WAC roster artist Jenny Dowd conducts workshop at Lander Art Center May 14-15

Song-writing workshop with Miss "V"

Miss "V" The Gypsy Cowbelle will teach a song-writing workshop May 20-22 at the Miner's Delight Bed & Breakfast in Atlantic City.

Registration is limited to 16 students. Workshop-only fee: $150. Workshop and lodging fee: one person: $315 in a room or $285 in a cabin. For two attendees who desire to share a room or cabin, call us for rates. The lodging fee includes breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday's lunch and dinner are not included, but are available within walking distance. For more information, contact Barbara and Bob Townsend at 307-332-0248 or bandb@minersdelightinn.com, or “V” at 307-231-9252 or gypsycowbelle@gmail.com.

Editor's note: Let me say that "V" is one heck of a song-writer. She's been doing it now for over fifteen years, and can craft a song lyric with the best of them. I had a chance to listen to her newest songs,(she's in the process of recording a new CD), and they are a nostalgic reflection of her life at this point in time. --Linda

Lander Art Center sponsors Jenny Dowd workshop

"Shelf 1 and 2," Jenny Dowd, Porcelain, mixed media, 23 x 20 x 4, 2008

The Lander Art Center is sponsoring the following workshop:

Non-Traditional Surface Design on Clay
Two-Day Workshop with Jenny Dowd

Explore non-glaze related surfaces and finishing techniques for bisqueware with a goal of exploring surface options for non-utilitarian sculpture. Using a variety of non-traditional materials such as tea, graphite, gesso, and wax, a surface will be built up then layered and rubbed through to create atmospheric painterly surfaces. Painting and drawing techniques will be used as well as wax transfer and other transfer methods. These unique and varied surfaces will be able to find their way into a variety of work.

Instructor: Jenny Dowd (WAC roster artist)
Fee: $60 (supplies included)
Date: May 14-15, 2011
Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

In Memoriam: Locke Hamilton

Locke Hamilton (photo by Earl Sampson)

It is with sadness that the Wyoming Arts Council notes the passing of musician Locke Hamilton of Dubois. Audiences throughout Wyoming and the West know her as a member of Prickly Pair & the Cactus Chorale. The group has been on the Wyoming Arts Council artist roster for many years. Here is the notice about Locke's death as it appeared on the Davis Funeral Home web site:

Locke Hamilton died at her home in Dubois on April 7, 2011. She was 58.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held this summer.

Locke Hamilton was born June 16, 1952 in Philadelphia, Pa. to Joseph and Charlton Corson.

She married Les Hamilton on Dec. 31, 1996, in Lander, Wyo.

Mrs. Hamilton was a world class equestrian trainer and competitor.

She performed with her husband, Les, and Norman Winter as the Prickly Pair and the Cactus Chorale. Musical achievements include winning the Western Music Association’s Marilyn Tuttle Best of the Best 2009 Harmony Award and the 2010 Award for Best Traditional Album by a Duo or Group for their album “Romance With the Range.” Six of the trio’s eight albums charted nationally on Americana Folk Radio and were rated in the top 10 for well over a decade in the Western Music genre.

She also won the Christian Music Association’s Album of the Year award for her mid 90s release “God’s Country.”

Her family said her whole life was music and horses.

She is survived by her husband Leslie Hamilton of Dubois; daughter Tara Golliher of Dubois; her father, Dr. Joseph Corson of Pa.; brother Bill Corson and sister Dr. Ann Corson, both of Pa.; stepson Shad Hamilton and his wife Amanda and their children of Lander; stepdaughter Hope Hamilton of Va.; close friend and band member Norman Winter of Dubois.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Charlton Corson, and brother Ted Corson, both of Pa.

Memorial donations to help offset medical costs may be made to Les Hamilton, 605 East Fork Road, Dubois, WY 82513.

Judith Weikle & Friends perform in Celtic Music Concert in Jackson

Celtic Music Concert on St. Patrick's Day Thursday, March 17, at the Teton County Public Library in Jackson. With Wyoming Arts Council roster artist Judith Weikle and Friends. FMI: Teton County Library Events

Miner's Delight Inn B&B hosts songwriting workshop May 20-22 with Miss "V" The Gypsy Cowbelle

Miss "V" The Gypsy Cowbelle called today to tell us about her upcoming events. One of the most intriguing is a songwriting workshop she will teach May 20-22 at the Miner's Delight Bed & Breakfast in Atlantic City. The Miner's Delight Inn B&B is owned by two fine entrepreneurs and writers, Barb and Bob Townsend, who have also helped put together a writing group in tiny Atlantic City. This workshop looks like a fine collaboration between Wyoming's most unique B&B and one of the Wyoming Arts Council's talented roster artists. Here are the details:

THE ESSENTIALS OF SONGWRITING: An Interactive Weekend Workshop with Miss "V" The Gypsy Cowbelle

Let the artist inside you emerge as you take a memorable and enriching creative journey with Miss “V” The Gypsy Cowbelle. Hailed as "the quintessential Wyoming singer/songwriter" (Virginia Moore, Wyoming PBS), “V” has designed a workshop to help students engage the creative process and develop the art of conveying ideas and emotions. The workshop is an excellent forum for beginners interested in introductory songwriting, as well as those who wish to hone lyricism and polish their current repertoire.

The weekend event will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, May 20, at Miner’s Delight Inn Bed & Breakfast in Atlantic City, Wyo., with a light-refreshment reception and private concert. On Saturday students will participate in a day-long "Essentials of Songwriting" workshop focusing on: selecting a topic; developing song structure; writing by ear; using artistic language to paint a picture, and adapting music to lyrics. Light refreshments will be available throughout the day.

Saturday evening, “V” will lead a song circle, where students will have the opportunity to perform their own songs and receive feedback from the instructor and fellow participants. A cash bar and light refreshments will be available.

The weekend concludes Sunday morning with an "Introduction to Homemade Instruments" workshop. “V” will discuss the creation of her original Plank Banjo and other assorted homespun instruments and encourage students to participate in a farewell hoedown.

“Nothing fancy but guaranteed authentic," The Gypsy Cowbelle has been recording and performing her original songs throughout the western states for more than a decade. She has been accepted onto the Wyoming Arts Council Artist Roster and was included in the Wind River Music Showcase, a concert series to be aired on Wyoming PBS in March 2011. She has performed on such stages as the 10-Year Celebration for the Wyoming Women’s Foundation, the Nowoodstock Music Festival in Ten Sleep, Wyo., Gold Rush Days in South Pass City, Wyo., and at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nev. She was a semi-finalist in a national talent contest and has produced three original CDs.

V’s engaging perspective on life and inspiration for many of her folk songs and ballads stems from two decades spent roving America and living on a remote Wyoming homestead ranch.

Original hotel in Atlantic City that's now a B&B

Registration is limited to 16 students. Workshop-only fee: $150. Workshop and lodging fee: one person: $315 in a room or $285 in a cabin. For two attendees who desire to share a room or cabin, call us for rates. The lodging fee includes breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday's lunch and dinner are not included, but are available within walking distance. For more information, contact Barbara and Bob Townsend at 307-332-0248 or bandb@minersdelightinn.com, or “V” at 307-231-9252 or gypsycowbelle@gmail.com. Listen to The Gypsy Cowbelle at www.myspace.com/gypsycowbelle.

Photo caption: Miss “V” The Gypsy Cowbelle with her handmade plank banjo and a few of the other instruments she plays.

COW Radio hosts a Stay at Home Benefit Concert for Locke Hamilton of Prickly Pair

This comes from Andy and Jim Nelson at Clear Out West (COW) Radio out of Pinedale:

Being aware of the need to help folks around us that are experiencing trials or tragedy, we developed the concept of the Stay-at-Home Benefit Concert with help from our good friends at www.CowboyPoetry.com. This is a special concert in which you can stay at home and enjoy without spending any money. With that in mind, you are now free to donate any amount of money that you may have spent in travel, food, tickets, and lodging to this worthy cause. Enjoy the show and thank you for willingness to help others.

Stay at Home Benefit Concert for Locke Hamilton

Listen to our special Stay-at-Home Benefit Concert here:

Listen to Part 1
Listen to Part 2
Listen to Part 3
Listen to Part 4

Our good friend and extremely talented musician Locke Hamilton is having heart problems and has also had surgery to remove a cancerous growth on her tongue. With these ailments, the medical bills are adding up quickly. Here is our opportunity to help out, please send what you can afford:

Make checks payable to The Prickly Pair, and mail them to Norman Winter, PO Box 272, Dubois, WY 82513, or you can make a contribution by credit card at The Prickly Pair website here: www.thepricklypair.com 

Thank you so much for your generosity. Together we can help those we care for.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Prickly Pair and the Cactus Chorale are long-time members of the Wyoming Arts Council's artist roster. Please contribute what you can. And get well soon, Locke!

Explore Dreamtime and Aboriginal art with Paul Taylor and Yidumduma Bill Harney

Yidumduma Bill Harney

At the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson:

First Sundays Celebration: Explore Dreamtime, Aboriginal Designs, with Paul Taylor and Yidumduma Bill Harney
Sunday, February 6
11:00AM – 5:00PM Free for area locals!
1:00 – 2:00PM Art Project: Australian Aboriginal Designs
Chrystie and Esperti classrooms
This month, children are invited to color lizards, birds, and snakes in the style of Australian aboriginal art. The aboriginal people of Australia have expressed themselves through a form of geometric painting for thousands of years. These paintings tell the stories of dreamtime, myths of spirituality, community, and survival. Contact Jane Lavino or call (307) 732-5417 for details.

Paul Taylor and student

Community Performance Series: Paul Taylor and Yidumduma Bill Harney
Sunday, February 6
2:00 – 3:00PM
Cook Auditorium
Free for area locals!
Yidumduma Bill Harney is one of the last living Elders to grow up in the full ceremonial tradition of his people in Northern Australia. Harney teams up with Australian storyteller, musician, and honorary tribal member Paul “Walking Stick" Taylor, a member of the Wyoming Arts Council artist roster, for a performance of storytelling, native percussion, songs, and haunting didgeridoo music. They will share the essence of their homeland as they explore seasonal change and rhythms in honor of our Change of Seasons exhibition. Contact Jane Lavino or call (307) 732-5417 for details.

Chainsaw artist Roy Pilcher to create sculpture at Cheyenne Botanic Gardens on Sept. 25

Wyoming Arts Council roster artist Roy Pilcher will create a chainsaw sculpture on Saturday, September 25, for the Paul Smith Children's Village at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. The action begins at 1 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Pick up today's issue of the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle to read a profile of Roy and his work.

Labor-Less Music Fest Sept. 4 in Cody

Miss V the Gypsy Cowbelle called us from the wilds of Cora, Wyoming, with this news:

A new music festival kicks off Labor Day weekend events in Cody Country on Saturday, Sept. 4.

The Labor-Less Music Fest offers music enthusiasts a full day of free music in downtown Cody at the City Park band shell. Entertainment begins at 9 a.m. and continues nonstop until 10 p.m.

The festival highlights local and regional musicians The Paris Family, The Rewinders (Lovell), Samantha Rawlings & Friends, Miss “V” the Gypsy Cowbelle (Cora -- shown in photo), Sage Crik Entourage, and Jeff Troxel & Trevor Kreiger. The day culminates with special guests The Hot Seats, a bluegrass stringband from Richmond, VA (see http://thehotseats.net/ for more information).

Event organizers hope this first-ever event can turn into an annual tradition, capping the busy tourism season and keeping locals and travelers close to town on the holiday weekend.

“Anytime you have local talent and entertainment in Cody you’re going to have an enjoyable time,” shares Samantha Rawlings who will perform acoustic music solo and with a variety of other musician friends at the festival. “It’s great, too, to have it on a holiday when people are still around.”

The City of Cody has offered FREE Summer Concerts in the Park for many years with great attendance and interest from both residents and visitors to our community. This year the concert committee was contacted by several performers from outside the region interested in performing at our City Park venue. The committee decided to expand the concert offerings and musical variety based on that interest.

In addition, the committee applied for funding through the Wyoming Arts Council and was graciously awarded two grants which will help fund the new Labor-Less Music Fest. Other festival sponsors include the Park County Travel Council, Prevention and Wellness Department of West Park Hospital, and many generous local donors. We are very grateful to everyone for their very generous support of live music in our community!

The Cody event committee encourages festival goers to take advantage of other activities in Park County and check out Meeteetse’s 98th Annual Labor Day Celebration. Head to the small burg just south of Cody September 4th through 6th for a street dance, rodeo, parade, Absaroka Mountain Run, and more! Find out why they ARE Meeteetse! Yee Haw! For details, contact the Meeteetse Visitor’s Center at 307-868-2454 or www.meeteetsewy.com.

For more information about the Labor-Less Music Fest or any of the Concerts in the Park series, please contact Amy Quick at 307-587-0400 or amyt@cityofcody.com. You can also visit the City’s website at http://www.cityofcody-wy.gov/ for updates.

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.

Bryan Ragsdale performs tonight at Buffalo Ridge in Cheyenne

This comes to us from WAC roster artist Bryan Ragsdale:

Just wanted to let you guys know that I playing tonight at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School in Cheyenne at 7 p.m. as a part of the all-kids Wyoming Christmas tree CD that is going with the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree to Washington, D.C. Buffalo Ridge is the eighth school we have done so far and we have seven more around the state. Come out, and be a part of the coolest project I have been a part of. It is free, and should be a great time.

For more about Bryan, go to www.bryanragsdale.com

You can apply for a WAC Arts Across Wyoming grant to bring Bryan to your community. More info on the WAC web site.

UW one step closer to new visual arts facility

From a May 7 UW press release:

The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees today (Friday) approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for construction of a Visual Arts Facility.

Trustees approved a GMP of $26.674 million, as proposed by GE Johnson Construction Inc., the project's construction manager-at-risk. A GMP ensures the costs of the project will not exceed the agreed-upon price.

The trustees' approval will allow construction of the facility to begin in August, with completion scheduled 18 months after construction begins. The Visual Arts Facility will be located east of the Centennial Complex building that houses the UW Art Museum and American Heritage Center. It will replace overcrowded and out-of-date facilities for visual arts and will include studios for ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking, graphic design, art history and sculpture.

The Wyoming State Legislature approved issuing revenue bonds for the project not to exceed $33 million, to be paid for by UW's share of federal mineral royalties, which are restricted by law to use for capital facilities purposes.

Wyoming PBS sponsors Wind River Music Showcase in Lander

From the Wind River Music Showcase web site:

Music is integral to every culture, and with its independent spirit and unique history, Wyoming has its own unique flavor of talented musicians in many genres. Please join us for this four part music series featuring Wyoming musicians performing live at the Museum of the American West in Lander!

Hosted by Wyoming Public Radio’s music director Grady Kirkpatrick, the show celebrates the talent of musicians whose music tells the story of Wyoming’s people. The television series will air in November 2010. Don’t miss your opportunity to hear fantastic live music, get a chance to be on television, and support Wyoming PBS all at the same time!

Showcase Lineup:

Saturday, May 8th, 7:00 pm: Michael Hurwitz (shown in photo) & the Aimless Drifters with opening act “V” the Gypsy Cowbelle

Saturday, June 26th, 7:00 pm: The Teka Brock Band with opening act Jared Rogerson

Saturday, July 17th, 7:00 pm: Anne and Pete Sibley with opening act Doug Andrews

Thursday, July 29th, 7:00 pm: The Jalan Crossland Band with opening act J. Shogren

Presented By, Wyoming PBS, committed to producing the music series because it fulfills an important aspect of their mission - to provide a “cultural resource dedicated to enriching the lives of Wyoming people through telecommunications and other related services.” The Wind River Music Showcase will bring Wyoming music to viewers who might never have the opportunity to hear and see that music in person.

FMI: http://www.wyoptv.org/musicshowcase/

Editor's Note: Mike Hurwitz, Miss "V" the Gypsy Cowbelle and Doug Andrews are Wyoming Arts Council roster artists. Support local music by bringing them to your community through a WAC Arts Across Wyoming grant.

Introducing our final two new roster artists

Win Ratz – enameler
Cheyenne
Win Ratz has been practicing the art of enameling for over thirty-five years, as well as working with watercolors, acrylics and collages for fifteen. She is a founding board member of Enamel Guild North East, a member of the International Enamelist Society, the Cheyenne Artists Guild, and the Society of Layerists in Multi-media. Her work has been exhibited and sold at various galleries and museums. Win has taught sixth through twelfth grade students, given public demonstrations and held workshops on enamel techniques, collage and watercolors. She tailors her workshops and techniques to the age of attendees and the time available. Contact: 307-635-7174; e-mail: winorron@gmail.com; website: www.winratzart.com


Jeffrey Tish – theatre scenic designer
Cheyenne
Currently a freelance scenic designer, Jeff Tish earned his B.A. in theatre with an emphasis in scenic design and a minor in costume design from the University of Wyoming. Jeffrey offers workshops to groups and schools in scenic design, construction, prop building, scenic painting techniques and shop organization. He has designed over seventy-five productions in the last twenty years and received the Scenic Design Award at the National Association for Community Theatre in 2007. Jeffrey can travel throughout the state, providing guidance throughout the entire scenic design process for your community theatre or school production. Contact: 307-630-7778; e-mail: jtish52@gmail.com

Deadline June 7 for Arts Writers Grant Program

The Creative Capital/Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant Program supports individual writers whose work addresses contemporary visual art through grants ranging from $3,000 to $50,000 USD.

Writers who meet the program’s eligibility requirements are invited to apply in the following categories:

Articles
Blogs
Books
New and Alternative Media
Short-Form Writing

Deadline is June 7.

For guidelines and additional eligibility requirements, please visit http://www.artswriters.org.

ART WRITING WORKSHOP In partnership with the International Association of Art Critics/USA Section, the Arts Writers Grant Program offers applicants consultations with leading art critics. For more information, please visit http://www.aicausa.org.

New literary roster artists

Jason Joyce – poet
Cheyenne
Jason Joyce received his B.S in business administration from the University of Wyoming (UW) with a minor in creative writing. For his senior honors project, he developed a poetry workshop comprised of speaking and interactive components that brings a fresh and modern take on poetry in the classroom. He has presented his workshop at the Laramie County Library as part of their youth outreach program, to English classes at Cheyenne East High, and at the Teaching Creativity Conference, partnered by UW and Rutgers University. Jason’s goal is to make words fun, get people excited and rejuvenate poetry for his generation. Contact: 307-220-0634; e-mail: jasonrjoy@hotmail.com; website: http://www.jasonrjoyce.blogspot.com/


Rick Kempa – poet and essayist
Rock Springs
Poet and essayist Rick Kempa teaches writing and philosophy and directs the Honors Program at Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs. Drawing on a quarter-century of experience as an educator and professional writer, and a lifelong commitment to sharing his love of the written word, he offers one- or two-day workshops custom-designed to meet the needs and experience-level of participants, working with teens, college students, and adults. Rick offers a publishing workshop, which equips more experienced writers with the tools and techniques for pursuing publication, and gives spirited performances of his own work. Contact: 307-389-3127; e-mail: rkempa@wwcc.wy.edu ; website: www.wyomingauthors.pbworks.com/Rick+Kempa

George J. Vlastos – writer, poet
Casper
Between time spent on his family’s olive farm on Crete, teaching language arts at Star Lane Center, an interdisciplinary problem-based high school in Casper, and his duties as
Young Authors District Coordinator for the Natrona County School District, George Vlastos writes poetry. He has published several collections, including Strophe (1997), Dreams, Grotesques & Hours (2003) and 9 Cross Sections (2005). Previously in WordBand, a former WAC roster artist literary group that performed choral poetry, George approaches the “mythic procession of community and culture” in his workshop presentations, and “the processes necessary to move from thought to written expression.” Contact: 307-237-1031; e-mail: George_Vlastos@ncsd.k12.wy.us