Here is the latest update of the schedule for the Public Art & Community Symposium April 2-4 at the UC Conference Center in Laramie:
Thursday, April 2, 2009
1-5 p.m.: Registration, UW Conference Center
5 p.m.: Opening Reception, University of Wyoming Art Museum
7:30 p.m.: Art Talk Slam, UW Conference Center -- Artists John Henry, Ursula von Rydingsvard and Jesus Moroles will discuss their involvement with "Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational," and their larger body of work.
9:30 p.m.: Q&A with presenters
10 p.m.: 20:20 -- PowerPoint Presentations by conference attendees (20 slides; 20 sec. each); Sign Up required . Please note that the "Art Talk Slam" and "20:20" are free and open to the public.
Friday, April 3, 2009
7 a.m.: WAC Roundtable; Coal Creek Coffee, downtown Laramie
7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.: Registration at the UW Conference Center
8 a.m.: "Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational" -- This video documentary shows interviews with the artists in Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational.
8:20-8:40 a.m.: Terry Cooper, ARK Regional Services, "Public Art: Opening the Door into the 'World of Art' for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities." Cooper will discuss her experience working with ARK residents and artists and how the opportunities of the Sculpture Invitational changed the residents' and public perceptions.
9 a.m.: Lawrence Argent, Artist and WAC fellowship juror. Argent will talk about copyright issues and public art, especially in regard to his own work and experiences.
9:20 a.m.: Jeff Lockwood, UW professor of philosophy. “The Blind Leading the Young: A Scientist Teaches Children how to Write About Sculpture.” The Story: An entomologist, who knows nothing about sculpture, but imagines himself a philosopher and writer, is asked to teach groups of creative and energetic kids how to write about art. Taking a page from his experience in nature writing, he encourages the children to perceive sculpture in ways that he’s found to be fruitful with respect to engaging the natural world.
9:40 a.m.: BREAK
10-10:20 a.m.: Art Talk with Steven Siegel, sculptor. Siegel will talk about his involvement with sculpture and share some of his other public works.
10:40 Peter Moran, UW Professor, College of Education. “Public Art and Controversy: The College of Education Mural” This presentation will explore the controversial nature of a mural depicting the history of Wyoming located in the foyer of the College of Education auditorium. Completed in 1952 by Wyoming artist Edward T. Grigware, the mural features what many viewers conclude are stereotypical, ethnically-biased, and historically inaccurate representations of Native Americans, while implicitly communicating the superiority of Anglo culture in the state’s history.
11 a.m.: Melanie Howlett, Starrett Jr. High Teacher, Lander. “Making the Connection: Contemporary Sculpture Inspires Jr. High Students” This presentation will discuss the use of Sculpture in the K-12 classroom, including field trips made to Laramie to investigate the works.
11:20 a.m.: Travis Ivey and Jedadiah Cracco, UW students. These two UW students will share their experiences assisting the artists with installation, and also the process behind selecting the artwork.
11:40 Q&A session
Noon: Lunch, which includes WAC Roundtable: WAC Programs for Visual Artists (locations TBA)
1-1:20 p.m.: Art Talk with Carl Reed, sculptor. “Vandalism and Validation” As Reed’s piece was one of the sculptures vandalized, he would like to assure the audience that such things happen everywhere and offer some speculations on the causes. Among other things, it seems to reflect the power of public sculpture to get people's attention, for better or for worse. In addition, he wants to make some specific remarks about the importance of this show to his life and career.
1:40 p.m.: Harvey Hix, UW Professor, MFA Creative Writing Program and poet. “Against Mimesis: Thoughts on the Sculpture of Ursula von Rydingsvard.” Hix offers a creative reflection on the work of Ursula von Rysdingsvard.
2 p.m.: Mike Massie, Wyoming State Senator. Senator Massie will share his thoughts on the role that legislators play in supporting public art.
2:20 p.m.: Paul Harrison, Director, Laramie Parks & Recreation. Harrison will offer behind the scenes stories on the installation of sculpture in Laramie from the perspective of Parks and Recreation.
2:40 p.m.: BREAK
3-3:20 p.m.: Art Talk with Linda Fleming, sculptor. Fleming will talk about her larger body of work, including her artistic development that led to creating works like the one in Sculpture Invitational.
3:40 p.m.: Ashley Carlisle/David Jones, UW sculpture professors. “From Campus to Classroom; Utilizing the Sculpture Invitational” These two sculpture professors will talk about the use of Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational in the academic studio.
4 p.m.: Howard Major, Dean, Arts and Humanities, LCCC. Major will talk on the role that community colleges can play in supporting cultural arts and provide examples from LCCC’s experience in supporting Cheyenne’s cultural arts programs and organizations.
4:20 p.m.: Nancy Freudenthal, Wyoming’s First Lady. Ms. Freudenthal will discuss her activities with public art and community.
4:40 p.m.: Questions/discussion
5 p.m.: Dinner on your own, with WAC Roundtable (Topics TBD) at various restaurants; 10 people max at each roundtable; sign-up at registration.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
7 a.m.: WAC Roundtable at Coal Creek Coffee, downtown Laramie.
8 a.m.: Art Talk with Charles Parson, sculptor. “Personal Space on the Horizon” Parson will discuss his body of work, including the piece on campus, and how it integrates ideas of human presence in the Western landscape, and in particular, he will talk about how the horizon influences his work.
8:40 a.m.: Margaret Wilson, UW professor, dance. “How Sculpture Invites Us to Move” Wilson will discuss how several of her dance students developed creative responses to sculpture and public art.
9 a.m.: Duane Evenson, Mayor, Gillette. Mayor Evenson will talk about the public art program in Gillette.
9:20 a.m.: Phill Harris, UW VP Administration. Harris will share behind the scenes stories about the Sculpture Invitational installation on campus.
9:40 a.m.: BREAK
10 a.m.: Art Talk with Charmaine Locke, sculptor. Locke will talk on her work in Sculpture Invitational, as well as her career in Texas and, currently, in Colorado.
10:40 a.m.: Nita Kehoe, Art professor, CWC, Riverton. “Contemporary Sculpture in Rural Wyoming” Kehoe will be discussing the creation and evolution of the sculpture collection at CWC.
11 a.m.: Ben Hornok, Haselden Construction. “Commitment to Art and Building” Hornok will talk about Haselden's commitment to contributing to the communities they work in and are a part of; and also the importance of understanding the artistic aspect in construction.
11:20 a.m.: Joe Sanchez, Pat Jones, & Albert Haskins, UW Physical Plant. These three Physical Plant employees will share stories of working with artists to install their sculpture, and the challenges they came across.
11:40 a.m.: Questions/discussion
Noon: Lunch, with WAC Roundtable: Feedback from Wyoming artists.
1 p.m.: Art Talk: Stan Dolega, sculptor. This Laramie artist will talk about some of his earlier work, his current piece in this exhibition, and some plans and ideas for future works.
1:40 p.m.: Rod Garnett, UW professor, music. Garnett will offer his creative response to Sculpture Invitational and play some sound recordings that reflect the atmosphere and reactions to the sculpture.
2 p.m.: Rachael Sisneros and Dale Jones, UW Physical Plant Employees. Sisneros and Jones will discuss the installation of the sculptures from an engineering perspective.
2:20 p.m.: Greg Esser, WAC juror. Esser will address public art’s ability to revitalize communities.
2:40 p.m.: BREAK
3 p.m.: Art Talk with James Surls, sculptor. Surls will talk on the transitional phases of his artistic career and show some of his work in other media.
3:40 p.m.: Allen Trent, UW Professor, Educational Studies. “Teaching Public Art: It Was a Very Good Year" or "Ben and Bear Take Backseat to Sculpture Invitational.” In this session, Trent will discuss the educational value of public art and will provide some examples of how he used the Wyoming Sculpture Invitational to engage students from elementary age through adult.
4: p.m.: Pam Wolfe, Chair, Green River Arts Council. “Green River Arts Council ‘Art on the Green’ Program.” The mission statement for Art on the Green is "Fostering Community Pride by Promoting Public Art and Creativity for the Citizens of Green River." This program exists to support and encourage the expression of a variety of arts for the citizens of Green River and visitors; to enjoy now and for the benefit of generations to come. A goal of the GRAC is to increase community awareness of the arts and culture, which will benefit individuals, establish community identity, and increase economic strength.
4:20 p.m.: John Schiffer, Wyoming State Senator, Kaycee. Senator Schiffer will share his thoughts on the role that legislators play in supporting public art.
4:40 p.m.: Questions/discussion/closing remarks
5 p.m.: Closing session: 2009 WAC Fellowship Awards Reception
EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 15. FEE FOR ENTIRE SYMPOSIUM IS $100 ($125 AFTER MARCH 15). BOOK THOSE HOTEL ROOMS BY MARCH 15 OR ELTON JOHN CONCERT-GOERS WILL GOBBLE THEM UP!
FMI: http://www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum/events.asp. Or call WAC at 307-777-7742.
