Riot Act Theatre hosts movie & '80s wedding reception Jan. 21 in Jackson

From Abbie Miller in Jackson:

Riot Act Theatre will be hosting The Wedding Singer, the movie event and 80s wedding reception, Saturday, January 21, at The Elks Lodge in Jackson from 7:00pm-12am.

Need a break from your winter blues?  Join us for the hilarity of The Wedding Singer, the movie, followed by a fun '80s wedding reception.  Dress in your finest 1980s wedding gear.  Enjoy drinks at the bar.  Spend just $5 more for a cheesy wedding buffet.  Sing your favorite '80s tunes with Brian Lenz hosted karaoke. Purchase a $2 raffle ticket and win a chance to choose a wedding gift of your choice from the gift table.

Doors open at 7 pm.  Movie starts at 8 pm. Reception to follow until midnight.

RSVP cards available in advance at Shades Café for $10 or at the door for $15. $5 buffet tickets and $2 gift table raffle tickets available at the door.

Hope to see you there!

Sign up now for University of Wyoming's first poetry slam of the semester

University of Wyoming Poetry Slam
Wednesday, January 25, 8:00 pm
UW Union Gardens

Those wishing to compete can sign up starting Jan. 11 at either the Student Activities Council event table on Wednesdays in the Union Breezeway, or in the Campus Activities Center in the basement of the Union.  Limited to 25 contestants, so competition spots will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hole Dance Films trailer promotes Jan. 14 performance & fund-raiser at Dancer's Workshop

"Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" Jan. 27 in Casper

ENCHANTMENT THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE
January 27, 2012 • 7:30 p.m.
John F. Welsh Auditorium, Natrona County High School, Casper
Stage adaptation based on the book by William Steig, author of Shrek

When Sylvester, a winsome young donkey, picks up a shiny red pebble, its magic spins a heart-warming story that reveals to him the true importance of family and friends. With life-size puppets, masked actors, magical illusions, innovative sets and costumes, and original musical score, Enchantment Theatre transforms this Caldecott Medal-winning book into a delightful adaptation for the stage. Who will love Sylvester? Everyone from young children all the way up to their grandparents – anyone who believes in happy endings and that there is no place like home. The last production Enchantment Theatre brought to Casper was HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON.

Enchantment Theatre Company has produced original theater for school groups and families since 2000, when it was established as a non-profit arts organization in Philadelphia. The company presents only original work based on classic stories from children's literature. Building on the more than 30 years of theatrical experience of its artistic directors, Enchantment has quickly become known for high quality imaginative productions, not only in its home city but throughout the United States and the Far East.

Enchantment has toured its original productions all over the world, appearing each year in more than 30-40 states. It has performed in such sophisticated urban arts venues as Lincoln Center in New York and the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, as well as in small town high school auditoriums and even performance tents. In Philadelphia, Enchantment has appeared at the Kimmel Center and the Annenberg Center. The company has also toured Asia six times.

Tickets: http://www.artcorewy.com/tickets.php

Tune in to YouTube for Laughing Bird videos

From Story's Laughing Bird (Tupelo and Janey Wing Kenyon), Wyoming Arts Council roster artists:

There are now 27 music performance videos you can watch FREE on YouTube. Here's the link to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=MusicToFeelBetter

You'll see a list of all the videos available, so you can see whichever ones you choose.

Quick favor request . . .

If you like what you see, please click the "LIKE" button (thumbs up), and also subscribe to our YouTube channel so we can let you know whenever we upload new videos.

If you'd like to go directly to a particular song, click one of the links below. The direct link is under the song title. Under the link is a description of the song video, plus lyric excerpts.

Call for proposals: Rapid City Main Street Square On-site Sculpture Commission

The Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC) along with Destination Rapid City (DRC) announce an international call for artists interested in an on-site commission to sculpt the 21 granite boulders at Main Street Square in downtown Rapid City, S.D. 

Mary Maxon, Curator for the Rapid City Arts Council announced the call on January 10, 2012 stating that “this is an incredible opportunity for an artist, or team of artists, to create an important work of art which adds to the cultural and natural history of the region. Rapid City is uniquely located between the northern Great Plains, Badlands, and Black Hills. Our area is home to some of the most beautiful and inspiring sculptures.  We are surrounded by natural works of art like Cathedral Spires, Jewel Cave, Harney Peak, Bear Butte and Devils Tower.  We are also the home of infamous and monumental, manmade sculptures at Mt. Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial.” 

The sculpture project is expected to be completed on-site by the artist(s) during the next 3-5 years.

Patrick Wyss of Wyss Associates, the local firm selected to manage the sculpture project, expects interest from a wide range of talented artists for this large public art project. “Up to two million dollars in private donations is already in place to attract the right sculptor or team to complete this major work of art which will become a centerpiece for our community and the region.” 

Notice of this Call for Artists has been issued today in numerous local, national and international publications. The selection process will take place over the next nine months. Interested artists are asked to submit their letters of interest, general background and experience information by April 17, 2012.  Semifinalists will be invited to submit more detailed proposals by July 15, 2012.  Finalists will be invited and reimbursed for two on-site visits and a detailed presentation of their vision for the Main Street Square Sculptures. This will occur from August 1 through November 1, 2012. The RCAC will recommend the preferred artist to Destination Rapid City in November, 2012.  

Interested artists for the Main Street Square project should apply on-line at www.callforentry.org.  

Questions should be directed to Patrick Wyss through the company email: admin@wyssassociates.com

Give opera for Valentine's Day with "The Marriage of Figaro"

Mozart's comic Valentine of matrimony and mistaken identity opens one month from today at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House    Do you have your tickets? Four performances only: Saturday, February 11 at 7:30 pm Tuesday, February 14 at 7:30 pm Friday, February 17 at 7:30 pm Sunday, February 19 at 2:00 pm

Figaro and the beautiful Susanna are about to be married, but the lecherous Count Almaviva stands in their way. As the Countess grows suspicious of her philandering husband's motives, a scheming rival, a lovesick teen, a drunken gardener, and a silly young girl find themselves in a dizzying mess of blunders, follies and mistaken identities that lead servants to outwit their master and love to triumph in the end. They say the course of true love never did run smoothly, but in Mozart's brilliant and perfect opera, the trials of amore are as moving as they are entertaining.   Get tickets online at OperaColorado.org/Figaro or call 303.468.2030  The Marriage of Figaro is sponsored by Ellie Caulkins and The Oxford Hotel. Opera Colorado's 2012 Season is sponsored by Boettcher Foundation.

Jan. 13 at The Bananza: Foreverlin, Fireworks in a Snowglobe, Abroad and Manon Ward

Concert at The Bananza, 600 E. Carlson, Unit H, Cheyenne. FMI:  http://www.thebananza.com/events.html 

Gregory Hinton discusses preliminary findings of BBHC research fellowship

"Colonel William F. Cody, 1889," by French painter Rosa Bonheur.
Courtesy of the BBHC.

This news comes from Gregory Hinton and describes the first phase of his research fellowship at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody: 

I would like you to be the first to know the preliminary results of my recent research at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center as a 2011-2012 Resident Fellow. The title of my talk was Out West with Buffalo Bill. 

The primary objective of my research was to analyze the art, artifacts and papers of the BBHC for evidence of LGBT history and culture in the American West, particularly as it related to Buffalo Bill's Wild West. 

For a month, the museum was at my disposal.  I roamed the galleries, interviewed BBHC curators, scholars and educators, and most importantly, was privileged to read The Buffalo Bill Papers in the McCracken Library.  

My primary advisers were Jeremy Johnston, Director of the Buffalo Bill Papers, Mary Robinson, Director of the McCracken Library, John Rumm, Curator of the Buffalo Bill Museum and Emma Hansen, Curator of the Plains Indian Museum. World renowned Buffalo Bill scholar Paul Fees also offered me key guidance. 

On December 16, I gave an informal talk on my preliminary findings at the monthly "Wellness of Mind" BBHC lunch meeting. The entire staff of the museum attended. The audience included Senator and Mrs. Alan Simpson and BBHC President Bruce Eldredge and his wife Jan. The talk was, I believe, historical, educational, humorous and emotional.

To read an excerpt of Hinton's BBHC presentation, go to Out West with Buffalo Bill.

CLICK! gathering kicks off an exciting series of conferences this year in Pinedale

http://wyomingarts.blogspot.com/p/click-conference-details.html 

Sam Luvisi writes in the Sublette Examiner about a series of conferences coming to Pinedale this year. One of them is “CLICK! A Weeked for Wyoming Visual Artists.” It will be held March 30-April 1 at the Sublette County Library and several other venues. Co-sponsors are the Wyoming Arts Council, Pinedale Fine Arts Council and the UW Art Museum. Sue Sommers, Pinedale artist and member of the Pipeline Art Project, was interviewed for the story. Here’s an excerpt:

“The name “CLICK!” suggests that thing that happens when you reconnect with colleagues and get inspired by new ideas, which occurs continually when Wyoming artists congregate,” said Sue Sommers, a local artist who helped organize the event, and is hoping to expand on the visibility and interconnectedness of Wyoming’s art community with those near and far – something she also tackled recently with the Pipeline Art Project.

In a showcase of real ability for local artists to survive a large-scale project, large amounts of both local and faraway support (through a competitive process the group was selected by U.S. Artists for the USA Projects “crowd funding” website) helped send local artists (including Sommers, metal sculptor JB Bond and painter David Klarén) across the country to showcase at the Red Dot Art Fair through “Pipeline to Miami.”

“We learned so much, and gained exposure and some solid ideas for showing our work outside Wyoming over the next couple of years,” she said, adding they do not expect to be “crowd funding” anytime soon – as local supporters “have done more than their share.” 

Like Pipeline, CLICK! is working alongside the Wyoming Arts Council (WAC), who shares a database of Wyoming artists and helps plan and partially fund the project. The Pipeline Art Project was awarded funding by the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund to help expand the WAC’s annual 2012 Fellowship Awards reception with a variety of speakers and topics; there Pipeline artists will share lessons from Miami. 

During CLICK! the Pinedale Library will exhibit artwork by the five Pipeline members, with a re-created Red Dot booth on display in the Labyrinth Room. 

CLICK!, which also is organized and contributed to by University of Wyoming (UW) Art Museum and the Pinedale Fine Arts Council (PFAC), will likely host a free public “kick-off” reception on its Friday evening, as a way to give back to the community. Light food, beverages and discussion will be a part of the night where the art exhibit will be open and the UW Art Museum will host a “20/20” slide presentation featuring artists from all over the state. 

Sommers is excited, not only for the possible impact to downtown Pinedale, but for the discussions and connections to be had by local artists. 

“That dialogue and sharing is as essential for success as having the right paintbrushes,” she said.  

Read the entire article at http://www.subletteexaminer.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=1937

The winter sky is lively this morning in Teton County

Lyndsay McCandless, director of the Wyoming Arts Alliance, shot this photo outside of her house this morning in Teton County. We thought it was worth sharing.

P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Club steppers step up Jan. 18 at UW to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy

From a UW press release:

In celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. Days of Dialogue, the P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Club steppers will perform a free show at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, in the University of Wyoming College of Arts and Sciences auditorium.

Meaning "Participating in the Lives Among Youth to Educate and Restore Society," the P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Club Steppers (PCS) perform shows using dance as inspiration. Having begun in 1996 in the Bronx, the P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Club steppers perform to entertain but also to educate. Much of their dancing originates from slavery; when slaves were unable to speak while working they would use stepping to communicate with each other.

"We discussed quite a few different options for this year's SAC event during MLK Days of Dialogue, and wanted to have some sort of performance, whether that would mean music, dance, or some other more artistically focused presentation," says Stephanie Long, SAC graduate assistant. "We wanted to offer a performance that still kept with the theme of the week, but offered a chance for the university community to take a breath from the heavy and important subject matter and just have some fun."

Not only have the P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Club steppers performed in the White House, they have also gone on tour with popular musicians such as Alicia Keys, Usher and Ja Rule and have even been cast in the movie "Stomp the Yard." They also perform at colleges and universities.

For more information about the P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Club steppers, visithttp://www.gernyc.com/theplayersclubsteppers.html .

The show is sponsored by the Student Activities Council and Friday Night Fever. Individuals needing assistance to attend this event should call (307) 766-6340. For more information, visit www.uwyo.edu/sac .

Photo: The P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Club steppers will perform a free show at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, in the Arts and Sciences auditorium.

Add the culinary arts to Cheyenne's arts listings

Local arts meet local foods at http://artsalliancecheyenne.com/culinary-artists-in-greater-cheyenne-2/ 

Teton County Library begins year with two new discussion series (and cool new logo)

From the Teton County Public Library in Jackson:

Kick start the new year with one of Teton County Library’s two discussion series, ranging from the historical to the contemporary. Both are free and open to the community with support from the Teton County Library Foundation.

Let's Talk About It: Making Sense of the American Civil War
Sign up now for this new, five-part series commemorating the 150th anniversaries of the Civil War and Emancipation. The library's Max Ludington leads the conversations, from 6-7:30 p.m., Mondays, Feb. 13 & 27, March 12 & 26 and April 9 at St. John's Episcopal Church, 170 N. Glenwood St. Ludington holds a bachelor’s degree in history, with a Civil War focus, and studied under Edward L. Ayers. Ayers is the national project scholar, who edited the anthology of historical fiction, speeches, diaries, memories, biography and short stories that serves as a cornerstone for this program. To sign up, contact Adult Humanities Coordinator, Oona Doherty, 733-2164 ext. 135, odoherty@tclib.org.

Teton County Library is one of more than 150 sites nationwide to host this series, developed by the American Library Association and National Endowment for the Humanities, with support from the Wyoming Humanities Council. Participants will meet a large cast of characters, explore a range of perspectives and gain a deeper understanding of America's Civil War. Readings will include March by Geraldine Brooks; Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam by James McPherson; and America’s War: Talking About the Civil War and Emancipation on Their 150th Anniversaries, a new anthology edited by Ayers. Materials will be provided.
 
Teton County Library Foreign Policy Series

Join millions of Americans, who are gathering in communities, classrooms and workplaces across the country, to discover, discuss and decide their opinions on foreign policy issues from the Middle East's Arab Spring to Mexico's relations with its neighbors. Presented by the Foreign Policy Association, Great Decisions is one of the longest-running, largest national grassroots world affairs educational programs of its kind. 

Beginning January 18, this group will meet every Wednesday through March 7, from 6-7:30 p.m., at the Teton County Commissioners Chambers, 200 S. Willow St.Participants will watch a short video on the week's topic and then join a conversation led by co-facilitators John Hebberger Jr. and David Wendt. No preparation or sign-up is required. Attend as many discussions as you like. For a list of upcoming topics, visit www.tclib.org. Snacks will be provided.

Teton County Library programs are free and open to the community thanks to support from donations, large and small, to the Teton County Library Foundation. For more information on library programs for adults, visit www.tclib.org and check out “Featured Events” or contact Adult Humanities Coordinator, Oona Doherty, 733-2164 ext. 135, odoherty@tclib.org.

Get caffeinated and peruse the art at Cheyenne's Paramount Cafe

Cheyenne artist Forrest King reports that five of his paintings featuring historic Wyoming people are hanging in the new Paramount Cafe, 1607 Capitol Ave. Sip some coffee, peruse the art. FMI: Read more about Forrest and his work at http://www.facebook.com/AlternativeArt

John D. Nesbitt and his horse Pal introduce John's latest western novel

Torrington, Wyoming, writer John D. Nesbitt and his horse Pal introduce John's latest western novel, Gather My Horses. John is a long-time member of Wyoming Writers, Inc.

CIAO Gallery's Rocky Mountain Art Book Collection exhibit opens Jan. 13 in Jackson

From the CIAO Gallery (and thanks for the plug, CIAO):

CIAO Gallery is proud to announce the exhibition opening for The Rocky Mountain Art Book Collection. The exhibition will take place January 13, 5-8 p.m., in the lobby of the Center for the Arts in Jackson. The Art Association of Jackson was kind enough to host the event in their space. This exhibition is sponsored in part by the Wyoming Arts Council.

The Rocky Mountain Art Book Collection is an exhibition project where the participants received a blank art book (8.5x5.5, 20 pgs) to do whatever they please artistically over the last four months. All forms of mediums were welcomed and encouraged and there were no eligibility requirements. This project was not a juried competition (similar to events CIAO has hosted in the past) and it’s not just for artists, it’s for anyone. This project was intended be localized to communities but was also open to applicants internationally.

We received local, national and international entries, including entries from France and Argentina. It has been like Christmas as the books slowly trickle in. Each book thus far is completely unique and inspiring. So far there is a collection of 60 books that will remain on display in the lobby of the Center for the Arts for approximately 3 weeks . 

We aspire to keep the exhibition moving to other venues throughout the Rocky Mountain Region. Next stop for this event will be Merlo Gallery in downtown Driggs. In fact, participants can still purchase artbooks from CIAO to participate in the exhibition in Merlo to take place in February. (Please see our website for more information).

CIAO received a grant from the Wyoming Arts Council to host this awesome event.

We currently have 1000, 8.5x5.5, 20 page notebooks available for purchase @ $25 per. Artists (or whomever) have until January 3rd to do whatever they want with these books (literally, anything you want in any medium). After completion, artists send the books back to us to be exhibited at the Center for the Arts. You can fill out a form online here: http://www.ciaogallery.com/RMAC_Application.php

Facebook invitation: http://www.facebook.com/events/154655894630269/

Call for entries: Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Songwriting Competition

From a press release:

The Oklahoma Songwriters & Composers Association, in association with the Woody Guthrie Coalition, is proud to present the Annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Songwriting Competition.

This international, folk-oriented songwriting contest is held in conjunction with the annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, held in Woody's hometown of Okemah, Oklahoma, each July. This year's Festival dates are July 11-15, 2012. Okemah, the county seat of Okfuskee County, is located on Interstate 40 in east-central Oklahoma, and is 70 miles equidistant from Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Songs should represent the spirit of Woody Guthrie's music and may fall into one or more of these general areas: topical songs about current events, songs containing political or social commentary, folk ballads, songs relative to Americana and related topics, and songs for children and/or pertaining to family life. Both traditional and newer styles of folk are encouraged. Songs must be original and should be copyrighted at time of entry.

Entry deadline: March 30.

FMI: http://www.woodyguthrie.com/2012_Songwriting_Competition.htm

Christi Mitchell workshop on "Creating One-Person Shows" begins Jan. 28 in Cheyenne

CHRISTI MITCHELL PRESENTS A NEW ROCKIN’ WORKSHOP, CREATING ONE-PERSON SHOWS, BEGINNING ON SATURDAYS, JANUARY 28, AND CONTINUING TO MARCH 10, FROM 10 A.M. TO 12 NOON AT THE HYNDS BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN CHEYENNE!

ONLY $100 PER PERSON.

THIS WORKSHOP WILL BE OFFERED THROUGH LARAMIE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S LIFE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM.

ALL AGES ARE WELCOME!

TO REGISTER, CALL (307) 778-1236

Judges announced for 2012 Wyoming Arts Council visual arts fellowship competition

Judges have been announced for the Wyoming Arts Council visual arts fellowships:

NAPOLEON JONES-HENDERSON describes himself as an “Artist, Educator, Activist, and Citizen of the Universe.” He works with a variety of materials to create large sculptures that reflect the African-American experience. He attended the Sorbonne in Paris, received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Art Institute of Chicago and completed his graduate studies at Northern Illinois University. He is a founding member of Africobra, one of the most important visual arts collectives to come out of the Chicago Black Arts Movement. He is founder of the Napoleon Jones-Henderson Research Institute of African and African Diaspora Arts in Roxbury, Mass. He has received the Mayor of Boston Award of Recognition for Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit, the Massachusetts State Senate Citation for Cultural Excellence, and an Award of Excellence from the National Conference of Artists. He has taught in the art departments of several American institutions, including Malcolm X College in Chicago, Massachusetts College of Art, Emerson College in Boston and Benedict College in Columbia, S.C. “My work in its essence is spiritual; meaning-full,” Jones-Henderson says. “We must be about the business of expressing what is beautiful -- ourselves.” 

LEANNE GOEBEL is a Colorado-based arts writer. “Writing about visual art is my passion,” Goebel says. “My goal is to reflect the myriad ways creativity is expressed and to convey the soul of the artist in a way that is accessible to the reader, yet challenges them. Writing about art completes the artistic process by providing an intelligent viewer reaction. I strive to write informed observation and make judgments that are more than just opinion.” She is an award-winning arts journalist and was selected as one of twelve U.S. Journalists to participate in the 2009 National Endowment for the Arts International Arts Journalism Institute in the Visual Arts. She is a 2007 Creative Capital/Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant recipient, a member of the International Art Critics Association (AICA/USA), the National Arts Journalism Program, and the Society of Professional Journalists. Goebel has a B.A. Degree in English Literature/Creative Writing/Art from the University of Texas, San Antonio. She has been a writer and editor for more than 25 years. She blogs at http://leannegoebel.com and http://adobeairstream.com

KAREN ROGERS has been a resident of Santa Fe, N.M., for twenty-three years. A former gallery owner representing the Wyeth and Hurd family of artists for fifteen years, she has also held positions in prestigious art galleries including Gerald Peters Gallery, Allan Houser Inc., Chiaroscuro Contemporary Art, and Zane Bennett Contemporary Art. Ms. Rogers founded Karen Rogers Visual Artist Advisory in 2010. Visual Artist Advisory results from over two decades of Ms. Rogers work in the contemporary art market. Offering administrative support and career development services for artists, the mission of VAA is to cultivate and promote the careers of visual artists in the greater art world. Services range from funding research to placement in residency programs, corporate collections, museums and commercial venues. Rogers provides expertise, contacts, and excellence she has gained as a professional in the arts.

Applications will be mailed on Monday, Jan. 9, to the WAC visual arts mailing lists. The application will also be posted on the WAC web site and on the blog (see sidebar). 

FMI: Michael Shay, mike.shay@wyo.gov, 307-777-5234

Accentrix Horsehair Pottery featured in Wyoming Business Council newsletter

Accentrix Horsehair Pottery is this month's featured Wyoming business by the Wyoming First program (as featured in WBC's January newsletter):

Located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Glenrock, Wyo., Accentrix Horsehair Pottery is owned by Adele Young who creates one-of-a-kind pottery from a small studio in her home.

She mixes her own clay and uses a unique firing process. Each hand cast piece is pulled from the kiln while glowing red hot. Horse hair and other organic materials are placed on the surface and spontaneously ignite. The black designs are the carbon that is left behind. No two patterns are ever alike. Her work includes vases, pots and lamps, as well as statues depicting wildlife, horses and rodeo themes. She also creates lovely hand-loomed knitted items and custom pet memorial pendants.

Visit Adele's website for more information.

Food, arts, crafts and music at Cheyenne Winter Farmers' Market Jan. 7

What: Cheyenne Winter Farmers’ Market 

Where: Inside the Cheyenne Downtown Depot

When: Saturday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m.–2 p.m

Details: The Winter Farmers’ Market offers products grown, raised or crafted within 150 miles of Cheyenne. It will provide an opportunity to purchase locally grown all-​​natural beef, lamb, turkey, bison, farm fresh eggs, honey, along with locally crafted artisan breads, jams, jellies, tamales, empanadas, tortillas, soup and chili, jewelry, natural skin care, handmade wreaths, baskets and much more. Come and stay for lunch, for more information call 307.649.2430.

L.A.’s Artist Bailout: Like bringing Kickstarter to life for one night, plus pie

Cool new way to fund small, innovative community-based arts organization:

Last summer, Nina Becker (above, right) converted her van into a "gigantic pinhole camera." Now she needs $1,000 to use the "VanCam" for five photography workshops with students in Los Angeles. "We wanted to teach kids about photography on a scale that related to their own bodies," she explained to a crowd of 100 potential micro-investors gathered at Human Resources, a gallery in L.A.'s Chinatown, to consider her pitch over slices of sweet potato-bacon and coconut cream pies.  

Becker's organization, The Mobile Pinhole Project, was one of seven local arts groups seeking funding at the third installment of an event series called Artist Bailout, which looks to "democratically fund new work by emerging artists." Attendees donated $10, or more if they were willing, in exchange for dinner and a ballot (GOOD matched donations with a $1,000 check). At the end of the night, participants cast votes for their two favorite organizations. 

When all the votes were tallied, The Mobile Pinhole Project came out on top, along with Knowledges, a curatorial collective that's planning a weekend-long exhibition in June at Mount Wilson Observatory, a neglected telescope in the San Gabriel Mountains. The winning groups received $1,000 each, with $100 going to each of five runners-up. 

With funding for local arts and community programs drying up because of the economic downturn, the Artist Bailout provides an alternative for artists whose work lies outside traditional funding mechanisms, and gets art lovers invested in their communities. Think of it as bringing Kickstarter to life for a night, plus pie. Elana Mann, one of the event's organizers, said she thought Saturday "went amazingly well... We were hoping to at least make $1,000, so we're thrilled," she said, while handing rolls of 20-dollar bills to presenters claiming their prizes. Past Artist Bailouts have funded projects like Stair Street Ghosts, a walking tour of L.A.'s historic Mt. Angelus neighborhood, known for its staircase sidewalks that typically remain closed to the public. 

With $1,000 in the bank after Saturday night's success, Knowledges cofounders Christina Ondrus and Elleni Sclavenitis only need about $500 more to realize their event. They plan to host installations and film screenings by 40 artists whose work or aesthetic is inspired by astronomy. Ondrus and Sclavenitis hope the event will be the first of many site-specific exhibitions around Los Angeles. "Art doesn't happen in a vacuum," said Ondrus. "It happens somewhere. Not just in a gallery or a closed space." 

From GOOD Magazine. Photo by Zak Stone

Missoula Children's Theatre holds auditions Jan. 9 for Riverton production of "Snow White"

K-12 students are invited to audition for the local production of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” by the Missoula Children’s Theatre.

MCT is auditioning K-12 students on Monday, Jan. 9 beginning at 3:30 p.m. at Ashgrove School for the 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 performance at the Robert A. Peck Arts Center at Central Wyoming College.

Any student wishing to act in this performance or assist in its direction must stay at the audition for its entirety, which will take approximately two hours. There is no preparation required for the audition and there is no fee to participate.

MCT’s residency at CWC is co-sponsored by Arts in Action and Riverton School District 25.

Wyomingarts picked up this listing from County 10 in Fremont County.

Call for entries: Cheyenne International Film Festival

From Alan O'Hashi at the Cheyenne International Film Festival:

The Cheyenne International Film Festival (CIFF) is now accepting entries. This year CIFF has partnered with Withoutabox for outreach and processing of film festival entries. We’re big on good stories, in fact, good stories trump production value.

As usual, CIFF prefers to receive online screeners to cut down on the number of tapes, DVDs cut, plastic boxes, sleeves, envelopes that are wasted as a result of film festival entries. You can upload for free through Withoutabox. Go to https://www.withoutabox.com/03film/03t_fin/03t_fin_fest_01over.php?festival_id=8784

A great benefit of entering CIFF via Withoutabox is, your film gets an imDb page, which is the gold standard with regards to film cred! CIFF fees are pretty low compared to many festivals. We generally don’t give out fee waivers. There are lots of things you can do to raise the $30 pittance – sell something, have a rummage sale, ask your friends and families for $30, cut back on the number of beers or coffees you drink this month.

I know there are a bunch of broke filmmakers out there, but as you’ll note, we are soft on first time filmmakers. CIFF also has the Wyoming Showcase category. If you have a movie about Wyoming, set in Wyoming, or if you’re a filmmaker, director, writer, photographer involved with a movie with or without a Wyoming connection, that increases your chances for CIFF selection.

CIFF also has a Call2ACTion category. We seek films having to do with women’s issues – domestic / dating violence; Native American issues; service veteran issues; films about life and death; and uplifting stories about people moving themselves out of poverty.

The movies are screened by a group of judges consisting of movie fans, producers, writers. Like all film festivals we make no apologies for the films that get selected for screening.

Dan Hayward's Kickstarter project raises funds for "Crow Tribal Photographs, Then and Now"

Call for entries: Open Window literary magazine, issue two

Lori Howe posted this on Facebook:


Open Window is now calling for submissions for Issue 2, which is due out in late April/early May. Our call for this issue is longer than on Issue 1, thankfully. Please send:
up to three poems, unless they are epic-length;
up to 10 pages of fiction or non-fiction;
attachments of original artwork and photography;
a complete bio (if you are uncertain how to structure your bio, please see the bios page on the first Issue of Open Window) with a photograph of yourself as an additional attachment. 

We charge NO reading or submissions fees at Open Window. We do not accept:
rhyming poetry;
children's literature;
erotica;
hate-related writing of any kind;
previously published work of any kind.

Please submit your work to openwindow.howe78@gmail.com by March 12, 2012. If you have any questions, please send a query email to Lori Howe, EIC, Open Window, at the same address. 

Call for proposals: Teton County Library public art project

The Board of the Teton County Library announces a request for qualifications for the fabrication and installation of a site-specific work for the library lobby. Qualifications are due on Feb. 15 2012. Three artists will be selected to visit the site, interview with the Selection Panel and receive a stipend to prepare a conceptual design. From the group of finalists, one artist will be awarded $65,000 to create and install a new work in November 2012, depending on the construction schedule and available funds.

“Artwork for the entryway will be intellectually stimulating -- like a good book -- and invite various levels of understanding on the part of the many different patrons. The artwork will suggest that you discover something new every time you visit the library.”

Information & Request for Qualifications Packet

Artists interested in submitting proposals can visit the Western States Arts Federation CAFÉ site www.callforentry.org.

Contact: 

Carrie Geraci 

307-413-1474

homeranchart@gmail.com 

For general information about the library’s public art project, visit www.tclib.org/addition. Or visit jhpublicart.org.

Young Riverton man with autism creates Autisticks, the city's latest arts-based business

Leonard Williams colors a walking stick in his Riverton bedroom. Williams, who was diagnosed with autism as an infant, started creating walking sticks as a hobby. As people began to request his creations, he opened a business called Autisticks. Each stick he creates is different. Photo by Kelsey Dayton, Casper Star-Tribune. Read the entire article here. Listen to Riverton Radio interview here. 

Face of Jesus appears on trailer park refrigerator; hilarity ensues in CLTP's first play of 2012

Book your seats now for CLTP's hilarious production of

Messiah on the Frigidaire
Directed by Dave Gaer

The small town of Elroy, South Carolina is thrust into the middle of a media frenzy when the face of Jesus appears on a refrigerator in a trailer park. When Lou Ann, her husband Dwayne and best friend Betsy become the center of the evangelical spotlight, their relationships are put to the test, proving God moves in truly mysterious ways.

Performance Dates: January 20 & 21 and 26-28, 2012 @ 7:30 p.m.; January 22 & 29, 2012 @ 2:00 pm, at the Historic Atlas Theatre in downtown Cheyenne. Special Thursday night $10 discount performance on January 26, 2012 @ 7:30 pm.

Call 307-638-6543 or book online at www.cheyennelittletheatre.org

NPR's Health blog: Singing therapy is proving effective for stroke patients

Laurel Fontaine, 16, (left) and her twin sister Heather. When Laurel was 11 years old, she suffered a stroke that destroyed 80 percent of the left side of her brain. The singing therapy helped her regain the ability to speak. 

From "Shots," NPR's Health blog:

Debra Meyerson was hiking near Lake Tahoe 15 months ago when a stroke destroyed part of the left side of her brain, leaving her literally speechless. It happens to more than 150,000 Americans a year. 

But now Meyerson is learning to talk again through an approach that trains the undamaged right side of her brain to "speak." Specifically, it's a region that controls singing.For more than 100 years, it's been known that people who can't speak after injury to the speech centers on the left side of the brain can sing. 

In the 1970s, Boston researchers started to use a sort of "singing therapy" to help stroke survivors speak again. 

However, it never caught on much – perhaps because a lot of therapists, not to mention patients, weren't comfortable singing what they wanted to say. And back then, the science wasn't advanced enough to show the actual changes in the brain that result from the therapy. 

That's changing fast.