Comptoir des Mots, , 4/6, 7:30 PM;
• Nantes, France, Coiffard-Tome 2, 4/7, 2:30-6:30 PM;
• Montpellier, France, Sauramps , 4/8, 6:30 PM;
• Lyon, France, Festival Quai du Polar, 4/9-4/11;
• Huntington, WV, Ohio Valley Book Festival, Cabell County Main Library, 4/14, 1-2:30 PM, Cabell County Gallaher Branch, 4/15, 5-6:30 PM;
• Mission (Kansas City), KS, I Love A Mystery/Border Crimes Chapter SinC, 4/22, 7 PM;
• Omaha, NE, Omaha City Library Blowout, 4/24, 2 PM;
• Sheridan, WY, WYO Theatre, Western Film Festival, "Introduction to Jack Schaeffer’s Shane," May 2, 1 PM;
• Sheridan, WY, Holiday Inn, Raising Readers Benefit, May 8;
• Casper, WY, Natrona County Library 100th Anniversary Celebration, May 4, 7 PM;
• Evanston, WY, Uinta County Library, 5/5, 7 PM;
• Saint Malo, France, Etonnants Voyageurs, 5/22-5/24.

Dang, Craig, Ten Sleep, Wyoming, and Paris, France, all in the course of a ten-day span? How we going to keep you down on the ranch after you've seen Paree?

FMI: http://www.craigallenjohnson.com/

Artist Ji Eun Kim wins first prize in competition sponsored by AHL Foundation

2009 Wyoming Arts Council intern Ji Eun Kim reports that she has won first prize in a competition sponsored by the AHL Foundation. The foundation supports Korean artists in the U.S. She wins a cash prize and will be part of a group show at the Gana Gallery in New York City's Chelsea District in January 2011.

Ji Eun is from Seoul, South Korea, and now lives in Cheyenne. She's currently in residence at the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center in Nebraska City, Neb. She just received a residency at the Santa Fe Art Institute in Santa Fe, N.M. for November and December of this year.

Congrats to Ji Eun. To see samples of her work, go to her blog at http://jieunkim25.blogspot.com/

Georgia Rowswell conducts Pysanky egg class

From Cheyenne artist (and WAC roster artist) Georgia Rowswell:

Pysanky is a traditional Ukrainian craft for decorating Easter eggs. It is a wax resist technique which is basically batik for eggs! This Saturday, March 13, I will be teaching a Pysanky class from 9 a.m. until noon in my studio at 302 East 1st Avenue. The class is $25 and includes supplies and the all-important homemade cookie snack! The class is open to ages 8 and up. So join the fun and make as many eggs as you can in three hours. Call Georgia to reserve a spot at 229-546-5183. See you there! More info at http://artfulhand.org/

Painted Past presents "Clues of Tudor Manor"

From Painted Past Productions in Casper:

Painted Past Productions and the Ramada Plaza Riverside in Casper are presenting "CLUES OF TUDOR MANOR" an overnight comedy murder mystery on April 10/11 at the Ramada Plaza Riverside. All of your "Clue" favorites will be there-Mrs. Peacock, Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard, Professor Plum, Mr. Green, Mrs. White, and a couple of others that you will just have to meet! The fun begins at 6:30 PM on April 10 with cocktails, and a very important announcement. It continues through dinner with a special crime scene examination at midnight. In the morning, you will rise to the occasion and find the murder weapon, and the killer during breakfast.

The cost is:
2 people - $179

1 person - $159

1 person (just meals and mystery) - $59

Cost includes: Dinner for 2, Room, Mystery, and Brunch the next morning. Please call the Ramada at 235-2531, and ask for Stephanie in Sales for your reservation. This will be the first in a series of fund-raisers presented by Painted Past Productions for their annual European Tour to entertain the troops and their families overseas. Painted Past is a non-profit organization that provides quality entertainment in the schools of Natrona County, downtown historic walking tours in the summer, and an annual Cemetery tour in the fall. For more information please call Donna at Painted Past 267-7243.

Conservation Stamp Art reception March 12

From a Wyoming Game & Fish Department press release:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2011 Conservation Stamp Art Competition on Friday, March 12, at the Wyoming State Museum, 2301 Central Ave., Cheyenne. Reception begins at 5 p.m. in the Barrett Building lobby. The awards ceremony and artwork sales follow at 6 p.m. This year's species will feature the wolverine.

All entries will remain on display at the museum from March 12– April 17, 2010

FREE admission and Hors d'oeuvres.

Renwick exhibits arts & crafts from Heart Mountain and other WWII internment camps

This painting was by an unidentified artist interned at Heart Mountain Internment Camp in Park County, Wyoming, during World War II. "Camp Scene," wood and paint (note Heart Mountain in background). Collection of the Japanese American Museum of San José, From "Art of Gaman" by Delphine Hirasuna, ©2005, Ten Speed Press. Terry Heffernan photo.

It is one of the works in "The Art of Gaman: Arts and Crafts from the Japane-American Internment Camps, 1942-1946," showing now at the Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C. The exhibit runs through Jan. 30, 2011.

From the Smithsonian American Art Museum catalog:

Arts and crafts became essential for simple creature comforts and emotional survival. These objects—tools, teapots, furniture, toys and games, musical instruments, pendants and pins, purses and ornamental displays—are physical manifestations of the art of gaman, a Japanese word that means "to bear the seemingly unbearable with dignity and patience."

The exhibition is organized by San Francisco-based author and guest curator Delphine Hirasuna, and is based on her 2005 book The Art of Gaman, published by Ten Speed Press.

The exhibition is presented under the honorary patronage of The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta. Mr. Mineta, a former Congressman, Secretary of Transportation, and Regent of the Smithsonian, was interned as a child at Heart Mountain.

FMI: Read recent posts on the museum’s blog, Eye Level

CLTP holds auditions for "Forum" March 8-9

The auditions for “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” will be on Monday, March 8, and Tuesday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m, Historic Atlas Theatre in downtown Cheyenne. There will be callbacks on Wednesday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m.

There are 10 scripts with music available for check-out at the CLTP office. Out of courtesy to fellow actors, we ask that you return them in a timely manner so that others have the chance to read the script before auditions.

There are roles for 10 men and 8 women.

FMI: www.cheyennelittletheatre.org/auditions.asp

Artist-entrepreneurs can get tax help March 17

This may interest some of you artist entrepreneurs out there:

Let the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) and the Wyoming Entrepreneur SBDC help you navigate your micro-business taxes. Learn about Tax Code changes from Keith Hall, a Certified Public Accountant and the NASE, National Tax Advisor.

This 2-hour seminar will provide small business owners access to a CPA specializing in taxation matters for the self-employed. Start-up businesses will learn what forms to file, how to expense start-up costs and requirements for the home office deduction. Existing businesses will discover how to find hidden deductions and how to save by employing a spouse or children. In addition, attendees will receive a complimentary copy of "Schedule C from A to Z: the Sole Proprietor's Guide to Tax Savings."

Mr. Hall operates a private tax and financial consulting firm in Dallas, Texas and also participates in the NASE TaxTalk program, which answers more than 10,000 small-business questions every year. He has over 21 years of consulting experience with small businesses, including 11 years working with the NASE.

Choose from two great locations on Wednesday, March 17:

Casper, 9:00 - 11:00 am, UW Outreach Center, 951 North Poplar, Room 114.

Cheyenne, 4:00 - 6:00 pm, Laramie County Library, 2200 Pioneer Avenue, Cottonwood Room.

Registration fee is $20. Call 800-649-NASE to register; deadline - March 12.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance. Contact WSBDC at 307-234-6683 for further information.

Legislature's over! Time to dine and buy art this evening in Cheyenne

From Karen Cotton's WTE Backstage Pass blog:

Find your best pair of walking shoes in preparation for the Art, Design and Dine (ADD) art walk

Cheyenne’s downtown art walk is back! A number of art galleries and art businesses are teaming up to present some of Cheyenne’s finest artists on display on Friday. Find out all of the details about Art, Design and Dine in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle's ToDo section on Friday.

Some of the galleries that are participating:

Deselms Fine Art: http://www.deselmsfineart.com/
The Link Gallery: http://www.linkgalleryonline.com/
NV Photographics: http://nvphotographics.com/
Artful Hand Gallery: http://www.artfulhand.org/
Clay, Paper Scissors Gallery: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cheyenne-WY/Clay-Paper-Scissors-Gallery-Studio

Call for entries: Riverfest Art Fair in Lander

From the Lander Art Center web site:

This summer's Riverfest Art Fair is brought to you by the Lander Art Center and Art in the Afternoon.

Come buy local arts and crafts, listen to cool music and enjoy great food and spirits at the first annual Riverfest.

Riverfest is the summer equivalent of our rockin' Art in the Afternoon Art Sale that we have in December, taking place in July in the loveliest park in Wyoming!

When: Saturday, July 24, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: Lander City Park, 405 Fremont Street, Lander

What: Unique and Creative Arts/Wares by local and regional artists (handmade, artisan marketed), live music and food from local eateries

How: If you would like to participate in this event, booth spaces are $45, a maximum of two artists/entrants provide their own tables and displays.

If you would like to be considered for this show, please send pictures and a cover letter summarizing your art to landerartcenter@bresnan.net or mail to Lander Art Center, 224 Main Street, Lander, WY 82520

All work submitted must be made and sold by the artist.

This is something which up with I will not put

For National Grammar Day on March 4, Grammar Girl explores the Top Ten Grammar Myths. Here's number one:

1. You shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition.

Wrong! You shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition when the sentence would mean the same thing if you left off the preposition. That means "Where are you at?" is wrong because "Where are you?" means the same thing. But there are many sentences where the final preposition is part of a phrasal verb or is necessary to keep from making stuffy, stilted sentences: I'm going to throw up, let's kiss and make up, and what are you waiting for are just a few examples (go here for details). Find more information about these myths in the Grammar Girl archives at http://quickanddirtytips.com/

Teton Co. Library: "Iran Uncovered" March 12

From a press release:

On Friday, March 12, 7-8 p.m., the Teton County Public Library presents a free program in the Ordway Auditorium.

Join investigative reporter Robert Dreyfuss for an eyewitness account of the 2009 Iranian election and its aftermath and to hear about interviews he conducted with key Iranian decision-makers and analysts. Dreyfuss will discuss: Does Washington have an alternative to negotiations? Will sanctions work? Is a military confrontation inevitable?

Dreyfuss has written extensively about the post-9/11 war on terror, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the confrontation with Iran. He covered the Iranian elections for The Nation and is currently writing about this month's Iraqi elections on his blog The Dreyfuss Report at www.thenation.com/blogs/dreyfuss.

Dreyfuss also covers national security for Rolling Stone and writes frequently for Mother Jones and The American Prospect, as well as many other publications. His book, Devil's Game: How
the United States Helped Unleash Fundamentalist Islam, was published in 2005. Read more about Dreyfuss' background and find articles at http://www.robertdreyfuss.com/.

Dreyfuss spoke about Afghanistan to an enthusiastic crowd at the library last fall. "We are thrilled to have Bob back at the library, he is extremely knowledgeable as well as a very personable and engaging presenter," said Oona Doherty, Adult Humanities Coordinator.

For more information, contact Doherty at 733-2164 ext. 135 or odoherty@tclib.org. You can also visit the library online at http://www.tclib.org/.

Hike the backcountry & earn credit at the Casper College Yellowstone Experience

This comes from Terry Rasmussen at Casper College:

Register now for the Casper College Yellowstone Experience, May 28-June 6, 2010.

Registration and a $500 nonrefundable course fee are due by March 26.

This multi-disciplinary, 7-credit Casper College course, usually held the first week in June, encourages students to experience -- through mind, body, and spirit -- the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park and to write about their critical and imaginative inquiries. During strenuous daily hikes (5-12 mi.), students gather observations and impressions in a field journal, collecting the raw material for a nature writing portfolio submitted in late July. Course includes immersion in the ecology, natural history, and politics of the park. Students stay in historic cabins in Silver Gate, Montana.

Contact Instructors Terry Rasmussen and Dr. Will Robinson: 307-268-2110, or email trasmuss@caspercollege.edu or wrobins@caspercollege.edu
　

C.J. Box's newest Joe Pickett novel, "Nowhere to Run," debuts April 6

Early in his career (1992), Cheyenne's C.J. Box was the recipient of a Wyoming Arts Council creative writing fellowship. Many books later, C.J. just announced the publication of his tenth Joe Pickett mystery novel.

This comes from C.J. Box's e-mail newsletter:

The tenth Joe Pickett novel NOWHERE TO RUN by Edgar Award-winning author C.J. Box will be available nationwide April 6, 2010.

The early reviews are extraordinary, including a rare grand slam of starred reviews in all four pre-publication trade journals.

What they're saying about NOWHERE TO RUN:

• "...[A] terrible, beautiful tale of courage and compassion and culpability..."Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW


• "...Ranks with his best...[Readers] won't know what hit them."Booklist STARRED REVIEW


• "...Intense...well-structured...a perfect choice..."Library Journal STARRED REVIEW


• "...Exhilarating landscapes, high adventure, thrilling suspense, surprising moral quandaries..." Kirkus Reviews STARRED REVIEW


• And this, from Michael Connelly, America's #1 New York Times best-selling author of 9 Dragons: "I love Joe Pickett and with NOWHERE TO RUN, he's on top of his game. So is C.J. Box. This one is his best yet."


• "Box's series is the gold standard," wrote Library Journal about Below Zero, "but never has he written a novel as harrowing as Nowhere to Run."

Joe Pickett's in his last week as the temporary game warden in the isolated town of Baggs, Wyoming, but there have been strange things going on in the surrounding mountains, and his conscience won't let him leave without checking them out: reports of camps looted, tents slashed, elk butchered. And then there's the runner who's gone missing -- an Olympic hopeful who'd been training in the region and then just...vanished.

Joe doesn't mind admitting that the farther he rides, the more he wishes he could just turn around and go home. And he is right to be concerned. Because what awaits him is like nothing he's ever dealt with, like something out of an old story, except this is all too real and all too deadly. When he'd first saddled up, he'd thought of this as his last patrol. What he hadn't known was just how accurate that might turn out to be.

Visit http://www.cjbox.net/ and read the story behind the story and to download the first chapter.

Where do you read a book?

I heard this on a local radio station KRRR, 104.9, this morning and had to pass it along:

"Outside of a dog, the next best friend to man is a book. That's good, because inside a dog, it's probably too dark to read."

Wyoming Film Office Calls on Short Film Makers

The Wyoming Short Film Contest is open for entries. Film makers can submit their videos online at www.wyomingshortfilmcontest.com

A $25,000 first prize will be awarded to the winning entry with a storyline that takes place in Wyoming, features Wyoming, or presents the state as a major character. All film submissions are due on or before April 30, 2010. There is no entry fee for the Wyoming Short Film Contest.
Entries may be any style or genre of film and shall not exceed 15 minutes running time (not
including credits). The winner shall receive $25,000 towards the production budget of their next project shot in Wyoming.

Wyoming Film office staff has made the process easier this year by using popular video contest software. The new program allows the general public to vote on their favorite entry. A judging panel will then decide the winner based on the top ten most popular entries. Some criteria that the judges will keep in mind when viewing the films include production value, script, acting when relevant and Wyoming tourism value.

Michell Howard
Manager, Film, Arts, & Entertainment
Wyoming Travel and Tourism
1520 Etchepare Circle
Cheyenne, WY 82007
michell.howard@visitwyo.gov
307-777-3400
www.filmwyoming.com
www.twitter.com/FilmWyoming
www.filmwyoming.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Cheyenne-WY/Wyoming-Film-Office/37707278659 www.youtube.com/FilmWyoming

Sara Shoemaker Lind, "A Mermaid's View"

From a press release:

In the landlocked state of Wyoming -- epecially in the heart of this cold Wyoming winter -- it is a great joy and honor to present Sara Shoemaker Lind's stunning views of our planet's underwater world. She is an award-winning photographer and master scuba diver. Her work focuses on the dynamic energy of light, color and shape, whether she is up on a mountain at street level, or deep underwater. Her show will be featured through May 21, 2010 at the Ucross Foundation Art Gallery in Ucross.

Tragedy of 1937 Blackwater Fire explored at State Museum lecture

From a SPCR press release:

A program on one of Wyoming’s most disastrous forest fires will be held at the Wyoming State Museum when Karl Brauneis presents, “Wyoming’s Great Forest Fire Tragedy: The Blackwater Fire of 1937.”

The presentation, a part of the Wyoming State Museum’s lecture series, is scheduled for 7 p.m., March 11. The lecture is free and open to the public.

On August 21, 1937 the Blackwater Fire “blew up” west of Cody, trapping several companies of firefighters along the lines. Fifteen firefighters would die in the blaze making it Wyoming's worst forest fire tragedy. Who were the men who fought the fire? How did they engage the blaze and what factors led to the "blow up"? Come to hear and see of their trial by fire and how the Blackwater changed the way many fires are fought today.

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

Deadline April 1 for WAA showcases

From a press release:

Western Arts Alliance (WAA) is now accepting applications for artists in music, spoken word, and small-scale theatre performance for its 2010 Juried Showcase Program. The showcase will take place during the WAA Annual Conference on September 1 and 2, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Long Beach,California.

Juried Showcasing artists are selected from a competitive pool of applicants by a committee of WAA members, and their performances are part of the core conference program.

The application fee is $65; you need not be a member of WAA at the time of application.

The application form and full details may be found at http://www.westarts.org/pdf/conf/2010_Juried_Showcase_Application.pdf.

All materials must be received in the WAA Office by Thursday, April 1, 2010.

Western Arts Alliance is a membership association of touring and performing arts professionals engaged in promoting and presenting performing arts throughout the western states and provinces.

The WAA Annual Conference will convene presenters, artists, and agents Aug. 30-Sept. 3, 2010, around the shared goal of programming live performances. Opportunities for meetings, exhibits, performances, networking, speakers, classes and workshops will be featured throughout the conference week. Artists, Managers and Agents will be able to share their or their artists' work with more than 200 presenting organizations based in the West, making The WAA Conference one of the best resources for connecting with presenters and colleagues.

Learn more at www.westarts.org

St. Patrick's Day at Atlas Theatre features local musicians and dancers and food

The Cheyenne Little Theatre Players presents “A St. Patrick’s Day Celebration” on Wednesday, March 17, at the Historic Atlas Theatre in downtown Cheyenne.

The event features music by “Musical Chairs” and a performance by the En Avant Dance Studio.

Dinner Starts at 6 p.m., show starts at 7.

Call (307) 638-6543 for tickets or purchase online at www.cheyennelittletheatre.org

Dinner & Show Admissions: general public $22; CLTP season members $20; children under 12, $10.

Show admissions only: general public $12, CLTP season members $10, children under 12, $5

Books by Spragg & Bell both are MPIBA "Reading the West" selections

The Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association has selected Mark Spragg's new novel, "Bone Fire," as its "Reading the West" fiction selection for March 2010.

The nonfiction selection was Laura Bell's new book "Claiming Ground."

Laura and Mark, both from Cody, will be touring their books together throughout the Rocky Mountain, Pacific Northwest and West Coast regions. They both are past winners of creative writing fellowships from the Wyoming Arts Council.

MPIBA includes over 200 independently owned bookstores in 14 states.

FMI: http://www.mountainsplains.org/reading-the-west.aspx

ART DESIGN & DINE begins Friday, March 5

From a press release:

Clay Paper Scissors Gallery & Studio in downtown Cheyenne is delighted to announce a new and exciting event!

ART DESIGN & DINE (ADD) will feature a variety of arts and design-related businesses and one restaurant each month. This month's restaurant is Suite 1901 and they are offering a sweet deal for ADD goers!

ADD's first night is Friday, March 5, 5-8 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there!

Clay Paper Scissors has artist studio openings. If you know anyone who might be interested, please send them our way.

Follow us on Facebook! Become a fan at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cheyenne-WY/Clay-Paper-Scissors-Gallery-Studio/84834729244

Ani DiFranco performs at UW April 21

From a UW press release:

Student tickets for grammy award-winning singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco's University of Wyoming performance in Laramie go on sale Monday, March 8, for $10.

DiFranco will perform at the UW College of Arts & Sciences auditorium Wednesday, April 21, at 8 p.m. Tickets for the general public go on sale March 15 for $18. Tickets can be purchased at the Wyoming Union information desk, the Fine Arts box office, by phone at (307) 766-6666 or online at www.uwyo.edu/finearts.

Concerts and Convocations lead programmer Paul Gallegos says, "The university is very happy to bring in an iconic folksinger like Ani DiFranco. This is a performance nobody in the region will want to miss, especially considering the subsidized ticket price."

The Buffalo, N.Y.-based recording artist and founder of Righteous Babe Records has released more than 20 albums and is considered by many to be a feminist icon. Buddy Wakefield, a Seattle-based author and slam poet, will open the concert.

For more information about the concert, or to arrange assistance to attend this event, call the Campus Activities Center at (307) 766-6340.

Arts in the Wyoming Legislature this week

The Wyoming Legislature will be getting a double dose of homegrown arts this week.

On Thursday, March 4, Wyoming Poet Laureate David Romtvedt of Buffalo will read his work in each chamber. David is a member of the Wyoming Arts Council artists' roster. Find out more by going to http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/Apps/Roster/Results.asp.

Saratoga's Cora Wood, the youngest perfomer at this year's Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, will perform at the Legislature on Friday, March 5. For more info about Cora, go to www.cowboypoetry.com/corawood.htm

Arvada-Clearmont senior wins Wyoming Poetry Out competition in Cheyenne

(l) Judah Lovato, WY POL winner and (r) Laura Hofstad, WY POL runner-up

Judah Lovato, a senior at Arvada-Clearmont High School in Sheridan County, was named state champion at the Wyoming Poetry Out Loud finals March 2 in Cheyenne. He will receive an expenses-paid trip with a chaperone to Washington, D.C., for the Poetry Out Loud national finals April 26-27.

Second place went to Laura Hofstad, a student at Star Lane Center in Casper.

The awards were presented by First Lady Nancy Freudenthal and Wyoming Secretary of State Max Maxfield at a March 2 ceremony in the State Capitol Rotunda. Master of ceremonies for the event was Milward Simpson, director of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources.

First-place finisher also receives $200 and a selection of books. His school receives a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. Second-place finisher receives $100 and a selection of books. Her school receives a $200 stipend to buy poetry books.

Lovato, Hofstad and nine other students competed in the state finals March 1 at the Historic Atlas Theatre in downtown Cheyenne. They were Julia Collins, Dubois; Laura Delgado, Big Piney; Jamie Fegler, Riverton; Sadie Fulton, Whiting High School in Laramie; Abigail Geringer, Wheatland; Jamie Johnson, Lyman; Paige Russell, East High School, Cheyenne; Gwen Withem, Buffalo; and Samantha Wittig, Jackson.

Judges for the March 1 competition were Max Maxfield of Cheyenne, actor and director Macey Mott from Jackson, and award-winning author and UW professor of science and humanities Jeff Lockwood of Laramie.

Special guests were Wyoming Poet Laurate David Romtvedt and Laura Scanlan, director of State & Regional Partnerships for the National Endowment for the Arts, the Wyoming Arts Council's federal partner in Washington, D.C.

The Wyoming Arts Council invites high school students involved in creative writing, drama, and speech-and-debate to encourage their teachers to sign up for next year's Poetry Out Loud program. The WAC will send out registration information in September 2010.

For more information, contact Linda Coatney at the WAC at 307-777-6393 or lcoatn@state.wy.us. Find out more about Poetry Out Loud at http://www.poetryoutloud.org/.

"The Toll of War" hits stages in Utah

From the Salt Lake Tribune:

James Svendsen believes works of art about warriors from thousands of years ago might be used to serve warriors of today. The University of Utah dramaturge is helping produce a series of staged readings of "The Toll of War," two short one-act performances cut from Sophocles' 2,400-year-old plays "Ajax" and "Philoctetes."

"Ajax" tells the story of a suicidal warrior who takes his own life after struggling to come to terms with the unjust spoils of war. "Philoctetes" is a play about a disabled soldier who is abandoned by his commander.

Svendsen said it's not hard to find modern resonance in either play. And he hopes military members and veterans of recent wars -- the performances will be staged at Fort Douglas, the Salt Lake City VA hospital and other locations where they are likely to draw a military-oriented crowd -- will walk away understanding they are connected to generations upon generations of past warriors, who also struggled to "come home" from war.

Free performances of "The Toll of War" will be staged in these Utah locations:
Wednesday, 7 p.m. » Main Library Auditorium, 210 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City
March 6, 2 p.m. » Universe City, 2556 Washington Blvd., Ogden
March 8, 11:50 a.m. » Fort Douglas Post Theater, east of the University of Utah Campus
March 13, 7 p.m. » VA Hospital, Bldg.8, 500 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City

FMI: http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_14493842

Wyoming Poetry Out Loud winners to be announced this morning at Capitol Rotunda

Eleven students (grades 9-12) from throughout the state competed last night at the Wyoming finals for Poetry Out Loud. The event was held at the Historic Atlas Theatre in downtown Cheyenne.

Which of these talented students will win an expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. to compete at the Poetry Out Loud finals?

Find out this morning at the awards ceremony in the Wyoming Capitol Rotunda at 8:30 a.m. First Lady Nancy Fruedenthal will serve as guest presenter.

FMI: 307-777-7742.

Andy Hackbarth at UW on March 3

From a UW press release:

Colorado native and award-winning singer/songwriter Andy Hackbarth will perform a concert Wednesday, March 3, at 8 p.m. in the University of Wyoming Union ballroom in Laramie.

Hackbarth plays flamenco and classical guitar with upbeat pop/folk song styling. This event is free.

To pursue his love for music, Hackbarth moved to Nashville.

"You don't realize how much you have to learn until you move to Nashville," he said. "Truly great songs are so rare. It's the best feeling in the world to know that you've written a song in which every word counts; one that forces everyone who hears it to stop, really listen, and look at the world in a completely different way."

For more information and for individuals with disabilities needing accommodations, call the Campus Activities Council at (307) 766-6430.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Torrington resident Andy Hackbarth is a recent addition to the Wyoming Arts Council artists' roster. Bring Andy to your community through an Arts Across Wyoming grant beginning July 1, 2010. FMI: 307-777-7742.

"Get Your Troop in a Group" book signing

Sheridan Stationery, Books & Gallery, 206 N. Main in downtown Sheridan, will be holding a book signing on Saturday, March 6, 11-1 p.m., for Kari Massie McLaughlin, author of "Get Your Troop in a Group".

"So many groups of animals; now tell me, what's the scoop? What's a group of kangaroos called: a herd, a band, a troop?"

People form a group, but what do animals form when they gather together? With delightful rhyme, this book answers just that. Travel with the animals to "Get Your Troop in a Group!"

The author grew up in Sheridan but now lives in Gillette.

FMI: 1-888-266-5730

Peter Anderson talks about "personal maps & topographies" March 5 at WWCC

From a press release:

What makes a place important to you? Stories? Knowledge? Family? Adventure? A sense of home? If you were to map out the most important places in your life, what would you include?

When Colorado writer Peter Anderson asked these questions of himself, he was led to write about mountains. His essays and poems are invitations to consider our own personal maps and topographies and how they affect our lives.

Anderson will read from his work on Friday, March 5 at Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs. The event will take place in Room 1302 at 7:00 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

Peter Anderson is author of First Church of the Higher Elevations: Mountains, Prayer, and Presence. An editor, journalist, children’s book writer, and teacher at Adams State College, he lives with his wife and two daughters on the western slope of the Sangre de Cristo Range in Colorado’s San Luis Valley.

The event is made possible by the support of the Arlene and Louise Wesswick Foundation. Following the reading, a reception will be held in honor of Louise Wesswick, a recipient of the 2009 Wyoming Governor’s Arts Award.

Anderson’s reading is the third in Western Wyoming Community College’s spring reading series, which will conclude on March 26 with fiction writer Vicki Lindner, formerly of Laramie and now from Denver.

These writers will also be offering workshops prior to their reading, in which they facilitate writing exercises, share writing experiences and tips, and answers student-generated questions.

Anderson’s workshop is scheduled from 2-5 p.m. on Friday, March 5 in Room 1408. For more information, contact WWCC Associate Professor of English Rick Kempa at rkempa@wwcc.wy.edu or 307-382-1731.

New West: Why Cody, Wyoming is the New Literary Capital of America

Jenny Shank has a lot of fun exploring Cody's literary contributions to the world in New West:

Claiming Ground, a memoir by Cody’s Laura Bell, is due out March 9, and it comes with glowing blurbs from Rick Bass, Kent Haruf, William Kittredge, and Mark Spragg. Haruf writes, “This is a book that compels you to the last sentence, both because of its sheer beauty and its profound meaning.” Spragg writes, “Laura Bell’s Claiming Ground is the finest memoir I’ve read.” I guess I’d better read it myself.

Knopf will publish [Mark] Spragg’s third novel, Bone Fire, on March 11. Spragg is also from Cody, (population 9309), which means that .0215% of Cody’s population will publish a book in March. To put that in perspective, writers in New York City (population 8,363,710) would have to publish 179,820 books in March to keep up with Cody’s per capita output. Even if you include self-published writers, I doubt New York’s scribes could produce that many volumes, especially given that about 172,000 books were published for the entire year in the United States in 2005, the most recent year for which UNESCO’s publishing statistics are available.

The column also addresses a new book by Laramie's Alyson Hagy. It's been a pretty good year for recipients of Wyoming Arts Council creative writing fellowships. Bell, Hagy and Spragg all have won WAC fellowships.

Read the entire New West column here:
Why Cody, Wyoming is the New Literary Capital of America

Don't miss The Ultra-Amazing Ozymandian Improv Show March 6 at the Atlas

From a press release:

Tell your funny bone that it is about to get slapped in its smug boney face!

Ozmandian Theater is back with an all new improv show coming your way on March 6th! This show will be all improvised so that means we will be making it up as we go along. We promise you a night of comedy that will not leave a carbon footprint. Unless of course, you want us to leave one...and if that is the case we will be giving a full bottle of hairspray for each audience member so they can spray it into the ozone right after the show. Take that ozone!

This show is part of The Cheyenne Little Theater Player's "Saturday Nights Live at The Atlas." The cost of the show is $5 for students and $8 for adults. The proceeds will benefit the restoration of the Historic Atlas Theater. As always our shows are rated PG-13.

If that is not enough to plant you in our audience here is an extra bonus: Ozymandian Theater is excited to announce that they will be joined on stage by the awesome East High School Improv Club. Come and support the next generation of comedy as they hit the stage with Ozy!

So here are the details:

Ozymandian Improv Show (with special guests from the EHS Improv Club).

This show is part of CLTP's "Saturday Nights Live at The Atlas"@ The Historic Atlas Theater (211 W. Lincolnway)March 6 @ 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7). Ticket Price is $8 for adults and $5 for students.

The show is rated PG-13

This is a ONE NIGHT ONLY PERFORMANCE.

As always we can purchase tickets online or learn more about Ozymandian Theater at our brand new website:http://www.ozytheater.com/

For more information on all the cool things happening at the CLTP, visit http://www.cheyennelittletheatre.org/

Birthday party for Buffalo Bill at BBHC

From the BBHC web site:

On Friday, February 26, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody invites the community to a free “Family Friday” birthday party from 5–8 p.m. The highlight of an evening filled with activities for everyone, the dramatic reading of the dime novel Buffalo Bill’s Victories begins at 6:30 p.m. with an open invitation for anyone to join local celebrity guests and step up to the mic to read a page or two from the adventure.

But first, the party kicks off with the rousing tunes of the Buffalo Bill Band, under the direction of Dr. Mike Masterson of Northwest College, playing music of the Wild West show era. The band performs from 5-7 p.m. in the breezeway to the Cody Firearms Museum.

To make the evening especially family-friendly, kids of all ages can make their own memento of the celebration by creating a Wild West show poster to take home, with the original, larger-than-life posters on exhibit in the Buffalo Bill Museum as inspiration.

At 5:30 p.m., Buffalo Bill Museum Curator Dr. John Rumm offers a glimpse into the workings of the Wild West show in his presentation "Backstage with Buffalo Bill." Colorful stories and vignettes drawn from Rumm’s research into first-person accounts, diaries, historical photographs, and period newspaper articles illuminate the workings of Cody’s large and logistically challenging show. The program takes place 5:30-6:15 p.m. in the Coe Auditorium.

The McCracken Research Library shares some of its original material related to Buffalo Bill—memorabilia acquired by the library recently that has not previously been on exhibit. The items will be on display outside the Coe Auditorium, and include, among other things, photographs, a Wild West program and other show ephemera, and an 1879 serialized dime novel.

Buffalo Bill Museum Reinstallation Exhibit Designer Nick Paffett provides a preview of upcoming design plans for the renovation of the gallery in 2012. An innovative blend of traditional yet engaging museum exhibits with technology, the new gallery will appeal to an audience of all ages and interests. Paffett will talk about themes, floor plan, and the planning process, and answer questions throughout the evening.

Edible fare for the festivities includes Buffalo Bill’s favorite dish, fried chicken—Buffalo Bill wings served up by the Historical Center’s Mustang Grill, along with other refreshments and birthday cake. A cash bar is also available.

The Buffalo Bill Historical Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is now operating its winter schedule through February 28: open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, closed Monday through Wednesday. Spring hours of 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily begin March 1. For general information, call 307.587.4771 or visit http://www.bbhc.org/

Little kids' art en Español at AVA Center

Essayist John D'Agata will read from his work March 4 at UW Art Museum

John D'Agata, described as "a young writer of rare intelligence and artistry... redefining the modern American essay," will read and sign his books Thursday, March, at 7 p.m. in the University of Wyoming Art Museum in Laramie.

This free event, sponsored by the MFA Program in Creative Writing, will feature D'Agata's new book, "About A Mountain."

He has been an editor at the Seneca Review and "The Next American Essay" and received a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship. D'Agata taught writing and literature courses at Colgate College, UW, California Institute of the Arts and the University of Iowa, where he now serves as a permanent faculty member of the nonfiction program.

D'Agata received his B.A. from Hobart College and his MFA from the Iowa Writers Workshop in both nonfiction and poetry.

For more information, visit the MFA Web site at www.uwyo.edu/creativewriting or e-mail Beth Loffreda at loffreda@uwyo.edu.

Jared Rogerson launches new CD, "Bad Hay," Feb. 27 in Pinedale

Wyomingarts just heard a fine new song, "Straight for the Storm," by Jared Rogerson of Pinedale on KUWR's "Morning Music."

Jared's CD "Bad Hay" will be released Friday, Feb. 26. He will conduct an acoustic performance at the Wind River Brewing Company in Pinedale on Saturday, Feb. 27, to celebrate the CD release. Music starts at 8 p.m.

Here's some bio info from the musician's MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/jaredrogerson:

Jared Rogerson's music stems from his love of riding bucking broncs and exploring the great outdoors. Ironically, it was a rodeo injury in 2007 that spurred Jared into taking his music more seriously. “I’ve always wanted to make music. I remember pulling myself up off the arena dirt and thinking, it’s time.” In 2008, Jared recorded his first single, ‘Boomtown’, which received airtime on Wyoming Public Radio; he also performed it on international television. His first full-length CD, ‘Bad Hay’, features songs like ‘Glad I Took This Ride’, ‘What a Way to Go’, and ‘Above the Timberline’ reminiscent of John Denver’s ‘Rocky Mountain High’, bringing us to reflect upon our deepest roots. "We all have experiences from time to time that put the big picture back in perspective. That happens to me every time I get on a horse and ride into the mountains- I love it!"

Jared's debut release also includes tunes like ‘Ridin' Wild Ponies’ and ‘I Can Fly’ that rely on his experience traveling the rodeo circuit. Jared had his first “rodeo wreck” at the age of 3 that left him with a broken arm. “My dad pretended to be the bull and I was the cowboy, I just couldn't get him covered." Years later, Jared competed on the high school rodeo team and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree with the support of an academic and a rodeo scholarship riding bareback broncs. Afterward he competed at a professional level and continued his rodeo career while earning a Master's degree in Biology.

While on the rodeo circuit, Jared packed his guitar and wrote songs to pass the time. "I've written and sang songs ever since I was a little kid, I just didn't write them down on paper. After a while I'd forget 'em, then I'd make up new ones." Jared is now writing and recording songs with all the energy he put into rodeo by means of a certain ‘I can do it’ attitude he picked up along the way. “If I had to pick one singer/songwriter that has influenced my life the most, it would be Chris LeDoux. His music inspired me at a young age to dare to live my dreams. I try hard to make decisions based on the positive adventures I see connected with them. That’s where my music comes from."

"The Last Polar Bear: Facing the Truth of a Warming World"

From a press release:

"The Last Polar Bear: Facing the Truth of a Warming World" will be presented on Thursday, March 4, 7-8 p.m. in the Cook Auditorium at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson. The program is free and open to the community with support from donations, large and small, to the Teton County Library Foundation.

Join wildlife photographer Steven Kazlowski as he shares his portfolio of slides capturing the polar bear in its wild arctic habitat. The presentation is based on his book, "The Last Polar Bear" (February 2008, Braided River) and traveling exhibit now on display in the library gallery.

Kazlowski is the only wildlife photographer to date who has extensively photographed the Alaskan polar bear and its critical Arctic coastal habitat, something he wishes to continue throughout the international Arctic - an area rapidly being affected by climate change. His compelling images present a range of perspectives from the anthropological to the scientific and the political to the indigenous. National magazines from Audubon to Newsweek have published his pictures.

Find out more at: http://www.lefteyepro.com/

For information about this program, contact Adult Humanities Coordinator, Oona Doherty, 733-2164 ext. 135 or odoherty@tclib.org, or visit Teton County Library online at http://www.tclib.org/

Doc Thissen expands his photo horizons

Laramie photographer Doc Thissen is working on his B.F.A. by taking online classes offered by the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He's shooting some differenent subjects along the way. This one he calls "Shadowplay" and says "it was inspired by Paul Strand." He's revamping his web site and has a new blog at http://ddocspix.blogspot.com/.

You can bring Doc -- member of the WAC artists' roster -- to your community for presentations and workshops on photography. Apply for a Wyoming Arts Council Arts Across Wyoming grant at http://www.wyomingartscouncil.org/.

Flores de Colores presents "The Music of Feasts" at Humanities Festival

Wyoming Arts Council roster artists Flores de Colores Dance Troupe of Cheyenne will present "The Music of Feasts/Folkloric Dance" at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 25 at Durham Hall, Casper College. This presentation is part of the 25th annual Casper College Humanities Festival and Demorest Lecture Feb. 24-26. For complete schedule, go to http://www.caspercollege.edu/events/humanities/

Cheyenne's John Warburton in concert

Cheyenne singer/musician John Warburton will perform with special guest Brandon Warburton at the The Midtown Tavern (Anderson’s Other Corner), 1303 E. Pershing Blvd., Cheyenne, on Friday, February 26, 7:30 p.m.

Other upcoming solo shows by John Warburton at The Midtown Tavern will be held March 20 and April 10. Both shows at 7:30 p.m.

Bio info from the musician's web site:

Born in Cheyenne WY, John began his musical career at the age of 10 the moment he held the $25 Sears guitar his grandaddy had given to him. He went on to form and perform in local bands playing both covers and original music. After playing the local scene, John developed a need to see what else was out there. He decided to put his chops to the test in Phoenix AZ, but the heat seemed to be more of a constant than gigs. So after little less than a year, he inevitably found himself in Los Angeles clamoring to be noticed in a sea of musicians and bands. After playing and recording in original, cover, blues and quasi punk bands, John gave up the 'band mentality' for awhile and struck out on his own. He picked up his resonator, slide and a new attitude of sorts. After ten years in LA he moved to the San Francisco area for 2 years before coming full circle back to Cheyenne.

John's music is akin to the likes of artists such as Chris Whitley, Jeff Buckley, Lyle Lovett, Tom Waits and bands like Led Zepplin, & Alice in Chains to name a few. All of which have colored and continue to cast various hues on his music, which lyrically tends to be an observation of life through introspective lenses. Musically, John's heavy use of open tunings combined with a structured yet whimsical approach to creating music allows his songs to breathe, letting listeners in that are willing to 'listen' and 'listen' again. John believes some of the best songs transcend basic pop formulas to intrigue the listener into giving the song a 2nd, 3rd, 4th... chance, until, for whatever reason, that song is a part of the person listening to it, making it a milestone in that person's life, never to be forgotten.

FMI: http://johnwarburtonmusic.com/ and www.myspace.com/warburtonmusic

"Meet the Artist" March 1 at Crazy Woman Fine Art Gallery in Buffalo

You are invited to “Meet the Artist” on Monday, March 1, 7-8 p.m., at Crazy Woman Fine Art Gallery, 5 N. Lobban St., Buffalo.

Meet Jenny Wuerker, a nationally-known artist who employs what she calls “X-sport” working methods to create large-scale Wyoming landscape paintings from direct observation out-of-doors. She will discuss her paintings, personal history, and vision. Her paintings are currently on view at the Yellowstone Art Museum in Billings, Mont., and are included in collections across the U.S. Don’t miss this informal, free, presentation.

This program is supported through the generosity of the members and donors of the Johnson County Arts & Humanities Council.

FMI: (307) 620-9055

WOW holds Starving Artists Seminar 4/15-17

Works of Wyoming in Laramie announces this:

Starving Artists Seminar Series, April 15-17, 2010

WOW would like to invite you to participate in learning how you, as an artist, can become more successful in all areas of promoting yourself as an artist, including topics such as creating an artist statement, pricing your work, writing a business plan, access to capital, legal issues for artists, and many more.

Register by March 19 to receive the early bird special of $80! (includes all seminars and lunch)

Registration:
Please call with your information and credit card ready
Monday-Friday 9:00 am- 1:00 pm 307.766.3084
1:00 pm- 5:00 pm 307.742.6574

"Jentel Presents" March 2 in Sheridan

Spring looks like it might be coming to greet the new residents at Jentel Artist Residency in the foothills of Banner. Jentel is pleased to present this month’s multi-talented residents in an event open to the public. “Jentel Presents” will take place Tuesday, March 2, 5:30-7 p.m. at Sheridan College Downtown Campuson Main Street. This month’s presenters include a sculptor, a collage artist, a sound artist, a fiction writer, a printmaker and an essayist. “Jentel Presents” is a community outreach program that features visual presentations and readings by the visual artists and writers at the residency.

Presenters include:

• Elizabeth Emery, Cleveland Heights, OH; a sculptor, Elizabeth loves food and honors Billie Jean King and wishes she were as fit as when she raced bicycles.
• Gail Grinnell, Seattle, WA; a collage artist, Gail’s work explores the relationship between the early reality of the body and the lightly tethered spirit.
• Yann Novak, Los Angeles, CA; a sound artist, Yann is interested in the emotional effect audio recordings have on us.
• Val Phillips, Gardner, CO; a fiction writer, Val has lived in England, Palestine and most recently a tipi in Southern California. She passionately loves social justice, great food and astrophysics.
• Fanny Retsek, San Jose, CA; a printmaker, Fanny is a tiny thing in a big world. Lots of little things make up the big things. She loves that.
• Zachary Watterson, Seattle, WA; An essayist, Zachary grew up in New York City and New Jersey and has taught prisoners in county jails and state prisons in Michigan and Washington.
  
  For anyone looking for a stimulating evening, come join the crowd at Sheridan College Downtown Campus, Main Street. There is no admission charge for “Jentel Presents” and refreshments are available.
  
  The Jentel Foundation offers dedicated individuals a supportive environment in which to further their creative development. While at Jentel, visual artists and writers have the opportunity to experience unfettered time to allow for thoughtful reflection and meditation on the creative process in a setting that preserves the agricultural and historical integrity of the land.
  
  The Jentel Artist Residency Program accepts applications twice a year from visual artists in all media and writers in all genres for a one-month residency. A residency includes a comfortable accommodation; common living, dining and recreation areas; a private workspace and a stipend to help defray expenses during the program. For more information please visit www.jentelarts.org or call Jentel at (307)737-2311.
  
  Photo (back row, left to right): Zachary Watterson, Gail Grinnell, Yann Novak; (front row, left to right): Val Phillips, Fanny Retsek, Elizabeth Emery.

Governor's Arts Awards: W.E.S.T.

Wyoming Educators of Secondary Theatre (W.E.S.T.)

Governor's Arts Awards: Naoma J. Tate

Naoma J. Tate, arts patron from Cody


Watch Naoma J. Tate in Travel & Culture  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Cowboy Trouble, right here in Capital City

Cheyenne author Joanne Kennedy will be signing copies of her first book, "Cowboy Trouble," on Tuesday, March 2, 6-8 p.m., at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1851 Dell Range Blvd., Cheyenne.

Here's info and reviews from Joanne's web site:

Cowboy Trouble, ISBN 9781402236686, Sourcebooks Casablanca, $6.99

Atlanta journalist Libby Brown’s transition to rural living isn’t going exactly as planned. Her Wyoming ranch and its picturesque outbuildings are falling to pieces all around her. So is her resolution to live a self-sufficient, independent life–thanks to the irresistible allure of her neighbor’s fringed leather chaps and the town sheriff’s shiny badge. When the town’s only unsolved mystery falls in her lap, Libby can’t resist partnering up with the hunky sheriff to search for a missing teenager–but her neighbor, rancher Luke Rawlins, has other ideas.

Luke is a genuine Wyoming cowboy who looks like Elvis, talks like John Wayne, cooks like Martha Steward, and is almost impossible to resist. While Libby adjusts to a life where high fashion means wearing your Wranglers in “slim fit” instead of “cowboy cut,” her small-town beat leads her deep into the heart of her new hometown, where she discovers that everyone has their secrets, and some of them are as dangerous as they are surprising.

Reviews:

“Ms. Kennedy’s debut novel is a winner. Her characters are refreshing and different…A little romance, a little mystery, good looking guys and wide open spaces are a perfect combination for a really good story and Cowboy Trouble definitely reflects this. I’m really impressed with this first book and can’t wait to see what’s next.” –Night Owl Romance

“Contemporary western fans will enjoy this one!” –Romantic Times

“There’s plenty of wacky humor and audacious wit in the mystery-laced escapade that provides a fresh take on the traditional contemporary Western.” –Library Journal


“Sometimes running away from your troubles is the worst thing you can do, but it brings the greatest rewards. What happens when you have more than one man interested in helping you find your happily ever after and you can’t choose? Now throw in a crazy or two for flavoring. You have one heck of a problem. Sound interesting? Then you need to read Cowboy Trouble. –Wendy Zwaduk, Romance to Make Your Heart Race

Governor's Arts Awards: Duane Evenson

Mayor Duane Evenson, Gillette

Wyoming organizations eligible for Laura Jane Musser Fund grants

From a press release:

The Laura Jane Musser Fund’s Arts Funding Program helps nonprofit arts organizations develop or sustain exceptional artistic opportunities for adults and children in the areas of literary, visual, music, and performing arts.

Grants are provided to organizations in Colorado, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Wyoming.

The Arts Collaborations component of the program supports partnerships of arts organizations with other community nonprofits or schools in order to provide participatory arts activities that spark a new interest in the community and engage participants in the creation of art. The Rural Arts component supports arts organizations located in rural communities in the targeted states. Priority is given to organizations that increase access to the arts through scholarships, hands-on activities, or community venues. The application deadline for both components of the program is March 24, 2010.

Visit the Foundation’s website to review the program guidelines:
http://www.musserfund.org/index.asp?page_seq=21

Grants available for innovative artist spaces

From a press release:

Leveraging Investments in Creativity (LINC), in collaboration with MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning, and supported by a funding partnership of the MetLife Foundation and the Ford Foundation, announces an open call for entries to the 2010 MetLife Foundation Innovative Space Awards, a grant-making program of Space for Change: Building Community through Innovative Spaces.

ABOUT THE AWARDS

Launched in 2009, the MetLife Foundation Innovative Space Awards is a competitive national funding program that recognizes outstanding efforts in the design and development of affordable space for artists. The program emphasizes the benefits artist spaces yield for both artists and their communities. In the awards’ concluding round of grantmaking, leading artist spaces will be selected from across the country to receive unrestricted awards ranging from $10,000-$50,000, along with access to technical assistance and a learning community of peer institutions.

HOW TO APPLY

To learn more about the Awards, including the guidelines for how to apply, please visit www.lincnet.net/artist-space/space-for-change. All application materials must be received by April 23, 2010 at 5pm EST.

ELIGIBILITY

Applications may be submitted by non-profit organizations, individual artists, public agencies, or a combination of the three, for artist space projects that:

Provide affordable space for artists to work, or to live and work
Are designed for multi-use or share space with a variety of tenants
Have been in place for a minimum of one year
Demonstrate a positive contribution (social, economic, cultural) to the community in which it exists
Promote ownership or significantly favorable lease terms for artists

Governor's Arts Awards: Louise Wesswick

Arts patron Louise Wesswick, Rock Springs


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Deadline is March 15 for Nic's "Sensational Small Stuff Invitational"

From the web site of the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper:

Our "Sensational Small Stuff Invitational" (formerly "Postcards from the Wild Wild West") exhibition is coming up April 15-30, with the party and auction set for Friday evening, April 23. We hope that you'll participate by submitting your art and then join us for this important and fun event.

Here is how SSSI submission works:

Since the exhibition and auction is a fundraiser for the museum, your work is a donation to the museum. The proceeds – over $15,000 last year – are specifically dedicated to supporting our educational and outreach programming.
The deadline for submission is Monday, March 15, 2010. All entries must be mailed or delivered to the museum by that date.
Submissions are limited to 3 per artist and a completed application must accompany each submission. An application is enclosed which can be copied or you can print one from our website www.thenic.org.
Works in any media are welcome; size is the only limiting factor. We ask that your work be no larger than 5 x 7 inches. Especially welcome are small sculptural and three-dimensional works –wood, ceramics, metal, glass, jewelry, etc – but please adhere to the roughly 5 x 7 inch proportions for height, width, and depth
We can accept only original work. No prints or reproductions will be accepted.
Please frame your work and prepare it for hanging or display.

Get your registration form here.

The exhibition will be open for the week prior to the auction to enable our visitors to begin bidding on the works. On the night of the auction the bidding is fast, furious, and lots of fun – and all submitting artists are invited to be our special guests for all the excitement! Please call (307-235-5247) or email (prush@thenic.org) in advance if you plan to attend.

If you know of an artist who might like to participate in the Sensational Small Stuff Invitational, please pass along these guidelines. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to call us at 307-235-5247 and ask for Val or Ingrid.

"Reading Lolita in Tehran" author to conduct free talk March 24 in Jackson

Beginning on March 3, you can get free tickets for a March 24 talk at the Center for the Arts in Jackson with Azar Nafisi, author of the international bestseller “Reading Lolita in Tehran.” Presented by Teton County Library Foundation. Free tickets available with the presentation of a Teton County or Wyoming library card or card number beginning at 10 a.m., March 3, at the main library front desk or at noon at the Alta Branch Library. Tickets limited to one per card; available first-come, first-serve. Patrons may claim tickets for friends or a spouse but must bring a library card or card number for each ticket they wish to claim. Contact: Library Foundation Associate Director Pauline Towers-Dykeman, 733-2164 ext. 217.

Celtic Ensemble performs March 13 at Teton County Public Librarry

Wyoming Arts Council roster artist Judith Weikle and her Celtic Ensemble will perform on Saturday, March 13, 7 p.m. at the Teton County Public Library in Jackson. This event is free and open to the public.

Enjoy an evening of traditional Irish music in a small setting. Vocals, harp, fiddle, bodhran and guitar combine in an ethereal, uplifting blend of ballads and jigs in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. The band includes, Judith Weikle, Arla Burbank, Deb Carpenter, Liz McCorquodale, Karen O’Connor and Mimi Smith.

Hot apple cider and shortbread provided by Friends of the Library.

Contact: Adult Humanities Coordinator, Oona Doherty, 733-2164 ext. 135 or odoherty@tclib.org.

Governor's Arts Awards: Don Butler

Don Butler, saddlemaker from Sheridan


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Jalan Crossland performs solo in Hartville

Jalan Crossland will be playing solo performances at the Miner's and Stockman's Bar, 608 W. Main St. in Hartville on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 19-20.

Hartville is dangerously close to Glenrock, which Jalan sings about in "Don't Taze Me Bro." Those were dangerous days last summer when "Farmer Bud drove a tractor... in the Deer Creek Days Parade" in Glenrock. Farmer Bud ran afoul of the law and what ensued was a "low speed tractor chase." When the cops caught up to the lawbreaker, the elderly tractor jockey begged "Don't Taze Me Bro."

All for naught.

FMI: www.jalancrossland.com

Reception tonight for "Our Home Town"

Reception will be held tonight (Friday, Feb. 19) from 6-8 p.m. at the AVA Center in Gillette for the exhibition "Our Home Town." Free and open to the public. FMI: www.avacenter.org

Outside Mag: "Biting characters" drive Mark Spragg's new book, "Bone Fire"

Cody's Mark Spragg was awarded creative writing fellowships from the Wyoming Arts Council in 1989 and 2000. He was the recipient of a Neltje Blanchan Memorial Writing Award in 1999. Amongst all the accolades, Mark has written award-winning novels and screenplays and memoirs. His latest novel, "Bone Fire," hits the shelves in March.

Here's a review from the March issue of Outside Magazine (via Mark Spragg's Facebook fan page):

There’s plenty of horseback riding and bucolic prose in Mark Spragg’s novel Bone Fire (Knopf, $26), but there’s nothing sentimental about his story of northern Wyoming, set in the fictional town of Ishawooa. This is New West all the way – a place to escape from, not to. Those who populate the modest ranches include an art-school dropout caring for her grandfather, a ten-year-old growing up quick in the absence of his mother (who’s off selling New Age enlightenment at the behest of her “Guides”), and Crane Carlson, a sheriff suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease. Early on, a murdered teen is discovered in a meth lab, and Carlson’s plodding investigation forms the backbone of Spragg’s narrative. But it’s the author’s endearingly biting characters, not the slowly unpacking whodunit, that drives the book. You root for these people no matter how much dysfunction they leave in their wake, mostly because they’re always saying things you’d never have the guts to utter out loud. “You want me to talk with [your manager] about this attitude you’ve got going on?” a woman asks a motel clerk who’s just implied that he knows she’s there for a tryst. “No ma’am,” he replies. “Then try not being such a smutty little s***-head.” [wyomingarts edits]. Spragg, who lives in Wyoming, understands how people endure the state’s harsh lifestyle: Hard times go down easier when you’ve got a bitter sense of humor. – Christopher Keyes

2010 Visual arts fellowship applications available on WAC web site

The printable application and guidelines for the 2010 visual arts fellowships is available on the Wyoming Arts Council web site. Go to http://www.wyomingartscouncil.org.

Applications will be mailed on Tuesday, Feb. 23, to those on the WAC mailing list.

This year, the WAC will award up to three fellowships of $3,000 each to honor the work of Wyoming visual artists that reflects serious and exceptional aesthetic investigation. Painters, sculptors, printmakers, potters, media artists, craftspeople, video, film and others (see guidelines) are invited to apply by submitting images of their work.

Postmark deadline is April 1.

Jurors for this year's competition are sculptor Kate Budd from Akron, Ohio; Sue Johnson, mixed-media artist from St. Mary's, Maryland; and photographer Mark Klett of Tempe, Ariz.

SAVE THE DATE: Please join your colleagues and the visual arts fellowship jurors in Casper for an awards reception and jurors’ roundtable on Saturday evening, April 24. More information about this free event will be mailed to those on the WAC’s visual artists’ list, and will also be posted on the WAC web site and the blog at http://wyomingarts.blogspot.com.