BBHC offers field trip for Fern-filled Fauna of the Bighorn Basin

Fossilized vegetation of the Bighorn Basin

From the Buffalo Bill Historical Center:

Dr. Scott Wing describes his job like this, “As a research scientist and curator at the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History the three major parts of my job are research, collections, and outreach.”

All three come together on July 9, 2011, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with a plant fossil field trip to the Big Cedar Ridge in the southeastern Bighorn Basin. The Buffalo Bill Historical Center co-sponsors the outing—dubbed Fern-filled Fauna of the Bighorn Basin—with the Wyoming Native Plant Society, Washakie Museum, and the University of Wyoming Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center. There is no charge for the trip; however, pre-registration is required by contacting Emily Buckles at emilyb@bbhc.org or 307.578.4110.

Jackson Hole Public Art Initiative selects Don Rambadt's design for underpass project

Jackson Hole Public Art Initiative, Jackson Hole Community Pathways and the National Museum of Wildlife Art are pleased to announce that artist Don Rambadt has been selected to create public art for the retaining walls framing the North Highway 89 Underpass that connects to the Museum’s new sculpture trail.

The main features of Rambadt’s proposal (see artist's rendering above)are called “Sky Play” and “Aspen Gateway”. The artwork depicts a large group of young Ravens at play. The object of the flock’s attention is its stick-toting leader, a reference to the remarkably intelligent Raven’s use of tools, and its family’s unique position as the only birds that fashion and keep their favorite “toys”. The birds will be created in carbon steel plate supported by Corten steel panels.

Aspen Gateway presents the viewer with a stylized view of an Aspen grove, executed in mirror-polished stainless steel with a black background to accentuate the forms of the trees. “The steep, out-swept angle of the wing-walls presents a wonderful opportunity to reflect the sweeping scenery of the Elk Refuge on the surface of the artwork, while the subtle forms of the trees and the abstract shapes between the reflected images will prepare the viewers mind and eye for the artists’ visions that await them at the National Museum of Wildlife Art.”

Installation will take place this fall and into 2012.

FMI: Jackson Hole Public Art Initiative, Carrie Geraci / Director, 307-413-1474, www.jhpublicart.org

Help wanted: Lander Art Center

The Lander Art Center is looking for a part-time art teacher for Fall 2011 through Spring 2012 youth classes, 2 to 4 days/classes per week, times vary. Applicants must be motivated, flexible, and have a background or previous experience in the arts. Mail cover letter, resume, and 3 references to Lander Art Center 224 Main St. Lander, WY 82520 by July 10. Pay varies with experience.

"Figurative Art as Story, Metaphor, Presence" at UW

The University of Wyoming Art Museum's 2011 Summer Teaching Institute, "Figurative Art as Story, Metaphor, Presence," will be offered July 25-29 at the museum. All K-12 teachers and community educators are welcome.

Participants will use museum exhibitions, the Ann Simpson Artmobile exhibit, "Go Figure!" and resources from the American Heritage Centerand Coe Library to explore how figurative art can inspire educational lessons by communicating ideas and stories.

Visiting artists Ricki Klages (painting), Susan Moldenhauer (photography), Chris Amend (painting, drawing) and Matt Daly (cartooning and writing) will be available to inspire new thinking and introduce techniques.

Studio time is included every afternoon to explore new materials. This five-day workshop demonstrates how educators at all artistic levels can incorporate original art into lessons and build school and community partnerships for art education. Three credits of Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB) certification or UW Continuing Education credit are available to participants.

The cost is $150 for individuals, $125 for a first partner and $100 for any additional partners who register together. Daily lunch and snacks are included. For more information or to obtain a registration form, contact Wendy Bredehoft at (307) 766-3496 or wbredeho@uwyo.edu .

For additional information about the UW Art Museum call (307) 766-6622 or visit the museum's webpage atwww.uwyo.edu/artmuseum or blog at www.uwartmuseum.blogspot.com .

Located in the Centennial Complex at 2111 Willett Drive in Laramie, the museum is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Photo: Jennie Tamao's etching, "Party Hat" is among works in the Ann Simpson Artmobile exhibit, "Go Figure!" that will be featured in the 2011 Summer Teaching Institute. (Jennie Tamao)

Tha BossFoundation performs at VFW 1881 for Fourth of July weekend concert

Get updates at Tha BossFoundation on Facebook

Call for nominations: Wyoming Library Association

The Wyoming Library Association’s Awards and Grants Committee is accepting nominations for outstanding librarians, libraries, and supporters of our libraries!

WLA awards are a great opportunity to recognize individuals and institutions that have made a difference in the community, successfully completed a project, consistently provided outstanding service, or have done something remarkable in a Wyoming library deserving of an award.

Details:

• Nominations are due July 15, 2011.

• Nominating is easy, just fill out this form and press submit.

• A complete list of awards and requirements can be found online.

• Winners will be publicly announced during the annual meeting in Cheyenne.

• Questions? Please contact Laura Jackson, chair of the awards committee at luglean@uwyo.edu

Young artist from Afton blends the arts of ceramics and gardening

Kira Call is a young artist from Afton and is spending summer break from Utah State University working at Afton's Hi Mountain Floral. Some of her recent artwork blends her interests in ceramics and growing fruits and veggies. You can see her work on her Facebook page. I would post samples here but Blogger is not letting me post photos today. What gives, Blogger?

Here's Kira's artist's statement from Facebook:

Art is my life. I honestly have no idea where I would be without it. I love drawing, CERAMICS, painting, sculpting, and pretty much anything else that I can get my hands on. I love to play guitar-- but more specifically, I can get lost in the world of classical guitar music. I love the intricacy and emotion in it. I have become literally obsessed with ceramics... and making teapots, to be more specific-- I don't think my first teapots look too terrible. The best way to learn is to keep challenging myself to go further ;) I believe in doing things for my own reasons. I enjoy walking alone in the forest, drinking tea, bike riding, and surprising people. I dare you to try and find someone just like me ;)

Follow Cat Urbigkit's blogs from American Library Association conference

Pinedale writer and rancher Cat Urbigkit will be micro-blogging for the Association for Library Service to Children at the American Library Association annual conference June 23-28 in New Orleans. 

She is a trustee for the Sublette County Public Library System, a first time ALA Conference attendee and an award-winning writer & photographer. She will be doing a book signing at the Boyds Mills Press booth on Saturday afternoon (June 25). Check out her page, Welcome to Cat Urbigkit’s Paradise Sheep.

Cat will have a new book out in the fall. 

Donkey Creek Festival June 24-26 at Gillette College

The Donkey Creek Festival takes place June 24-June 26 with music, vendors, film and food.

The Donkey Creek Festival kicks off on the evening of June 24, with an Avenues of Art Reception at the Gillette College Tech Center from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The night concludes with a free outdoor film on the lawn of Gillette Campus featuring the animated hit Megamind.

On June 25, the day begins with a 5K walk/run at the Gillette College Tech Center hosted by the Campbell County Parks and Recreation Department. Then, the Boy Scouts of America hosts an all-you-can-eat pancake feed at the Gillette College Health Sciences Building beginning at 8 a.m. The Classic Car Show runs for five hours beginning at 10 a.m. at the Gillette College Tech Center parking lot.

Both Saturday and Sunday is filled with 12 hours of live music from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. A beer garden is available from noon-9 p.m. Saturday, and from noon-7 p.m. on Sunday.

Altogether, the Avenues of Art Reception, musical performances, outdoor film, and the classic car show are all free and open to the public.

Buffalo Bill Boycott rides into Cheyenne July 10

Join us at the Historic Governor's Mansion on Sunday, July 10, 1:30-3:30 p.m. for a performance by Lander's Buffalo Bill Boycott, a Wyoming and western entertainer (and a member of the Wyoming Arts Council's artist roster). A free family event. Location: 300 E. 21st Street., Cheyenne. 307-777-7878. FMI: http://buffalobillboycott.com

Bredehoft, Moldenhauer, Wilson: "Sequencing through Time and Place"

Wendy Lemen Bredehoft, Landscape 10, 2010, Strappo on Rives BFK, 6 x 8 inches

After the Wyoming Arts Council met in Laramie with the Wyoming Humanities Council, we all walked over to Gallery 211 to view an exhibition in progress.

The “Sequencing through Time and Place” exhibits feature artwork by Wendy Bredehoft and Susan Moldenhauer and dance video by Margaret Wilson.

Can dance movement, still photography and studio art come together in a seamless consideration of place and creative process in a public forum?

Part 1: Ucross presents the work created in 2009 during a six-day residency at the Ucross Foundation in northeastern Wyoming. It will be on view Wednesday, June 22.

Part 2: London is work made in the urban landscape of London where the vast space of the glazed-in British Museum became the work space for Bredehoft, Moldenhauer and Wilson to pursue their work together. It will be on view Saturday, June 25. 

Part 3: Fort Laramie presents work created by the artists at the Fort Laramie Historic Site in eastern Wyoming where the concept of framing became a dominant focus of their work. It will be on view on Wednesday, June 29.

Gallery 211 is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day of the exhibition. Free and open to the public. A full-color exhibition catalog which includes a DVD of Wilson's dance variations will be on sale for $30.

Call for entries: CIAO Gallery's "Printmakers Mode"

From the CIAO Gallery: Printmaking artists are encouraged to apply to participate in CIAO Gallery’s upcoming “4th Annual Printmakers Mode" exhibition, to be held July 21-August 16, 2011. The entry deadline is June 24. All types of work in the printmaking medium are eligible. Participants will be selected by uniqueness, emerging style, and use of material. First, Second, and Third place prize winners. Entrants will be notified June 27. All chosen artists' work must be delivered no later than July 20. Entry fees for this exhibition are now at the discounted rate of $35 to submit up to 5 digital images to be considered for the exhibition, $5 each additional, up to a total of 10 works. For more information, please call 307-733-7833, or visit www.ciaogallery.com and click the "Call To Artists" tab for application and more information.

Musicians supporting artists -- and vice versa

Wyomingarts is seeing more organizations in the Mountain West that are finding new and interesting ways to support artists and the arts. The above poster by Randy Pijoan promotes the June 22 performance by Widespread Panic at the Taos (N.M.) Solar Music Festival. All proceeds from poster sales will go to the Ventero Open Press non-profit organization in San Luis, Colo., which provides arts education, scholarships, art supplies and exhibition opportunities for both emerging and established artists. Check it out. Buy a poster.

Arts Council and Humanities Council team up at Wyoming Association of Municipalities conference

The Wyoming Arts Council's Mike Shay staffs the booth shared by WAC and the Wyoming Humanities Council at the Wyoming Association of Municipalities (WAM) conference in Sheridan on June 10. WCH staffers (not pictured) Jason Burge and Sheila Bricher-Wade stopped in Sheridan for their state tour promoting "Civility Matters." Photo by Jason Burge.

Call for artists: Renewal Altered Book Exhibit

From the Teton County Public Library:

As the library prepares for an addition and renovation, we invite you take apart and rebuild an old book. Repurposed book art projects will become part of a traveling exhibition opening this fall. Each participant will be given the same set of "starter supplies," including one book and a library-related word. Final projects due September 19. Free. To participate and get instructions contact: Adult Humanities Coordinator, Oona Doherty, 733-2164 ext. 135, odoherty@tclib.org.

Benefit for Old West Museum features Neal McCoy

Neal McCoy

The Old West Museum continues its partnership with the Outlaw Saloon in Cheyenne for a benefit concert on Saturday June 25, by Neal McCoy.  Tickets are $20.00 in advance and $25.00 the day of the show.  To buy tickets or for more information, visit www.oldwestmuseum.org or call (307)635-7552 or (307)778-7290.

Neal McCoy has 3 platinum albums and 1 gold album with such chart toppers as Wink, No Doubt About It, The Shake and Billy’s Got His Beer Goggles On.  McCoy has just released a new inspirational book entitled New Mountain to Climb.  For more information on Neal McCoy visit his web-site at www.nealmccoy.com.

Proceeds benefit the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum’s rotating exhibits, year-round children’s and educational programs, art shows and our collection of over 75,000 artifacts.

Work featured in the 2011 Governor's Capitol Art Exhibition for sale at State Museum

Marsha Barritt
Upton, Wyoming
"Reflections"
photo giclee
22" x 25"
$700

The 2011 Governor's Capitol Art exhibition and Sale celebrates Wyoming artists. This juried competition is building a unique art collection for display in the executive offices and public areas of government facilities in the Cheyenne area. The annual exhibition is a joint partnership between the five elected officials, the Governor’s Residence, Wyoming Travel & Tourism, Wyoming Business Council and the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, which includes the Wyoming Arts Council, the Wyoming State Museum and the Wyoming State Archives. Monies realized from the sale of works in the Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition are utilized to acquire new works for the permanent art collection of the Wyoming State Museum. Artwork is available for purchase through June 25. Please support this effort by personally selecting one, or more, of these unique works created by a Wyoming artist. Sales are handled through the Museum Store at the Wyoming State Museum. Your generosity is appreciated.

Update on Western Wyoming Plein Air Competition

News from Charles Dayton about the Western Wyoming Plein Air Competition July 20-23 in Cokeville:

Artists may paint anywhere in Western Wyoming with at least one painting within 20 miles of Cokeville. Artists may turn in up to four completed, framed and ready-to-be-hung works for the competition and show. All work must be done en plein air without the assistance of photography and must be started and completed on July 20th - July 22nd. The ‘Paint Out’ will be followed by a Reception and an Award Ceremony for the artists and their guests on Friday, July 22nd. The Western Wyoming Plein Competition will culminate in a show and sale held in conjunction with the Minerva Teichert Invitational Art Show.

Entry Fees: $10 for each surface pre-registered on or before July 15th, 2011, $15 entry fee for each surface registered at the competition.

Pre-registration by mail: All pre-paid, pre-registration forms are due before July 15th, 2011.

The Wyoming Plein Air competition will take place in Cokeville. Local lodging includes the HideOut Motel (307) 279.3281 or the (307) 279.5201.

FMI: 307.459.4195 or charlesdayton@allwest.net.

Wyoming Writers, Inc. conference good time for all

About 80 writers attended the annual Wyoming Writers, Inc. conference that took place in Casper at the Ramada Inn.

Manuscript pitches were made to Katie Dublinski of Gray Wolf Press and New York agent Peter Steinberg, and many writers were asked to send something along. That's always great to hear.

Poetry editor Chris Fishbach was there from Coffee House Press.

Keynote speaker at the Saturday night banquet was Lucia St. Clair Robson, historical fiction author, who was witty and entertaining.

There were some great readings at both open mike sessions.

The booksigning room was stocked with authors busily signing their books. Casper's "Run With the Herd" marathon, check-in was based at the Ramada, was also taking place, and a few runners visited the booksigning event.

Tom Empey closed the session on Sunday with a talk about written words and how they spark and give life to the performing arts. He had gathered several moving quotes for his theme, "Someone wrote those words."

Plans are in the works for next year's conference which will again take place in Casper.

A couple of rather new and interesting Wyoming magazines to mention.
The Wyoming Woman Magazine, based in Casper, was conceptualized by four young women -- Nettie H. Francis, Beth Worthen, Alicia Blevins and Amanda Helm. Their mission: "to connect the women of Wyoming through ideas, information, and inspiration." They accept submissions and ideas for articles and pay for the different features in the magazine. One of the nice features is the "Women at Work Directory," a list of women who are advertising their businesses -- anything from catering to travel tours. It's very reasonable to advertise there. Website: http://thewyomingwoman.com/

Wyoming's 307 Magazine, published by Celtic Media, LLC and also based in Casper, features articles and photos of Wyoming's great activities and spaces. Articles in the Winter 2011 issue: The Winter Angler, Detours (about the Continental Divide snowbile trail system), The Wiinter Time Hunting Blues, Saratoga, Cool Gear, Flint What? (about arrowheads), Mush (about the Wyoming International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race), an article on Corvettes, Born in New Jersy, Raised in Wyoming, Snowshoeing.
Website: http://www.307magonline.com/

Experimental exhibition explores concept of place and creative process

Sequencing through Time and Place, an experimental three-part exhibition by artist Wendy Bredehoft, photographer Susan Moldenhauer and dancer Margaret Wilson examines three locations through their respective mediums of mixed media, photography and movement. Each part will be on view for one day at Gallery 211, 211 1st St., Laramie.


                           Susan Moldenhauer, The London Project: The British Museum 2010, archival pigment ink on Inkpress WT Photo Rag, 12 x 18 inches



Wendy Lemen Bredehoft, Landscape 10, 2010,

Strappo on Rives BFK, 6 x 8 inches

For more than three years, Bredehoft, Moldenhauer and Wilson have investigated landscape and place through their respective mediums while considering the intersections between intent, meaning and creative process. How does a dancer interpret or respond to the same landscape as a painter or photographer? How do artists transcend medium to respond simultaneously to each other's work? Can dance movement, still photography and studio art come together in a seamless consideration of place and creative process in a public forum?
Part 1: Ucross presents the work created in 2009 during a six-day residency at the Ucross Foundation in northeastern Wyoming. The formative stages of the artists’ work together was established during this residency. Themes such as shadow, line, space and scale were integral to the exploration of the creative process expressed in the divergent media of dance, photography and the graphic arts. It will be on view Wednesday, June 22.

Part 2: London is work made in the urban landscape of London where the vast space of the glazed-in British Museum became the work space for Bredehoft, Moldenhauer and Wilson to pursue their work together. It will be on view Saturday, June 25.

Margaret Wilson, dancer

Part 3: Fort Laramie presents work created by the artists at the Fort Laramie Historic Site in eastern Wyoming where the concept of framing became a dominant focus of their work. It will be on view on Wednesday, June 29.

Gallery 211 is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day of the exhibition.

Moldenhauer (photographer) is the director and chief curator of the University of Wyoming Art Museum. Bredehoft (mixed media, pencil, charcoal, pastel, watercolor and Strappo) is the curator of eduation at the University of Wyoming Art Museum. Wilson (choreography and dance) is an associate professor of dance at the University of Wyoming and initiated the vertical dance program.

Sequencing Through Time and Place is sponsored by the UW Office of Academic Affairs and made possible by the support of many.

One week and counting: Postmark deadline June 20 for creative writing fellowships

Postmark deadline for the 2012 creative writing fellowships in fiction is Monday, June 20.

Judge for this year's fellowships is fiction writer and essayist Pam Houston.

FMI: Mike Shay at the Wyoming Arts Council, 307-777-5234 or mike.shay@wyo.gov

Montana native Shann Ray reads from his book American Masculine at Billings YMCA Writers Voice

Not in Wyoming but just a few miles north of the border in Billings:

THE YMCA WRITER’S VOICE presents 2010 BAKELESS PRIZE FOR FICTION WINNER SHANN RAY reading from AMERICAN MASCULINE, 7 p.m., Thursday, July 14, third floor Parmly Billings Library, 510 N. Broadway, Billings, Mont.

American Masculine, is a muscular debut story collection that reconfigures the myths of the American West; a deeply felt and fiercely written ode to the country we left behind. “Ray’s collection has an unsettling power as his roughened characters incrementally come to terms with their humanity, fallibility, and their realized capacity for atonement. This is a highly accomplished and intensely lyrical debut.” – Publishers Weekly

Shann Ray Ferch holds a PhD in psychology from the University of Alberta. His work has appeared in McSweeney’s, Story Quarterly, and other publications. He grew up in Montana, spent part of his childhood on the Northern Cheyenne reservation and was a part of two state championship high school basketball teams at Park High in Livingston, coached by his dad, Tom Ferch. He played college basketball with his brother Kral at Montana State University, then played at Pepperdine University and professionally in Germany.

"Sequencing through Time & Place" at Gallery 211 in June

From Susan Moldenhauer:

An experimental exhibition in three parts by artist Wendy Bredehoft, dancer Margaret Wilson, and photographer Susan Moldenhauer will take place at Gallery 211 in Laramie later this month. Each exhibition is open to the public for one day as we explore how to present our work that explores three places: Ucross, London, and Fort Laramie. If you are in Laramie on Wednesday, June 22; Saturday, June 25 and/or Wednesday, June 29; stop by and let us know what you think!

"Civility Matters!" grants available now

From our colleagues at the Wyoming Humanities Council: 
The Wyoming Humanities Council seeks public humanities projects with innovative approaches to the topic of civility, especially those focusing on creative formats, new or underserved audiences including youth, and community partnerships.
Maximum funding: $5000
Deadlines: Monthly, postmarked on or before the first of the month
Grant period: Starting February 1, 2011, and continuing until all funds are expended.  Projects must be completed by June 30, 2012.
Decision making: Grants Committee of the Wyoming Humanities Council

Artsy fun for families at Cheyenne Botanic Gardens

"Murder Rides Again... in Jackson Hole" opens June 22

Jackson Community Theater presents "Murder Rides Again....in Jackson Hole," a wacky wild west murder mystery Dessert Theater show for the whole family. 

Discover how the West was fun!

Shows are June 22, 23, 24 at the Elks Lodge, 7:30 pm. Tickets available at Valley Books and at the door.

Call 307-733-7925 for more information. 

Cheyenne author Josh Mitchell signs copies of his new book June 10 at City News

Cheyenne newspaper reporter and author Josh Mitchell will be signing copies of his new book, My Life in Executive Session, from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, June 10, at City News, 1722 Carey Ave., in downtown Cheyenne.

A blurb from the book's promo material:

When investigative journalist Warren Bradley goes to work for a newspaper in Jupiter, Arkansas, he wants to report the truth about the corrupt politicians in the small town. But his boss is part of the local good-ol'-boys system and censors the real news. Bradley uncovers too much and is fired in an attempt to make him leave town. Instead of hitting the road, Bradley starts an online newspaper and is finally able to report the truth. Set in the rural South, the novel has many colorful characters and unforgettable scenes.

Find out more from the publisher at www.westsouthpublishing.com

Sarah Dahlberg leaving WOW to be elementary art teacher in Laramie schools

Sarah Dahlberg

News from Sarah Dahlberg, coordinator of Works of Wyoming in Laramie:

At the end of the month, I will be leaving WOW to take a position as an elementary art teacher here in Laramie. I would like to thank all who have been so supportive of me and WOW since I begun working here in November of 2009. It has been a wonderful experience meeting and collaborating with artists and organizations to bring quality shows, workshops and events to the community. Thank you!

Wyomingarts hates to see you go, Sarah. But best wishes in the classroom. The Wyoming Arts Council worked with WOW in May for a series of professional development workshops for visual artists. WAC hopes for more of these types of collaborative ventures in the future.

WOW's "Rated M for Mature Artists" show opens June 30

Potential Energy by Cat Martin.

Beginning June 30, Works of Wyoming in Laramie will feature work by Crystal Lawrence, Shirlee Dahlberg, Dennis Fonfara, Jon & Ginnie Madsen, Joy Keown, Win Ratz, Dianna & Anthony James, Cat Martin, Jerry Glass, Mary Jo Atherton, Cathi Carr-Lunfeldt, David Larsen, and Jeanie Schlump. The show's title is "Rated M for Mature Artists."

The gallery opening and Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours will be Friday, June 30 from 5:30-7:30 pm with entertainment, snacks, and a raffle. The show will remain up until July 29.  

SNAAP study: Performing and visual arts alumni take many paths to meet career objectives

This report on a study by the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project comes to us via NASAA Notes from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies:

The Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP) at Indiana University's Center for Postsecondary Research addresses the previously unanswered question of what happens to alumni of performing and visual arts in its report Forks in the Road: The Many Paths of Arts Alumni. 

Stereotypes and misconceptions abounded about what these graduates were doing, with one of the most common being that they are unable to find work in their desired field and therefore are forced to take jobs outside of their desired field. After receiving 13,581 responses, SNAAP was able to dispel that myth and provide a clearer picture of the activities of these graduates. 

At the time of the survey in December 2010, only 6% of arts alumni were unemployed and looking for work, compared to 9.6% of the national work force. However, this number is slightly higher than the unemployment rate of 4.8% for those with at least a bachelor's degree.* 41% of graduates are currently working as professional artists, and 17% who previously worked as professional artists are employed in other fields. Among professional artists, satisfaction with their work varies widely among occupation, but satisfaction with income is low across occupations. 

Arts alumni are generally happy with their education, with more than 90% responding that their experience was good or excellent and 76% responding that they would attend the same institution again. More than half of those currently working outside the arts found their arts training relevant to their job. The survey results suggest that career counseling at performing arts schools could be improved. More than half of undergraduates were dissatisfied with their institutions' career advising, and a similar percentage thought their institution did not help them acquire financial and business skills. 

The SNAAP website has more information about the study and six very cool interactive infographics. There is also information for institutions to sign up to participate in future SNAAP surveys. If you would like to speak to a NASAA staff person about this study, contact Henry Clapp.

—Henry Clapp, NASAA Research Associate

Justin Richards' unique furniture featured at Art Design & Dine June 9

Infill Nesting Tables, Justin Richards

Cheyenne artist Justin Richards will display his unique furniture at Glen Garrett's architectural studio and offices in downtown Cheyenne. The exhibit debuts during Art Design & Dine from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, June 9, in various locales around central Cheyenne.

Justin Richards is a furniture designer who recently completed an 8 week residency at Anderson Ranch in Colorado.

Justin had this to say about his work: "As a student of architecture and a practitioner of furniture design, I blur any distinction that exists between the two trades. My recent work invokes a hybrid notion of “designed intervention” -- I approach architecture from a level of detail found in furniture design, and I design furniture with consideration for its architectural impact. I am as immersed in fabrication as I am in design, and I constantly move between the two as I identify problems and pursue solutions."

Deborah Brevoort wins University of Wyoming's 2011 "Essays on Theatre" competition

From a UW press release:

New York playwright and librettist Deborah Brevoort is the winner of the University of Wyoming's national 2011 Amy and Eric Burger Essays on Theatre competition.

The winning essay, "On Literary Activism," has been selected for the $2,500 annual prize. The head of the national adjudicating team, Jim Volz, president of Consultants for the Arts, says, "This engaging essay discusses the complicated relationship between political activism and playwriting and the persuasive power of the pen."

"This nationally-advertised competition sparked entries from throughout America and it's great that Ms. Brevoort continues to impact the American theatre with her plays and writings about the theatre," says Gracie Lawson-Borders, UW College of Arts and Sciences associate dean.

Brevoort is an alumna of New Dramatists and is best known for "The Women of Lockerbie," which won the Kennedy Center's Fund for New American Plays Award and the silver medal in the Onassis International Playwriting Competition. Her other plays include "The Poetry of Pizza, The Blue-Sky Boys" and "The Velvet Weapon."  Her new play "The Comfort Team" will premiere at the Virginia Stage Company in 2012.

Brevoort has an MFA in playwriting from Brown University and an MFA in musical theatre writing from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where she currently teaches. Brevoort also teaches in the MFA creative writing program at Goddard College in Vermont and in the graduate playwriting program at Columbia University in New York.

"The high profile University of Wyoming arts competition is intended to inspire students, faculty and theatre and drama professionals to pursue their literary talents and reward talented authors who write on any aspect of drama or theatre," says Lawson-Borders.

Unpublished essays may range from 1,800-7,500 words.

The program is offered through a special endowment to UW's College of Arts and Sciences to honor Amy and Eric Burger. For more information, email Lawson-Borders at glawsonb@uwyo.edu .

Ann Chambers Noble signs copies of "Hurry McMurry" June 17 at the BBHC in Cody

Ann Chambers Noble and Neil McMurry

From a BBHC press release:

According to biographer Ann Chambers Noble, “If there was a difference of opinion, his [McMurry’s] answer would be to have coffee the next morning, and they [the folks at odds] would sit, resolve it, and have a handshake at the end of breakfast. He would always stick to what they agreed on.”

Now, Noble shares more about this energetic businessman’s acumen and philanthropy in her latest book Hurry McMurry: W.N. “Neil” McMurry, Wyoming Entrepreneur. In a short presentation at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center’s McCracken Library gallery on Friday, June 17, 11:30 a.m. – noon, Noble discusses her book about McMurry, one of Wyoming’s most well-known philanthropists and businessmen from Casper. The program is free to the public; visitors simply need to let admissions staff know they’re in the Center for the program.

McMurry grew up in Casper during the Great Depression and went on to develop a series of successful businesses in Wyoming, including a construction company, Rissler & McMurry, that built most of the state highways. Noble says that in writing the book, she found it interesting that everyone—whether McMurry worked for them or they worked for him—had the same opinion about McMurry’s character. “All talked about what an incredible work ethic he had and how honest he always was.”

With gifts to Casper College, to various children’s programs, and to many education-focused entities, McMurry’s philanthropic interests have made many important initiatives possible within Wyoming. Nevertheless, he remains very humble—a trait that Noble says almost prevented the book from being written as her subject was reluctant to garner so much attention

Noble’s book will be available for purchase in the Center’s Museum Store, and the family will be on hand for a book-signing beginning at 1:30 p.m. Read more about McMurry at www.hurrymcmurry.com, and stay abreast of Historical Center activities on its Web site at www.bbhc.org.

Committed to connecting people with the Spirit of the American West, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center weaves the varied threads of the western experience—history and myth, art and Native culture, firearms technology and Yellowstone natural history—into the rich panorama that is the American West. The Center, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is now operating its summer schedule, open daily 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. For general information, visit www.bbhc.org, or call 307.587.4771.

For W.N. “Hurry” McMurry, solving problems is best done over breakfast.

Functional meets fanciful at "Upcycling 101" in Casper

Wyomingarts had a chance to meet with Casper artist and performer Betsy Bower on Sunday. Betsy's mom, writer Cindy Bower, arranged the meeting as she was wrapping up the annual Wyoming Writers, Inc., conference at Ramada Riverside.

Everyone in Casper was out and about this weekend, no doubt because it was the first good weather of the spring. Betsy had participated Saturday in "Upcycling 101" at the Winter Methodist Church and the adjacent James Reeb Memorial Community Playground in north Casper. When she wasn't demonstrating how to upcycle old wine bottles into drinking glasses using a portable forge, she was peddling her blendercycle. Here's a description of the contraption from an article by Tom Morton in Sunday's Casper Star-Tribune:

Bower had on display a creation that wasn’t particularly useful, definitely not beautiful, but certainly fun. 

She enhanced a child’s bicycle by mounting a blender on a wooden platform on the rear bumper and running a vertical axle from the blender to the top of the rear tire, which would drive the axle to power the blender. Sort of margaritas on the go. 

Forget the margaritas. Betsy spent at least part of the day pedaling smoothies into an eco-friendly froth. Anne MacKinnon's Little Hands organization had several work stations for children and adults at the event. The organization, funded by the Wyoming Arts Council, the Natrona County Recreation Joint Powers Board and AmeriCorps, operates free programs for children 6 and under who, with their parents, learn art. 

She, a few children and a couple of others involved with Little Hands played and created art by smearing thinset mortar — used in laying tile — on a sheet of plastic covering a worn metal patio table. They chose stones, discarded jewelry, lids and other items from a box, then placed them at random in the thinset to create a tabletop.

You can call it upcycling or recycling or reusing. Or just creativity.

Shotgun Orange headlines Soundcheck 4 in Pinedale

Shotgun Orange

The Pinedale Fine Arts Council will be presenting the fourth annual Soundcheck mini-music fest on June 25 in the American Legion Park (5 p.m., free) in Pinedale. Sound Check was first conceived four years ago following PFAC's purchase of a new sound system via grant monies from the Wyoming Cultural Trust. The inaugural event was a hit so it became an annual festival with attendance growing each year. This is sure to be the music event of the summer so mark the date on the calendar, dust off your cooler and camp chairs and come listen to some great music. More info at http://www.pinedalefinearts.com/Soundcheck_4/index.html

Poets meet paleontologists this weekend in Casper

Dee the Mammoth fossil

"Dee and the Mammoth" book

Paleontologists and geologists are in Casper through Sunday for the 17th Annual Tate Conference. It will feature topics ranging from “Asian Elephant Behavior” to “Ice Age Discovery in Snowmass Village.”


Friday presentations include discussions on “Climate Change at the Paleocene-Eocene Boundary,” The Largest Mounted Mammoth in North America, Dee the Mammoth,” “Cats of the Camelot Local Fauna,” and others. Saturday presentations will include talks on ambush predators, the Dire wolf of Rancho La Brea, Pleistocene bear communities, the giant short-faced bear, and Porcupine Cave. The day will end with Keynote speaker Steven R. Holen, curator of archeology for the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Holen will speak on the exciting discovery and current excavation project the museum is engaged in at Snowmass Village, Colo., “Ice Age Discovery in Snowmass Village: A Mid-to Early Wisconsin Fossil Locality High in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.” The excavation is the largest-ever excavation the museum has ever been involved in. As of May 24, 2011, museum crews had found more than 100 bones which included two mastodon skulls; two mastodon pelvises; three mammoth tusks; mastodon vertebrae, ribs, wrist and ankle bones, and large bones including the upper arm and forearm; a sloth forearm; bison wrist bone; and deer pelvis. Registration is $40 each for the first and third field trips June 2 and 5, and $150 for the Friday through Saturday portion of the conference, June 3 and 4. To register stop by the Tate Geological Museum on the Casper College campus, or call the museum at 268-2447, 800-442-2963, ext. 2447, email dschaff@caspercollege.edu, or visit www.caspercollege.edu/tate.

Meanwhile, poets and writers are gathering June 3-5 in Casper for sessions like these:

• "The Ghost That Got Into My House" (after the James Thurber story) by Lucia St. Clair Robson
• "Appropriate Appropriating" by poet Chris Fishbach
• Pete McCarthy's sessions on online marketing and social media
• The ever-popular open mic sessions on Friday and Saturday nights
• A closing talk by Tom Empey, actor, director and recently-retired chair of the Casper College theatre department

FMI: http://www.wyowriters.org/Resources/WWINC_ConferenceBrochure2011.pdf

If you are a writer and geologist, you would have a tough time choosing events.

The big question is: Is Casper big enough to accommodate both poets and paleontolgists this weekend?

Tune into this blog Monday to find out.

Summer means time for reading

Time to get going on summer reading. The Laramie County Public Library launches its Summer reading celebration for all ages. Sign up at http://lclsonline.org/src/2011/

Also at the library is the "One World, Wyoming Stories" exhibition. Items from various ethnic traditions in Wyoming will be in display cases throughout the building. Presented in partnership with Wyoming Arts Council’s Folk & Traditional Arts Program and University of Wyoming’s American Studies Program. 

Micah Wyatt on stage at the Oasis Lounge June 3

Musician Micah Wyatt will perform on Friday, June 3, 6 p.m., at the newly reopened Oasis Lounge at the Holiday Inn, 1809 Sugarland Drive, Sheridan.

Musician Micah Wyatt will perform on Friday, June 3, 6 p.m., at the newly reopened Oasis Lounge at the Holiday Inn, 1809 Sugarland Drive, Sheridan. 

Call for entries: Women's Film Institute Shorts Tour

The Women's Film Institute is hitting the road again, and we are inviting you and your peers to submit your film to the the 3rd Annual Women's Film Institute Shorts Tour!

Over the last two years since its launch, the Women's Film Institute Shorts Tour has screened at various galleries, arthouse theaters, universities, and media arts centers all across the country and throughout the world. The diverse selection of shorts at the tour celebrates the exceptional contributions of women in the world of cinema from around the globe. The tour includes a cross-section of socially-conscious films that are a catalyst for connecting communities and fostering discussion through the power of independent filmmaking. The films serve as a quilt of stories meant to invoke and inspire audience-goers long after they leave the screening.

This is a call for entries for this year's tour. The 3rd Annual Women's Film Institute Shorts Tour accepts short films/videos 20 minutes or under in length, and of all genres: narrative, documentary, music video, animation, and experimental works. Films/videos must be directed or co-directed by women.

Regular Deadline: May 28. Entry Fee: $35
Late Deadline: July 15. Entry Fee: $45
Submit your entry via Withoutabox.com
Sign-up for Withoutabox.com is free!

For more information on the WFI and on submitting your film, visit: http://womensfilminstitute.