Arts career summit for people with disabilities

From a National Endowment for the Arts press release:

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

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

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

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

Travis Ivey at KEAG Gallery through Aug. 1

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

WYO Theater presents acoustic Steve Earle

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

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

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

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

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

Sign of the times: book fair to charge admission

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

This article comes from Publishers Lunch Daily:

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

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

FMI: Miami Herald

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

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

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

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

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

Here's info from the ARTCORE web site:

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

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

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

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

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

Preparing for Wyoming Plein Air Event

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

Women's Photography Show reception July 10

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

The exhibition runs through Friday, July 17.

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

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

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

Call for entries: HeART of Sublette County

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

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

FMI: heartofsublettecounty@gmail.com or 307.749.6956.

Snowy Range Dance Festival begins July 15

From a UW press release:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Catch Craig in Wheatland & Douglas tonight

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

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

Flood recovery update from Nicolaysen

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

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

FMI: 307-235-5247.

Juan Laden photography in Michigan show

Lander photographer Juan Laden sends this news:

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

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

Spencer Bohren returns to Wyoming this fall

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Call for proposals: Helena public art project

From the Montana Arts Council blog:

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

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

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

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

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

Wyoming musicians: send your CDs to Grady

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We're cleaning up after storm.

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

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

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

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

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

Wind-powered art -- and music

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

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

Wyoming "Power Tourist" inks book deal

This good news comes from Laramie writer Julianne Couch:

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

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

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

Stone preservation workshop July 30 in Casper

From a Wyoming Stat Parks and Cultural Resources press release:

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

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

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

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