Congress votes for $12.5 million NEA boost

Thomas L. Birch, Legislative Counsel for the National Endowment for the Arts, forwarded this news to all state arts agencies today:

In back-to-back votes on October 29, both the House and the Senate passed the final version of the bill appropriating $167.5 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in fiscal year 2010. The funding legislation agreed to by a House-Senate conference committee earlier in the week set the arts endowment budget for the year with an increase of $12.5 million above the 2009 level of $155 million.

President Obama had proposed raising the arts funding to $161.3 million, the same amount set in the Senate version of the legislation. The House had allocated $170 million for the arts endowment in the coming year.

The appropriations measure passed by the House and Senate also includes authority, requested by the president in the administration's 2010 budget, for the appointment of four additional members to the National Council on the Arts, returning the endowment's advisory body closer to the size it enjoyed before Congress decreased the board's membership several years ago.

The appropriations bill also includes a general provision prohibiting any agency, including the NEA, from any activity, publication or distribution of literature that "in any way [emphasis added] tends to promote public support or opposition to any legislative proposal on which Congressional action is not complete other than to communicate to Members of Congress. . . ." The bill urges the NEA to take immediate steps to ensure that all employees are aware of these provisions when conducting any activities funded by this appropriation. The legislative admonition is in apparent response to concerns raised in recent months by members of Congress and others over efforts by the Obama administration to engage in dialogue with various constituencies on issues of interest to the White House.

The Interior appropriations bill accompanies a continuing resolution to carry seven unfinished money bills through December 18 while Congress continues work to finish those remaining funding measures. The president is expected to sign the bill before the October 31 deadline when the current continuing resolution expires.

FMI: http://arts.endow.gov/

The Wyoming Arts Council receives approximately 45 percent of its annual budget from the NEA. The rest is provided by the Wyoming State Legislature. The WAC budget also includes a small amount of private funds.

Great food, great music, great cause

From a press release:

The Teton County Library and Library Foundation invite you to join in an elegant evening of delicious food, libations and live music by the Pam Drews Phillips Quartet at the Annual Library Benefit at Four Seasons Resort on Friday, December 4 at 7 p.m. in the Cottonwood Ballroom.

Tickets become available on Monday, Nov. 2, at the library’s Front Desk and online at www.TCLib.org/libraryparty. The $100 ticket not only provides a festive evening, it also supports an array of Library Foundation-sponsored events, programs and even green energy at the library.

Only 400 tickets are available for the evening, and Foundation Associate Director Pauline Towers-Dykeman urges everyone secure their ticket now.

“This extraordinary Benefit sells out every year, so please email, text or tweet your friends now, reminding them to get their tickets.”

Donations to the Library Foundation help fund library programs and projects, as well as live events with world-renowned authors. This year, the Page to the Podium speakers’ series presents a free talk with author Barry Lopez on Thursday, December 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Center for the Arts. Tickets for Lopez’s talk will become available on Monday, November 16, with the presentation of a library card at the library’s Front Desk.

In addition to exceptional food and drink as well as the Four Seasons’ legendary hospitality, there will be opportunities to support the Library by purchasing raffle tickets to win a Kindle or by getting some holiday shopping done. “A ‘gift certificate’ telling someone you’ve made a contribution in their honor to the Library Foundation is always the right size and never goes out of style!” says Towers-Dykeman.

For the Library Benefit, a free shuttle will be provided for ticket holders from the Teton Village parking lot to the Four Seasons Resort from 6:45 to 11 p.m. Special overnight rates for partygoers are available. For more information on room rates, please contact the Four Seasons directly at 732-5000.

FMI: Pauline Towers-Dykeman, Library Foundation Associate Director at 733-2164 ext. 217.

State Museum sponsors Halloween for kids

From a SPCR press release:

Children can enjoy a safe and educational Halloween evening while meeting some of Wyoming’s most famous characters at the State Museum’s, “A Night at the Museum,” from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, October 31.

Children and their families will meet a variety of characters from Wyoming’s past while touring the State Museum’s galleries in Cheyenne.

Expected to be on hand during the festivities are a gold prospector and Butch Cassidy. You can also talk to William Ashley about a fur trade rendezvous and visit with many other historical Wyomingites.

During the afternoon, children will get a chance to visit with each character and ask them about their role in the history of the Cowboy State. Each child that talks to a character will receive a bag of Halloween Treats.

This event is for all ages and children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information about this and other State Museum programs, please call 777-7022.

Florence McEwin integrates "the real, the interpreted and the imagined"

"Dancing Partners: Happy Feet," Florence Alfano McEwin, oils on canvas, 46.25” x 46.25”

Green River resident and Western Wyoming College art professor Florence Alfano McEwin is one of the six Wyoming artists featured in the Wyoming Arts Ciouncil biennial fellowship exhibition No.v 5-Jan. 9 at the State Museum in Cheyenne. Florence writes about her work in her artist statement....

Artist Statement: Florence Alfano McEwin

In my series, "The Adventures of Red Riding Hood," I work to integrate the real, the interpreted and the imagined. The works are metaphors of life, re-imagining a child’s tale through reality and humor.

Since coming to life in the interpretation of artist Charles Perrault in 17th-century France, Red Riding Hood herself is a universal image within a morality tale. The wolf is an archetypal element laden with associations and imbued with analogous interpretations from all societies in today’s Wyoming – the wolf is a part of the wilderness in conflict with encroaching development.

Ever present within this tale is the male-female dichotomy considered with a playful twist of angst.

The intaglio prints are produced in variable editions of five to ten using chine colle and collage to embellish and provide an interpretive context that is much like an adjective to a noun, allowing each print to be interpreted slightly differently. The visual source of media images is often the film still, altered and manipulated suggesting another layer of tale.

In the two works in the “Dancing Partners” group, the paintings are playful in application and double entendre.

Big Read applications accepted

The Big Read is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations to conduct month-long, community-wide reads between September 2010 and June 2011. Organizations selected to participate in The Big Read will receive a grant ranging from $2,500 to $20,000, access to online training resources, educational and promotional materials, inclusion of your organization and activities on The Big Read website, and the prestige of participating in a highly visible national program. Approximately 75 organizations from across the country will be selected by a panel of experts.

To download the Guidelines & Application Instructions visit The Big Read website.

The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with Arts Midwest.

"Noite Brasileira" set for Nov. 8 at UW

From a UW press release:

The University of Wyoming Luso-Brazilian Club will host "Noite Brasileira, An Evening of Brazilian Music and Dance" Sunday, Nov. 8, from 6-10 p.m. in the Wyoming Union ballroom.

Tickets, $10 for students and $15 for the public and are available at the Wyoming Union information desk. Tickets can also be purchased at the door the night of the event for $5 more. All proceeds will be donated to the Wyoming-Goias Partners of the Americas' Breast Cancer Project.

The night will feature Samba and Forro dance lessons with Gisele Dias and Afro Brazilian percussion by the group Bloco em Foco. Refreshments will be provided, and raffle prizes will be given out.

For more information, e-mail Dorly Piske at dorlypiske@hotmail.com.

Worland artist influenced by Norman Rockwell magazine covers and life in the Big Horn Basin

"Young American Girl & Her Old Habits," oil and enamel on panel, 24"x48"

The Wyoming Arts Council's biennial fellowship exhibit will be on display Nov. 5-Jan. 9 at the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne. Opening reception will be on Thursday, Nov. 5, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the museum. The event is free and open to the public.

The opening is just a week away. Wyomingarts will feature artist statements and a sample of each artist's work. Today we look at Worland artist David Henderson.

Artist Statement: David Henderson

My work is the exploration of humankind’s inherent self-destructive tendencies and the manner in which we sublimate our violent nature. I am also interested in the laws of attraction and the symbiotic relationships between people and their possessions and their environments, from the absurd and mundane to the absolute and imperfect. It is with these interests that I’ve approached the historic theme of pursuing the American Dream in a continuing series of paintings.

Inspired by the nostalgic and iconic imagery of Norman Rockwell’s Saturday Evening Post cover illustrations depicting American life, I spent the summer of 2008 painting interpretations of the American Dreams of my Worland coworkers, friends, relatives and their children. Two of those paintings are “Self Portrait in Pursuit of the American Dream” and “Young American Girl & Her Old Habits.”

The process led me to this conclusion: For many Americans contending with the callous reality of such issues as economic recession, globalization, terrorism, foreign war, and wild technological advancements, the American Dream is an ethereal tool for survival.

I would like to continue this examination.

Oct. 29 "Stories of the Hunt" postponed

Another casualty of the unrelenting snowstorm:

"Art of the Hunt: Stories of the Hunt" has been canceled for tonight, October 29, 7 p.m. Guest speaker Jim "Tex" Garry made it safely (and smartly) from Cody to Cheyenne on Tuesday. But the Laramie County Library System closed for the day due to snow.

The program is rescheduled for Thursday, November 12, 7 p.m. Please join us then!

Anne F. Hatch, Folk & Traditional Arts Specialist, Wyoming Arts Council

Help wanted: Nicolaysen Art Museum

This announcement comes from the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper:

The Nicolaysen Art Museum and Discovery Center has an opening for a full-time Curator of Education. Duties include developing creative educational programming for all age groups of museum visitors inclusive of school groups, updating and maintaining the Discovery Center (hands-on studio art, 2600 square foot facility), docent recruitment, training, and evaluation, school tour development and coordination, supervision of the school district outreach program, budget management and grant writing. This position will also involve managing the student docent program, Pre-school Picassos, adult studio art workshops, summer art camp, and the Arts Cool after School for teens.

Additional duties:
Serving as the coordinator of the Education Committee, composed of Board members, museum staff, volunteers, and community members and reporting on their activities to the Board of Directors. Coordinating and creating programming related to exhibits, while assisting in their development and fabrication. Performs other related duties, such as service at special events, PR for programs, and exhibit openings, as needed or assigned by the Museum Director.

Qualifications:
Master’s Degree in Art Education, Art Museum Education or related field. Knowledge of curriculum and educational program writing as well as evidence of museum educational models, excellent written and verbal communication skills, a willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed, and the ability to work effectively in both team environments and in self-directed situations a must. A strong interest in Contemporary art, administrative and project management experience, computer proficiency to enable on-line delivery of educational programming for teachers, and the ability to manage multiple projects desired.

Compensation commensurate with experience, starting at $30,000. Interested candidates should mail or email cover letter, resume, and three references to:
Holly Turner, Museum Director, 401 East Collins, Casper, Wyoming, 82601 or hturner@thenic.org by November 30, 2009.

Washakie Museum & Cultural Center Events

Enter Laughing: A Comedy in Two Acts
Classic Comedy Dinner Theater
November 13 and 14, 2009, 7 p.m.
At the Washakie Museum, 1115 Obie Sue Avenue, Worland

Enter Laughing is a play by Joseph Stein and will be directed by Lew MarkleySet in the early days of the Depression, the story recounts the zany adventures of David Kolowitz, a delivery boy in a sewing machine factory, who decides his future is on the stage, despite his family's insistence that he become a druggist. David pursues his dream to an acting school run by a seedy old actor and his femme fatale daughter. The company makes him pay to act.
Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Carl Reiner, it centers on the journey of young aspiring actor David Kolowitz as he tries to extricate himself from overly protective parents (who want him to be a married pharmacist) and too many girlfriends, while struggling to meet the challenge of a lack of talent in 1930s New York City.
After two previews, the Broadway production, directed by Gene Saks, opened on March 13, 1963 at Henry Miller's Theatre, where it ran for 419 performances. The cast included Alan Arkin, Vivian Blaine, Sylvia Sidney, Michael J. Pollard, and Alan Mowbray.
Arkin won both the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play and the Theatre World Award for his performance. Reiner wrote the screenplay for and directed a 1967 film version starring Reni Santoni, José Ferrer, Shelley Winters, Elaine May, Jack Gilford, Janet Margolin, Don Rickles, David Opatoshu, and Michael J. Pollard. Santoni appeared in Kolowitz role, but it did not prove to be as much of a career springboard.
Enter Laughing was revived as a musical in 2008 as an off-Broadway production for a limited run. The New York Times praised the revival as "hilarious."

Théâtre Sans Fil - The Hobbit
Saturday, November 21, 2009
3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
At Worland's Middle School Auditorium

Who hasn’t heard of the superb trilogy of “The Lord of the Rings”? And now, THÉÂTRE SANS FIL has brought to life the story where it all began – “The Hobbit” – the wonderful journey of Bilbo Baggins to a new level of wisdom. This award-winning Tolkien fantasy will have a new, larger-than-life look with THÉÂTRE SANS FIL’s highly successful adaptation that has received standing ovations throughout the world.

Tickets: All Children & Students(K-12) $8.00 Adults &12.00
Tickets are available at the Washakie Museum, Hedge Music, Rocky Mountain Framing, Blue Wire Alltel, Kennedy Ace Hardware, and Worland True Value. Or by phone 347-4102

www.washakiemuseum.org

Festival of Trees - Johnson County Arts and Humanities Council

The Festival of Trees and Live Auction will be held December 3rd at the Sheridan College facility in Buffalo. Donors may set up trees(full size or desktop)and wreaths starting on December 1st &2nd. The public may view the trees and wreaths from noon until 5 p.m. December 2 and on December 3rd from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. There will be a social hour from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. with the live auction at 7 p.m.

Art Show by Tom Spence
At the Buffalo location of Sheridan College
December 3rd, 4-6 p.m. with a reception and book signing

Turned Antiques Etc. Upcoming Events

1 Lower Piney Creek Road, Banner, WY 82832

Enchanted Evening
Friday, November 6th 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Wine and Goodies

A Magical Christmas Weekend
Saturday and Sunday, November 7th and 8th 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Open Every Saturday
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. starting November 7th until Xmas

Always happy to open by appointment!

307-737-2606
www.turnedantiquesetc.com
turnedantiquesetc@rangeweb.net

Stage III Community Theatre Upcoming Events

900 North Center StreetCasper, WY 82601 (307) 234-0946
www.stageiiitheatre.org

Leviathan 99 at the Casper Planetarium
STAGE III COMMUNITY THEATRE and the CASPER PLANETARIUMCELEBRATE HALLOWEEN WITH RARE SCIENCE FICTION WORK

Stage III Community Theatre and the Casper Planetarium will present their 7th annual Theatre of the Mind production for Halloween. Leviathan 99 is a space-going version of Moby Dick, adapted by the dean of American science fiction authors, Ray Bradbury. Performances are October 29, 30, and 31at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. All shows are held at the Planetarium, which is also the outlet for advance tickets. Admission is $6 per person.

Although best known for his science fiction, Bradbury was also the screenwriter for the 1956 film version of Moby Dick starring Gregory Peck. After working on the filmscript, he was so fascinated by the story that he decided to adapt it to a science fiction setting. The result is the story of a spaceship captain obsessed with a giant white comet, Leviathan, which blinded him 30 years before. Convinced that the comet is returning on a collision course that will destroy the Earth, he sets out to intercept and destroy it. Bradbury wrote the story in two forms – a novella which he published, and a performance script which remained unpublished. The show has been performed only a few times since the early 1970’s.

Theatre of the Mind shows take audiences back to the days of live radio theatre – but they don’t have to rely entirely on their imaginations to envision the story. As actors speak from behind the dome, the Planetarium projects visual effects that suggest some of the key images. Student interns at the Planeterium have been working since early summer to create computer animations for the show. Live sound effects (“Foley”) and electronic sounds are also key elements of the performance.

The show is directed by Pat Greiner and features a cast of eight: Bob Price as the Captain, Troy Howe as Ishmael, Mike Baden as Quell, Dennis Rollins, Walter Hawn, and John Leader as the three ships mates, and Ron Richard and Lee Jones Mosser each playing several roles. LeAnna Crockett performs the Foley effects and Corryne Drake creates the electronic sound effects.

For tickets or information, call the Casper Planetrium at 577-0310. This production is funded in part by a grant from the Wyoming Arts Council. The show is approximately 80 minutes long, and is suitable for audiences of all ages.

Sherlock Holmes Returns!
A NEW SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERYOPENS AT STAGE III

Stage III Community Theatre invites audiences to match wits with the great detective as they present Sherlock’s Veiled Secret, opening on Friday, November 6. Written by K.C. Brown, the show is a new Holmes mystery that provides plenty of twists and turns, while remaining true to the spirit of the original stories by Arthur Conan Doyle.

At the opening of the play, Holmes is living quietly in retirement, but cannot refuse one last case, an incident of blackmail. He summons a young sculptress, Violet Sheridan, to assist him. What secret could be so dark, so deadly, as to rouse the indomitable Sherlock Holmes from his peaceful retirement in Sussex? And what do the old detective and young sculptress have in common that they should work together on this case? The show is directed by Stephen Grothe, assisted by Kelly Delap. It features Jim Gunderson as Sherlock and Jessie Speck as Violet, the artist with a mysterious past. Mandy George, Pamela RW Kandt, Rebecca Albertson, Sterling Hurvell and Matthew Stairs round out the cast.

Sherlock’s Veiled Secret is sponsored by Hilltop National Bank and produced with support from the Wyoming Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Performances are November 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 15, at 2 p.m. The show is suitable for all ages. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for seniors and students, available in advance at Grant Street Grocery, Metro Coffee Company, and the Cadillac Cowgirl, and at the door beginning one hour before each performance.

Cheyenne Civic Center November Events

Camelot
November 7, 7:30 p.m.

Little Miss Laramie County Pagent
November 14

Mannheim Steamroller
November 20, 7:30 p.m. -Sold out

Lord of the Dance
November 21, 7:30 p.m. - Sold out

Cheyenne Christmas Parade Concert
November 27, 7:00 p.m.

Purchase Tickets: 307-637-6363
Box Office: 10-5 p.m. M-F, 510 West 20th
www.cheyenneciviccenter.org

Teaching Artist Survey

From the Association of Teaching Artists:

In response to concerns, discussions with teaching artists, and with input from beginning, mid-career and experienced teaching artists, the Association of Teaching Artists (ATA) announces a new ATA survey accessed on http://www.teachingartists.com/or
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=F_2bJJwetasGgrnMZUcqQ99g_3d_3d

ATA's focus in this survey is teaching artists' experiential knowledge. We ask teaching artists to share their knowledge, their stories, and what their experience has taught them.

WYO Theater November Events

Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny
November 4, Wednesday, 7:00p.m.
$ 15 Adult/$13 Senior & Military/$8 Student/$15 12 and under

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia will add to its acclaimed repertory of outstanding childrenís productions with an innovative double bill adaptation of Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurdís beloved bedtime classics, Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny.www.mermaidtheatre.ns.ca

WYO Theater's 20th Birthday Party With
Riders in the Sky
November 10-11, Tues-Wednesday, 7:30p.m.
$27 Adult/$25 Senior & Military/$18 Student/$13 12 and under

The newly renovated WYO Theater reopened its doors on November 10, 1989. What better way to celebrate the 20th birthday than with cake and the superlative Riders in the Sky, appearing at the WYO for the 6th time since 1991. For thirty years Riders In The Sky have been keepers of the flame passed on by the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, reviving and revitalizing the genre. And while remaining true to the integrity of Western music, they have themselves become modern-day icons by branding the genre with their own legendary wacky humor and way-out Western wit.www.ridersinthesky.com

The Hobbit
November 19, Thursday, 7:00p.m.
$15 Adult/$13 Senior & Military/$8 Student/$5 12 and under

Theatre Sans Fil presents The Hobbit, a Giant Theatrical Puppet production based on the book by J. R. R. Tolkien. Who hasn't heard of the superb trilogy of The Lord of the Rings?And now, Theatre Sans Fil has brought to life the story where it all began, the wonderful journey of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins to a new level of wisdom. This award-winning Tolkien fantasy will have a new, larger-than-life look with Theatre Sans Fil's highly successful adaptation that has received standing ovations throughout the world.www.gardnerartsnetwork.com

BJ Tohmas
November 27, Friday, 8:00p.m. $30 Adult/$28 Senior & Military/$20 Student/$15 12 and under

During the four decades B.J. Thomas has performed, he has sold more than 70 million records, earned 2 Platinum records, had 11 Gold records, won 5 Grammy Awards, 2 Dove Awards for Gospel Recordings and 15 Top 40 Pop/Rock Hits including: Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head, Eyes Of A New York Woman, Hooked On A Feeling, Rock and Roll Lullaby, and I Just Can't Help Believing. Thomas has also had 10 Top 40 Country Chart Hits which include (Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song, Whatever Happened To Old Fashioned Love and Two Car Garage along with many other achievements. So get comfy and enjoy a nostalgic night with B.J. Thomas.www.bjthomas.com

Casper Artists' Guild - Upcoming Events

November 7th - Children's Art Workshop by Carolyn Rodgers & Sally Ellis
November 10th - All Membership Planning Meeting 7:00 p.m.
November 8-19th - Children's Art Show with Reception on November 14th
November 21st - Oil Painting Workshop by Ginny Butcher
December 12th - Indoor Garage Sale

For more information
http://www.casperartguild.org/
307-265-2655

U.S/Japan Creative Artists' Program

The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission works cooperatively with the National Endowment for the Arts to sponsor The U.S/Japan Creative Artists' Program. The program provides support for up to five outstanding contemporary and traditional artists from the United States to spend a five-month residency in Japan to pursue their individual artistic goals. The next deadline for this program is February 1, 2010.
Eligible applicants are architects, choreographers, composers, creative writers, designers, media artists, playwrights, visual artists, or solo theater artists who work with original material (including puppeteers, storytellers and performance artists). Multidisciplinary artists and artistic directors of theater or dance companies are also eligible.

The U.S/Japan Creative Artists' Program is extremely competitive; applicants should have regional or national recognition and anticipate a highly rigorous review of their work. Artists should also present compelling reasons for wanting to work in Japan.

Selected artists will receive:
· A monthly stipend for living expenses and a housing supplement, as well as an allowance for professional support services
· Up to $6,000 for round trip transportation for the artist, domestic partner and/or dependent children, and a baggage/storage allowance
· A stipend for pre-departure Japanese language study in the United States

Additional information, including guidelines and the application, can be found at http://www.jusfc.gov/creativeartists.asp.

"Jentel Presents" at Davis Gallery Nov. 3

This comes from Lynn Reeves at Jentel:

Crisp, clear days and frosty nights have welcomed the new group of artist residents from around the country to the foothills in Banner. Jentel is pleased to present this month’s residents in an event open to the public. “Jentel Presents” will take place Tuesday, November 3, 5:30-7 p.m. at Davis Gallery, 32 Main Street, Sheridan. This month’s presenters include a printmaker, a fiber artist, a painter, a non-fiction writer, an installation artist and a novelist. “Jentel Presents” is a community outreach program that features visual presentations and readings by the visual artists and writers at the residency.

Presenters include: Nathan Abel, Casper, WY; A printmaker, Nathan is always searching for ways to connect with a past he doesn’t fully comprehend; Rachel Brumer, Seattle, WA; A fiber artist, Rachel did a short stint with Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey circus and now turns ideas of life into visual art; Lisa Hamilton, Mill Valley, CA; A non-fiction writer and photographer, Lisa focuses on food and agriculture, particularly the stories of farmers; Etsuko Ichikawa, Seattle, WA; An installation artist working in glass, paper and video, Etsuko is a Tokyo native transplanted to Seattle in 1993 and can’t live without making art; Barbara Mehlman, Woodland Hills, CA; A painter, Barbara is endlessly curious about people, thus she has been inspired to travel far, to listen hard and to paint; Alexi Zentner, Ithaca, NY; A novelist, Alexi’s first novel is set in the Pacific Northwest and centers around logging. He was born in Canada, educated in Iowa and lives in upstate New York.

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

The Jentel Foundation offers dedicated individuals a supportive environment in which to further their creative development. While at Jentel, visual artists and writers have the opportunity to experience unfettered time to allow for thoughtful reflection and meditation on the creative process in a setting that preserves the agricultural and historical integrity of the land.

The Jentel Artist Residency Program accepts applications twice a year from visual artists in all media and writers in all genres for a one-month residency. A residency includes a comfortable accommodation; common living, dining and recreation areas; a private workspace and a stipend to help defray expenses during the program. For more information please visit http://www.jentelarts.org/ or call Jentel at (307)737-2311.

See the movie -- but read this book first

Now out in paperback (and just in time for the release of the movie Amelia):

Amelia Earhart: The Sky's No Limit by Lori Van Pelt of Saratoga, winner of a 2010 creative writing fellowship from the Wyoming Arts Council

One of three books in the nation named to the New York Public Library's "Best Books for the Teen Age 2006."

"Amelia Earhart: The Sky's No Limit should be on everybody's reading list, for it reminds us of just how brave America's 'Lady Lindy' was ... Lori Van Pelt succeeds in capturing Amelia's personality as well as those of the many celebrities who surrounded her. This exceedingly well-written tribute to Amelia Earhart portrays her as a true American Hero."
—Col. Walter Boyne (USAF, ret.), former director of the National Air and Space Museum, New York Times bestselling author.

Forge Books 0-765-31061-9