Bill Downs on "The Writer's Life: Creativity, Censorship and Copyright" June 2 in Jackson

Bill Downs

UW news release:

Writing and censorship, waterfowl management and comparisons of two popular museum exhibitions are among topics for discussion Saturday, June 2, for the summer term of Saturday U -- the University of Wyoming's free one-day college education program.

A half-day of college classes and discussion begins with refreshments at 8:30 a.m., followed by a welcoming address at 8:45 a.m. at the National Museum of Wildlife Art Cook Auditorium in Jackson.

Three representatives from UW will then present lectures, followed by a free lunch and a question-and-answer session.

Saturday U is a collaborative program that connects popular UW professors with lifelong learners in Jackson Hole. Offered three times a year, Saturday U is sponsored by the university, the UW Foundation and Wyoming Humanities Council. Saturday U is presented by Central Wyoming College (CWC), the National Museum of Wildlife Art and Teton County Library Foundation.

Program topic descriptions and UW representatives lecturing are:

9-10 a.m. -- "The Writers Life: Creativity, Censorship and Copyright," William Missouri Downs, UW Department of Theatre and Dance professor of play and screenwriting. Who owns the copyright on the movies and plays you attend? How does censorship affect the writer's voice and, ultimately, the intellectual life of the audience?

Downs says there are vast differences in the creative process when writing for the stage or screen -- a process influenced by copyright and censorship. He will discuss how these factors can be a major influence on those who write for the stage and screen, and how the end result impacts those seated in the audience.

10:15-11:15 a.m. - "The Future of Waterfowl Management, Conservation and Hunting," Benjamin Rashford, UW Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics assistant professor. Waterfowl management and conservation in America is a success story of the North American wildlife conservation model -- a globally unique model that manages wildlife as a public resource, using science and funded largely by hunters.

Since 1846, hunters have played a critical role in developing and financing nearly every major waterfowl management and conservation initiative. But complex forces, from demographic shifts and agricultural policy, to economics and climate change, are casting an increasingly dark shadow over the future of waterfowl conservation, Rashford says.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. -- "Ghosts in the Museum: The Shockingly Similar Visions of BodyWorlds and Yves Saint Laurent," Kent Drummond, UW Department of Management and Marketing professor. At first glance, the two contemporary museum blockbusters, "BodyWorlds" and "Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective," would appear to have little in common. One presents dozens of highly stylized corpses in life-like poses, while the other presents dozens of mannequins draped in artful haute couture of the age.

"One uncovers the body to reveal a dazzling display of materials, while the other uses a dazzling display of materials to cover up the body," Drummond says. "One brings to mind Dr. Frankenstein; the other, Matisse. Yet, a closer look reveals striking similarities between the two."

12:30-1:30 p.m. -- Lunch and a speaker roundtable moderated by Jim McNutt, Museum of Wildlife Art president, plus an audience question-and-answer session in the Wapiti Gallery.

Participants may attend one, two or all three lectures, plus the final roundtable. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, or to register for college credit or Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB) credit, call Susan Thulin, CWC outreach coordinator, at (307) 733-7425.

For more information about Saturday U, visit the website at http://www.uwyo.edu/SaturdayU/ or contact Teton County Library Adult Humanities Coordinator Oona Doherty at (307) 733-2164, ext. 135, or email odoherty@tclib.org .

Photo: William Missouri Downs, UW Department of Theatre and Dance professor, will present "The Writers Life: Creativity, Censorship and Copyright" at the summer term of Saturday U, Saturday, June 2, in Jackson.

Gregory McHuron conducts free plein air painting demonstration June 9 at GTNP

Gregory McHuron painting the Chapel of the Transfiguration at last year's "Artists in the Environment" event in Grand Teton National Park.

The Grand Teton Association invites the public to join world-renowned artist Gregory I. McHuron, for a live plein air painting demonstration at Grand Teton National Park's Blacktail Pond, one of the Park’s most beautiful overlooks. The event is free and open to the public. McHuron will paint on site Saturday, June 9, 2012, 4:00-7:00 pm.

A leader of Jackson Hole’s plein air painting tradition, Greg McHuron primarily paints wildlife and landscapes throughout the United States and Canada. Classically trained, McHuron is a master draftsman and favors capturing the natural world using oil paints and watercolor/gouache.

A co-founder of the Grand Teton Association’s “Artists in the Environment,” (he shares the achievement with renowned plein air painter Conrad Schwiering) McHuron began sketching at an early age. His interest in wilderness and wildlife propelled him to graduate from Oregon State University with a degree in Art, and a curriculum emphasis in Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife studies.

“Painting oils and watercolor/gouache en plein air for the past 35 years, I am inspired by and able to distill my passion for nature in a direct and personal manner by painting my emotional response to the ‘WOW’ that I see as I watch scenes unfold,” says the artist. “People have said that they are immediately struck by my strong sense of design--then, the interesting color combinations, juxtapositions, and light and dark patterns. The common thread in all my work is that I was THERE - that I have experienced what I turn my brush to."

McHuron has taught workshops, given demonstrations and participated in quick-draws for a variety of organizations including the Wyoming Artists Association, Wind River Artist Association, Scottsdale School of the Arts and the Lodge at Palisades. The National Museum of Wildlife Art, CM Russell Show, Grand Teton National Park, Isle Royale National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve all include McHuron’s work in their permanent collections.

McHuron paints the West from Alaska--venturing above the Arctic Circle--to the Southwest, doing whatever it takes to “get the painting.” Ever the explorer, McHuron is fearless in his quest to create. Standing in rivers, on the edge of cliffs, in a bobbing raft down the Grand Canyon or on a ship along the coast up to Alaska, riding horseback into wilderness areas, or accidentally finding myself in the middle of a buffalo stampede---it’s all part of Gregory I. McHuron’s mission to paint the “WOW.”

About the Series: “Artists in the Environment” is funded by the Grand Teton Association, an organization whose purpose is to promote appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of the Grand Teton National Park and the Greater Yellowstone Area. Free to all, viewers are invited to bring a chair, a snack, and those who would like to are welcome to paint alongside the artist. Look for the big, bright "Artist's Demonstration" banner!

FMI: http://www.grandtetonpark.org/ or 307.739.3403

Danielle Ate the Sandwich performs May 30 at UW

Fort Collins-based musician Danielle Anderson, who goes by the stage name Danielle Ate the Sandwich, will perform 11:45 a.m-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, on the University of Wyoming Simpson Plaza.
An independent folk musician and songwriter, Danielle has toured nationally since 2009, playing for a loyal fan base of online followers.

With her YouTube videos gaining millions of views, Danielle has been able to turn her passion for music into a full-time career. Having released four albums, Danielle Ate the Sandwich will soon release her fifth full-length studio album, "Like a King."

Described by Denver's Westword as "cripplingly enchanting with lyrics telling the story of a generation coming of age in an age of uncertainty," Danielle brings her own quirky attitude to her music that has an alluring quality for listeners.

The program is part of UW Summer Programs' Summer Concert Series. For more information on Danielle Ate the Sandwich or to listen to some of her songs, visit http://www.danielleatethesandwich.com/ .

Photo: Danielle Ate the Sandwich will perform 11:45 a.m-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, on the University of Wyoming

Blue Star Museums offer free summer admission to active-duty military personnel and families

From a National Endowment for the Arts press release:

Today, Blue Star Families announced the launch of Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 1,600 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel, including active Reserve and National Guard, and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2012. Leadership support has been provided by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families. The complete list of participating museums is available at www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. Find the list of participating museums in Wyoming at http://www.nea.gov/national/bluestarmuseums/index2012.php?st=WY#list

The launch of the program was announced today at a press event at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The event was hosted by Metropolitan Museum President Emily Rafferty, who was joined by Blue Star Families CEO Kathy Roth-Douquet, NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman, A. Dennis White, CEO and President of MetLife Foundation, local military families and representatives from the more than 40 New York City museums participating in Blue Star Museums this summer. Following the event, the presenters escorted local families representing the Armed Forces on a tour of several galleries at the Metropolitan Museum, which has been a Blue Star Museum since the program began in 2010.

Call for entries: Cody Country Art League annual art show

The Cody Country Art League is holding its 47th Annual Art Show. Judge for this year's competition is Lili Francuz, an artist from Fort Collins, Colo., who -- until retirement -- was the Wyoming State Museum curator and visual arts specialist at the Wyoming Arts Council. Submission deadline is May 31 although the Art League will be accepting pieces through June 8. Get complete guidelines at office@codycountryartleague.com or 307-587-3597. Web site: http://www.codycountryartleague.com/

Wind River Reservation's North Bear drum group wins National Hand Drum prize

North Bear drum group from the Wind River Reservation wins 2012 National Hand Drum prize in Albuquerque NM this past weekend.

Auditions for "The Maid of the Mill" Melodrama will be held May 21-22 at Atlas Theatre

Auditions for the 2012 Old-Fashioned Summer Melodrama, THE MAID OF THE MILL or TIED BUT TRUE, will be held May 21 & 22 @ 6:30pm at the Historic Atlas Theatre, 211 W. Lincolnway, Cheyenne These evenings are for all cast members, dancers, sheriffs, emcees, and card girls. Even if you have participated with melodrama in the past we need you to come and audition one of these nights. Get more info at http://www.cheyennelittletheatre.org/_pdfs/2012/audition_information_melodrama_play.pdf

In the news: "Celebrating Dutch Hop"

Dutch Hop street dance. Photo by Ronna Lee Sharpe.

Last summer's "Celebrating Dutch Hop" event in Loveland, Colo., was featured in the Colorado Creative Industries newsletter. Similar gatherings were held in Wyoming and Nebraska. Organizers of the events featuring German Rusian Culture were Annie Hatch, Wyoming Arts Council folk and traditional arts specialist, and Georgia Wier, former CCI folklorist.

The NIC to hold two conservation care workshops May 30 & 31

On May 30 & 31, the NIC will host two conservation care workshops led by conservator Victoria Montana Ryan. One workshop will be geared for the general public, which will look at basic care and cleaning for family heirlooms and art. The other workshop will be for museum professionals and will examine risk factors to museum collections.

Preserving Your Treasures
Wednesday, May 30, 6:00pm
Open to the Public
Members: FREE
Non-members: $5 per person.

Own a Picasso? How about family photos? Whether you're a collector of fine art or have precious family heirlooms, you want to be able to provide appropriate care for your treasures. This presentation will introduce you to basic care steps, based on conservation principles, which you can take to prolong the life of your collection. There will be time for questions after the presentation.

Collections Care Workshop
Thursday, May 31, 9:00am- 3:00pm
FREE to Museum Professionals

This Collections Care Workshop will review the primary risks to our collections, including the environment, materials, and handling. Environmental parameters, equipment and monitoring, and new topics of interest will be discussed. For handling and materials, the workshop will have a hands-on section along with materials identification and discussion of which materials options may be the "greenest." Attendees are encouraged to bring questions regarding their collections, environments or materials, as there will be time after the presentation for discussions. Please indicate your intention to attend by May 29, 2012 to guarantee copies of the handouts by emailing iburnett@thenic.org

Victoria Montana Ryan is a Fellow Member of the American Institute for Conservation. She is currently the owner of Art Care Services, Colorado Springs.

FMI: Lisa Hatchadoorian, Nicolaysen Art Museum, 400 E. Collins, (307) 235-5247

"Between Heart and Place" -- New landscape paintings by Kathryn Mapes Turner

"Summer Storm," 9x20, Kathryn Mapes Turner

“Between Heart and Place,” An Artist Explores Homeland in Collection of New Landscape Paintings

Trio Fine Art Gallery, 545 N. Cache Avenue, Jackson, will host an exhibition of the works of Kathryn Mapes Turner August 1-18. Artist Reception will be held on August 9, 5-8 p.m., Turner will lead a conversation on creativity as it relates to the landscape at 6:30 p.m. FREE and open to the public. Gallery hours Wednesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m.

About the artist and her work:

Turner was born into a fourth generation ranching family in Jackson Hole. As a teen, Turner had the opportunity to study with acclaimed landscape painters and then continued her art education in such celebrated places as Italy, Mexico and Washington DC. The artist has since returned to her native Wyoming, but remains committed to her evolution as an artist beyond the sphere of her youth. Kathryn’s hard work has yielded both local accolades and national recognition. Last fall, her painting, “Siena” won the “Best in Show” at the American Impressionist Society. Her work is also featured in celebrated national exhibitions such as Birds in Art at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum and Western Visions at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Southwest Art Magazine once distinguished Turner among the “Artists to Watch,” predicting what has indeed become a most promising career.

Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day and ballet

Roman Baca, on the shoulder of the standing male dancer, during a performance of Baca 's "Homecoming". Baca is a USMC Veteran of Iraq: choreographer & ballet dancer and co-founder of Exit 12 Dance Company of New York City. Photo Courtesy of Roman Baca. Read about Baca's lifelong devotion to ballet at American Homecomings at the Denver Post. 



"Wyoming Showcase" night at the Cheyenne International Film Festival

Tonight is officially opening night at the Cheyenne International Film Festival. Wyoming films are showcased, including "The Summer of '81," winner of the Wyoming Film Office's Short Film Contest. It all wraps up with a screening of "Wyoming Triumph." Get the complete schedule by going to http://cheyenneinternationalfilmfestival.com/blog/film/opening-night-showcases-wyoming-films/

Tickets on sale today for Lyle Lovett's July 18 Casper concert

Who: Lyle Lovett

When: 8 p.m. JULY 18

Where: Casper Events Center

Tickets on sale 11:30 a.m. TODAY: $39.50, $59.50, available at the Casper Events Center Box Office, charge by phone at 800-442-2256 or http://www.caspereventscenter.com/.

Info: http://www.lylelovett.com/

Read more: http://trib.com/weekender/music/casper-lyle-lovett/article_c619ba61-953d-56b8-a48f-a037024bfc97.html#ixzz1vFAC3jHB

Wyoming Tribune Eagle Online: "Cheyenne's favored son returns for film festival"

Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Daniel Junge returns to his hometown for Cheyenne International Film Festival. Read more at Cheyenne's favored son returns for film festival .

Editor's note: We always thought that the expression was "favorite son." We looked up "favored son" online and found a reference to a book by that title, which sounded interesting, and looked up the dictionary definition of favored: "Treated or looked upon with special kindness or liking;" "having special talents." That sounds right to us. Welcome back, Daniel!

Reception tonight for Historic Governor's Mansion exhibits

Three new Historic Governors’ Mansion exhibits exploring various unique topics in the inner workings of the First Families, the staff and the mansion will open May 19. An opening reception celebrating the mansion’s new look will be held from 4-6 p.m., May 18, with refreshments reminiscent of the 1950s served in the Carriage House. For more information about the new exhibits or the mansion, please call 777-7878 or visitwyoparks.state.wy.us.

Lotsa people viewing "Lotsa Locks" and other paintings in the Cheyenne Depot Museum's RailART Show & Sale

Lotsa people turned out yesterday evening at the Cheyenne Depot Museum for a preview of the RailART Show and Sale which includes "Lotsa Locks" (shown above), an acryclic painting, 36x48 inches, by Wyoming artist Jeanie Schlump. The art show and sale kicks into high gear this weekend and will be on display through July 29. Sales will go toward establishing a permanent railroad art collection at the museum. After viewing the art, you can marvel at the huge model train set. It's a unique experience to watch the miniature trains move around the set while viewing freight trains rumble through the railyard outside the big picture windows. To get more info, and view the art show catalog, go to http://www.cheyennedepotmuseum.org/. Also at the Depot on Saturday, May 19: Depot Days and the Laramie County Master Gardener's Garden Festival.

From the blogs: Jack Nicholson and Josh Brolin attached to star in C.J. Box's "Blue Heaven"

Local writer Karen Cotton has posted on her blog a nifty Q&A with mystery writer C.J. Box. It's all about writer's block ("a writer without ideas") and news about upcoming films made from C.J.'s novels. Are you ready for Jack Nicholson, Joe Pesci and Josh Brolin in "Blue Heaven?" We are... C.J. says that they are "attached" to the film which is Hollywood-speak for an almost-done deal. Wonder if Josh Brolin will be playing the part of rancher Jess Rawlins? Seems like a great fit. Go to http://lifeisassweetascottoncandy.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/380/

Ozymandian Theater is out to "Save the Future" June 1-2

John Roedel & Co. want to save the future – and they need your help:

We live in a world gone mad. The Stock Market is wavering, the music of Enya is still being played, and the beautiful town of Buford is boarded up. With the future of our planet on the brink of chaos, Ozymandian Theater is bringing a sketch comedy show that just might be our only hope.

This is the most important sketch comedy and improv show Ozymandian Theater has ever produced. The future of the human race is at stake....

"Save The Future" Comedy Show

June 1st & 2nd
@ Mary Godfrey Playhouse
7:30 pm (doors open @ 7:00)
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students
This show is rated PG-13

For more info please visit http://www.ozytheater.com/

Every jabronie with a snowboard in Jackson likes "Broetry"

The Teton County Public Library is sponsoring the "Broetry" Project in June:

You say you don't like poetry? What about poetry written by a "bro" for "bros" worldwide? “Broetry” is poetry inspired by beer, women, and the muse inside the soul of every jabronie with a snowboard. In a grassroots effort to trick Millennials into reading verse, Teton County Library has distributed Broetry posters at bus stops, bathrooms and bars around town. You can catch Broetry at these various locales in town, visit the Teton County Library to read Broetry by writer Brian McGackin and other surprisingly atypical literary offerings, or check out brianmcgackin.com. Free. Marisa Schweber-Koren, 733-2164 ext. 261, mschweberkoren@tclib.org

BTW: What’s a jabronie? Or who? The Urban Dictionary has several definitions at http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=jabronie

So your arts business is on Facebook -- now what?

Artists may be interested in these Fremont County seminars:

Pitch Engine is presenting two seminars tailored to help Wyoming businesses build their online presence and digital marketing in June. These seminars have been very popular in Fremont and Teton Counties. Please view the attachment for more information and registration details.

Session One
My Business is on Facebook. Now what?
Wednesday, June 6
9 AM-4 PM
Central Wyoming College, Riverton
Session Two
Practical, Relevant Ways to Grow Your Business in the Digital Era
Thursday, June 14
9 AM-4 PM
Pitch Engine, Lander

Contact:
Anne Even
Workforce Training Coordinator
Central Wyoming College - Lander Outreach Center
427 Main Street
Lander, WY 82520
Phone (307) 332-3394
Direct Line (307) 855-2335

Volunteer guitarist needed for annual Walk in My Shoes fund-raiser on June 9

From Virginia Sellner, Wyoming Coalition for the Homeless:

I've asked my friends
to brave Wyoming's winds
on the second Saturday in June
to raise funds for those in need.

The Wyoming Coalition for the Homeless in Cheyenne needs a volunteer to play guitar for those participating in the annual Walk In My Shoes fund-raiser on June 9. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. Walk takes off at 9:00 a.m. from the main WCH building at 907 Campbell.

Food, fun, door prizes, music, and more. Bring your children, your dogs (on a leash), your friends, family, club members, church members, employees/employers.

Click on the links below to sign up as a ghost walker/walker http://www.wch.vcn.com/walkregis11.htm, (this is for June 9, 2012) or as a sponsor at http://www.wch.vcn.com/sponsorregis.htm
For more information contact Virginia at 634-8499, Mon - Fri from 10 am until 2 pm

Jalan Crossland gets big crowd for rare Cheyenne concert stop

As he wrapped up last night's second set at the Historic Plains Hotel in Cheyenne, Jalan Crossland invited the audience to his hometown August hootenany -- the NoWoodstock Festival in Ten Sleep.

"Did he say NoWoodstock?" my wife Chris asked.

I nodded. And tried to explain. NoWoodstock is not exactly the opposite of the legendary gathering. It is held outdoors, and sometimes it rains, but it's not likely to draw 500,000 retro-hippies for three days of peace and love and cause a blockbuster film and album (remember those?) to be made.

NoWoodstock is a bit like Jalan. A little bit country, a little bit folk, a little bit storytelling, with equal parts singing and picking the guitar and banjo. Throw in some food and drink, mosquitoes and sunburn, and there you have NoWoodstock.

But back to last night. Jalan's solo concert was arranged by the Cheyenne Guitar Society, its third event of the season. The series had a number of sponsors, including the Wyoming Arts Council and the LCCC Foundation. The performance was delayed by 20 minutes so that hotel staff could bring in more chairs. By the time Jalan took the stage, the room was packed and very warm. There was a long line at the ballroom bar.

Jalan writes and plays his own songs. Most come with a splash (sometimes a raging torrent) of humor. So when he said that this was the first time he'd played in Cheyenne outside of a couple of weddings, nobody knew if he was kidding. I didn't get to ask him, but it seems unlikely. In the past couple months, he's been to New Orleans and the annual songwriters' festival in Key West. His next stop is the Upper Meramac Flatpicking Guitar Camp & Americana Music Festival in Steelville, Mo. Then come stops in Nebraska and Iowa before a big concert June 1 at the WYO Theater in Sheridan. He arrives back in Ten Sleep August 12 for NoWoodstock. Get the full concert schedule at http://www.jalancrossland.com/concerts.htm

At the Plains, Jalan played some of his favorites, many of them shouted out from the audience. They included "Don't Taze Me Bro," "Trailer Park Fire," "The Little Girl & the Deadly Snake," "The Loneliness of the Long-Distance, All-Night Chicken Trucker," "Trailer Park Fire" came with a whiff of smoke blown to Cheyenne by the wildland fires burning in northern Colorado. Jalan played some tunes from his new CD, "Portrait of a Fish," including a moving rendition of Gordon Lightfoot's "Don Quixote." He alternated between banjo and guitar. Some of the up-tempo numbers caused some impromptu dancing to break out at the front of the room.

The evening ended too soon. Judging by the crowd at the merchandise table, Jalan was selling a lot of T-shirts and signing scads of CDs and posters. Weddings are nice and all, but it seems odd that Jalan's public appearances in Cheyenne are so rare. But it is a long way from the wilds of Washakie County and NoWoodstock. That's not Jalan's next concert stop, but it may be ours.

--Michael Shay
Cross-posted from Hummingbirdminds blog

Get tix now for May 19 CIFF event honoring filmmaker Daniel Junge

The Cheyenne International Film Festival is honoring Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Daniel Junge on Saturday, May 19. The full evening event is selling out, but CIFF is offering tickets for the films, interview and questions and answers with Daniel Junge. The films include “One Day” which is Daniel’s latest short film followed by the Oscar-winning “Saving Face.” Tickets are also available at the Phoenix Books and Music walk-up box office 1612 Capitol Avenue in Downtown Cheyenne. Tickets for the reception honoring Daniel Junge are also on sale online and at the box office.

Cat Urbigkit's "The Guardian Team" chosen as Wyoming book for National Book Festival

Pinedale's multitalented writer and photographer Cat Urbigkit has some great news:

The Guardian Team has been selected as the Wyoming book for this year's National Book Festival, which will be held Sept. 22 & 23 in Washington, D.C.

Congrats, Cat. It's been a good year. In March, she received an honorable mention in the Wyoming Arts Council's visual arts fellowship competition.

CORRECTION: Reception for "A Horse, Of Course" exhibit is May 24 at the Wyoming State Museum

Stage III looking for volunteers for Aug. 18-19 Renaissance Faire in Casper

From Stage III Community Theatre in Casper:

Mark your calendars. The Renaissance Faire is returning to Casper August 18-19 at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds Arena Building. Stage III is happy to announce the return of this family friendly event. There are many venues for Renaissance Faire fans to get involved. Stage III is looking for volunteer musicians, jugglers, mask makers, face painters, hair and headpiece designers and crafters of all kinds. Auditions for Renaissance performers will be held at Stage III May 14 & 15 at 7:00 pm. Actors of all ages are needed for Shakespeare's “Hamlet;” as well as fairies, jesters, knights, fair maids, heralds and more. Would you like to write and perform your own middle ages play, poetry, or song? Contact Stage III with your ideas and they will work with you to provide stage time. Stage III is also seeking food vendors for the two-day event. You can provide a full meal such as grilled turkey legs, burgers and hot dogs, pizza or pulled pork. Snack vendors for drinks, cotton candy, fudge sno-cones, or kettle corn, for example, are also wanted. There will be lots of activities to work up the appetites of faire participants. The Renaissance Faire Committee welcomes anyone with ideas or interested volunteers wanting to help plan and carry out this event to attend the next planning meeting 6:30 pm April 30 at Stage III 900 North Center Street. Want to know more? Email Stage III at stage3@wyoming.com or visit our http://www.stageiiitheatre.org/ or call 307-234-0946 or for details.

"Paul Gregg: Caught in Cartoons!" at CFD Old West Museum

The Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum presents the "Paul Gregg: Caught in Cartoons" exhibit. We are delighted to pay tribute to a notable artist who captured the humor and energy of Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Paul Gregg was born in Baxter Springs, Kansas in 1876. At the age of seventeen he left his home to go to St. Louis, Missouri where he attended the St. Louis Art Museum’s School of Fine Arts, an affiliate of Washington University. After he graduated he was hired by the St. Louis Republic newspaper and later with the St. Louis Post–Dispatch. During this time, newspaper photography was in its infancy and he, like other artists, was hired to illustrate news stories, draw political cartoons and to create decorative scenes for the press. Gregg had to rely on his memory, details from reports or even visiting the scene of an event to capture the moment. When he wasn’t working for the newspaper, he was constantly striking out for the West where he made several pack-trips through his favorite countryside.

In 1902, Paul Gregg visited Denver and met with Harry H. Tammen and Frederick G. Bonifils of the Denver Post. He was hired to work for their paper and continued to do so until 1949. His talent in capturing the scenery and people of the West proved to be a great asset for the paper which asked him to paint a new cover for the Sunday Denver Post’s magazine The Rocky Mountain Empire every week. Throughout his long 40 year career with the Post, Gregg painted over 2,000 paintings. One of his favorite subjects was the Indians. He related that he was adopted into the Quapaw Indian tribe along with his parents and sister making him “an Osage Indian once removed.”

For many years, Gregg painted scenes celebrating Cheyenne Frontier Days for the Denver Post, which had a special relationship with the rodeo from its beginning. The Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum is proud to offer this unique look at the humor, attention to detail and care Paul Gregg used in bringing the excitement of the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo to the people of the Rocky Mountain Front Range.

The Paul Gregg Exhibit can be seen through July 8, 2012. Select pieces will be on display through Frontier Days in the Museum rotunda.

For more information call (307) 778-7290 or visit us online at http://www.oldwestmuseum.org/.

The "Paul Gregg: Caught in Cartoons" Exhibit is sponsored by the Denver Post.

Piatigorsky Tour makes stop in Lander May 16

Classical guitarist Jack Sanders will perform twice during his Piatigorsky Tour stop in Lander on Wednesday, May 16:

1:45 p.m., Lander Middle School, 755 Jefferson
Contact: Susan Masson, Music Teacher, 307-332-4040

7:00 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church
Contact: Marvin Brown, (307) 332-2509, marvjobrown@wyoming.com

Deadline is June 8 for Wyoming Arts Council poetry fellowships

The postmark deadline is June 8 for the Wyoming Arts Council creative writing fellowships in poetry.

To apply, you must be a Wyoming resident, 18 or older, and not enrolled as a full-time student pursuing high school, college or university art-related degrees. There is no entry fee.

Up to three, $3,000 awards will be given. Winning poets also will receive a $500 stipend to attend the Equality State Book Festival in Casper Sept. 14-15 and read from their work with fellowship judge, Brian Turner.

Turner is a soldier-poet and the author of two poetry collections, Phantom Noise (2010) and Here, Bullet (2005). His work is drawn from his seven years in the U.S. Army, including one year as an infantry team leader in Iraq with the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. Prior to that, he was deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1999-2000 with the 10th Mountain Division. Turner was also featured in Operation Homecoming, a unique documentary that explores the firsthand accounts of American servicemen and women through their own words. He earned an MFA in creative writing from the University of Oregon and has lived abroad in South Korea.

At the book festival in Casper, Turner will participate on a panel about soldier-writers with Luis Carlos Montalvan, U.S. Army Iraq War veteran and author of Until Tuesday: The Story of a Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him.

Printable applications are available on the Wyoming Arts Council web site at http://www.wyomingartscouncil.org/. To receive in the mail, call the WAC at 307-777-7742. For more information, contact Michael Shay, 307-777-5234 or mike.shay@wyo.gov.

Snowy Range Summer Theatre: "Santaland Diaries," "Romance, Romance" and "Always... Patsy Cline"

From a UW press release:

An irreverent, hilarious tale of a Christmas elf gone bad; a family-friendly, toe-tapping tribute to a country music legend; and a romantic musical about the roller coaster of love are all subjects of the 59th season of Snowy Range Summer Theatre.

Presented by the University of Wyoming Department of Theatre and Dance, the summer theatre season opens June 5-8, with David Sedaris' "The Santaland Diaries," followed by the crowd-pleasing "Always ... Patsy Cline" June 26 -30. The season closes July 10-14, with the Tony-nominated Broadway musical "Romance/Romance."

All theatre performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. "The Santaland Diaries" and "Romance /Romance" will be presented in the UW Fine Arts Studio Theatre, while "Always ... Patsy Cline" will be presented on the UW Fine Arts Main Stage. Tickets for theatre cost $10 for the public and $7 for students, seniors and children over 5. Discounts are available for groups of 20 persons or more. For tickets and information, call (307) 766-6666 or go online at www.uwyo.edu/finearts .

"The Santaland Diaries" chronicles Sedaris' real-life experience as Crumpet the Elf in a Macy's Santaland display. Touted by critics as "... quite possibly the 31 funniest pages of text published in the past quarter century" (Seattle Weekly), "The Santaland Diaries" riffs on a few of Sedaris' truly odd encounters with his fellow man during the height of the holiday crunch.

This breakout piece for the now best-selling author of "When You Are Engulfed in Flames," "Me Talk Pretty One Day," and "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim" follows Sedaris' attempts to enter into the holiday spirit as he deals with the humiliation of elf training, abusive customers, screaming children and badly cast Santas.

Directed by Rebecca Hilliker and featuring guest artist Paul Hope from Houston's Alley Theatre, "The Santaland Diaries" is a regular holiday feature on National Public Radio, where it debuted in 1992. It is recommended for mature audiences.

A sold-out hit off Broadway, "Always ... Patsy Cline" is a family-friendly, toe-tapping tribute to the musical legend and one of the most frequently produced musicals in the United States. Based on an endearing true story, the show recounts the real-life friendship between Cline and fan Louise Seger, who befriended the country music legend in a Texas honky-tonk in 1961, and continued with a correspondence until Cline's untimely death.

Directed by Charlotte Guyette, "Always ... Patsy Cline" combines down-home country humor, true emotion and even some audience participation. It features renditions of more than two dozen of Patsy's unforgettable hits, including "Crazy," "Walkin' After Midnight," "Sweet Dreams" and "I Fall to Pieces."

"Romance/Romance" is a musical pairing of two distinctive one-act comedies that explore the roller coaster of love. Based on Austrian writer Arthur Schnitzler's tale, "The Little Comedy," Act 1 is a flirtatious affair, set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, between two worldly high-society types in search of real love.

Act 2 is a modern look at affection and disaffection between two married couples sharing a summer house in the Hamptons, based on the Jules Renard play, "Pain de Menage." Directed by Lee Hodgson and featuring UW Department of Music faculty members Larry Hensel and Nicole Lamartine, "Romance/Romance" was an off-Broadway sensation that moved successfully to Broadway, and is a perfect change from the modern mega musical.

Photo: Katrina Despain and Cameron Rush are shown in a scene from the 2010 UW summer theatre production of "Private Lives." The 2012 season will open June 5-8, with David Sedaris' "The Santaland Diaries," followed by the crowd-pleasing "Always...Patsy Cline" June 26 -30, and the Tony-nominated Broadway musical "Romance/Romance" July 10-14. (UW Photo)

Public invited to Wyoming Arts Council Board events May 17-18 (and two Piatigorsky Tour concerts)

The Wyoming Arts Council will hold its quarterly board meeting in Buffalo May 17-18. It will be held in the new (and as yet unnamed) Art Center, 19 North Main, in the Buffalo Downtown Association Offices.

Agenda items include the decisions on FY13 Grants to Organizations, Arts Education and Operating Support grants, Community Arts Partner grant awards for the final quarter of FY12, review of WAC budgets, FY13 partnership proposals, the Council’s new Communications Plan, discussion of current Art in Public Buildings projects, the next Governor’s Arts Awards and other special event planning, as well as the election of board officers for FY13.

The board invites individuals and organizational representatives to attend any part of the meeting to observe the board process, and to address the board during the public comment session beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 17. Comments about the agency's policies, funding priorities, on-line granting system, and other arts-related topics are welcomed. For a detailed agenda, please contact the Wyoming Arts Council office at 307-777-7742. 

At the conclusion of Thursday’s session, a public reception for members of the community will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the home of Margo Brown and David Romtvedt, 457 N. Main in Buffalo. 

           After the meeting concludes on Friday, some board members will remain for the 7 p.m. Piatigorsky Tour Concert by Richard Dowling, pianist, at Buffalo High School, 29891 Old Highway 87. The concert is free and open to the public. Dowling also will play Thursday evening at the First Presbyterian Church, 2121 Colonial Drive, Sheridan.

Piatigorsky Tour features guitarist Jack Sanders in Evanston May 18

From Young Musicians, Inc.: FREE CONCERT this Friday, May 18, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Evanston. The concert will start at 7 pm, and features solo guitarist Jack Sanders. The concert is sponsored by the Piatigorsky Foundation, and is being made available to us in Wyoming courtesy of Dr. Seymour Thickman and the Wyoming Arts Council. Canned or dry food donations for The Lord's Storehouse have been requested in lieu of admission. Please join us for an evening of fantastic music!

Donations being accepted for the Gregory Gaylor Art Fund

Gregory Gaylor

This comes from Pinedale artist Sue Sommers:

One month ago, the studio of Rock Springs artist and arts advocate Gregory Gaylor burned up. The emotional, professional and financial wreckage continues to be devastating. The demolition crew reduced the building to a pile of rubble today.

A fund has been established to help Gregory recover. Please consider donating.

Checks can be made out and mailed to:

The Gregory Gaylor Art Fund
Rock Springs National Bank
PO Box 880
Rock Springs, WY 82902

If moral support is more your thing, send Gregory your good wishes at kgaylor@sweetwaterhsa.com, or 628 B St., Rock Springs 82901.

Thank you Artist Friends! Gregory served us well on the Wyoming Arts Council Board, and we want him to keep making art!

UW Art Museum holds May 18 reception for summer exhibits

From a UW press release:

The University of Wyoming Art Museum will open its new summer exhibitions during a free public reception Friday, May 18, from 6-8 p.m.

New exhibitions are "Francisco Goya: Los Caprichos"; "Drawn from Life: Northern Plains Indian Portraits by David Humphreys Miller"; "Linda Fleming: Modeling the Universe"; "Journeys along the Sepik River: Tribal Art from Papua New Guinea"; and "Through the Looking Glass: The Portrait of the Artist."

Francisco Goya (Spanish, 1746-1828) is recognized as one of Spain's most important and influential artists. His "Los Caprichos" suite, which he began in 1799, established him as the father of the Modern movement in Europe. In the 80 allegorical etchings of the series, Goya explores creative freedoms that were not acceptable to the conventions of art in his time. The exhibition closes Aug. 4.

In 1935, at the age of 16, David Humphreys Miller (American, 1918-1992) arrived in South Dakota and began interviewing and drawing the Northern Plains Indians who were at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. "Drawn from Life: Northern Plains Indian Portraits by David Humphreys Miller" presents portraits of Native American men and women whose interviews contributed to his research and eventual publications as well as those who had connections to the early Hollywood film industry. The exhibition closes Aug. 11.

"Linda Fleming: Modeling the Universe" presents more than 60 maquettes that provide insight into Fleming's (American, born 1945) creative process and inspiration. The small-scale models are in a variety of mediums including cut paper, laser-cut plywood, cast bronze, and felt and combine architectural structures with patterns found in nature. This exhibition closes on Aug. 4.

"Through the Looking Glass: The Portrait of the Artist" explores the tradition of self-portraits and portraits of artists in a variety of mediums, including drawings, prints and photography. Curated from the Art Museum's permanent collection, the exhibition is available for statewide tour through the Touring Exhibition Service following its Aug. 4 closing.

"Journeys along the Sepik River: Tribal Art from Papua New Guinea" tells a story about three travelers who ventured to Papua New Guinea and the objects they acquired. Objects include skull racks, canoe prows and items of adornment. The exhibition closes Aug. 18.

"Imagine learning from the masters" is a guiding principle of the UW Art Museum's programs. The museum is located in the Centennial Complex at 2111 Willett Drive in Laramie. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free.

Photo: "Fish Wolf Robe" is among works in "Drawn from Life: Northern Plains Indian Portraits by David Humphreys Miller." (Courtesy of the Sandra L. Solomon Trust)

"Crazy Sweater Party" set for May 15 at the Center for the Arts in Jackson

The invitation...

...and the crazy sweater.

Clarification: Creative writing fellowships for this year are in the poetry category

Every so often, there is a typo that gets past the WAC staff. That happened with the creative writing fellowship application that was sent out in February. The header at the top of the application page on page 3 reads: "2013 Creative Writing Fellowships in Fiction." That should, of course, read: "2013 Creative Writing Fellowships in Poetry." Sorry about the error. And please get your poetry submission postmarked to the WAC by June 8. Find the corrected application blank online at http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/pdf/2013cwfellowshipapplication.pdf. Get more info at http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/Artists/Literature.aspx or call Mike Shay at 307-777-5234.

Part-time job opportunity: Wyoming Writers, Inc.

Wyoming Writers, Inc., will be hiring an administrative assistant for a part-time contract position.

Applications will be accepted until June 25, 2012 (postmark deadline).

Responsibilities include:
· Write, edit, design, create, and distribute (USPS and email) five newsletters per year.
· Write, edit, design, create, and distribute (USPS and email) annual conference brochure.
· Maintain and update web site information and navigation.
· Develop general and conference publicity materials for WWInc.
· Attend Board of Directors' meetings and the WWInc. annual conference.

To apply for this position:
· Send resume, cover letter, and the name and contact information for one reference to: Wyoming Writers, Inc., P.O. Box 999, Sundance, Wyoming 82729.
· Application materials must be postmarked by June 25, 2012.
· Selected candidates will be notified of the scheduled interview date and location.
· For full job description and questions e-mail mailto:e-mailmember1@wyowriters.org

Last weekend for "Annie Get Your Gun"

Order tickets online at http://www.cheyennelittletheatre.org/.

Yiddish Food Festival features Klezmer music, Israeli folk dancing and (of course) great ethnic foods

Hal Aqua and The Lost Tribe perform "noveau Klezmer music" May 20 at the Yiddish Food Festival in Cheyenne.

The seventh annual Yiddish Food Festival is scheduled to take place in Cheyenne at Mt. Sinai Synagogue on Sunday, May 20, between the hours of 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Mt. Sinai Synagogue is located at 2610 Pioneer Ave in Cheyenne Wyoming. The festival is an open-house style event designed to introduce visitors to Mt Sinai Congregation's historic building, rituals, music and delicious ethnic foods. FMI: https://www.facebook.com/events/289859201089398

The Festival includes Klezmer music, Israeli folk dancing, and Synagogue tours. Hal Aqua and the Lost Tribe, self described as playing "an exuberant musical experience, rooted firmly in traditional Jewish modes and melodies and driven by contemporary rhythms and danceable grooves," are scheduled to play Klezmer music. In addition, there will be trained, costumed folk dancers performing a variety of Israeli folk dances with time allotted to teach the audience.

The Yiddish Food Festival will also include a variety of traditional Jewish foods ranging from matzah ball soup and cabbage rolls to Israeli salad and rugelah. Each item is prepared using recipes congregation members have perfected through years of home preparation.

This project is supported in part by a grant from Wyoming Arts Council, through funding from the Wyoming State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Great ethnic desserts, too...

Abbie Miller's "Zipped" opens May 25 at the NIC in Casper

Abbie Miller's exhibit "Zipped" will be shown at the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper May 25-September 9. Abbie's work was included in the Wyoming Arts Council fellowship biennial show held last year at the Center for the Arts in Jackson.

Abbie Miller's artwork draws equally from the world of fashion and textile manipulation as it does from sculpture. She creates sculptural forms through man-made textiles and clothing and explores the dynamic intersection between form, texture, surface, sculpture and the human body.

Artist Statement

At the site of connection there is a stitch. Action and material, verb and noun, praxis and theory, the stitch is the DNA of my art.

Using clothing construction techniques, I design sculptures, garments and interactive objects that examine the relationship between structure, form and surface. By altering ubiquitous, mass-produced materials into unfamiliar sensuous objects, I invite viewers to question the nature of materiality.

My use of repetition, synthetic material and design relate visually and methodically to tactics of commercial display marketing. I'm interested in these tactics for the non-verbal, instinctual reactions they stimulate. In this way my work is reflexive of mass-produced consumer culture and novelty.

Conversely the physicality and labor present in my work asks the viewer to look longer and question the value of craft and labor in relationship to material and the body. My sculptures play on design strategies, but the construction techniques suggest a tacit bodily connection beyond the physical surface.

Preston Randolph's "The Summer of '81" named winner of Wyoming Short Film Contest

From the Wyoming Film Office:

“The Summer of ‘81,” a short film produced by Preston Randolph and filmed near Meeteetse, Wyoming is the winner of this year’s Wyoming Short Film Contest. The short tells the unique story of Wyoming man, Bob Taylor and the spirit and struggles of his life's journey. From teaching in the city, to being a Cowboy in Wyoming, to raising his family without electricity in the cabin he built by hand, and of course baseball. Now in its fifth year, the Wyoming Short Film Contest awarded $25,000 to Randolph who will now have the opportunity to produce another film in Wyoming with the proceeds.

Randolph began his film making career at Cody High School, where he remains the only student to have won the statewide Wyoming High School Short Film Festival three years running. Alongside his filmmaking career, Randolph dedicates the remainder of his time in being a political activist for social justice. He has organized an annual charity drive for the people of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and is currently working on a feature-length documentary, “Wind Chases the Sun.” The film exposes the case of Native American activist Leonard Peltier, and his ongoing 36 years of imprisonment.

According to film contest administrator, Colin Stricklin, "The point of this contest is not just to award one filmmaker $25,000. Rather, it's our goal to provide exposure to the talented filmmakers, to support independent film projects and to encourage filmmakers to consider shooting their projects in Wyoming. There is an exceptional amount of talent on display in this contest, both from in-state and out-of-state filmmakers."

For 2012, the Film Office also offered a Filmmaker’s Choice Award giving contest entrants the opportunity to recognize a fellow filmmaker. The winner of the award, and the associated $5,000, was filmmaker Mark Pedri. His film, “Western Wandering,” follows the filmmaker on a 700-mile mountain bike ride around Wyoming to discover what truly defines the state he was born and raised in.

You can still watch all of this year's entries at http://www.wyomingshortfilmcontest.com/.

"21st Century Quilt Judging" presentation May 19 at Johnson County Library

Wyoming Roster Artist Miss "V" The Gypsy Cowbelle busy touring

The Gypsy Cowbelle is currently on her "Can't Stand Still" tour. Following up debut appearances in the Southeast on her March "Southern Exposure" tour, Miss "V" made her way back out West with performances in Michigan and South Dakota. On her way, she plowed with a team of oxen, auditioned for a movie, eluded rattlers and "The Plague" while wandering through the Badlands. The "Can't Stand Still" kicked off last Thursday at the Occidental Hotel in Buffalo; the next day, she performed for locals and residents at the Buffalo Senior Center. "Ed. note on "The Plague" reference: Wondering about what "eluding the "The Plague" referred to, I asked, "Is this the name of the movie?" Nope. On her sojurn, she often turns onto dirt roads off other dirt roads. This particular dirt road where she stopped, to sing under the full moon with her car doors flung wide open, had a posted sign, "Be advised, this area has been designated as a plague area." Not to worry, "V's" okay, adding, "I didn't handle any dead varmints and didn't get bit by any fleas."

She crossed over the Big Horns to play for a memorial service at the Lost Village Saloon outside of Red Lodge, MT. Moving on to Bozeman, an interview with Bob Butts followed the next day on KGLT, the local radio station. She has appeared on Bob's show periodically since 2008, and this time he featured tracks off her new CD release, "The Itinerant Lady" (November 2011). Then on to an interview with the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, for an article which will appear in Friday's paper.

On May 11, she will return to Norris Hot Springs to perform at 7 pm. On Saturday, "V" performs at Ted's Montana Grill in Bozeman at 7 pm, and the tour concludes with a performance at the Kountry Korner Cafe at the Four Courners, where she will be appearing at 6pm with the legendary songwriter and performer, Kostas, who has penned some of "V"s favorite songs for such icons as Dwight Yoakam, Patty Loveless and Emmy Lou Harris. Suffice to say, this opportunity will go down in her journals as one of the Great Honors of her musical career!

Back in Wyoming, look for "V" at "Voices of the Basin" Opening Reception at the Washakie County Musuem on May 31st at 5:30 pm. This is a family oriented exhibit, which tells the stories of early settlers and their families to the Big Horn Basin through oral histories from the Wahakie Museum archives. FMI on this exhibit and the Museum:  http://www.washakiemuseum.org/

Earlier this year, serendipitious for sure, while performing on the open stage at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Baxter Black was in the audience catching some of the acts, and asked "V" to open for his show the next day. Click on "Saturday, February 4" and then the "Saturday Special" link.  

Please visit http://www.gypsycowbelle.com/ for more information on The Gypsy Cowbelle's summer tour schedule.

Artful Hand Studio & Gallery in Cheyenne features "5 Jewelers" May 10-12

Postmark deadline for WAC poetry fellowships is one month away

Attention poets -- postmark deadline for the 2013 creative writing fellowships in poetry is June 8, 2012. Open to Wyoming poets only. Read guidelines here. Get application here. Brian Turner is the judge. Get info on Brian at http://wyomingarts.blogspot.com/2012/03/soldier-poet-brian-turner-is-judge-for.html

Basement exhibits featured in grand opening at Historic Governor's Mansion

On Friday, May 18, 4-6 p.m., you are invited to the Historic Governor's Mansion, 300 E. 21st St., Cheyenne, for the grand opening of three basement exhibits:

• Mansion Architecture
• Fallout Shelter
• Laundry Room

Refreshments weill be served in the Carriage House. Free and open to the public.

FMI: 307-777-7878

Tips on Getting your Art Recognized and selling your art

Would you like to sell more art?? Are you ready to be recognized for your work?
Join us for . . .Shameless Self-Promotion, A No-Excuses Art Marketing Workshop
Saturday, June 23, at the Laramie Plains Civic Center, Laramie, WY
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Registration is $75 until May 23  

 You’ll learn
• How to write a better artist statement

• How to expand your mailing list

• Email secrets for better results
• Do’s and Don’ts of artist websites
• How to increase traffic to your blog or website
• Why Twitter & Facebook are worth the effort

 Best of all, you’ll leave with a plan of action!

 

Author of I’d Rather Be in the Studio! The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion Alyson Stanfield is also the founder of ArtBizCoach.com (2002) and ArtBizBlog.com (2004). She has taught artist workshops and been a keynote speaker in 24 states.

Sponsored by Works of Wyoming

Sculpture and portraits highlight summer line-up at UW Art Museum

Two new exhibitions opened Saturday at the UW Art Museum. Artist Linda Fleming was at the museum last week to help install her exhibition, Linda Fleming: Modeling the Universe, which include more than 60 maquettes and one large-scale sculpture on the terrace. The maquettes offer insight into her creative process, while the large work, just outside and adjacent to the gallery, provides an example of the scale and space of one of her larger, completed works.

Also opening on Saturday is an exhibition from the permanent collection of artist self-portraits and portraits of artists. Through the Looking Glass: The Portrait of the Artist is debuting at the Art Museum and is part of the museum's Touring Exhibition Service. Starting in the fall, this exhibition will be available to schools, libraries, other museums and community institutions around the state for no charge except one way shipping. Visit the Outreach page of the website to learn more about this service and how you can bring exhibitions of original artwork to your community.

The Art Museum is open Monday-Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, and admission is free! Call 307.766.6622

PHOTO: Artist Linda Fleming and Art Museum Chief Preparator Stoney Smith install her large-scale sculpture, Fumerole, on the sculpture terrace.

Margo's Pottery in Buffalo features Courtney Murphy's terra cotta pottery June 7-Aug. 11

Terra cotta pottery by Courtney Murphy, Helena, Mont.
Top: Nesting Set in Yellow; bottom: Yellowboat.

This summer, Margo’s Pottery and Fine Crafts in Buffalo is featuring the terra cotta pottery of Helena, Montana, artist Courtney Murphy. Murphy began working with clay when she lived in Brooklyn, New York. She spent several years working for potters in the city, and then decided to get a degree in ceramics, so went across the country to Portland, Oregon where she attended the Oregon School of Art and Crafts. After receiving the degree, she spent three and a half months doing a working residency in Denmark. “The clean influence of Danish design is obvious in her work, along with her own playful sensibility,” says Margo Brown, who is hosting the show. Her designs are influenced by simplified abstractions of nature, children’s artwork, folk art and mid-century modern forms and shapes. All of her work is functional, and on some of the pieces, she makes a rounded base, so that the pieces can be in motion even while working to serve food. This is one way the playful nature of her work becomes part of our lives.

Last May, Courtney Murphy, was featured in the magazine Ceramics Monthly, and also her work was shown in the article on the Archie Bray Foundation that appeared in American Craft. Along with her show at Margo’s Pottery and Fine Crafts, Courtney will have pieces in the Covet-Teapots show in the famed Ferrin Gallery in Pittsfield Massachusetts. Also in 2012, her work has and will be shown in galleries in Iowa, Missouri, Texas, New Hampshire, Indiana and Washington. And in 2011, she was in fifteen shows across the US. She is currently in Red Lodge, Montana, doing a residency at the Red Lodge Clay Center.

“I enjoy the process of scratching into the clay to draw my images. Because of this process, each piece created is unique, and there is a slight variation in each drawing. I am compelled by the variation found in handmade objects; a slight change in the profile or image on a cup decides whether a person will be drawn to one cup over another. I also like to create functional work because these handmade objects leave my studio to become a part of somebody else’s daily routine. I am interested in the personal connection that handmade objects help to create,” says Courtney Murphy.

Margo's Pottery and Fine Crafts will hold an opening for the artist on Thursday, June 7, from 5-7 p.m., at the gallery at 1 North Main Street in Buffalo. The show will continue through August 11, 2012. Margo's Pottery is open from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday, and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday (beginning Memorial Day weekend). For more information, call Margo or Carey at 307-684-9406.

A classic western and an Oscar-winning documentary on tap at CIFF

The Cheyenne International Film Festival program for 2012 is completed. The CIFF May 17-20 is highlighted by Cheyenne native Daniel Junge and his Oscar-winning documentary “Saving Face." He’ll be on hand and in person at a reception taking place on the Mezzanine of the Plains Hotel on Saturday, May 19. The screening takes place across the street at 1615 Lincoln.

Saturday also features a return screening of John Ford’s classic western “Cheyenne Autumn” which made its World Premiere at the Lincoln Theater in 1963. Actress Carroll Baker will participate in a live interview via Skype following the movie.

See the entire program here. More info at http://cheyenneinternationalfilmfestival.com/blog/

Annual spring concert May 8 at Buffalo High School

The Buffalo High School Music Department is proud to announce their Annual Spring Music Concert on Tuesday, May 8, 7 p.m. in the BHS Auditorium. Admission is free.

The concert will include performances by the Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, Men’s Choir, Balladiers, Una Voce, and Gold Singers.

These groups represented the Town of Buffalo well at the District Music Festival, so please come and support these fine musicians in concert. This will be the final performance for many outstanding seniors so help us celebrate them as well.

FMI: http://www.jcahc.org/

Job opportunity: Lander Art Center

Lander Art Center is looking for a new executive director. Go here for job description.

Indian Removal Act topic of next Wyoming State Museum lecture

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

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

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

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

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

University of Wyoming's "Opera in a Gym" tours Wyoming schools May 7-11

The University of Wyoming's Fine Arts Outreach, in conjunction with the UW Department of Music, is bringing the "Opera in a Gym" program to Wyoming school children the next two weeks.

"Opera in a Gym," created by Larry Hensel, UW Department of Music professor, provides a unique interactive and imaginative theatrical and musical experience for elementary school audiences, says Janelle Fletcher-Kilmer, UW Fine Arts Outreach director.

Since its inception, the program has been performed for more than 7,000 elementary school children throughout Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota.

The spring 2012 tour will feature a production of "The Tortoise and the Hare." Tour stops are scheduled in:

-- Thermopolis: Monday, May 7, Ralph Witters Elementary School, 4 p.m.

-- Meeteetse: Tuesday, May 8, Meeteetse Elementary School, 10 a.m.

-- Basin: Tuesday, May 8, Laura Irwin Elementary School, 2 p.m.

-- Shoshoni, Wednesday, May 9, Shoshoni Elementary School, 9:30 a.m.

-- Pavillion, Wednesday, May 9, Crowheart Elementary School, 2 p.m.

-- Jackson, Thursday, May 10, Moran Elementary School, 10 a.m.

-- Kelly, Thursday, May 10, Kelly Elementary School, 2 p.m.

-- Kemmerer, Friday, May 11, Kemmerer Elementary School, 1:45 p.m.

For more information, contact Fletcher-Kilmer at, (307) 766-5139 or www.uwyo.edu/finearts .

Laramie County Public Library holds "Comic Challenge" on May 5

Let your inner artist flourish! The Laramie County Public Library is holding a comic creation competition in the library on Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Earn prizes by competing against other budding enthusiasts as you create your own comic within the time limit. We’ll provide snacks and drinks while you create. (Teens & Adults, Willow Room, 1st floor)

Indie Music Awards winner to perform at Donkey Creek Festival in Gillette

This announcement comes from the good people at the Donkey Creek Festival in Gillette: Tell everyone you know: Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three won (in a tie) for best Americana album at the 11th annual Independent Music Awards! They're playing Saturday, June 23rd at the Donkey Creek Festival!

Cheyenne Guitar Society presents Jalan Crossland concert May 16

Ten Sleep, Wyoming's "trailer park troubadour" Jalan Crossland will perform in concert on Wednesday, May 16, 7 p.m., at the Historic Plains Hotel ballroom in Cheyenne. Tickets are $10, $5 for students. Sponsored by the Cheyenne Guitar Society. FMI: http://cheyenneguitarsociety.com/

Dan Hayward presents "Carbon County & More" June 8 at Platte Valley Community Center

Lander RiverFest Art & Music in the Park set for July 21

This comes from the Lander Art Center:

Lander RiverFest Art and Music in the Park is scheduled for July 21. Artist booth entries are due June 2.

Hope to see you there!

Click on this link for more info: http://www.pitchengine.com/landerartcenter/lander-riverfest-art-and-music-in-the-park-july-21

Early bird deadline for Jackson Hole Writers Conference is May 8

Early bird deadline for the JHWC is May 8. Registration info at http://www.jacksonholewritersconference.com/registration