The unique talents of four Cowboy State folk artists are chronicled in “Wyoming Folks,” a 30-minute documentary produced by the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources.
The documentary, to appear on Wyoming Public Television on April 3, 7 p.m., explores the lives and art work of Shoshone drum keeper, Sonny Shoyo; tatter, Mary Maynard; bladesmith, Ed Fowler; and weaver, Jerry Curcio. During the film, each artist shares examples of their work and artistic processes.
The documentary explores not just the world of traditional arts around Wyoming, but also unique and quirky insights the artists offer on everything from how to build a weaving loom from scratch, to how blades of grass affect the design of a knife.
"I always try to bring out the more interesting and unusual aspect of artists and their work, so that even people who aren’t interested in the art will still relate to the film,” Dean Petersen, who wrote, directed and edited the documentary, said.
“Wyoming Folks,” is the first feature length documentary produced by Petersen and Anne Hatch, folk and traditional arts specialist for the Wyoming Arts Council, to appear on television.
Originally created to showcase different award-winning folk artists in the state, the film is an entertaining jaunt through the interesting and often unusual world of folk arts in Wyoming.
“The Arts Council is delighted to recognize traditional artists generally not known beyond their local community and nice market and bring their talents to a larger audience," Hatch said.
