Henry Real Bird, Pat Frolander and Rick Kempa to serve as judges for March 4-5 Poetry Out Loud competition in Cheyenne

Henry Real Bird, Montana poet laureate emeritus

The 2013 Wyoming Poetry Out Loud state competition will take place March 4-5 in Cheyenne. Fourteen student competitors, teachers, parents and guests are expected. Guest judges this year are Henry Real Bird, Pat Frolander and Rick Kempa.

Born and raised on the Crow Indian Reservation, Henry Real Bird is a former Montana Poet Laureate (2009-2011). Real Bird has punched cows, rodeoed, and now ranches and raises bucking horses. He holds a master’s degree in general education from MSU Billings and has taught school from kindergarten to college levels. He has worked with the YMCA’s Writer’s Voice, won the Western Heritage Award for the National Cowboy Hall of Fame,  performed at the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Arts Festival, and performs annually at the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. Real Bird has had six anthologies, five poetry collections and twelve children’s books published, along with many articles, tapes and CDs.

Patricia Frolander, Wyoming’s Poet Laureate, works the family ranch near Sundance, WY with her husband, Robert. Patricia’s publications include Grassland Genealogy (Finishing Line Press, 2009) and, Married Into It, (High Plains Press, 2011), which won the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum’s Wrangler Award for Best Poetry Book of 2011; the Willa Cather Award by Women Writing the West for the 2012 Best Poetry Book; and Best Woman Writer of 2012 by High Plains Book Awards.

Rick Kempa, teaches writing and directs the Honors Program at Western Wyoming College. He is the author of two books of poems, Keeping the Quiet (Bellowing Ark Press, 2008), and Ten Thousand Voices, (Littoral Press). He is a three-time nominee for the Pushcart Prize, a past recipient of a Wyoming Arts Council Literary Fellowship, and is a current member of the Council’s Artist Roster. He earned his MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona in 1987.

This year’s student contestants are from Sundance, Hulett, Buffalo, Hanna, Ft. Washakie, Riverton, Kaycee, Shoshoni, Cheyenne, Casper, Clearmont, Worland, Laramie, and Lander.

The event begins with a dinner for the contestants, teachers, judges and guests. The competition begins at 7 p.m. at the Historic Atlas Theater in downtown Cheyenne. The winner and runner-up are announced at the awards ceremony the next morning, which begins at 10:30 a.m. on March 5 in the Capitol Rotunda.

The winner from each state and a chaperone receives an all-expense-paid trip to compete in Washington, D.C., April 29-30 at the national finals. Among the activities is the Congressional Breakfast, where students get to meet and have photos taken with the state’s Legislators. Scholarships totaling $50,000 are awarded to the national champion and the other placers.

Poetry Out Loud is memorization and recitation competition for ninth through twelfth grade students. Sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, the program is administered by the Wyoming Arts Council.

Justine Haka from the Poetry Foundation in NYC will be a special guest of the Wyoming Arts Council at the Cheyenne Poetry Out Loud  events.  

FMI: Linda Coatney, 307-777-6393 or linda.coatney@wyo.gov

Poet and labor activist Mark Nowak wants to hear your story about "Working in Wyoming"

Poet, teacher and and labor activist Mark Nowak will serve as eminent writer-in-residence for the University of Wyoming creative writing program in February. He sent this info about the "Working (in Wyoming)" project he'll be conducting when he's in the state. Here it is:

Working (in Wyoming) is a community-building, creative investigation of what it means to labor in Wyoming.

A series of creative writing workshops will be held in southeastern  Wyoming (Laramie and Cheyenne) in February of 2013. These workshops will be facilitated by Wyoming writing instructors and students in the University of Wyoming's MFA program in creative writing. In these workshops, Wyoming workers of diverse backgrounds will have the opportunity to collaborate with others in the Wyoming community to create a short piece of creative writing (a poem, a parable, a short story, a piece of flash fiction/nonfiction, etc.).

Working (in Wyoming) will culminate in a large-scale yet intimate evening event in Laramie on February 28. Here working people from across the state will have the opportunity to share what it means to work in Wyoming with a presentation of pieces created in workshops.

FMI: Kay Northrop at knorthrop@uwyo.edu or Brie Fleming at briennafleming5@gmail.com

Read more on the project's Facebook page. 

Calling all Cheyenne creatives!

This info comes from Alan O'Hashi of Wyoming Community Media: Do you have a New Creative Economy business that you'd like to nurture with like minds? Primary job creation will be happening not in garages but in collaborative work environments like what's being planned for The Historic Hynds Building Capitol Core Project! Join the movement! Find out more and discuss possibilities at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wyoming-Creative-MediaPlex/375593379195845

Nov. 16 Casper meeting to focus on forming a "Wyoming First" cooperative

A Touch of Home by Wyoming is looking for Wyoming First members interested in selling their products as part of a cooperative store in Casper. This cooperative would be the first of its kind in the state in which Wyoming-made product businesses, local business owners and the community would work together to build, run and support a store front to showcase the talents of the people here in our great state. It will be a membership-driven, locally sponsored and privately-marketed-and-advertised cooperative. With the assistance of the Wyoming Business Council, Wyoming Small Business Development Center, and others, the cooperative will provide an economically feasible way for all the Wyoming-made product businesses to have a store front, centrally located within the state.

It is anticipated a yearly membership fee and a 20% consignment fee on individual company sales, sponsorships from locally owned businesses will help with the overhead costs of the store, provide for individual trade shows, events, building the store front, marketing and advertising of the Cooperative.

Members receive:
• full access in the running of the Cooperative
• opportunity to sit on the board of directors
• design own displays
• set up individual shows
• create group shows and events
• work your own schedule

As a cooperative members would own a store front without having to spend 8+ hours a day away from creating art and products and the running of their own store.

The opportunity exists for this type of cooperative to be developed in communities across the state who could work together to bring more awareness to “Buy Wyoming” within the state. You are invited to an event on Friday, November 16, at the Eastridge Mall in Casper to see the location and network with other interested Wyoming First members. The meeting will be from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

If you would like more information on this opportunity or are interested in attending contact Perry White at ipwhite1008@gmail.com or 307-287-4534.

WOW offers workshops for the holidays

 Click on image for larger, readable version. Get more info here.

Call for entries: Love + Light at the Loveland Feed & Grain

Call for entries from our southern neighbors in Loveland, Colo.:

We are currently looking for artists to submit their photos, conceptual sketches and art work for the 2nd Annual Love + Light at the Loveland, Colo., Feed and Grain. Artists are invited to show work that speaks to love or light in a contemporary way, paying tribute to Loveland’s rich cultural history in the fine arts and Valentine’s Day traditions.

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All work must reflect the artists vision of love and light. We are looking for video artists, photographers, sculptors, installation artists and all other media. See samples here.

Love: a profoundly tender, passionate affection

Light: is at once both obvious and mysterious

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This is a juried exhibition. 

Entries are due on or before: January 5, 2013

Notice of Acceptance: January 10, 2013

* submit up to 3 photos of work or conceptual sketches     

* Submit a one-page artists statement or resume

* All entries must be sent to megan@studiobluebird.com

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Cheyenne Family YMCA launches Holiday Craft Fair season Nov. 3

FMI: 307-634-9622

WOW announces Nov. 10 deadline for Affordable Art Show

This Works of Wyoming (WOW) exhibition will showcase Wyoming artists working in varied media. Works are to be retail priced under $100. We'll be promoting this event as an alternative to the big box store's Black Friday. This was our most successful event last year for sales, and we're expecting even more this year! Back up inventory should be anticipated. Submit up to 5 pieces for consideration in the following categories: original 2-D paintings, drawings, mixed media, printmaking, digital media, & photography. 3-D work: sculpture, metal, ceramics, glass, jewelry and mixed media. All work must be new to the gallery at Works of Wyoming (not previously shown), not mass produced, and copyright adherent. All work must be suitably framed, mounted, and wired for installation. Non-glare glass is preferred for photography purposes. Jurors reserve the right to disqualify any work not suitably presented, or any work not corresponding to the entry image or community standards. Size restriction for 2-D work: Outside frame dimensions no larger than 100 total inches.

How to Submit: submit up to 5 images of work via email to:wow@uwyo.edu as an attachment in jpeg format. Please include title, media or technique, & size of the work in the body of your email. Application will be sent upon acceptance.     Schedule:  Nov 10:  Deadline for email submissions  Nov 13: Email notification  Nov 17: Work delivery deadline to begin set up. Nov 23-24: Opening of the show is Black Friday & Saturday, 10- 6pm. Join Us for cookies and a warm mug of hot chocolate. Help sell your and other's work! Jan 5: Show closes at 6 pm  Jan 8-9: Artist pick up their work     *When shipping work, pre-calculate the return shipping and enclose a check for that amount (made payable to WOW) with work. Application forms will be emailed to accepted artists and must accompany work, along with artist statement. $15 entry fee for accepted artists- NO CHARGE for members of WOW. Receipt of the completed application form constitutes your agreement to all conditions established in this prospectus. WOW will provide insurance for all work while onsite; artists are responsible for insuring work in transit. Consent to use photos of work for promotional purposes is assumed unless otherwise stated by artist. Sales: Wow promotes the show via website, email marketing, social marketing, posters, and press releases. Artists will set their own selling price. Wow will retain a 30% commission on all sales in the gallery and commissioned pieces as a result of the show. Questions? We are here to help! WOW Gallery/Gift Shop (307-460-3304), email: wow@uwyo.edu

Investigate "Instigate" with artist Suzanne Morlock Sept. 27 in Jackson

CLTP looking for volunteers

The Cheyenne Little Theatre Players is looking for a few good volunteers. See the long list of needs at http://www.cheyennelittletheatre.org/volunteer.asp?utm_source=Beat+the+Summer+Heat+with+CLTP&utm_campaign=Summer+Heat&utm_medium=email

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.

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. 



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/.

"Dust in the Wind" -- UW Symphony performs with legendary rock band Kansas on April 27

Legendary rock band Kansas will perform with the University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Friday, April 27, at 8 p.m. in the UW Arts and Sciences auditorium. Tickets cost $49 for premium seating and $39 general admission. For ticket information, call the UW Fine Arts box office at (307) 766-6666 or visit www.uwyo.edu/finearts.

The 2012 Kansas Collegiate Symphony Tour is an effort to raise funds and awareness for collegiate music programs.

"The UWSO has performed with some of the world's great artists, but this is the first time we've backed a rock band," says Michael Griffith, UW Symphony Orchestra conductor. "It's a terrific opportunity to be heard by a new audience, and to have this wonderful new experience. We'll be the ‘warm-up band' before Kansas takes the stage."

Kansas' hits "Carry on My Wayward Son," "Point of Know Return," and "Dust in the Wind" will be performed with orchestral parts. The symphony's conductor, Larry Baird, has conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the St. Louis Symphony, in addition to major pop-music names such as Three Dog Night, Al Jarreau, the Moody Blues and Michael Bolton.

In 2010, Kansas began performing concerts with college and university symphonies throughout the United States. After the successful 2010 Kansas Collegiate Symphony tour, the band expanded the 2012 tour to include 27 collegiate symphonies with added performances in the western region.

"Kansas and all the school symphonies hit it off big time," say Phil Ehart, Kansas drummer. "The only people having more fun than us are the students playing on stage with us."

This concert tour is presented by D'Addario & Company. For more information on Kansas, visit http://www.kansasband.com/ .

Photo: The University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra will perform with the legendary rock band Kansas Friday, April 27, at 8 p.m., in the UW Arts and Sciences auditorium.

Still time to register for WyoPoets workshop April 28 in Casper

WyoPoets will hold its 2012 workshop on Saturday, April 28, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Casper. The speaker is Wyoming Arts Council roster artist George Vlastos of Casper. Theme is "Place Makes Person." Rooms available next door at the Hampton Inn at a group rate of $84. See conference brochure for details.

Art Design and Dine returns April 12

After taking the winter off, Art Design and Dine returns to Cheyenne April 12, 5-8 p.m. Here are the participating venues:

Artful Hand Studio and Gallery -- located in The Avenues. Open by appointment or chance

Clay Paper Scissors -- Artists' studios and gallery

Deselms Fine Art -- featuring Western and contemporary art

Studio 17 -- fine art photography

The Ancient Sage -- Art, Books , clothing and accessories

The Nagle Warren Mansion -- Historic mansion and bed and breakfast in downtown Cheyenne

The Cheyenne Artists Guild -- monthly meetings, workshops and shows

Prairie Wind -- fiber arts, beads, classes

LightsOn! -- Art shows, music and rental space in the Historic Hynds building in downtown Cheyenne. Contact architect Glen Garrett for more information

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"Celebrate India Week" March 26-31 at UW

India's culture and history will be showcased at the University of Wyoming during "Celebrate India" March 26-31, sponsored by the Indian students' organization, Milaap. All events are free.

"Food and refreshments will be served at all the events," says Pooja Saraff, Milaap president. "Come and experience what makes India so special."

The schedule:

Monday, March 26, 7-8 p.m. -- Documentary on India, "Incredible Innovation," Wyoming Union Central Ballroom.

Tuesday, March 27, 12:15-1:15 p.m. -- Panel discussion on "Steps Toward a Caste Free India," Wyoming Union West Ballroom.

Wednesday, March 28, 7:30-10:30 p.m. -- Bollywood Movie Night, Wyoming Union Family Room.

Saturday, March 31, 5-6 p.m. -- Workshops will be held on wearing Indian costumes, cricket, Bollywood dancing and singing, and henna tattoos. Zesty Indian appetizers will be served. Bollywood Dance and Dandiya Night is from 6-11 p.m., Wyoming Union Ballroom. The event includes a workshop from "Mudra Dance School," followed by a Bollywood night after party.

Photo: Bollywood Dance and Dandiya Night are among events during "Celebrate India" March 26-31, at the University of Wyoming.

LuDel Deal Walker re-fuses refuse to create artwork you can't refuse

"Baby Fox"

From a Corridor Gallery press release:

The Corridor Gallery in downtown Casper proudly presents “Refuse”, a solo exhibit of Wyoming artist LuDel Deal Walter. LuDel is an accomplished artist that is following through with her first Corridor solo exhibit after winning “Best In Show” during a past Corridor call-for-entries show based upon the subject of religion. The public and press are invited to attend the opening reception of “Refuse” on Friday, March 30th at 7pm. The exhibit will show only through Sunday, April 1st. The Corridor Gallery appreciates your continued support for local and regional artwork.

Artist statement:

The Refuse of life remains. We Refuse to look at it. This work Re-fuses the discarded object with meaning. My work communicates the boundaries of where time passes into memory and life passes into death. How does memory hold the past captive? How does place tie into time and memory? This body of work refuses the passage of time by freezing the process of decay -- a stop-action of a very slow natural process. Memory seems to work in a similar fashion; as we recall people and events from our memories, they are frozen at a particular time like stop-action movie stills or loops of a single scene. I incorporate objects that are often ignored or overlooked to create meaning. The carcasses and the refuse of our lives are more than simple objects; they connect to the time when life and purpose was contained there. I am using recycled and found objects (hand-made paper, junk, bones, etc.) to represent the passage of time and the space between life and death. I find that by using images of actual carcasses and garbage in combination with textured papers and found objects, I have a stronger connection to the work because I'm forced to consider the feelings of disgust, shame and ambivalence surrounding the objects.  This body of work refuses the inevitability of  loss of meaning and purpose. We no longer revere life enough to consider the process of dying; because we can't embrace death, we can't fully embrace life. Every living thing has a quality that leaves the body at the time of death. Every object has a quality of memory.  What is that liminal quality?  Where is it? These pieces are intended to ask the viewer to consider the life and purpose that once inhabited these images. -- LuDel Deal Walter

Event Details

Event: “Refuse” Original Artwork by Wyoming artist LuDeal Deal Walter
Specifics: Located at The Corridor Gallery: 120 E. 2nd St. Casper, WY 82601
Tickets Cost/Avail: Free Admission
Opening Reception: Friday, March 30th at 7:00pm
Open Showing: Saturday, March 31st 10:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday, April 1st noon to 4pm
Information: For more information, please contact The Corridor Gallery at (307) 333-7035, Reed at (307) 259-8001 or visit www.thecorridorgallery.com

Aquila Theatre presents "bold" version of "The Importance of Being Earnest" March 23 at UW

From a UW press release:

Aquila Theatre will perform a bold interpretation of "The Importance of Being Earnest" Friday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Wyoming Arts and Sciences auditorium.

Tickets cost $26 for the public and $23 for senior citizens and students. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.uwyo.edu/fineart_ticket/tickets.aspx or by phone at (307) 766-6666. Tickets also are available in-person at the Wyoming Union ticket office.

Oscar Wilde's most famous play is an audience favorite. It portrays razor-sharp wit in a dizzy romantic comedy. "The Importance of Being Earnest" tells the tale of Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, both young men, who have taken to bending the truth to add excitement to their lives and to secretly escape the social expectations of the English upper class exemplified by Lady Bracknell.

Based in New York City, Aquila Theatre creates bold interpretations of classical plays for contemporary audiences. The New York Times describes the theater "as a classically trained, modern hip troupe." Aquila is the professional company-in-residence at the New York University's Center for Ancient Studies.

Aquila presents a regular season of plays in New York, performs at international festivals and tours approximately 70 American towns and cities each year. It also produces an extensive educational program on performing and producing classical plays through schools, workshops and rural and urban communities.

Photo: Aquila Theatre will perform a bold interpretation of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" at the University of Wyoming Arts and Sciences auditorium March 23.

Writer and workshop leader Page Lambert profiled in The Denver Post

One-time Wyoming resident and Wyoming Arts Council creative writing fellowship winner Page Lambert was profiled yesterday in The Denver Post. Read the interview here.