Dear Mr. Vonnegut: "You have no talent and we suggest you give up writing"

The Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library will open this fall in Indianapolis. It will be part library and part museum, containing memorabilia from Vonnegut's life, signed first editions of his books and copies of the many rejection letters he received from publishers:

Vonnegut's eldest daughter, Edie Vonnegut, said her father loved libraries and would have wanted visitors to learn about his perseverance in the face of dismissive publishers. Among the items she's loaning the library are some of his rejection letters.

"We have boxes of rejection letters, letters saying 'You have no talent and we suggest you give up writing,'" she said. "He did not have an easy time of it, and I think for anyone who wants to be writer, it will be important for them to see how tough it was for him."

FMI: http://www.vonnegutlibrary.com/

Another Kind of Magick cooked up some in Casper

This past Saturday, Another Kind of Magick rocked the Depot with blues and rock and roll for a fundraiser. I'd read about them in the Casper Star-Trib and so wanted to hear them for myself. The article said that they were possibly going to be sponsored by the Wyoming Blues and Jazz Society to represent Wyoming at the 2011 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

A group of teens playing the blues? Yeah, right, I thought. Much to my delight, and everyone else's who were there both at the plaza and in Casper, the boys can play the Blues, and with a musical maturity that seems rare these days. But then that's what the blues have always been about, the heart and soul connection that has absolutely no timeline or age limit. I said a small thank you prayer to the blues Gods, "It's still here and in good hands."

Those hands belong to Taylor Scott, 16, lead guitarist and vocalist; the Uribe brothers -- bassist Louis, 16 and rhythm guitarist Mike, 13; Taylor's brother and keyboardist, Evan Scott, 14; and drummer Mason Carberry, 14.

I went up to Casper and caught their show. They were playing for the Society's monthly get together as an audition, and as a get-to-know. They were hot on Saturday night at the Plaza, but they were on fire and cookin' during their last set in Casper. Needless to say, these guys are going places.

New Art In Public Buildings (AIPD) sculpture at state fairgounds

2nd from left, kneeling, is the sculptor David Alan Clark, Lander

A new art in public buildings sculpture was dedicated today at the state fairgrounds in Douglas. The sculpture resides in front of the show building, where kids of all ages show their animals. The sculpture captures a child who has just won a first prize ribbon, as her father carries her on his shoulder. The sculpture captures the movement of the father walking. Wyoarts was there for the ceremony, which included his wife MJ and daughter, the artist's parents, as well as the models for the sculpture, the State Fair Board, Miss Rodeo Wyoming and others involved with the process of getting the sculpture installed. Today was the first day of the state fair, and it looks to be a full and busy week.  

Wind River Dancers perform this weekend at the BBHC in Cody

From the BBHC:

With a theme of “A Cultural Heritage Shared Through Dance and Songs,” the Wind River Dancers perform a variety of American Indian dance styles, which include men’s traditional, grass, and fancy feather, as well as women’s fancy shawl, jingle dress, and traditional. While drums beat and dancers sway, the dance styles are described and explained to audiences to share Native American culture and heritage.

With “A Look at Powwow,” Darrell Lone Bear and the Wind River Dancers from Wyoming’s Wind River Reservation make a return visit to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center on Saturday and Sunday, August 21 and 22 to perform dances and share the tribal traditions and social customs of Powwow. Seating is limited in the Center’s Coe Auditorium; however, there are three performances each day to accommodate visitors: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. The popular presentations are free with admission.

The performances are partially funded through a private donation. For more information contact Megan Smith at megans@bbhc.org or 307.578.4028. To stay abreast of activities and news at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, visit http://www.bbhc.org/.


The Wind River Dancers are members of the Wyoming Arts Council's artist roster. To bring this group to your community, apply for a WAC Arts Across Wyoming grant. Get info and applications at the WAC web site.

Sixth annual "Art on the Green" Aug. 21

The City of Green River and the Green River Arts Council presents "Art on the Green" on Aug. 20-21.

The grand finale dinner will be held on Saturday, Aug. 21. Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m., followed by the awards dinner at 7. Tickets are $30 per person. Buy them at the Green River and Rock Springs Chamber, and at the Green River Parks and Recreation office.

A silent auction will be held from 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20, until 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Be sure to check out the 24-hour artist competition!

FMI: 307-872-0580 or akrumholz@cityofgreenriver.org.

La Boheme kicks off Opera Colorado season

Due to the shortage of opera in Wyoming, wyomingarts goes out of its way to list performances in adjacent states. Here's some info from Opera Colorado about its fall presentation of La Boheme:

Performances are at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver on:

Saturday, November 6, 7:30 pm
Tuesday, November 9, 7:30 pm
Friday, November 12, 7:30 pm
Sunday, November 14, 2:00 pm
Tuesday, November 16, 7:30 pm

The story of La Boheme:

A chance meeting between a young poet and the beautiful young woman next door ignites one of the most romantic love stories of all time. Love blooms under the moonlit Paris sky as Rodolfo and Mimi share their hopes and dreams. But can their love survive in the face of looming tragedy? The passion, beauty and fragility of young love comes vividly to life in Puccini’s masterpiece that has enchanted generations of opera-lovers.

The Cast and Crew

Andrew Sinclair (The Pearl Fishers, 2009) returns to Denver to direct this classic tale of love and loss. Soprano Jennifer Black makes her company debut as the seamstress Mimi. Ms. Black recently sung the role at Santa Fe Opera and has performed with the Metropolitan Opera and Los Angeles Opera. Tenor Richard Troxell also makes his company debut as the poet Rodolfo. Mr. Troxell has sung with Paris’ Opéra Comique and Los Angeles Opera.

FMI: http://www.operacolorado.org/

Summer's over; Ozymadian Theater is just getting started

News from the Ozymandian Theater improv group in Cheyenne:

After a court-ordered three month hiatus, Ozymandian Theater is back with an all new sketch and improv comedy show that is promised to curb your end of the summer blues!

The proceeds of our shows will benefit "Operation Back To School". This is a program that provides income-qualified families with required school supplies, including back packs, pens and pencils, notebooks, and crayons. "Operation Back To School" is a program that is run by Needs, Inc. For more info please visit http://needsincorporate.qwestoffice.net/

The show details are:

Summer Send Off Comedy Spectacular

August 20th, 21st and August 27th, 28th

At the Mary Godfrey Playhouse,  2706 E. Pershing Blvd (corner of Windmill and Pershing), Cheyenne.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. with the doors opening at 7:00 p.m.

As always our comedy show is rated PG-13

Tickets cost $12.00 for adults and $10.00 for students and they can be purchased on our website: http://www.ozytheater.com/

Call for entries: BECA's "Article 19" exhibit

From BECA in Albuquerque:

Group Exhibition Opportunity: Call to Artists, Architects + Designers

Submission receive deadline is September 25

BECA: Bridge for Emerging Contemporary Art, the global artist and designer run non-profit project, presents "ARTICLE 19."

Drawing inspiration from both the preamble and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, artists, architects and designers from around the world are challenged to Explore, Discover and Act through Art + Design. The result will be an international group exhibition which embodies not only the spirit of Article 19 of the UDHR but also explores today’s ever-growing challenges faced by contemporary society from all corners of the globe when attempts are made to realize our human right to freedom of expression.

The ARTICLE 19 exhibition is being held in partnership with, "STREET ARTS: A Celebration of Hip Hop Culture & Free Expression," a two month, city-wide event in Albuquerque, N.M.. The BECA Foundation is proud to be a part of this important arts + cultural event being held this October and November 2010. A complete schedule of STREET ARTS programs and events will soon be available at http://www.516arts.org/.

Those at least 18 years of age from any country are eligible to submit their works for consideration. The BECA Foundation will host the exhibition at New Studio A.D., a new multi-functional studio, exhibition and event space located in downtown Albuquerque. The space allocated for the exhibition is 650 sq ft (60 sq meters) with a ceiling height of 14 feet (4.3 meters) allowing the exhibition to fill a full 9,100 cubic feet (258 meters cubed) of viewing space. A group of individual artists, architects, designers, or duos, groups or collectives will be selected by BECA Foundation directors + advisors to receive the exhibition opportunity which will run from November 2 - 16, with an opening reception from 5–7 p.m. on November 5 during Downtown Albuquerque’s First Friday ArtsCrawl. View past exhibitions at http://www.curatethis.org/ and http://www.becagallery.com/

This is a multimedia and multidisciplinary exhibition without limitation therefore all works will be considered, including but not limited to: site-specific installations, painting, sculpture, mixed-media, drawing, printmaking, fiber, textiles, illustration, digital art, interactive design, photography, video/new media, film, performance art, music and sound focused works, 3D animation, graphic design, product design, furniture design, haute couture fashion + accessories, architectural interventions/designs and functional art, etc. In other words, all creative culminations which address the specifics of this Call are welcome.

An ARTICLE 19 companion exhibition book will be published in both hardcover and softcover editions.

Please download complete information and submission guidelines at http://www.thebecafoundation.org/global/calls-to-artists-designers/

Sudanese novelist Valentino Achak Deng at Teton County Library Sept. 16

From the Teton County Public Library in Jackson:

An evening with Sudanese author and refugee Valentino Achak Deng on Thursday, Sept. 16, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Valentino Achak Deng is a Sudanese refugee whose amazing life story is told in the best-selling novel, "What Is the What: The Autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng," by acclaimed author Dave Eggers. Tickets to this FREE talk are available beginning Aug. 16 at all local bookstores, including Valley Bookstore, Jackson Hole Book Traders and Main Event. Presented by InterConnections 21, Wyoming Humanities Council, Tatiana Maxwell & Refugees International, Teton County Library Foundation and Valentino Achak Deng Foundation. Cost: Free. Location: High School Auditorium.

Contact: InterConnections 21, 307-699-2787 or jenna@ic21.org.

Art by Neltje on display at the UW Art Museum through Aug. 28

Paintings by Neltje will be on exhibit at the University of Wyoming Art Museum through Aug. 28. Neltje is a contemporary Wyoming artist who lives along the Lower Piney Creek Valley near Sheridan. She is known as both an artist and an arts patron. She funds the annual Blanchan/Doubleday writing awards which are administered by the Wyoming Arts Council. The awards are named after her grandparents, founders of Doubleday Publishing.

Here's more on Neltje and her exhibit from the UW Art Museum web site:

One of Wyomings eminent artists, Neltje's (American, b. 1934) abstract expressionist works are, in the words of the artist, an exploration of making the sensed visible, defining moments, and balance the interior reality of passion with the external condition of form. A prolific artist, Neltje explores new directions in combining text, objects, and torn paper into compositions.

Neltje's work is rooted in movement and gesture. Her early works, in the form of sumi-e, a characteristically Asian style of brush painting similar to calligraphy, allowed her the freedom to experiment with line and motion. As her work evolved, she found inspiration in the work of other abstract artists like Jon Schueler and Joan Mitchell. Their bold approach to color and making distinctive marks on the canvas influenced Neltjes own creative process. Her most recent paintings incorporate paper, text, and found objects and like all of her pieces, these new works also tell stories. By using colorful papers and newspapers from her many travels, and objects from friends and colleagues she creates work that is personal and multi-layered. Her compositions balance the freedom of gesture with formal shapes and lines.

More on Neltje from the UW Art Museum blog:

The latest in the series of artist interviews by UWTV is now available on the UW homepage. The video interview with Wyoming artist Neltje is also be available on the Art Museum's YouTube page.

Neltje was at the UW Art Museum in June to open her solo exhibition, Neltje, which is on view through August 28. While she was here, UWTV producer and director Ali Grossman filmed an interview with Neltje in front of her work. Neltje discusses things like her inspiration, working in Wyoming, and her creative process.

Image: Neltje (American, b. 1934), PAT: Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia, 2007, mixed media, acrylic on canvas, 72 x 144 inches, image courtesy of the artist.

Wilderness writing retreat with Gretel Ehrlich

Gretel with Justin's dog, Mingus

Gretel Ehrlich sits on the forest floor high in Wyoming’s Big Horn Mountains. Her bare feet socialize with a six-inch evergreen sapling, as if playing with a kitten. She’s become very attached to this little tree as she’s sat there, she tells us, her students. She urges us to study the world around us, starting with this forest floor.

“If you study a tiny ecosystem, you will understand how the whole world works,” she says. Observe and write. “Writing is the most democratic of all the arts; you don’t need to depend on anyone or anything else; just need a pencil, a piece of paper and some ideas.”

I write this down. This is our first session with Gretel, on Saturday, and I’m already enamored. I can see the ideas percolating on everyone’s face. They can probably see mine, too. With Gretel as our mentor, we are brief writing brothers and sisters during this journey.

Gretel goes over the loose schedule for Sunday and Monday morning. We head back to camp for hors d’oeuvres and dinner. We are surrounded in the clearing by pines; the sound of Rock Creek over our shoulders.

Ehrlich, who has written thirteen books and won many awards, worked as an ethnographic filmmaker in California before moving to Wyoming, and writing The Solace of Open Spaces, a book about which Annie Dillard said, “Wyoming has found its Whitman.” While taking a walk on her property in1991, Gretel was struck by lightning. A Match to the Heart chronicled her recovery from that. At the retreat, she said her doctor at the time told her to find someplace cold and go there. Greenland was her destiny. There, she met and fell in love with the Inuit people, their way of life, and has written about them in This Cold Heaven: Seven Seasons in Greenland, The Future of Ice: A Journey Into Cold, and In the Empire of Ice: Encounters in a Changing Landscape.

She does extensive research for everything, which she may never use in what she happens to be writing, saying, “You should try and find out everything you can about any subject that might inform your writing.” She reads broadly, expansively, and continually refers to her collection of books, around 5,000, many of them classics.

Sunday morning after breakfast we hiked a short distance to a rock outcropping where we each found a place and began writing. We all read out loud, and then went back to camp for lunch. We couldn’t have asked for finer weather. Several of us took off for a dunk in the creek.

That afternoon, I was drawn to the sound and movement of the water. As I sat on a rock on the bank, I watched a blue dragonfly patrol up and down. A small swarm of some kind of insect was just a couple of feet away from me. Twice, the dragonfly dipped down to snag one, making a tap and tiny splash as it bumped the water’s surface.

A group of three horseback riders passed by on the path behind me. As quiet as it is in the forest, I hadn’t heard them until the front rider said, “Well, you look like you are in deep concentration.” A smile was all I could respond. The sound of hooves on dirt dissolved away as they went on.

Back at camp, I realized that everyone had left for some meadow where Gretel would be talking about the writing life and giving everyone astonishing insights about what they’d just written, or her experiences in Greenland, or reading something from the twenty-eight-page packet of materials she had brought up to give us—excerpts from her own “Ice” works, Annie Dillard, Thoreau, and Roger Deakin. They didn’t return until after 6 p.m.

One of the best things about camping out with a group of people who you’ve never met before is how the day’s activities melt into the evening campfire around where one by one all gather, after a cook-stove dinner of elk meat and sautéed vegetables, to talk and tell stories and answer deep questions such as, “How do you feel about being alone?”

Ian and Justin carved the tips of long sticks to points for roasting marshmallows. Sara brought out the graham crackers and dark chocolate bars. Not to mention the wine and champagne.

Sunday night, the last night of the writing retreat in the Rock Creek Wilderness area, next to Cloud Peak Wilderness area, the fire burned on and the stars got brighter. The multitude of stars that could be seen from our little clearing would have more than covered the sky where city lights obscure all but our brightest stars. The Milky Way is still there. People began to reluctantly un-gather themselves.

Monday we broke camp. It was an early morning for most us, having stayed up well past midnight singing and talking and laughing. Justin began frying bacon. Gretel had a book signing at Sheridan Stationary that evening, for her latest, In the Empire of Ice. Bradley, who was going down to get the pack horses ready, offered to carry Sophia’s and my sleeping bags, pads, camp stools and my camera equipment down, and wait for us at the trailhead. Ian took off next; he was leaving for Russia for three weeks the next day.

Sophia and I finally got it together enough to leave. We told everyone who was up goodbye. Gretel, sitting by the campfire, had gotten to her knees and she told us both as we walked off that our writing was wonderful. She's very generous. Tracy, who wants to sell her restaurant in Dubois, might be writing “The Naughty Little Cookbook” very soon. Sara was busy getting everything ready for the packhorses. She was instrumental in getting all this together, and we thanked her for everything. There will be a publication with writings from the participants soon, something Sara will also be coordinating.

The down side of backpacking up a mountain is going down. As I told John, a retired competitive runner friend of mine obviously very familiar with this, he said, “Yeah, it tires you out going up, but it hurts like heck going down.” The spectacular setting was hard to get to, harder to leave. Many of us wanted more time. More stars. More creek time. More quiet awe.

There is an effort by the Wyoming Wilderness Association to have the 34,000 acre Rock Creek area designated a forever wilderness area as an addition to the Cloud Peak Wilderness area, supported by the U.S. Forest Service, through an act of Congress, the only way it can happen. There is a contingency of supporters going to Washington, D.C. to further the effort to get this in a bill, passed and signed by the president.

If you are interested in finding out more about this incredibly beautiful area, or getting your name on a list of supporters, or writing a letter that would say as much, call 307-672-2751; or fax 307-672-2752; or go to the Wyoming Wilderness Association’s website at www.wildwyo.org. You can write to them at Friends of Rock Creek, a group of the Wyoming Wilderness Association, PO Box 6588, Sheridan, WY 82801.

The poem below is mine, from the Sunday morning session.

Place to Land

I hear the distant river down below;
And yet time is still a secret
Only the stars can fully know.

The mountain lives me down,
Surrenders me to a sheltering spiral.
Now there are waves of shadows
On the peaks, moving slow, cool
As if heaven were
Attending toward a place to land.

It would be unobtrusive, this death
On a waterbed of plump green moss,
To wind down, break apart
Become a part of the spongy gray minute.

I dream of a fetch of golden dragonflies;

Are they always golden when they emerge

From the water—their second birth.

They fan out from their perches

Hovering in the air

Suspended like opulent sparks

The sight of which

Could make kings

Feel destitute.

Linda Coatney

Wyoming Plein Air Exhibit opens Aug. 14

You've seen the artists arounds town the past couple weeks.

And now the exhibition opens:

Third annual Wyoming Plein Air Exhibit will be held in Cheyenne August 14-September 30.

Artists from across the U.S.A. come to paint pictures of Cheyenne and Wyoming, culminating in a Gala Opening on 14th August 2010. Also a Quick Draw and Auction of the Quick Draw Paintings on the final Saturday. Entrants and sponsors will be advised as we have more details. Plein Air judge is John Encinias

This event is co-hosted by the Link Gallery (organizer and sponsor) and DeSelms Fine Art, also one of the sponsors.

For more information, please contact the Link Gallery by e-mail thelinkgallery@gmail.com. For a list of participating artists (once they have been selected) and more information view the Wyoming Plein Air page here.

Cold War, cool art, at UW Art Museum

From a UW press release:

"Cold War in America: Works from the 1950s - 1970s, Selections from the Art Museum Collection" opens to the public Saturday, Aug. 21, at the University of Wyoming Art Museum. A free public reception for all the fall exhibitions is scheduled at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17.

The end of World War II in 1945 marked the beginning of a new conflict, the Cold War. This ongoing state of political conflict, military tension and economic competition continued primarily between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Abstract expressionism, color field painting, pop art and minimalism all came of age during the Cold War period, representing a radically new engagement with materials and space, and redefining the role and purpose of art.

Abstract expressionist artists, such as Willem de Kooning and James Brooks, who based their works on the pure expression of ideas relating to the spiritual, the unconscious and the mind, will be included.

Color field painting is characterized by large fields of flat, solid color creating areas of unbroken surface and a flat picture plane. It will be represented by the work of artists such as Robert Motherwell and Adolph Gottlieb.

Pop art in the United States, considered a reaction to abstract expressionism, will be represented by artists Alice Neel, Robert Rauschenberg, Ed Ruscha, Lee Krasner and Larry Rivers.

For more information on exhibitions and programs, call the UW Art Museum at (307) 766-6622 or visit the museum's Web page at www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum or blog at http://www.uwartmuseum.blogspot.com/.

"Imagine learning from the masters" is a guiding principle of the UW Art Museum's programs. Located in the Centennial Complex at 2111 Willett Drive in Laramie, the museum is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free.

Photo: Conrad Marca-Relli ‘s 1969 collage "Untitled #7," is among the works to be featured in a University of Wyoming Art Museum exhibition on Cold War art. (UW Art Museum)

Handmade/homemade arts & crafts at State Museum Volunteers' show and sale on Saturday

Wyoming State Museum Volunteers, Inc., 33rd Annual Arts and Crafts Show and Sale will be held on Saturday August 14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.., on the Barrett Building grounds, 2301 Central Ave., Cheyenne.

Homemade crafts, only. For more information, please contact Carolyn at 307-632-8244

One of the exhibitors is Pinecone Furniture, co-owned by Jeff Tish, a member of the Wyoming Arts Council's artist roster. Read more about Pinecone Furniture on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001053042731

"Celebrating Jewish Music and Culture" Aug. 15

Jackson Hole Jewish Music Festival on Sunday, Aug. 15, 5-8 p.m., presents "Celebrating Jewish Music and Culture" New York bagels, lox and cream cheese, Hebrew and Yiddish classics by local band Rotating Superstructure, childrens cultural arts & crafts, silent auction.

At the Center for the Arts, Center Tent, 265 N. Cache Street, Jackson.

Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

FMI: 307-734-8956 or doug@jhcenterforthearts.org

Novelist Carl Hiaasen on his "litmus test" for choosing books

Mystery novelist Carl Hiaasen on how he chooses a book to read:

When I’m deciding to read a book, I never open to the first chapter, because that’s been revised and worked over 88 times. I’ll just turn to the middle of the book, to the middle of a chapter, and just read a random page and I’ll know right away whether this is the real deal or not. You can tell right away, if it’s really good, it’ll be really good on page 158. Lots of people can write a good first page but to sustain it, that’s my litmus test. If I flip to the middle of the book and there’s a piece of dialogue that’s just outstanding, or a description, then I’ll flip back to the first page and start it.

Read the entire interview with the author on Entertainment Weekly's "Shelf Life" at http://shelf-life.ew.com/2010/08/12/carl-hiaasen-star-island/

Hiaasen will be signing copies of his new book, "Star Island," as Tattered Cover LoDo in Denver on Wednesday, Aug. 18. FMI: http://www.tatteredcover.com/

Reminder: Deadline for public art proposals for new Torrington prison is Sept. 10

The date for submitting proposals for the Torrington Prison Art in Public Buildings project is September 10, 2010. For details, go to the Wyoming Arts Council web site at http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/pdf/AIPBCallforEntriesBrochure2010Torrington.pdf or call Rita Basom at 307-777-7473.

Gov. Freudenthal appoints three new Wyoming Arts Council board members

Three new board members have been appointed to the Wyoming Arts Council Board by Governor Dave Freudenthal.

Duane Evenson, Mayor of Gillette, was appointed to fill the remainder of a term vacated by a former board member, through June 30, 2011. Evenson was recognized with a Governor’s Arts Award in 2009 for his strong support of the arts in Gillette during his terms as mayor.

Leslie A. Shinaver of Afton, and Karen Stewart of Jackson, will serve three-year terms ending February 28, 2013 and can each serve a second term if re-appointed by the next Governor.

Shinaver is an educator in the Lincoln County School District #2, teaching language arts at Swift Creek High School. She is an active member and officer of the Star Valley Arts Council, and has been a small business owner, receiving the Wyoming Business Association’s 1996 Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Stewart has recently retired as the executive director of the Art Association of Jackson, and still remains on the board for Jackson’s Center for the Arts. She is familiar with all aspects of non-profits, and has also worked as an arts advocate for the state.

Dave Kathka, two-term board member from Rock Springs, stepped down and was presented with a thank you plaque for his service by Director of the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources Milward Simpson.

Judy Case from Cheyenne, also a two-term board member, has stepped down from the board.

The Wyoming Arts Council Board is made up of 10 members who are appointed by the Governor for three-year terms. The board serves in an advisory capacity to the Wyoming Arts Council, and makes determinations on grants awards.

Lander's David Neary named new board chair for Wyoming Arts Council

Bruce Richardson (left) of Casper, outgoing WAC board chair, conducts the ceremonial handing over of the gavel to David Neary of Lander.

The Wyoming Arts Council announces the election of new board chair David Neary. He accepted the gavel from outgoing board chair Bruce Richardson.

Neary is producing and technical director for the Wyoming Shakespeare Company, based in Lander. From 1990-2004, Neary was director of land conservation, associate state director, and state director for The Nature Conservancy; he also was director of (1984-1989) and an instructor (1972-1989) for the National Outdoor Leadership School, Rocky Mountain division.

Bruce Richardson, who has served on the Wyoming Arts Council Board for the past five years, was reappointed as a board member for another three-year term by Governor Freudenthal. Richardson, from Casper, is a Professor of English for U.W. at Casper College, and has served on the boards of several Casper arts organizations. Currently, Richardson represents the State of Wyoming as an officer on the board of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies.

FMI: Wyoming Arts Council at 307-777-7742.

Turning the "Lights On!" in downtown Cheyenne begins with "Night D'Lights" on Sept. 24

FMI: LightsOn Downtown Group Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/LightsOn-Downtown-Group/142769705746536

"Wildflower gardening" is the next topic of the Slosson Lecture Series at WTP Historic Site

Press release from the Wyoming Territorial Prison Historic Site in Laramie:

Beth Babcock has more than 20 years of master gardening experience and will present her collection of pressed and dried wildflowers and share tips and hints on wildflower gardening August 17 at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site. This Free public event begins at 6 p.m. at the Prison Building Dining Hall.

Beth Babcock speaks nationwide as the Native Plant and Wildflower Chairperson for the Wyoming, Rocky Mountain Region, and National Federation of Garden Clubs. Her research takes her into local mountain ranges and community gardens where she continues to learn the best ways to grow and preserve wildflowers.

This will be the third lecture of the 2010 May Preston Slosson Lecture Series, a new event this year at the Wyoming Territorial Prison.

The May Preston Slosson Lecture Series brings to life the historic lectures of May Preston Slosson, who became America’s first female Prison Chaplain when she was appointed to her post at the Wyoming Territorial Prison in 1899. Her lecture topics included religion, chemistry, poetry, and classical literature, and were presented in the Prison Dining Hall for the enjoyment and education of inmates and community members.

The Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, 975 Snowy Range Rd. Laramie, is open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, call Misty Stoll, (307) 745 -3733.

Call for applications: 911 Media Arts Center

From the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) e-mail newsletter:

The 911 Media Arts Center in Seattle, Wash., hosts 12-week residencies for new media artists. Residents have access to the Center’s computing facilities and extensive audio/video production, editing, and presentation equipment, and receive the resources required to present their work to the public. Application deadline is Sept. 21. For more information, go to http://www.911media.org/

"More Pronghorn than People" exhibit at Fort Caspar Museum through Aug. 29

"More Pronghorn than People" is a traveling exhibit on view through Sunday, Aug. 29, at the Fort Caspar Museum in Casper.

From the museum web site:

Organized by the University of Wyoming, this display of photographs highlights the abundance of pronghorn (commonly--but mistakenly--known as "antelope") in Wyoming. At the time the exhibit was organized, there were more pronghorn living in the state than human residents. View the many ways that people and the pronghorn have interacted over the years, and learn about the important role these animals maintain in our state as well as around the world.

Fort Caspar Museum is a Blue Star Museum!

Institutions participating in the Blue Star Museums Program will offer FREE ADMISSION to Active Duty Military personnel and their families (personnel + 5 family members) beginning Memorial Day, Monday, May 31st thru Labor Day, Monday, September 6, 2010. Click on the following link for more information: http://www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums  

Cody artist featured at Lucky Star Gallery in Reno

"Indian in Lavender" is one of the many portraits by Cody artist Linda Lucy Lunde featured at the Lucky Star Gallery in Reno, Nevada. They are watercolor, etching, pen and ink. The framed size of this one is 15-3/4x14 inches.

Linda is a member of the Cody Country Art League.

Here's some info on the artist from the gallery web site:

This series of Native American Indian portraits by Lunde are stunning. This portrait of a strong and brooding brave is a handsome watercolor matted and framed in beautifully complimentary tones of a muted mauve/lavender and in a metallic gunmetal grey frame.

New public art project to be dedicated at fairgrounds on Aug. 16

Wyomingarts visited sculptor David Alan Clark's studio in Lander in June to view his work-in-progress, "The Champion." He was almost finished with it and was preparing to ship it to the Eagle Bronze Foundry for the bronze to be poured. The project is funded by the state's 1 Percent for Art/Art in Public Buildings program administered by the Wyoming Arts Council.

Here's a press release about the installation of the statue:

Join staff members of the Wyoming State Fair at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 16, as they celebrate the installation of a new sculpture at the State Fair Grounds just behind the horse barns.

"The Champion" is an over-life-sized bronze of a rancher carrying his daughter up on his shoulder in triumph. The daughter holds a Grand Champion rosette up high and wears a big grin. The rancher wears a smile of his own as he enjoys the fact that his daughter is following in his footsteps at the fair (note his own champion belt buckle).

"The sculpture celebrates the excitement of families competing at the state fair," said the artist, Green River native David Alan Clark.

Clark has installed monumental bronzes in Green River, Cheyenne and Ft. Bridger as well as across the country. You can see samples of his work on his website, www.davidalanclark.com.

Models for the sculpture were Wyoming residents Rhett Abernathy (currently playing arena football for the Casper Cavalry) and Kylee McConnell, the daughter of Mike and Angie McConnell of Lander.

The sculpture was cast at Eagle Bronze Foundry in Lander, making this an all-Wyoming project. Funding for the sculpture is from the state's 1% for Art/Art in Public Buildings program that dedicates a percentage of new construction budgets for art in or near state-funded buildings. The program is administered by the Wyoming Arts Council.

The State Fair opens on Saturday, Aug. 14, and continues through Saturday, Aug. 21. For schedule, go to http://www.wystatefair.com/docs/2010/2010Schedule.pdf

For more information on the 1% for Art/Art in Public Buildings Program, or other Wyoming Arts Council programs, call 307-777-7742.

For information on “The Champion” sculpture, call the artist at 307-332-0176.

New mural in Newcastle

This new mural on a building in Newcastle was painted by Del Iron Cloud of Rapid City. The town's mural committee raised enough funding to commission Iron Cloud for a second mural in the near future.

Prizes and screenings for top films at Shoot Out Cheyenne

The Shoot Out Cheyenne 24 hour filmmaking festival is set for October 15-17 in Downtown Cheyenne. Last year, 21 teams took the challenge and competed for $1,000 in top prize money.

You don't have to be a filmmaker to enjoy the event. The top 10 films will be screened on Sunday afternoon, October 17.

Production groups of one or more are challenged to complete a seven-minute movie in 24 hours starting Friday night, October 15, at 6 p.m. Contestants deliver their finished movie on a tape provided on Saturday at 6 p.m.

For details, check out the website at http://www.theshootoutcheyenne.com/

Art, Design & Dine Art Walk on Aug. 12, 5-8 p.m.

Art, Design and Dine Art Walk takes place on Thursday, Aug. 12, 5-8 p.m., at 11 downtown Cheyenne businesses. They include the Link Gallery. Here's what's happening there:

This Thursday, the Link Gallery features Native American Tom Wadena, an Omaha Indian,who has executed not only a beautiful red and white beaded riding saddle, complete with halter cover and breastplate but also beautiful beaded vests. We also feature the works of the Native American artists represented by the Nightwalker Trading Post. These works include children's moccasins made of exquisitely executed pine cone needles painted in vivid reds and blues, including one pair that is for ceremonial use. We also have a pair of antique moccasins over 110 years old and moccasins recently executed in smoked, brain tanned skin.

In addition we will be featuring the limited edition Japanese block prints of R.C. Gorman, noted Native American Artist, as well as framed wood carved native images with arrow head collections by Vernon Nightwalker. We also will feature beautifully beaded chockers and berets of lovely red, white and blue, rawhide Eagle Shields and an authentic War Shirt consisting of brain tanned skin, colorful bead work and horse hair. Also we will have a brilliantly beaded rifle sheath with buckskin braiding, a perfect match to take along with the saddle.

Also we will have a silver with gold Concho belt, a silver and turquoise Concho belt and a set of silver bolo tie with silver and turquoise steer head belt buckle. We also have acquired for exhibit a beautiful bear rug and a full size authentic buffalo robe.

Other participating venues:

Ewe Count, 819 Randall Ave., 307-638-1148
Clay Paper Scissors, 1506 Thomes Ave., Suite B, 307-631-6039
The Quilted Corner, 309 West Lincolnway, 307-638-2002
Artful Hand Studio and Gallery, corner of East 1st Ave. and House, 229-546-5183
Glen Garrett Architect, 1623 Capitol Ave., 307-632-4077
Warren Nagle Mansion, 222 East 17th St., 307-637-3333
Prairie Wind Fiber Arts and Beads, 1916 House Ave., 307-632-3082
Unitarian Universalist Church of Cheyenne, 3005 Thomes Ave., 307-638-4554
The Link Gallery, 1609 Capitol Ave., 307- 778-0330
Deselms Fine Art, 124 W. Lincolnway and 303 East 17th St., 307-432-0606
Laramie County Public Library, 2200 Pioneer Ave., 307-634-3561

This month's featured restaurant is The Library Cafe.

Pick up a map at any participating businesses, get it stamped at five and bring it in to The Library Cafe for 15% off your order.

Musician/poet Ken Waldman tours Wyoming this fall -- open dates still available

If you haven't already, pick up the beautiful new 2010-2011 program, "Everything ARTCORE." Cover design is by Eric Lewis and AdBay's Jason Yocum  and Travis Gray designed and produced the program.

ARTCORE plans a busy year for Casper arts lovers: Denver Taiko at Japan Arts Day (Sept. 11); Equality State Book Festival on Sept. 24-25; and Lazer Vaudeville on stage Oct. 14 and conducting school residencies while in Casper. One of wyomingarts' favorites is musician and poet Ken Waldman, who performs at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church on Friday, Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m. He plays original fiddle tunes and reads poems from his many books that include Nome Poems, based on his years teaching and performing in Alaska, and Conditions and Cures.

Ken tells wyomingarts that he has some open dates in his Wyoming and Colorado touring schedule.

Monday, October 4, 8 a.m., Ken begins a week-long residency at North Elementary School in Lander. Following a swing through Colorado that includes stops in Montrose, Telluride, Manitou Springs, Vail, Steamboat Springs and Denver, Ken will be back in Wyoming.

After his stop in Casper, he'll be off to Pinedale where, on Nov. 8, he begins a week-long residency in the schools. On Saturday, Nov. 13, 8 p.m., he performs with Jalan Crossland at the South Lincoln Events and Training Center in Kemmerer. He's off to Lander for five days of residencies sponsored by PALS. And then he travels to Vermont for the next leg of his national tour.

Ken has several open slots in his schedule. Wyoming schools, libraries and non-profit organizations can apply online for a Wyoming Arts Council Open Door grant to fund Ken's foray into your town. See details on the WAC web site at http://www.wyomingartscouncil.org/. Just click on grants on the page's left sidebar and take it from there. For more info, call the WAC at 307-777-7742.

Learn more about Ken's books and music at http://www.kenwaldman.com/

Northwest College and BBHC offer "Art of the American West" class

From a BBHC press release:

Students and aficionados of western art have a chance to delve deeper into the subject—and earn three college credits—with this fall’s Art of the American West class through Northwest College. The course takes place at the college’s Cody Center and at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center on Thursdays beginning August 26, 6:30 – 9:10 p.m. and is taught by Acting Curator Christine Brindza of the Whitney Gallery of Western Art at the Historical Center.


Through lecture and discussion, the course introduces western American art, and the many themes it represents, through a variety of media, including paintings, sculpture, prints, and photography. The Whitney Gallery’s collection will serve as the primary resource in studying the artistic conventions, traditions, styles, and perspectives represented.

Lesson topics include Emerging Themes in American Western Art; Indians of North America—First People of the West; Inspirational Western Landscape; Western Wildlife; Heroes and Legends—Cowboys and Other People of the West; among others.

“The course is a wonderful way for students to further make use of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center collections,” Brindza explains. “Students learn about the ‘whole picture’ of western art while using our collections. By personally engaging with artwork, it can greatly enhance students’ learning experiences. This course is a positive move toward further partnerships and collaborations between the Historical Center and Northwest College.”

Class size is limited so Brindza encourages interested persons to contact Northwest College as soon as possible to register. NWC classes begin August 23.

For more information, contact Brindza at christineb@bbhc.org or 307.578.4051. To learn more about Northwest College, visit www.northwestcollege.edu, and read more about the Buffalo Bill Historical Center at http://www.bbhc.org/.

"Shell Games" author returns to Jackson

Former Jackson resident and award-winning environmental journalist Craig Welch will read from his new book, "Shell Games," on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 5:30-6:30 p.m., at the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, 685 S. Cache, Jackson. The event is free and open to the public. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

"Shell Games: Rogues, Smugglers and the Hunt for Nature's Bounty" is a book about environmental poaching. It is best  is best described by reviews like this one from Bill McKibben: “Forget CSI – this is the real deal, tracking down the greediest kinds of criminals as they plunder the planet’s future.”

FMI: 307-733-9417; info@jhalliance.org

WAC announces creative writing fellowship winners

The Wyoming Arts Council is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 creative writing fellowships in creative nonfiction.

They are Joel Burdess of Casper, Jayme Feary of Jackson and Laramie’s Pam Galbreath. Each of the writers will receive a $3,000 prize. They also will receive a $500 stipend to read their work at the Equality State Book Festival Sept. 24-25 in Casper.

Receiving honorable mentions are Diane Panozzo, Tie Siding, and Mary Beth Baptiste, Laramie.

The judge for this year’s competition was Lee Gutkind, author and founder of Creative Nonfiction magazine. He will join the three recipients for the annual fellowship reading on Friday, Sept. 24, 1-3 p.m., in the lobby of the Goodstein Foundation Library at Casper College. The event is free and open to the public.

This is the 23rd year for the WAC’s creative writing fellowships. The competition is open to Wyoming residents who are 18 years and older and are not enrolled full-time in a high school, college or university arts program. There is no entry fee. Applications are available each spring. Next year's category is fiction.

FMI: Mike Shay at 307-777-5234 or mshay@state.wy.us.

2010 Big West Arts Festival with Jalan Crossland Band -- "High & Lonesome" video

And a good time was had by all last weekend in Sheridan (re-posted from Facebook -- thanks Micah!)

Wyoming Public Media expands jazz and classical networks

From a Wyoming Public Media press release:

Wyoming Public Media's Classical Wyoming and Jazz Wyoming networks expanded this week with the addition of service to Thermopolis, Riverton and much of north-central Wyoming on KUWT 91.3 FM Thermopolis and to Cheyenne over KUWR 91.9 FM.

The transmitters are now broadcasting Classical Wyoming on their digital HD-2 signal and Jazz Wyoming on HD-3.

"Several years ago Wyoming Public Media invested in the digital conversion of its statewide network of transmitters," says Program Director Roger Adams. "This allowed us to launch all-classical and all-jazz networks using digital HD (hybrid digital) technology. We have added service to more areas of the state."

Classical Wyoming provides the classics 24 hours daily with news headlines from the BBC each hour. It is now available at:

Casper -- On an HD radio, KUWC 91.3-2;
Cheyenne -- On an HD radio, KUWR 91.9-2;
Jackson -- On an HD radio, KUWJ 90.3-2;
Laramie -- On any radio, KUWY 88.5 FM and on an HD radio KUWR 91.9-2;
Rock Springs -- On any radio, KZUW 88.5 FM;
Thermopolis/Riverton -- On an HD radio, KUWT 91.3-2.
Anywhere -- Streaming online at www.classicalwyoming.org.

Jazz Wyoming offers jazz 24 hours daily with National Public Radio news headlines at the top of each hour. It is available at:

Casper -- On an HD radio, KUWC 91.3-3;
Cheyenne -- On an HD radio, KUWR 91.9-3;
Laramie -- On any radio, KUWL 90.1 FM and on an HD radio, KUWR 91.9-3;
Thermopolis /Riverton -- On an HD radio, KUWT 91.3-3;
Anywhere -- Streaming online at www.jazzwyoming.org.

Information about HD radio and suggestions on radio models (portable, tabletop, auto and component) and program schedules for Classical Wyoming and Jazz Wyoming are on WPM's Web site: http://www.wyomingpublicradio.net/.

Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of Wyoming. For more information, call Adams at (307) 766-3587, e-mail radams@uwyo.edu.

Next outdoor concert in Pinedale features Austin's Screen Door Porch

Screen Door Porch from Austin will perform at the next outdoor concert sponsored by the Pinedale Fine Arts Council. The concert is set for American Legion Park on Friday, Aug. 20, 6 p.m. Local guitarist Jared Rogerson is the opening act. Free and open to the public.

See work by local artists at library in Pinedale

One of the works by local artists installed by artists and arts teacher David Klaren in the main hallway of the Sublette County Public Library in celebration of the Wyoming Arts Council board meeting. This 20x26-inch painting is entitled "Shiner of 1964" and is by Sue Sommers. Here are a few words from Sue:

This group of watercolor/gouache portraits is inspired by images from my family photo album. All of the children pictured would now be at least 50 years old. They are my family, myself, friends, and classmates, and I am looking back at them across time.

The exhibit features work by painter/illustrator David Klaren, painter Cristy Anspach, painter Sue Sommers and metal artist JB Bond.

Pinedale Fine Arts Council hosts public reception for WAC board and staff at 5:30 today

The Wyoming Arts Council board is meeting today and tomorrow (Aug. 5-6) at the Sublette County Public Library in Pinedale.

The meeting's public comment session will begin today at 4 p.m. at the library.

Everyone's welcome to the 5:30 p.m. public reception at the Rocky Mountain Bank hosted by the Pinedale Fine Arts Council. Come out and meet the WAC board and staff members.

At this meeting, the board will discuss the comprehensive Community Vitality Index CVI), recently completed for Wyoming by the Western States Arts Federation. The board also will discuss input from the WAC's town meetings and focus groups conducted in the spring. This is the next stage in the process of drafting the WAC's 2011-2015 long-range plan.

Douglas Invitational Art Show

One of the more popular art shows in central Wyoming, the 19th Annual Douglas Invitational Art Show and Sale featuring 24 artists from four states and will be held August 13-15, at the Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum.


This year’s show begins August 13 with the opening reception from 7 to 11 p.m. The evening includes a silent auction, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Tickets for the event are $25.

The show continues on August 14 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the popular Quick Draw starting at 3 p.m. During the Quick Draw segment, artists are given an hour to produce a piece of art which is auctioned beginning at 4 p.m.

The show continues on August 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This year’s show features artists from Wyoming, Texas, Utah and Colorado. Artist mediums are watercolor, acrylics, oils, bonze, woodcarving, pottery and jewelry.

For more information or to reserve a ticket to the opening reception, please call the Wyoming Pioneer Museum at 307-358-9288.

This year’s artists are:

Gwen Bruner, Ginny Butcher, B.J. Durr, Zach Even, Casey Hunter, Karen Henneck, Diane Harrop, William Hugh Jennings, Linda Johnson, Becky Johnson, Gary Keimig, Alice Marlatt, Michele McDonald, Marlo McGuire, Tom Moncure, Stan Mullinnix, Dorothy Redland, Gisele Robinson, Pam Sharp, Dustin Stephenson, Carla Stroh, Sam Thiewes and Jack Wilkinson.

Join Flores De Colores for Aug. 8 appreciation picnic

Flores De Colores, Laramie County's Hispanic dance troupe and members of the Wyoming Arts Council artists' roster, will hold an appreciation picnic on Sunday, Aug. 8, 1-5 p.m., at Holliday Park in Cheyenne. Meet at the gazebo by the Big Boy locomotive.

Potluck, so please bring a dish to share.

Hamburgers, hot dogs, chili dogs and soda will be provided. BYOB.

Flores De Colores will distribute its California awards and will be showing off its updated photo albums.

FMI: http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/Roster/Artist.aspx?ID=20

Masters of Impressionism and Modern Art exhibition to kick off grand opening

Marc Chagall, Dos à dos, 1984, oil on canvas, 51 1/2 x 35 in.

The grand opening of the new Heather James Fine Art gallery in Jackson, Wyoming, on Aug 21 will feature major works by major artists - Matisse, Monet, Chagall, Picasso, Leger and Morisot - and will run through mid-October.
This is a significant show for anyone in the mountain state region who loves Impressionism and Modern Art.

Greenhorse and Gobble Gobble at Sheridan Inn

From the Greenhorse Facebook page:

Join Greenhorse as we share the stage with Canadian sensation Gobble Gobble for one night only at the Sheridan Inn! We personally guarantee that you will have an unbelievably good time!

Thursday, Aug. 5, 7:30-10:30 p.m.

At the Historic Sheridan Inn, 856 North Broadway, Sheridan

More on Greenhorse at http://www.myspace.com/greenhorsemusic

Renowned Architect/Designer Dianna Wong Creates “Stunning” New Heather James Fine Art Gallery in Jackson, Wyoming

Interiors Reflect Colors, Light, Native Stone and Other Significant Architecture of Area; Grand Opening on August 21

Heather James Fine Art debuts its new gallery in Jackson, Wyoming, on August 21, 2010. This is owners Jim Carona and Heather Sacre’s second collaboration with acclaimed Los Angeles-based architect and interior designer Dianna Wong. The stunning interiors of the new gallery reflect influences of the surrounding landscape – its colors, light and native stone - and other significant architecture of the area that uniquely represents Jackson.

“It’s been very fulfilling for me to work on the Heather James Gallery as I was able to return to the environment of the Rocky Mountain West, where I spent my childhood”, says Wong, who is best known for her work at the legendary Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows, MGM City Center in Las Vegas, The Oscars’ Governor’s Ballroom in Hollywood, as well as the W Washington DC.

Wong used a simple approach in planning the interiors and creating separate rooms and galleries within the 3,800-square-foot structure. There are five main exhibition spaces as well as five smaller gallery spaces to house the wide breadth of genres that will be presented there, including cultural art and antiquities, Impressionist and Modern, Post-War and Masters, Old Masters, cutting-edge Contemporary, and Photography.

The selection and detailing of the interior finishes and fixtures reflect a respect for the context, culture, and other significant architecture of Jackson, Wyoming. Steel frames, local stone, patinaed concrete floors, and hemlock walls and ceilings are woven together in a honed rusticity that provides an earthy yet serene background for the collections.

Born in Hong Kong, raised in Great Falls, Montana, educated at Harvard and Cambridge, now living and working in Los Angeles, Dianna Wong is truly a citizen of the world – and her life and work reflect the influences and complexities of many cultures. She has become internationally known for her interior designs of four- and five-star hotels and resorts and is currently completing projects in Cairo, Macau and Los Angeles.

“Heather and I are excited to expand the Heather James gallery vision into such an amazing space and community,” explains Carona, who believes that the gallery in Jackson perfectly represents their mission. “We want to create dialogues between different art forms, time periods and genres through a broad range of exhibitions. Jackson has established itself as a significant destination arts community. We see this as a perfect opportunity to merge our love for the natural world, and a lifestyle that Jackson embodies, with our passion for art.” In addition, tours, lectures and other forms of public programming will be an important component of the gallery’s activity.

Heather James Fine Art is located at 172 Center Street, Suite 101, Jackson, WY, 83001. The gallery will hold its grand opening on August 21, 2010, all day from 10a until 8p. The public and media are invited. For more information about the gallery and upcoming exhibitions, please visit our website, http://www.heatherjames.com/ or contact Lyndsay McCandless at 307-200-6090 or lyndsay@heatherjames.com

Call for entries: "Captivar La Luz" photo exhibit

DEADLINE: Sat, August 14, 2010

"Captivar La Luz: A Latino Experience"

The Texas Photographic Society invites amateur and professional photographers to submit images for "Captivar La Luz: A Latino Experience Exhibit." Projects and Individual images welcome. Juried by Kathy Vargas, Professor of Photography and Chair of the Art Department, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX. Opening at Blue Star LAB, San Antonio, TX on October 1. This exhibit is open to all, as long as the subject of the work is related to Latin American life, culture, conflict and/or any social or economic issues in the United States. $2000 in cash prizes.

Contact: Amber Gibson, 210-824-4123, shows@texasphoto.org

On the web at http://www.texasphoto.org/TPSLatino.html

The High Plains are alive with "The Sound of Music" auditions

From the Cheyenne Little Theatre Players:

Adult auditions for "The Sound of Music" will be held Tuesday, Aug. 3, 6 p.m., at the Mary Godfrey Playhouse in Cheyenne. Director is Toni Tomei. Choreographer is Russell Rose. Musical Director/Conductor: Dave Kramer

From the Director: Auditions will be held in groups of no more than 10 individuals at a time on-stage and closed to the public. This will allow each actor to have more of a "moment" with the Directors and Choreographer. The Stage Management team will be in the lobby to see that the audition is run smoothly, and answer any questions you may have. Please bring your resume and 8 x 10 photo (if you have one) to attach to the audition sheet that you will fill out. Please note: any current photo will do.

You will be seen in the order that you arrive at the theater.

Audition Requirements: Prepare one standard Broadway show tune; a song from the show is fine. Please no rock opera, no singing to a tape or CD and no accapella. We need to hear you sing with the piano, even if it is Happy Birthday and singing scales. You will only read from the script and sing additional songs if you are invited to callbacks. You may be cut off during your songs if the directors have heard all they need to. This is in the interest of time.

Cast of Characters: If you are auditioning for a specific role, the songs noted below will be sung at callbacks and anyone may be use them for main audition.

Maria Rainer : Lead, to portray age range: 23 - 28, Voice: Soprano
Please prepare: "The Sound of Music", "My Favorite Things" and "An Ordinary Couple"

Captain Georg Von-Trapp: Lead, to portray age range: 38-50, Voice: Baritone. Please prepare: "Edelweiss", "The Sound of Music" and "An Ordinary Couple"

Elsa Schraeder: Supporting, Age: 35-45. Please prepare "How Can Love Survive" and "No Way to Stop It"

Max Detweiler: Supporting, Age: 30-60. Please prepare "How Can Love Survive" and "No Way to Stop It"

The Children : Supporting, Would prefer children to be at least 8 years + to portray ages: 6-16. Please prepare: "The Sound of Music" and "Do Ri Me". The children are: Friedrich - age 14, Louisa - age 13,
Kurt - age 10, Brigitta - age 9, Marta - age 7, Gretl - the youngest.

Leisl: Supporting, to portray age 16 - going on 17. Voice: Mezzo. Must move/dance well. Please prepare: "The Sound of Music" and "I Am Sixteen Going on Seventeen"

Rolf Gruber : Supporting, to portray age Age 17 going on 18, Voice: Tenor. Must move/dance well. Please prepare: "The Sound of Music" and "I Am Sixteen Going on Seventeen"

Mother Abbess : Lead, Age 40 +: Strong Mezzo Soprano. Prepare: "Climb Every Mountain"

Sisters Berthe, Margaretta and Sophia: Supporting, to portray age ranges of 30+, Voice: Mezzo's Prepare: "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria"

Frau Schmidt: Supporting, to portray Age 30+ (This is a non singing part, but will sing with the chorus if needed, non singing actors are welcome to audition for this part)

Franz: Supporting, to portray age 30+ (This is a non-singing part, but will sing with the chorus if needed, non-singing actors are welcome to audition for this part)

Ensemble: Please note that those cast as nuns, and military personnel will be doubling as townspeople, party guests and festival contestants. Everyone must sing even though some of the parts are marked non-singing. We are looking for a wide range of heights and ages for all of these parts.

We are seeking an energetic, talented cast that looks good, sounds great and can fill the house with personality and sound that every director strives for and every audience is thrilled by. Continuity and look of the Von Trapp "family" is also key. Rehearsals begin August 9, starting at 6:30pm, Monday thru Friday. Every attempt will be made to release the children earlier in the evening from each rehearsal they attend. You will not be required to rehearse every night, until closer to opening, so check your schedule against the Master Calendar before you audition. Keep conflicts to a minimum.

No conflicts during Tech Week - Sunday, Sept. 19 (afternoon) thru Wed., Sept. 22

Join Our Mailing List!
Cheyenne Little Theatre Players
PO Box 20087
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003
307-638-6543

Special screening of "The Secret of Kells" will be held at the Lyman Performing Arts Center Aug. 20

On Friday, August 20, 7 p.m., in the Lyman Performing Arts Center (the PAC located in the Lyman High School) there will be a special showing of the Oscar-nominated animated film "The Secret of Kells." This film was shown in very limited venues late last year, and will not be released on DVD in the U.S. until October.

Also appearing will be Tod Polson, who is the color scripter for the film. Tod is a Wyoming native who has worked in animation in Europe, the Far East and America for many years. He will be discussing the making of "the Secret of Kells" and possibly showing pieces of his current short projects or one of his acclaimed short films.

And, this is a fund-raiser for the Uinta County Library System, so all proceeds go to an excellent cause.

FMI: 307-787-6529.

More info on the film at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1026538/ and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_of_Kells

Take a photo of your library on Wyoming Snapshot Day Oct. 19

From the Wyoming State Library:

On Tuesday, Oct. 19, we want to collect your stories, photos, videos and patron numbers for Wyoming Libraries Snapshot Day to show the tremendous impact that the state's libraries have on Wyoming residents every single day. Snapshot Day events have been held in several other states with good success.

Snapshot Day will provide tools to use for advocacy with Legislators, Commissioners, local elected officials, donors and the public. To get the best "snapshot" of the entire state, we need participation from as many libraries as possible, and from all types of libraries -- public, academic, school and special.

For now -- please save the date! More specific information will be posted soon and announced through the Outrider and by the State Library and Wyoming Library Association e-mail lists. We will try to make it as simple as possible to participate and will provide forms and materials that you can use to make Snapshot Day a success in your library. We welcome any suggestions you may have. Questions?

Please direct questions to:

Susan Mark, 307-777-5915.
Lesley Rowbal, 307-777-7283

You may also call the Wyoming State Library's toll-free line at 1-800-264-1281 to reach either Susan or Lesley.

Wyoming Library Snapshot Day is a project of the Wyoming State Library and the Wyoming Library Association.

Gretel Ehrlich book signing Aug. 9 in Sheridan

Sheridan Staionery Books & Gallery will be conducting a book signing with noted Wyoming author Gretel Ehrlich on Monday, August 9, 5:30-7 p.m. A reception will follow. The event is free and open to the public.

Gretel Ehrlich is the author of several books including "The Solace of Open Spaces, "Heart Mountain", and "A Blizzard Year". She will be signing her newest book, "Empire of Ice" on August 9.

2 calls for entries from Lander Arts Center

Sept. 27 - Nov. 5, 2010, Opening Reception October 1, 2010

$1000 in prizes will be awarded! Deadline for entries, September 8, 2010. Notification of acceptance emailed September 15, 2010. Accepted artwork due September 24 at the Lander Art Center.

At a conference where an artist once spoke about her work in detail, the audience laughed out loud when halfway through she said, "As it turns out, I'm from Pittsburgh." After learning so much about her artwork, it seemed perfectly fitting that she would be from such a historically industrial city: her artwork was large steel sculptures.

Many of us make an exodus at some point in our lives, to seek out on our own. And those who don't might gladly identify with their background. Either way, our roots often appear in subtle and interesting ways even if we don't intend for it to happen or notice until later.

In this exhibition: "As it turns out, I'm from...," the object is to connect your artwork to your roots.
It may be a connection as simple as the artist mentioned above from Pittsburgh who makes large steel sculptures. Or it may be a connection more direct like painting place related childhood memories or using found objects from your hometown. The interpretation of the connection is in the hands of the artist.

Your "home" can be a city, state, country, or even an attitude or culture.

Thank-you!

Dannine Donaho, Assistant Director and NEAT Project Coordinator
Lander Art Center
224 Main St.
Lander, WY 82520
307-332-5772
dannine@landerartcenter.com

http://www.landerartcenter.com/
______________________________________________________________
 
August 20-September 24, 2010 Opening Reception August 20, 6-8 pm

Deadline August 11, 2010

Entries are limited to works depicting Wyoming residential or migratory fauna and flora. Horses, cattle, landscapes, and cultivated plants not acceptable.

Cracker and Frontier Ruckus making music in Victor

This week, the Teton Valley Foundation's "Music on Main" series presents Cracker and Frontier Ruckus. Travel across the border to Victor City Park from Jackson and Alta via the START bus. FMI: http://www.tetonvalleyfoundation.org/music-on-main.php

Reception for "Ghost in the Cargo Van" show Aug. 13 at the Corridor Gallery in Casper

"Coats That Were Wings," Luke Whitlatch, acrylic and dye on canvas, 14x28x16 inches, 2007

Press release from the Corridor Gallery in Casper:

Casper native Luke Whitlatch is making the trek from his current city of Los Angeles for the debut Casper showing of his artwork at the Corridor Gallery. The press and public are invited to attend the free opening reception on Friday, August 13, starting at 7 p.m. Luke will be present during the opening and presenting an artist’s talk the following day, Saturday August 14, at 2 p.m. The artist’s talk is also a free event to the press and public. Luke’s artwork will only be on display through Sunday, August 15, during business hours.

Luke creates intricate and colorful works of art on linen or canvas by bleeding aniline die initially and finishing with oil and acrylic paint. Luke’s works are then stretched onto handmade dimensional frames that lend shape to the work. Every aspect of this artwork is unique and visually stimulating.

“Ghost in the Cargo Van” Artist’s Statement

For a painting to be truly new it must be responsible for its own history, be it theoretical, technical or physical. “Ghost in the Cargo Van,” is a show about the things that you thought you saw. These images were made to pay homage to the past while rejuvenating historical ideas.

Abstract images rely on the viewer to project their personal opinions and experiences onto the images. Many legends and myths were created by this same phenomenon. Time aged mental recollections can lead to a person changing what they actually saw, into something completely different. When presented with limited amounts of recognizable imagery the viewer can create their own story based on shapes colors lines and past references.

Much is based on emotional recollection while making this work. These paintings are mostly based on personal experiences and emotional information. Modernist ideas of form and color give way to intuition. Specific experiences as well as short moments in time are not represented solely by visual imagery. A memory may be based on a smell, weather or a specific state of mind.

Abstract images allow for these types of variables to be expressed without being bogged down by representation. These paintings are interpretations of points in time that are important to me personally, however when they are finished they are no longer mine. A painting takes on a life of its own when put on display. The ghost of an image can live in the mind much longer than the image itself.

Event Details

“Ghost in the Cargo Van” -- Original Art by Luke Whitlatch

Located at The Corridor Gallery: 120 E. 2nd St. Casper, WY 82601

Free Admission

Opening Reception: Friday, August 13th at 7:00pm

Open Showing: Saturday, August 14th 10:00am to 5:00pm

Sunday, August 15th noon to 4pm

FMI: Please contact The Corridor Gallery at (307) 333-7035, Reed at (307) 259-8001 or visit http://www.thecorridorgallery.com/.

Karna Small Bodman on the "Road to Publication"

From the Jackson Hole Writers Conference:

Guest author Karna Small Bodman will present her program "Road to Publication -- from Ideas to Editors/Agents/Marketing and More," on Tuesday, August 3, 6:30 p.m., in the conference room at the Center for the Arts in Jackson. Karna will speak about the writer's journey. Getting ideas for the story, finding an editor/agent, marketing & publicity - what works and what doesn't.

Check out Karna's website, bio and info on her latest release, "Final Finesse," at http://www.karnabodman.com/

Come join us as Karna shares her experiences both as a writer and in the publishing world as an accomplished author of three novels. She is currently working on her fourth. Sign up is required, so please email me — Linda Hazen lahazen2003@yahoo.com — to let me know you will be attending. Karna will have books for purchase, and will be available to sign after the program.

Hope to see you all!

Linda, lahazen2003@yahoo.com

Artists' reception tonight at Cheyenne UU Church for Ron & Mike McIntosh

Artists (and brothers) Ron and Mike McIntosh will be at an opening reception from 5-8 p.m. tonight (Thursday, July 29) at the Cheyenne Unitarian Universalist Church. The exhibit features new work by these Cheyenne natives.