Your town can be a "Distinctive Destination"

From a press release:

The Dozen Distinctive Destinations program recognizes unique cities and towns across the country working to preserve their historic character, promote heritage tourism, enhance their community and encourage others to enjoy all they have to offer. Each year since 2000, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has selected 12 destinations from across the country that offer authentic visitor experiences by combining dynamic downtowns, diverse cultural activities, attractive architecture, and a strong commitment to historic preservation, sustainability and revitalization.

The public will vote on a "fan favorite" from among the 12 selected destinations. The National Trust for Historic Preservation will announce the winner of the popular vote in early March 2010.

What makes your community distinctive?

• An Authentic Experience: Historic character and charm, a variety of actives – including museums, tours, art galleries, festivals and other attractions – that will appeal to individuals, couples and families
• A Dynamic Downtown: A vibrant main street, a well-preserved historic district, locally owned businesses
• A Commitment to Preservation: Diverse cultural traditions, structures and events, dedicated local organizations and volunteers
• A Green Ethic: Local food products, walking and bike tours, commitment to sustainability and revitalization
• A Heritage Tourism Infrastructure: Locally owned retail shops, historic lodging, and unique dining options
  

If selected, your community will benefit by receiving:

• Promotion through the National Trust for Historic Preservation web site, which receives over 200,000 visitors a month, and an entire web page dedicated to your destination.
• Inclusion in a feature story about the Distinctive Destinations in Preservation magazine.
• Support from the National Trust for Historic Preservation in planning a local media event. Past events have included governors, senators, mayors, local representatives, and community members.
• A promotional toolkit and press release.
• A certificate and plaque from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
• The title of 2010 Dozen Distinctive Destination and use of the program logo on all materials. Check out some examples of what other Distinctive Destinations have done with their designation and the program logo.
  

Important dates:

• All nomination materials must be submitted by Sept. 1, 2009.
• Applicants will be notified in early January of 2010.
• The National Announcement of the 2010 Dozen Distinctive Destinations® will take place on February 3, 2010.
• Winner of the popular vote will be announced on March 1, 2010.
  

Questions? Contact Special Projects Coordinator Joelle Schatz at 202.588.6141 or Dozen@nthp.org.

Call for artists: Sign up now for next 20:20

This news comes from our friends at the UW Art Museum:

The next 20:20 event is set for Wednesday, Sept. 23, 7-9 p.m. at Little America in Cheyenne. It will be held in conjunction with the Wyoming Arts Council's Arts Summit.

This 20:20 is the second in a series of three events hosted by the UW Art Museum. In the past, 20:20 was held specifically for artists from the southeast region of the state, but the event in September is open to all statewide artists, arts organizations and art educators. Because it is being held in conjunction with the Arts Summit, writers, musicians and performing artists are also encouraged to sign up.

20:20 is a fast-paced presentation format where presenters are allowed 20 images, in PowerPoint format, and each image is only shown for 20 seconds. The result is a 6 minute and 40 second presentation. This allows for as many people as possible to show their latest work, their accomplishments, new projects and new ideas. 20:20 is meant to encourage dialogue and networking among colleagues throughout the state. It's a great opportunity to update and inform the Wyoming arts community.

Sign up is on a first come, first served basis. Images must be submitted in PowerPoint format no later than Wednesday, September 9. For more information or to sign up, please contact Art Museum Assistant Curator Rachel Miller at 307-766-6621 or rmiller@uwyo.edu.

Bryan Ragsdale at Lincoln County libraries

Wyoming Arts Council roster artist Bryan Ragsdale will be performing twice in Lincoln County during the next month.

Bryan will perform and present a songwriting workshop on Monday, July 27 (today!) at 11 a.m. in the Lincoln County Library in Kemmerer. This event is also free to the public and is sponsored in part by the Wyoming Arts Council through funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wyoming State Legislature. Bryan will be in the Cokeville Branch Library on Wednesday, August 12, at 11 a.m.

FMI: Lincoln County Library, Brenda McGinnis, 307-877-6961

What's happening on the Jackson arts scene?

Brigid Mander explores the local arts scene in the July 22 Planet Jackson Hole and finds some good stuff happening. Go to http://www.planetjh.com/news/A_105243.aspx

UW Joins National Day of the Cowboy observance

The University of Wyoming will commemorate the National Day of the Cowboy Saturday, July 25.

Sponsored in the U.S. Senate by Wyoming's late U.S. Senator, Craig Thomas, the National Day of the Cowboy is a day the Senate sets aside for Americans to celebrate the contribution of the Cowboy and Cowgirl to America's culture and heritage. It commemorates our cowboy and Western heritage, and honors working cowboys and ranchers, Western musicians and artists, cowboy poets and all the others who continue to contribute to our cowboy and Western culture. University of Wyoming author Robert Roripaugh, Cowboy Poet Tim Rush and creative writer Samuel Stenger Renken have contributed works that reflect this cowboy theme.

Cowboys and the University of Wyoming have a special relationship. Wyoming alumi, faculty, staff and students continue to contribute to this heritage.

The nickname "Cowboys" was applied to Wyoming athletic teams as early as 1891 - two years before the first official football game. The story is that the Wyoming pick-up football team appealed to a 220 pound cowpuncher, Fred Bush, for help in a game against the Cheyenne Soldiers. Bush signed up for a course or two and came out for the team. When he trotted onto the field decked out in a checkered shirt and Cowboy hat, someone yelled, "Hey, look at the Cowboy!" Since many of the members of the team were also ex-cowboys, the name stuck.

The works contributed are excerpts from Roripaugh's "The Ranch" and his book "The Legend of Billy Jenks"; Professor Rush's poem "State of Mind"; and Renken's "The Price of Hay's Gone Up Terribly."

Peter Pan on the Casper College stage

Click on image for larger view

On my trip to Casper last week, I was able to get to the Saturday performance of Casper College's production of Peter Pan in the recently flooded Gertrude Krampert Theatre. There was no visible evidence of that circumstance, but the performance began a few minutes late due to some last minute technical difficulties. I did hear that Friday's opening night performance had to be cancelled because of a power outage that was caused by a bus running into a power pole on 2nd Street, but I haven't been able to confirm that. At any rate, the play was first rate, and is the case with Casper College productions. It was wonderful, in that intimate setting, to see Peter Pan come off a the window ledge and fly across the stage out above the audience.

Tom Empey directed this production and in the program talks about seeing the movie Finding Neverland in 2004 as inspiring him to once again (they had done Peter Pan in 1995) do Peter Pan. He loved the acting, the emotions and most of all the look and feel of the movie, particularly in the scenes from Peter Pan. He wanted to try and create that look and feel with this production. He also notes that in 2004, he was privileged to see the play in The Duke of York's Theatre in London, where Peter Pan was first staged in 1904.

Micheal Stedillie, drama instructor at Kelly Walsh High School for that last 20 years, played Mr. Darling and Captain Hook, and was both humorously a clueless father and inept villian. Faith Engen played Peter Pan and she was engaging as the the boy who never wants to grow up. A college student now, Faith was a student of Stedillie's in high school.

There were 38 performers, and most had elaborate costumes, which were inventive and terrific. As to be expected, there were many children of all ages in the audience who laughed and booed and gasped. When Peter asks the audience to clap if they believed in fairies, so Tink's fading life would light back up, there was a vigorous response.

Great fun.

Call for entries from Lander Art Center

The Lander Art Center is currently accepting entries for a fall exhibition, Transformation: Found Materials and Contemporary Works of Art.

The exhibition will include local, regional and national artists whose ingenious and unique approach to found materials forces the viewer to look beyond their current frame of reference. Through the artistic process of alteration, the found material is given new context. The
dialogue between viewer, object and artist is transformed anew as the object's history takes on a new meaning with or without reference to a past life.

This exhibit will run from September 28 through November 13, 2009 with an opening reception October 2. Please contact Lennie at the Lander Art Center landerartcenter@bresnan.net for a complete guideline about the exhibit as well as submission details and application. Application deadline is August 17, 2009.

Cheyenne Frontier Days

Coming to work this morning, I thought I'd get here early to beat the parade entries that begin to line up on the street just north of the Arts Council's office, and get a parking place in the garage. At 7:30 this morning, there weren't many assembled, but the 24-count packs of bottled water were being dropped off on corners along the parade route from the rented truck, enough at each point that they were stacked two or three high in two and three rows. I walked down the street to the post office, had invites to mail for my mother's upcoming surprise party, and saw the pick-up truck and flatbed trailer that pulls the giant-sized pair of jeans (representative of the Frontier Days legend) parked there, waiting to pull into its place in the parade. It was a beautiful morning and I had some time to dally before work, so I walked the block east to the coffee house. A group of three people were slowly walking down the street, looking back and forth. I must have looked enough like a local, one of them asked me if this was the street that the parade went down. "No, I said, just go one block over, and you'll be good." "So I guess those chairs we set up down there," the young man in the group said, pointing, "won't do us any good." He and the other man took off to move them, and the woman ended up in line a few customers behind me at the coffee place. The group of people in front of me were getting their parade munchies, and I don't think that one of the ladies had ever been in a Starbuck's before. Simplicity abounds. On the way back, another group of people had set up their chairs almost in the exact wrong place that the others had, but were already in the throes of packing up and moving. It's pink shirt day, and everybody that works and volunteers wears a pink shirt to bring attention to and collect donations for breast cancer awareness. The guys who man the water stations are cowboy-hatted, helpful and friendly, saying as I passed by two of them on my walking trip this morning, "When you get thirsty, come on back and get some water. It's free." My daughter and grandsons will be in the parade this morning. They'll be in the prairie schooner.

This is the 113th time that Cheyenne has done Frontier Days, and they are a well-organized machine. But I thought about the extraordinary effort by all of the people ( and there are many) who work to make all of this happen. It's a steeped tradition here in Cheyenne, and people from all over the world pass through this town during this incredible rodeo-based festival. From my office window, I can see a large group of riders on horses has assembled, and two of the old yellow Yellowstone buses are parked on the street. So I'm going to watch the parade this morning, hopefully see the family and wave, and try and get a decent picture of them. And grab a bottled water.

Linda Coatney

Cave exploration at Sinks Canyon State Park

Have you ever dreamed of exploring the depths of a real cave? Traveling underground where you would find a cool, winding underground spring?

Through the Wyoming Kids Xtreme program, developed by the Wyoming Division of State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails, kids will get the chance to participate in real cave exploration at Sinks Canyon State Park.

On August 22, State Park employees will take kids and their parents on a tour of a Sinks Canyon State Park cave. In addition, staff will be on hand for the Sinks Canyon Junior Ranger Program that is will "kick-off" this summer.

To participate, kids are asked to fill out the application found at the following link http://wyoparks.state.wy.us/Kids/KidsXtremeAPPLICATION.pdf. Once the application is accepted, participants will be notified of their time slot for the Cave Adventure.

For more information, please contact State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails Administrator Domenic Bravo at 307-777-6324, or via email at dbravo@state.wy.us.

American Life in Poetry

By Ted Kooser, U.S. Poet Laureate, 2004-2006
Elizabeth Bishop, one of our greatest American poets, once wrote a long poem in which the sudden appearance of a moose on a highway creates a community among a group of strangers on a bus. Here Ronald Wallace, a Wisconsin poet, gives us a sighting with similar results.

Sustenance

Australia. Phillip Island. The Tasman Sea.
Dusk. The craggy coastline at low tide in fog.
Two thousand tourists milling in the stands
as one by one, and then in groups, the fairy penguins
mass up on the sand like so much sea wrack and
debris. And then, as on command, the improbable
parade begins: all day they've been out fishing
for their chicks, and now, somehow, they find them
squawking in their burrows in the dunes, one by one,
two by two, such comical solemnity, as wobbling by
they catch our eager eyes until we're squawking, too,
in English, French, and Japanese, Yiddish and Swahili,
like some happy wedding party brought to tears
by whatever in the ceremony repairs the rifts
between us. The rain stops. The fog lifts. Stars.
And we go home, less hungry, satisfied, to friends
and family, regurgitating all we've heard and seen.

American Life in Poetry is made possible by The Poetry Foundation (www.poetryfoundation.org), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "Sustenance" from "For A Limited Time Only," by Ronald Wallace, (c) 2008. Used by permission of the University of Pittsburgh Press. The poem first appeared in "Poetry Northwest," Vol. 41, no. 4, 2001. Introduction copyright (c)2009 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction's author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006. We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts.

UW Art Museum hosts Summer Teacher Art Institute

The University of Wyoming Art Museum and the UW Fine Arts Outreach department are hosting Transforming Learning: The 2009 Summer Teacher Institute, July 26 – 31.

This Institute is a concentrated week-long workshop for teachers that uses original art work as the inspiration to find answers to questions like: how can art help us explore new places? And, can art help us learn new things about those places most familiar to us? Artists Ashley Hope Carlisle, Ginnie Madsen and Mark Ritchie will discuss their "placed-based" work and provide intensive studio workshops for teachers that will allow them to explore applications for their classrooms.

Observe, question, explore, create and reflect becomes the model for discovery as teachers become students. The new Ann Simpson Artmobile exhibition, Where We Are Is Just the Beginning, will serve as resource and inspiration, as will the summer exhibits in the UW Art Museum, including the mixed media sculpture of Montana artist Tracy Linder, watercolor sketches, drawings and prints by Thomas Moran and selections from Adornment: Native American Regalia.

Registration is $50 per person. Dorm rooms, breakfast and lunch are included. Participants are responsible for their own evening meals and all travel costs. PTSB and UW credit are pending.
For additional information on the exhibitions, call the UW Art Museum at (307) 766-6622 or visit www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum. To register contact the UW Fine Arts Outreach, (307) 766-5139.

The 2009 Summer Teacher Institute is funded in part by the Sigrid See Excellence Fund for the Art Museum Teacher Institute, the UW Fine Arts Outreach Program, the UW Art Museum, the Wyoming Arts Council through the Wyoming State Legislature, and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes a great nation deserves great art.

"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 Dr. in Laramie. The museum and Museum Store are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

MAT Camp featured in Uinta County Herald

The Uinta County Herald featured a great article today about the Music Art and Technology (MAT) Camp set for July 20-24 at David Middle School in Evanston.

Read the entire story at http://www.uintacountyherald.com/V2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=2482&page=72

For more info about the camp, call Carolee Bowen of Young Musicians at 307-679-2348.

Humanities Matter! conference Oct. 23-24

Humanities Matter!, the Wyoming Humanities Council's first statewide humanities conference, will take place October 23-24 at Central Wyoming College in Riverton.

Humanities Matter! will bring together college and university faculty, museum and library professionals, the general public, teachers, and community organizations to explore how we can work together to enrich the lives of students and community members through the humanities.

Support for Humanities Matter! is provided by the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, the Wyoming Community College Commission, and the University of Wyoming.

Further details will be posted on the WHC blog and website.

FMI: WHC Communications Coordinator Jenn Koiter. Read more here

Call for entries: "Art inspired by the night"

Electronic books a no-go for students

From Nancy Curtis, owner and publisher of High Plains Press:

here is a tidbit I thought was interesting: Northwest Missouri State University had a pilot project last year in which some 200 students were given Sony Readers that contained textbooks for four courses. "NMSU students reported the devices limited their ability to highlight, skip sections and take notes, and 40 percent said they studied less than they would have with hard-copy books, the university noted." From: Shelf Awareness, July 7, 2009

ZAPP your way into art shows with online registry

The inaugural ZAPP Conference for artists and art fair professionals will take place in Denver at the Curtis Hotel from Wednesday, August 19 through Friday, August 21, 2009. The conference agenda includes sessions and lectures on understanding image technology, tools for managing art businesses, strategies for dealing with a sluggish economy, the ZAPP jury process, organizing the art fair community, ZAPP system training and technical assistance, and more. The conference agenda, hotel information, and online registration are available by visiting www.zapplication.org and clicking the ZAPP conference information link. The ZAPP Conference will bring together artists, art fair directors and staff, consultants, and the ZAPP Team to learn more about best show practices and resources, receive hands-on training in everything from image formatting to ZAPP system procedures, and enjoy some time in the Mile High City and nearby Rocky Mountains. For additional information about the conference, please contact Lara Turner at lara.turner@westaf.org or Ryan Blum at ryan.blum@westaf.org.

ZAPP™ is brought to you by the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF), in partnership with eight art shows: Artigras, Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, Bayou City Art Festivals, Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Lakefront Festival of Arts, MAIN ST. Forth Worth Arts Festival, Metris Uptown Art Fair, and St. James Court Art Show. The cultural organization, Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. is the ninth partner. ZAPP™ enables individual artists to apply online to multiple art shows through one central Web site, http://www.ZAPPlication.org. The online application process also allows artists to directly upload digital images of their artwork for jury review. The result is that all artwork in the system is in a consistent, high-quality, digital format. The digital images are presented to the jurors of each show and the system allows them to score online.

"Damnyankee" author at Teton County Library

Driggs, Idaho, writer Tom Walsh will talk about his new book at the Teton County Public Library on Thursday, Aug. 20, 6-7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

In "Damnyankee: A World War II Story of Tragedy and Survival" (Outskirts Press, ISBN 1432729101), Tom Walsh chronicles how he stumbled into the story of a U.S. Navy bomber lost at sea off the West of Ireland, and how an American arrived in County Galway four decades later to tell the story and claim the he, in fact, had been a member of the bomber's crew. Walsh will read from the book, answer questions and share stories from his research on both sides of the Atlantic.

FMI: Adult Humanities Coordinator Oona Doherty at 307-733-2164 ext. 135.

Another step forward for construction of new UW visual arts building

Hot off the presses from the University of Wyoming:

The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees today gave its approval to request legislative authorization for the university to issue bonds for the construction of UW's top capital facilities priority -- a new building to house the university's growing visual arts program.

New art studios are planned to replace overcrowded and out-of-date facilities for visual arts, such as sculpture, art and ceramics. That would be accomplished through issuing revenue bonds not to exceed $33 million, to be paid for by UW's share of federal mineral royalties (FMRs), which are restricted by law to use for capital facilities purposes.

The Wyoming State Legislature in 2008 authorized $600,000 for Level II preliminary design. In 2009, the Legislature appropriated $2.7 million for final design and construction documents, scheduled to be in final form by January 2010. The university plans to provide the governor and legislature a guaranteed maximum price before the 2010 legislative session begins. If the bonding authority is approved, UW plans to begin construction next summer.

Completing the Art Building (to be located near the Centennial Complex that houses the UW Art Museum) and relocating the visual arts program is required before phase two of the project, renovating and expanding the existing Fine Arts building, can begin. Plans call for the improved facility to house performing arts programs. A planning and design timeframe indicates phase two would cost about $50 million, with construction envisioned to begin in at least 2013.

Family Day at UW Art Museum July 18

From a UW Art Museum press release:

Family Day at the UW Art Museum is this Saturday, July 18, from 10 am - 4 pm. The day begins with an Art Talk by Montana artist Tracy Linder at 10:30 am. Tracy has been an Artist in Residence this week in the Shelton Studio, and has been working with students to create and shape handmade paper during the annual Paint Pony Express classes. The Art Talk is free and open to the public.

Family Day includes free art making activities for artists of all ages. The theme of this year’s Family Day is "Ranch Stories." Families will be able to ask Tracy Linder questions about her work and what it's like living on a ranch and how she came to be an artist. She will be on hand to talk about the unique materials she uses and the subjects that interest her. Papermaking materials are supplied by the Shelton Studio. Participants can learn how to make and cast paper, and create truly unique items from this fun (and wet!) medium. Come prepared to work outside in the sun. Family Day is free and open to the public.

FMI: 307-766-3496.

Music & books highlight Centennial event

The Centennial Library and Cultural Association is going to whoop it up Aug. 21-22.

Here are the details:

Aug. 21: An Evening with Craig Johnson, mystery writer from Ucross and author of Another Man's Moccasins, 7 p.m. at the Centennial Library. Free to CLCA members; $10 for others.

Aug. 22: Centennial Celebrates Cowboy Culture at UW President's Cabin at Horseshoe Haven in Rainbow Valley, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. A family and community event sponsored by the CLCA to benefit the general maintenance fund. Admission ticket includes music by Country Club Band and lunch by the Albany County Cowbells. Afternoon features Craig Johnson, mystery author; UW Rodeo Team; Tim Rush, cowboy poet; Julianne Couch, author of Jukeboxes and Jackalopes: A Wyoming Bar Journey; Miss Jubilee Days. Tickets $20 adults, $5 youth to age 16 available at Friendly Store, Mountain View Hotel and Old Corral) or contact the Centennial Library at 307-745-8393.

Aug 22: Michael Hurwitz (shown in photo) and the Aimless Drifters from Alta will perform at the Trading Post in Centennial beginning at 8 p.m.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Both Julianne Couch and Mike Hurwitz are on the Wyoming Arts Council artists' roster. Bring them to your community through an Arts Across Wyoming grant. Go to http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/

Judith Weikle on stage in Jackson July 17

Judith Weikle and Liz McCorquodale will perform together at the Jackson Hole Art Fair in Jackson's Miller Park on Friday, July 17, 5-6 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Weikle, a Celtic musician and folk singer, is new to the Wyoming Arts Council roster. If you would like to bring her to your community through an Arts Across Wyoming grant, go to http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/ and click on grants on the left sidebar. The view Judith's bio and contact info, go to http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/Apps/Roster/Results.asp. FMI: 307-777-7742.

Chamber mixes it up with art at AVA

Opera Colorado finds new fans in Wyoming

Opera Colorado's Spotlight newsletter featured an article, "Wyoming Welcomes Opera Colorado Artists," in its latest issue:

On May 16, Opera Colorado broke new ground with a program at the Governor's Residence in Cheyenne, Wyoming, sponsored by Pinnacle Bank and Chris and Joy Dinsdale. More than 100 area residents -- some from as far away as Laramie -- were treated to a program of arias and ensemble by the Opera Colorado Young Artists, and enjoyed wine and hors d'oeuvres courtesy of Pinnacle Bank. This successful event was organized by Opera Colorado Board Member and Cheyenne resident Muffy Moore, along with others from the Cheyenne area arts community. Those present agreed that the event could serve as the inaugural meeting of a Wyoming opera-lovers association, and plans are underway for additional programs in area schools, at the civic center and in the colleges. In addition, some of the attendees will be organizing group trips to Denver to see Opera Colorado performances. Special thanks to Muffy and Pinnacle Bank for bringing Opera Colorado to Wyoming! To get involved with this Wyoming opera-lovers association, please contact Lori Siegling at 303.778.0389 or lsiegling@operacolorado.org.

Muffy Moore is a former board member of the Wyoming Arts Council.

Wyomingarts attended the May 16 event, and it fed his/her/its newly-acquired opera habit.

New arts building topic of UW trustees' meeting

When wyomingarts was in Laramie on Monday, University of Wyoming art department faculty members said they were excited about the proposed new arts building for the campus. It will house faculty offices, studios/classrooms and a spacious gallery, among other things. Proposed site for the new building is adjacent to the UW Art Museum. This set-up locates UW's visual arts resources in one section of the campus, which will be a boon to a fine faculty roster (many of who are WAC fellowship recipients), a burgeoning group of 230-some undergrad students, and the UW art museum and its incredible array of exhibitions. UW cut its graduate-level visual arts program some years ago, but this new complex may spur its future return.

One question: have UW budget cuts impacted this project?

All of this will be a topic at this week's UW board of trustee's meeting. These meetings are open to the public.

Here's more info from an Associated Press story in this morning's Casper Star-Tribune:

The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees has called a special meeting to address subjects including construction of a new arts building.

The board will meet at 11 a.m. Thursday on campus to approve the university's 2010 construction request to the state.UW wants to issue no more than $33 million in revenue bonds to fund the arts project and then pay the debt with federal mineral royalties.

The university hopes to begin constructing a new arts building next year and to begin expanding the existing Fine Arts building in 2013 to house performing arts.

The board will also consider a plan to pay $1.1 million to help construct the Intertribal Education and Community Center at Central Wyoming College in exchange for a 50-year lease for UW's Outreach School.

King Coal Days in Hanna July 31-Aug. 2

King Coal Days 2009 in the historic mining town of Hanna will features concerts, talent show, parade, horseshoe and poker tournaments and lots of food. All events held at the Hanna Rec Center.

On Friday, July 31, 8 p.m., T-Band will perform in concert. On Saturday, Aug. 1, Trucker's Daughter will play for a street dance from 8-11 p.m.

Hanna is located two miles north of the junction of highways 72 and 30 in Carbon County.

FMI: 307-325-9402.

Big West Arts Festival Aug. 1-2 in Sheridan

The Big West Arts Festival celebrates its fourth year Aug. 1-2 on the front lawn of the Sheridan College campus in Sheridan.

This year's performers include Bob Wyatt, Two Steps Forward, Ethan Chartier Band, Dan Lindley & Neil Brieco, Doug Andrews, Teka Brock Band, Gary Small & the Coyote Bros., Powder River Boys, Jalan Crossland, Micky & The Motorcars, Church Family Singers, Maggie Taberna, Ann Tolstedt, Jeff Troxel (WAC roster artist), Justin Hoffenberg & Martin Gilmore, Prickly Pair & the Cactus Chorale (WAC roster artists), and Craft Brothers.

For more info about Sheridan College, visit http://www.sheridan.edu/.

For info about Sheridan and vicinity, visit http://www.sheridanwyomingchamber.com/.

Make your own porcelain bottles at AVA

Missy Raines & The New Hip in Pinedale 7/17

The Pinedale Fine Arts Council presents Missy Raines & The New Hip at American Legion Park in Pinedale on Friday, July 17, 6:30 p.m. This five-piece ensemble from Nashville bring their "jazz meets rock meets bluegrass sound" to the American Legion Park. Science Rockets to open. This concert is free and open to the public. Go to website or myspace or youtube.

Music & dance in Buffalo via Worlds of Music

This announcement comes from David Romtvedt at Worlds of Music: Community Development Through Music:"

On Thursday through Saturday, July 23-25, Worlds of Music will present a series of free workshops, performances, and talks along with a community dance featuring New England contra dance fiddler Rodney Miller and the Airdance Trio with dance caller Larry Edelman. All events will take place in Buffalo.

On Thursday Rodney Miller and the Airdance Trio will perform at 6:30 p.m. at the Occidental Hotel, 10 N. Main. On Friday, the musicians will perform and talk about their music at 12:45 p.m. at the Buffalo Senior Center, 671 W. Fetterman. On Saturday, both The Airdance trio and Larry Edelman will play for a community dance at 8 p.m., at Buffalo’s new Clear Creek Middle School, 361 W. Gatchell.

The visiting musicians will also offer two free workshops. On Friday from 3-5 p.m. at The Deerfield, 7 N. Main, Larry Edelman will teach songs and dances of the American Southwest. On Saturday from 10 a.m.-noon and from 1-3 p.m., again at The Deerfield, Rodney Miller, the Airdance Trio, and Larry Edelman will teach New England style contra dance music and contra dance calling. Local musicians including Buffalo guitarist and mandolinist Scott Gall and Sheridan fiddler and guitarist Mark Paninos will play for the callers’ workshop. The workshops are open to people of all ages and skill levels. Beginners are welcome as are all instruments. Participants in the workshops will have the opportunity to play at the Saturday night dance.

Contra dance has a long history in the United States from the colonial period to the present. The dances are done in lines in which couples face one another. The caller teaches each dance by walking people through the steps before the music starts. Throughout the tune, people dance alternately with their partner and with a new person until everyone has danced with everyone else in the room. Like many traditional dance forms, contras offer a way for people to meet and get to know one another. It’s both exciting and a little scary.

The music for contra dancing has long been played on fiddle and piano though contemporary bands may also include piano accordion, concertina, guitar, mandolin, percussion, and string bass. A blend of French Canadian and Celtic influences, the music has in the past twenty-five years begun to incorporate a wide array of musical styles including jazz and swing. One of these days we may find ourselves dancing to a contra dance band that includes salsa tunes and a horn section.

Rodney Miller is a leading player of contemporary New England style fiddling. Named a Master Fiddler by the National Endowment for the Arts, he has represented New Hampshire at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C. and has performed on "A Prairie Home Companion," at the Kennedy Center, and with the Twyla Tharp Dance Company. His festival appearances include Australia’s National Folk Festival, Faroe Islands Folk Festival, Shetland Folk Festival, Denmark’s Tonder Folk Festival, the US National Folk Festival, and the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes.

In Buffalo, Rodney Miller will perform with his daughter Elvie Miller, who plays piano and piano accordion, and with guitarist Owen Marshall. Elvie received a Watson Fellowship to study Irish traditional music and has recorded an all waltz cd called Spyglass with her father. Owen is a twenty-one year old guitarist who has performed with many New England dance bands. Caller Larry Edelman has served as the coordinator of Dance Week at West Virginia’s Augusta Heritage Arts Workshop and as program director of the Country Dance and Song Society's American Dance Week at Pinewoods in Massachusetts. He received a Folk Arts fellowship from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to study with elder caller Jerry Goodwin, and produced the film Dance to the Music and Listen to the Calls. He is the author of Square Dance Caller's Workshop and has played guitar, mandolin, and fiddle with The Monongahela Mudsuckers, Devilish Merry, the Percolators, and Poultry in Motion.

Rodney Miller, the Airdance Trio, and Larry Edelman’s visit to Wyoming is made possible by Worlds of Music, a not for profit program that seeks to understand what music means to people—why they listen to, dance to, and perform certain musics and not others. Worlds of Music performances, lectures, and workshops look at the role music plays in our lives, and how music changes over time and across cultures. Above all, Worlds of Music examines the ways that music is unique to particular communities while remaining a universal human phenomenon.

This Worlds of Music event is supported by private gifts as well as by grants from the Johnson County Arts and Humanities Commission and the Wyoming Arts Council through funding from the Wyoming legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

FMI: 307-684-2194 or 307-684-9406.

"Cody Character" and "Best of Mack Frost"

Hamilton Bryan's black-and-white photograph of Cody artist (and 2002 Wyoming Arts Council visual arts fellowship recipient) Elijah Cobb, part of Bryan's "Cody Character" series

This announcement comes from the Cody Chamber of Commerce web site:

Two new shows -- “Cody Character” and the “Best of Mack Frost” -- will open Sept. 1 in the gallery at Open Range Images, 1201 Sheridan Ave., Cody. They feature two local photographers, Hamilton Bryan and Mack Frost. The show runs through October 31. A reception featuring the work of both photographers will be held during the Art Walk of the Rendezvous Royale on Thursday, September 25, 4-7 p.m.

Founder of Cody, Wyoming's, fine art photography gallery, Open Range Images, Hamilton Bryan has had an interest in photography most of his life. Starting with filmmaking/videography in his youth and into his professional career, photography has always been a passion.

“Cody Character” is a unique photo exhibit for Open Range. “The idea for the exhibit has been circling for the past couple of years”, says Bryan. “I have always had an appreciation for history and the people who made it”, he continues. “This project has been one of the more interesting things I’ve worked on”, Bryan says. “The people in this project are incredibly interesting and diverse and have really added to the community in their own special way.” “They are all ‘one of a kind’, Bryan says.

The night of the reception, there will be a silent auction for each of the first edition prints, with the proceeds going to the charity chosen by each subject. The subjects of “Cody Character” include Alan Simpson, Harry Jackson, Lucille Patrick, Mary Louise Greever, Jim Nielson, Jerry Lanchbury, Val Geissler, Beverly Kurtz, Elijah Cobb, Bill Smith, Alice Fales and John Darby. The Charities include: Yellowstone Behavioral Health Center, Humane Society, Children’s Resource Center, Dano Camp, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Friends of Park County History, Jim Fike Memorial, Northwest Family Planning, Homeless Hearts, Hospice, Yellowstone Recreation Foundation and Bright Futures.

Mack Frost is a fourth generation Cody native. He has always had a deep love of landscape and scenic photography, and what better place to satisfy that love affair than Northwest Wyoming and Southern Montana? Mack’s passions are panoramic landscapes, super-telephoto images and sunsets. The surrounding area of Cody Country, the Beartooth Mountains, and Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks provides a palette that is irresistible. Mack’s works can be seen exclusively at Open Range Images, where he says, “I am thrilled and honored to be one of 12 partners in this innovative collaborative venture. We each have a unique view of our art and the synergy we produce is fascinating.”

FMI: http://www.openrangeimages.com/.

Jackson Hole Art Fair July 17-19

Arts career summit for people with disabilities

From a National Endowment for the Arts press release:

More than 70 percent of people with disabilities are not in the labor force, and those who wish to pursue a career in the arts face difficult challenges.

On July 22-24, 2009 the National Endowment for the Arts will convene the National Summit on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. This multi-agency summit will gather more than 100 experts to evaluate progress and develop new strategies to advance educational and career opportunities in the arts for people with disabilities.

The first such gathering since 1998, the summit's highlight events include a keynote speech by Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President for Arts, Culture, and Disability Policy and two free, public performances by artists with disabilities.

For more information on the public performances and for the full release, please go to http://www.arts.gov/news/news09/Disability-summit.html
　
CONTACT: Liz Stark, 202-682-5744, starke@arts.gov

Travis Ivey at KEAG Gallery through Aug. 1

From KEAG Gallery blog: Sarah Ramsey-Walters, Travis Ivey, and Rachel Miller at the opening reception for the exhibit, Sketches in Oil: Field Studies. Travis was featured in a recent article by the Laramie Boomerang. Travis' work will be on exhibit at the KEAG Gallery in downtown Laramie through August 1.

WYO Theater presents acoustic Steve Earle

Musician and songwriter Steve Earle will perform in concert at the WYO Theater in Sheridan on Saturday, Aug. 8, 8 p.m. Tickets are $29 adult and $27 senior, military and students.

Here's the announcement from the WYO Theater web site:

The WYO is proud to present a special solo acoustic concert of Steve Earle, touring in support of his new album Townes, a 15-song set comprised of songs written by Earle's friend and mentor, the late singer-songwriter, Townes Van Zandt (Pancho and Lefty and White Freightliner Blues, to name just two). Townes debuted May 28 at number 19 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, the highest debut in Earle's career, and at number 6 on the Billboard Country Chart.

Earle is a master storyteller in his own right, with songs recorded by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Travis Tritt, The Pretenders, Joan Baez and countless others. His 1986 debut record, Guitar Town, shot to number one on the country charts immediately establishing the term "new country" or sometimes "alt-country," followed by an exciting array of twelve releases including the biting hard rock of Copperhead Road (1988), the politically-charged Jerusalem (2002) and, more recently, the Grammy-winning albums The Revolution Starts...Now (2004) and Washington Square Serenade (2007).

FMI: http://www.steveearle.com/. Listen to Steve Earle's acoustic version of Pancho and Lefty at http://www.myspace.com/steveearlemusic

Sign of the times: book fair to charge admission

Book festivals, including the ones in Wyoming, don't charge admission fees. If they make any money, it comes from vendor fees, special events, souvenir sales (T-shirts, book bags, etc.) and food and beverage sales. Those days may be coming to an end.

This article comes from Publishers Lunch Daily:

After 26 years of free admission, the Miami Book Fair will charge for this year's event, held between November 8 and 15th. Attendees will be asked to pay $8 for admission to the weekend street fair on Saturday and Sunday and $10 for ''Evenings With . . .'' programs that run opening night and through the week. The fair will also discontinue its opening-day festivities, its Street Fair parade and International Pavilions. Kids under 18 will still get in free, and fair-goers over 62 will still pay $5 for the street fair.

Cofounder and chair Mitch Kaplan told the Miami Herald that the loss of corporate sponsorships from Target and downtown developers in tandem with state budget cuts looming for Miami Dade College, where the Book Fair is held, required adding on admission fees. "I would prefer everything to be without charge, but we have to think out of the box on ways to ensure the future of the fair,'' Kaplan said. "We're going to try and streamline what we do a bit...This is an incredibly difficult period. As the landscape shifts in the literary and publishing world we have to think of ways to make sure that this precious thing . . . continues."

FMI: Miami Herald

Grants available for cultural exchange projects with Mexico and Central American countries

The National Association of Latino Arts and Culture is offering a new grant program for nonprofit organizations.

The Transnational Cultural Remittances Grant Program will support exemplary cultural exchange projects that use grassroots artistic practices to strengthen social networks across national boundaries in migrant communities. Applications, due July 24, must demonstrate an ongoing connection between two or more of the following countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and the United States.

Chad Lore music and writers' open mic night July 27 at The Jazz Spot in Casper

ARTCORE Music & Poetry Series sponsors Chad Lore and Open Mic Night for Writers on Monday, July 27, 7:30 p.m., at The Jazz Spot.

Here's info from the ARTCORE web site:

From an early age Chad Lore was involved with as many music programs in school and church as he could, and everybody around him could see not only that he was talented and unique, but also that his connection with the audience was out of the ordinary.

When he got to high school he went to Germany as an exchange student and ended up staying there for a while, busking his way around Europe. He met a great number of talented musicians and learned a lot of the techniques that he would later use when he returned to the US and made entertainment his sole career. He also lived some great experiences (good and not so good) that you can hear about in some of his lyrics.

In his live shows, Chad will surprise you with unexpected elements, like his tap shoes or his bottle slide guitar playing. His music is highly improved by his uniqueness and originality, and his sense of humor will keep you interested and laughing in between songs. "I don't tell jokes. I just tell the truth and people can't believe it," he says.

While live music gives him the interaction with the public where he can exhibit his charisma and his wits, studio recording provides him with the opportunity to free his inspiration and experiment with diverse styles of music. When he is recording his CDs he plays every instrument in every one of his songs confirming once again that he is a gifted musician. He is such a complete artist that he is hard to categorize. But if you have to do it you can say that he is a singer/songwriter, folk/Americana troubadour with a lot of talent to share and a lot of stories to tell.

Open Mic for Writers -- sign up in advance or on the night. We’ll divide up forty minutes among the writers who attend. Call 265-1564 to let us know you’re planning to read.

Preparing for Wyoming Plein Air Event

For more information, go to http://www.link-gallery.com

Women's Photography Show reception July 10

Northerfront announces a reception for the fourth annual Women’s Photography Show on Friday, July 10, 5-7 p.m. Location is the University of Wyoming Student Union Gallery in Laramie on the lower level. The reception is free and open to the public.

The exhibition runs through Friday, July 17.

Participating artists are Betsy Mock, Carole Ostrom, Ginnie Madsen, Deborah Kratzer-Reid (sample of her work above), Enja, Diana Kopulos, Polina Novikova-Kinney, Nicole Lucas, Susan Davis.

Event is sponsored by http://www.NorthernFront.net.

For more information, call 307-399-2777. For background on last year's show, click on http://www.northernfront.net/GNF/3rd_annual_women's_photography_show.htm

Call for entries: HeART of Sublette County

This reminder comes from Callie and Sara Domek in Sublette County:

We are reminding you all that we hope to have our artist reception for the second year of the HeART of Sublette County at the end of August! We need to have your art submissions in as soon as possible (preferably before August 12). Please contact us if you have a piece you want to contribute, as we need to have your artwork in soon in order to plan for displays.

FMI: heartofsublettecounty@gmail.com or 307.749.6956.

Snowy Range Dance Festival begins July 15

From a UW press release:

The 15th Snowy Range Summer Dance Festival, featuring about 80 students and instructors from Wyoming and several other states, will be July 15-26 at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. The festival offers public performances July 22 and July 25.

The 11-day festival, established in 1995 to provide training, educational support and professional encouragement for students, teachers, composers, accompanists and choreographers, will include two performances as well as various discussions and classes for dancers ages 13 and older.

This year's festival will be headlined by the American Repertory Ballet and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, which for the first time will serve as resident dance companies.

"The presence of guest artists for the festival is an enriching experience for the festival dancers," says Professor Marsha Knight, who co-directs the festival with Professor Margaret Wilson. "Many of them come from small studios where they receive their training from only one mentor teacher. This festival provides exposure to different dance styles and points of view that are so important to the young artist's development."

The first performance, the student showcase, will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, in the College of Arts & Sciences auditorium. Admission is free.

The Festival Gala Concert will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 25, also in the A&S auditorium. Tickets cost $10 in advance or $12 at the door for adults and $7 for senior citizens.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (307) 766-6666.

Photo: Members of the American Repertory Ballet will join the Cleo Robinson Dance Ensemble as the festival's resident dance companies. (American Repertory Ballet photo)

Catch Craig in Wheatland & Douglas tonight

Wyoming mystery writer Craig Johnson has book signings in Wheatland and Douglas this evening. For times and locations, go to www.craigallenjohnson.com.

He recently sent a typically humorous dispatch from his book tour, "The Author-Man Cometh." Cheyenne writer and reporter picked it up and put it on her blog at http://blogs.wyomingnews.com/blogs/backstagepass/2009/07/09/wyoming-mystery-author-craig-johnson-a-must-read-blog-post-reprinted-with-permission/

Flood recovery update from Nicolaysen

Update from Holly Turner at the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper:

The museum is scheduled to reopen to the public at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 11, but will close early that day -- at 2:30 p.m. -- for a private event. Normal hours will resume Sunday, July 12, when the museum will be open from noon to 4 p.m.

FMI: 307-235-5247.

Juan Laden photography in Michigan show

Lander photographer Juan Laden sends this news:

Just wanted to let you know that I have six pieces from my "Passing Memories, Descansos, roadside memorials of the West" series in a show at the Gallery Project in Ann Arbor, Michigan, called "Alters and Shrines." You can see the info at http://www.thegalleryproject.com/

My web site is www.juanladenphotography.com. It was actually where the Gallery Project found my work and asked me to join the show.

Spencer Bohren returns to Wyoming this fall

Musician and Casper native Spencer Bohren announces a fall schedule that takes him from Switzerland back to the Rocky Mountain region. You can find the details of his Swiss gigs on his web site at http://www.spencerbohren.com/. Here's the WYO/COLO/MONT sked:

Friday, September 25, BLACK ROSE ACOUSTIC SOCIETY SERIES, Black Forest, Colo., 303.459.0857

Saturday, September 26, COYOTE CREEK CONCERT SERIES, Elizabeth, Colo., Casey Jones Park Pavillion, sunsetridgeranch@msn.com, 303.648.3662

Tuesday, September 29, OLDE TOWN PICKIN' PARLOR - Pickin' in the Parlor Series, Arvada, Colo., Unclekit@Pickinparlor.com, 303.421.2304

Saturday, October 3, WYO THEATER, Sheridan, Wyo., boxoffice@wyotheater.com, 307.672.9084

Saturday, October 10, through Sunday, October 11, BIG TIMBER ROOTS 'n BLUES GUITAR WORKSHOP, Big Timber, Mont., limited enrollment, marie@mtintouch.net, 406.932.6771

Monday, October 19, through Friday, October 23, ARTS & MUSIC RESIDENCY, Thermopolis, Wyo.

Friday, October 23, HOT SPRINGS COUNTY AUDITORIUM, Thermopolis, Wyo.

Saturday, October 24, ARTCORE CONCERT SERIES at Kelly Walsh Auditorium, Casper, Wyo.

Call for proposals: Helena public art project

From the Montana Arts Council blog:

The Helena Public Art Committee (HPAC) seeks to commission site-specific artwork for the City of Helena, Montana, to be located on the front, back and side of a series of three concrete arches located on the east side of the Trolley Block of the Downtown Walking Mall. These arches connect to a pedestrian stairway located adjacent to the north side of the Windbag Restaurant (Boston Block building).

Project Summary: The concrete arches measure 21 inches wide on one side, 30 inches wide on the other side, are 12 inches thick, have a doorway opening measuring 5 feet wide by 8 ½ feet high. Concrete measuring 9 feet wide and 30 inches high over the doorway opening. The art will include the front, back and side of the 2 arches closest to the walking mall, and include the front side of the third arch. The design may also address the rear walls that are seen by the pedestrian when approaching the stairs. The design should not include paint applications on the brick side of the building Boston Block building although other artistic treatments may be considered. The public art is to be installed in summer-fall 2009.

Budget: $5,000 for the artist plus up to $2,000 for supplies.

Submission deadline: 5 p.m., August 7, 2009.

A copy of the complete RFP and requirements is available at http://helenapublicarts.com or contact City of Helena Public Art Committee, 316 N. Park Avenue, Helena MT 59623, 406-447-8491.

Wyoming musicians: send your CDs to Grady

Wyomingarts spends most workday mornings (9 a.m.-noon) listening to Wyoming Public Radio's Morning Music online with Grady Kirkpatrick. It improves the mood, aids donut digestion and hastens the approval of grants. Grady also supports Wyoming bands and individual performers. Morning Music is where Wyomingarts first heard songs by Laramie groups Ghosts of Predators Past and Upbeat Project and Jackson musicians Cary Judd and Waist DEEP. He's also featured Wyoming Arts Council roster artists Jeff Troxel, The Fireants, Judd Grosdsman, Mike Hurwitz, Bryan Ragsdale and Prickly Pair & the Cactus Chorale. He's also played music by musicians with Wyoming ties that we wish were on our roster: Tom Rush, Jalan Crossland, Inda Eaton, Mike Dowling, Maggie Simpson and Spencer Bohren, to name a few.

In case you're new to Morning Music, or would like to hear your music played on MM, here's some info from the WPR web site:

The program has a rich tradition providing listeners a contemporary mix with a variety of styles including singer/songwriters, folk, acoustic, rock, r&b, blues, world, and reggae. New artists are featured regularly as well as many established musicians. We also present artists from Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain region as well as live music/interview sessions. NPR news updates are provided at the top of the hour, along with regional weather and the Events Calendar airs at 11:04am

If you’d like to submit your music for airplay on Wyoming Public Radio for Morning Music or Ranch Breakfast, please mail CD’s to address below. (We may also consider downloads online.) We’ll try and review within a few weeks for airplay consideration. You can follow up by calling Grady at (307) 766-6624 Tuesdays between 1-3 p.m.

FMI: Grady Kirkpatrick, Wyoming Public Media, Dept. 3984, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071; wkirkpa1@uwyo.edu

Floods can't dampen Wednesday Night Live at the Nicolaysen Art Museum

By now, you've read about the flash floods that hit Casper last Friday, July 3. Torrential rains flooded a number of buildings on the Casper College campus, including the Gertrude Krampert Theatre which was preparing for "Peter Pan" (for info, go to http://www.caspercollege.edu/theatre/indexx.html). Downtown, water inundated the Nicolaysen Art Museum.

But the show(s) must go on. This announcement comes from The Nic:..

We're cleaning up after storm.

The Nicolaysen Art Museum & Discovery Center will be CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC through at least Wednesday as the staff and contractors clean up water damage from the flash flooding that occurred as a result of the intense rain/thunderstorm last weekend.

Fortunately, museum disaster preparations and planning prevented any of the art works in the exhibitions or collection from being damaged.

Parents of students enrolled in summer art camp classes next week will be contacted about whether the classes will be rescheduled or, if not, refunds given.

Despite the cleanup, "Wednesday Night Live" will still be held this week from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on July 8. Featured group is Dan & Cliff!

The building will be close, but please bring your chairs or a blanket and join us for the music on the lawn behind the museum. It's free!

Wind-powered art -- and music

Wind-powered art at the Mile High Music Festival in Denver July 18-19.

Go to http://www.cbs4denver.com/video/?id=59307@kcnc.dayport.com

Wyoming "Power Tourist" inks book deal

This good news comes from Laramie writer Julianne Couch:

My energy travelogue, Earth, Wind & Sky: A Power Tour, has been acquired by Texas Tech University Press. Book research takes me all over the country to visit sites of energy production including solar, wind, tidal, hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, natural gas, nuclear, and coal. I pitched the book to editor-in-chief Judith Keeling at the Western Writers of America convention in Oklahoma City in mid-June. She requested a proposal and I had a contract within a week. That's the sort of thing that happens to other people! The book is scheduled for a Fall 2011 release. Meantime, to know how my research is coming along, you can follow along on my blog: www.powertourist.blogspot.com.

Congrats to Julianne, a Wyoming Arts Council roster artist and a board member of Wyoming Writers, Inc. The WAC helped fund Julianne's "Power Tour" research through an Individual Artist Professional Development (IAPD) grant. For more info about this program, go to http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/Grants/PApps.asp

To bring Julianne to your community through an Arts Across Wyoming grant, go to the WAC artist roster at http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/Apps/Roster/Results.asp. For Arts Across Wyoming grant guidelines, go to http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/Grants/EApps.asp

Stone preservation workshop July 30 in Casper

From a Wyoming Stat Parks and Cultural Resources press release:

A free workshop on stone preservation will be held by the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office on Thursday, July 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Highland Cemetery in Casper.

Gravestone Conservator Jonathan Appell will teach techniques in conserving, stabilizing, and cleaning gravestones. Appell also will demonstrate how to join broken gravestone fragments with the correct materials and how to re-set stones. Participants will have the opportunity to practice learned techniques. Further information will be provided on conservation treatments and the materials utilized during the workshop.

The SHPO is sponsoring this workshop as part of their Monuments and Markers stewardship program.

To get to the workshop, enter Highland Cemetery from either Conwell Street or East 4th Street and proceed to the Highland Cemetery Office Building. The workshop is free, and lunch will be provided. If you would like more information on the Stone Preservation Workshop, please contact Laura Nowlin at 307-777-6179 or lnowli@state.wy.us, or Ashley Rooney at 307-777-7566 or aroone@state.wy.us.

Call for entries: "Mugs, Bowls, Casseroles"

The Lincoln Center in Fort Collins, Colo., will present “Mugs, Bowls, and Casseroles” on the weekend of October 30–November 1. All ceramic artists are encouraged to apply to this juried show of mostly functional pottery. Accepted artists will have work on display in the galleries, and all work will be available for sale.

The application for submitting artwork for jury can be downloaded from www.lctix.com -- click on Galleries, then click on Opportunities for the artist application. The due date for entries is Friday, July 31.

FMI: Jeanne Shoaff, 970-416-2737 or jshoaff@fcgov.com.

Venture into "The Vale of the Venomous Vixen"

The Old-Fashioned Summer Melodrama opens this Friday at Cheyene's Historic Atlas Theatre, 211 W. Lincolnway. The melodrama launches the Cheyenne Little Theatre's 80th season.

One melodrama with many titles, as dictated by tradition:

The Vale of the Venomous Vixen
Or
A Sidekick and a Step
Or
The Bowling Bandit Strikes Again!

Written by Brooks Reeves and Rory Mack

For tickets, call 307-635-0199.

Show times are 7:00 p.m.on July 10, 11, 19, 26
Show times are 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.July 16, 17, 18, 20-25, 30, 31 & Aug 1

Tickets: $14 Adults $12 Seniors $10 Students

Here's the schedule:

Friday, July 10, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Saturday July 11, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 16, 2009 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.
Friday, July 17, 2009 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.
Saturday, July 18, 2009 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.
Sunday July 19, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Monday July 20, 2009 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.
Tuesday July 21, 2009 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.
Wednesday July 22, 2009 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.
Thursday July 23, 2009 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.
Friday July 24, 2009 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.
Saturday July 25, 2009 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.
Sunday July 26, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Thursday July 30, 2009 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.
Friday July 31, 2009 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.
Saturday August 1, 2009 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.

Beartrap headliners: Asleep at the Wheel

Beartrap Summer Festival on Casper Mountain features legendary Texas swing band Asleep at the Wheel.

For complete line-up and ticket info, click on banner...

Call for vendors: "Fiber Arts Extravaganza"

The Fort Collins Lincoln Center is now accepting registration from vendors wishing to participate in the fourth annual KnitWear, a knitting and fiber arts Extravaganza.

KnitWear offers knitters, crocheters, weavers and other fiber artists the opportunity to display and sell products and services to a large audience of fiber art enthusiasts. The event will take place on Sunday, September 20, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Canyon West Room at the Fort Collins Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St. Vendors include shop owners, individual artists, and product representatives.

In addition to booth spaces, vendors will have the opportunity to offer 30-minute demonstrations of techniques, products or other topics throughout the day. There will be fashion shows featuring clothing and accessories made by vendors and others. The event attracts several hundred visitors eager to purchase new products, learn new techniques and engage in fiber arts. Visitors can participate in “Sit and Knit” circles, talk directly with shop owners and artists, and pick up lots of tips, ideas and materials for new projects.

Booth fees are $75 and include tables and chairs in a large indoor setting. This event is an excellent opportunity to reach new customers, network with other fiber arts professionals, and share your enthusiasm for fibers arts with others who have the same interests! The registration form is available to download at http://www.lctix.com/, click on Galleries, then on Opportunities. For more information, interested vendors and artists may call Jeanne Shoaff at 416-2737.

Concurrent with the KnitWear event is “Loose Ends: Contemporary Fiber Arts,” an exhibition of fun and funky fiber arts in the Lincoln Center Galleries from September 12-October 23.

FMI: Visit http://www.lctix.com/, click on Galleries, and then on Coming Soon.

WYO Theater schedule for July

Lively batch of July offerings at the WYO Theater 42 N. Main St., Sheridan. For tickets or info, contact http://www.wyotheater.com/ or (307) 672-9084.

Here's the schedule:

July 8, 6:30 & 9 p.m., the WYO Theater presents The Craft Brothers. Tickets cost $24 adults, $22 senior citizens and military, and $15 students.

July 15, 22, 29, Aug. 5, 12, 19, 8 p.m., the WYO Theater presents New Vaudevillians, a new act in town. Tickets cost $10 adults, $8 senior citizens, military and students.

July 16, 7:30 p.m., the Sheridan Arts Council presents Rimrock Opera's One Act Festival. Tickets cost $10 adults and $8 senior citizens and students.

July 18, 8 p.m., the WYO Theater presents Dr. Hook featuring Ray Sawyer. Tickets cost $29 adults and $27 senior citizens, military and students.

On the front lines in the Wyoming beetle battle

"Four summers ago, I enlisted in the war against the pine bark beetle raging on Wyoming's Togwotee Pass."

This is the lede for Vicki Lindner's article, "We battled the beetles by burning our trees," in today's Wyoming Tribune Eagle. It chronicles the semi-successful beetle battle waged by her and her neighbors outside Dubois. You can read the entire article by going to http://www.wyomingnews.com.

Vicki is a two-time recipient of a Wyoming Arts Council creative writing fellowship. She recently retired as professor in the University of Wyoming creative writing program and now lives in Denver.

National Folk Fest comes to Butte July 10-12

"The Many Facets of Silk" in Cheyenne

Phillippa K. Lack will show her work in the exhibit "Fresh Fiber: The Many Facets of Silk" at the studio in the offices of architect Glen Garrett, 1623 Capitol Ave., Cheyenne, thorough Aug. 31. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, July 9, 5:30-7 p.m. It's free and open to the public.

You may view the work weekdays from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed noon-1 p.m.

Call for entries: AVA Photography Invitational

Blake & Bucky launch Sheridan Wyo Rodeo

The Sheridan Wyo Rodeo announces its 2009 concert featuring Blake Shelton & Bucky Covington appearing Friday, July 3. Join us for another great country concert to kick off the 79th Sheridan Rodeo. Once again, the Gold Buckle Club along with M&M’s Chocolate Candies will sponsor this event.

Get concert & ticket information here

Sample that sweet, sweet Oyster Grass

The 15th annual Oyster Ridge Music Festival will be held July 31-Aug. 2 in historic Triangle Park in beautiful downtown Kemmerer. All ORMF events are free and open to the public. But please -- no pets in the park.

Performers include: Royal Bliss, Town Mountain, Blue Turtle Seduction , Sweet Sunny South, Mike Mangione, Barefoot Truth, Seven Nations, Tyler Stenson and others.

FMI: http://www.oysterridgemusicfestival.com/

Here's a video sampler from the 2007 festival:

"Jentel Presents" at Davis Gallery

From a press release:

“Jentel Presents” will take place Tuesday, July 7, 5:30-7 p.m. at the Davis Gallery in Sheridan. This is a community outreach program that features visual presentations and readings by the visual artists and writers at the Jentel Artist Residency program.

Presenters include: Debra Baxter, Seattle, a sculptor creating works in alabaster for a solo exhibition; Sandra Beasley, Washington, D.C., a poet with a published collection in hand; Susan D’Amato, Syracuse, N.Y., who is working on large-scale drawings based on her experience and response to the Wyoming landscape; Megan Marlatt, Orange, Va., who is making paintings of children’s figurative toys on the Wyoming landscape; Brittani Sonnenberg, Minneapolis, who is completing a collection of short stories; and Hilary Wilder, Richmond, Va., who is assembling the painting, video and photographic components for an installation entitled “High Lonesome.”

For anyone looking for a stimulating evening, come join the crowd at the Davis Gallery. There is no admission charge for Jentel Presents and refreshments are available.

The Jentel Artist Residency Program accepts applications twice a year from visual artists in all media and writers in all genres for a one-month residency. A residency includes a comfortable accommodation; common living, dining and recreation areas; a private workspace and a stipend to help defray expenses during the program.

FMI: Visit http://www.jentelarts.org/ or call Jentel at (307)737-2311.

Nancy Brown's watercolor class at AVA

Ft. Caspar Museum: "Impressions of Wyoming"

"Impressions on Wyoming" is a free summer lecture series at Fort Casper Museum in Casper. Each lecture will be held at 7 p.m. each Wednesday through July 22.

Here's the line-up:

JULY 1: Rebecca Hunt, a Casper native and professor at the University of Colorado in Denver, will lecture about Neal Forsling's contributions to the arts and humanities in the West.

JULY 8: Phil Roberts, associate professor of history at the University of Wyoming, will discuss the role of oil exploration, drilling and refining in the development of Wyoming's culture, society and institutions, with an emphasis on Central Wyoming.

JULY 15: Julianne Couch, associate lecturer of English at the University of Wyoming, presents "Jukeboxes and Jackalopes" which explores bars as places of storytelling and community.

JULY 22: Danny Walker, Wyoming's assistant state archaeologist and an adjunct professor of archaeology at the University of Wyoming, will highlight Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site and twenty years of archaeological investigation.

FMI: Erin Rose at 235-8462, http://www.fortcasparwyoming.com/.