Deborah Brevoort wins University of Wyoming's 2011 "Essays on Theatre" competition

From a UW press release:

New York playwright and librettist Deborah Brevoort is the winner of the University of Wyoming's national 2011 Amy and Eric Burger Essays on Theatre competition.

The winning essay, "On Literary Activism," has been selected for the $2,500 annual prize. The head of the national adjudicating team, Jim Volz, president of Consultants for the Arts, says, "This engaging essay discusses the complicated relationship between political activism and playwriting and the persuasive power of the pen."

"This nationally-advertised competition sparked entries from throughout America and it's great that Ms. Brevoort continues to impact the American theatre with her plays and writings about the theatre," says Gracie Lawson-Borders, UW College of Arts and Sciences associate dean.

Brevoort is an alumna of New Dramatists and is best known for "The Women of Lockerbie," which won the Kennedy Center's Fund for New American Plays Award and the silver medal in the Onassis International Playwriting Competition. Her other plays include "The Poetry of Pizza, The Blue-Sky Boys" and "The Velvet Weapon."  Her new play "The Comfort Team" will premiere at the Virginia Stage Company in 2012.

Brevoort has an MFA in playwriting from Brown University and an MFA in musical theatre writing from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where she currently teaches. Brevoort also teaches in the MFA creative writing program at Goddard College in Vermont and in the graduate playwriting program at Columbia University in New York.

"The high profile University of Wyoming arts competition is intended to inspire students, faculty and theatre and drama professionals to pursue their literary talents and reward talented authors who write on any aspect of drama or theatre," says Lawson-Borders.

Unpublished essays may range from 1,800-7,500 words.

The program is offered through a special endowment to UW's College of Arts and Sciences to honor Amy and Eric Burger. For more information, email Lawson-Borders at glawsonb@uwyo.edu .

Arts Alliance of Cheyenne announces winners of 2011 Emerging Young Artist Contest

Harley Yerdon won first place in the 11th-12 grade category for this rendering of a squid's anataomy

This comes from the Arts Alliance of Cheyenne:

Congratulations to the Winners of the 2011 Emerging Young Artist Art Contest!

All winning entries will be on display at the Laramie County Library in Cheyenne from May 11-31, 2011.

One hundred and thirty guests attended the joint Arts Alliance and ASK After-School-for Kid’s art contest reception for the winners of the 2011 Young Artists Art contest at the Laramie County Library.   It was standing room only.  Guests were treated to the toe-tapping music of East High’s Strolling Strings and the wonderful gourmet offerings prepared by Dr. Michelle Aldrich and her class of culinary arts students.   This truly was a celebration of the arts!   Thirty-five winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd place and Honorable Mention) received an award check or gift certificate.

This year’s contest was about using Art to illustrate  a science concept.  Entries ranged from a 3-D illustration of the anatomy of an offshore squid to a depiction of a city of the future.  To emulate Leonardo Da Vinci, the Alliance asked students to put their thoughts and explorations about science down on paper for others to see.

Read the lists of winners at http://artsalliancecheyenne.com/uncategorized/art-contest-for-young-artists-in-laramie-county-winning-entries-listed/

Pam Houston to serve as judge for 2012 WAC creative writing fellowships

The judge for this year’s creative writing fellowships in fiction is Pam Houston.

Pam Houston is the author of two collections of linked short stories, Cowboys Are My Weakness and Waltzing the Cat, the novel Sight Hound, and a collection of essays called A Little More About Me, all published by W.W. Norton. Her stories have been selected for volumes of Best American Short Stories, The O. Henry Awards, The Pushcart Prize, and Best American Short Stories of the Century. She is the winner of the Western States Book Award, the WILLA award for contemporary fiction, and The Evil Companions Literary Award and multiple teaching awards.

She is the Director of Creative Writing at University of California at Davis and teaches in The Pacific University low residency MFA program, and at writer’s conferences around the country and the world. She lives on a ranch at 9,000 feet in Colorado near the headwaters of the Rio Grande. Her new book, Contents May Have Shifted, will be published by W.W. Norton in early 2012. Read more about Pam and her work at www.pamhouston.net.

At the Casper College Literary Conference Sept. 22-24, 2011, Pam will read from her work together with the fellowship winners. She also will conduct a writing workshop.

For more information, contact Michael Shay, 307-777-5234 or mike.shay@wyo.gov, or visit the WAC web site at www.wyomingartscouncil.org. Print applications will be mailed out next week. Printable applications will be available at the WAC web site. Guidelines available on the right sidebar of this blog.

Postmark deadline is June 20, 2011.

Watch Wyoming's Sara Ellingrod in live webcast today for Poetry Out Loud semifinals in D.C.

Sara Ellingrod (center) receives her first-place award for the Wyoming Poetry Out Loud competition  March 1 from Secretary of State Max Maxfield (left) and Wyoming Poet Laureate David Romtvedt.

Sara Ellingrod, a ninth-grader at Arvada-Clearmont High School in Sheridan County, will be representing Wyoming in the national finals today in Washington, D.C. She will be competing against 16 other state champions from the Western states from 5-8 p.m. (EDT) at the historic Lincoln Theater.

Ellingrod will be one of the youngest competitors. She also comes from one of the smallest schools -- there are 23 students in grades 9-12 at Arvada-Clearmont. This is the second straight year that a student from her school has represented Wyoming at the national finals.

Poetry Out Loud is co-sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. In Wyoming, the Poetry Out Loud program is administered by the Wyoming Arts Council. For more info, contact Linda Coatney at the WAC at 307-777-7742.

You can watch the semifinals and finals live by clicking here

FMI: http://nea.gov/national/poetry/index.html#

Fifth-grader from Lander wins Arbor Day poster contest

Wyoming Arbor Day Poster winner (and budding artist) Fiachra Rottinghaus, a home-schooled fifth grader from Lander, poses with Gov. Matt Mead at the Arbor Day ceremony April 25 across from the State Capitol. Fiachra holds her winning poster. Photo by Cathy R. Lujan, PIO, Office of State Lands & Investments

BBHC Plains Indian Museum Powwow celebrates 30th year June 18-19

From the BBHC in Cody:

The Buffalo Bill Historical Center’s longest-running public program celebrates its thirtieth anniversary this June when the Plains Indian Museum Powwow fills the Robbie Powwow Garden with drumming, competitive dance, and the vibrant cultural traditions of Northern Plains tribes. The event takes place Saturday and Sunday, June 18 and 19, with grand entries at noon and 6 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday.

The powwow began in 1982 with just a few dancers and one group of singers who stopped to participate on their way to another powwow. It has since grown to include several hundred dancers—men, women, and children ranging in age from “tiny tots” to golden age—representing some thirty tribes from across the Plains, at least a dozen drum groups, about four thousand spectators, and more than forty arts vendors. Dancers compete for more than $30,000 in cash and other prizes.

Grand entries usher the dancers into the arena with a welcome and an opening prayer, flag and victory songs from the host drum, the posting of flags by the color guard, and a pipe invocation. Competitive dance categories include traditional, jingle dress, fancy, grass, team dancing, tiny tots, golden age, and chicken dance. Spectators are invited to watch the competition and can also visit the Powwow Learning Tipi hosted by Lakota educator Gloria Goggles to learn about powwow dances, etiquette, traditions, and songs. Powwow runs until about 9 p.m. on Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets for the Plains Indian Museum Powwow must be purchased at the gate and are good for one day of the event only. Admission is $7 for adults 18 and older, $3 for youths 7 to 17, and free for children 6 and younger. Historical Center members receive a one dollar discount with presentation of their membership card. The Robbie Powwow Garden is an outdoor grass amphitheater with limited bleacher seating; visitors may bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. each day.

Interested arts vendors and dancers may contact Rebecca West at rebeccaw@bbhc.org or 307.578.4049. For general information visit www.bbhc.org or contact Nancy McClure at nancym@bbhc.org or 307.578.4102. Press passes are available through prior arrangement with McClure in the Center’s public relations office.

Committed to connecting people with the Spirit of the American West, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center weaves the varied threads of the western experience—history and myth, art and Native culture, firearms technology and Yellowstone natural history—into the rich panorama that is the American West. The Center, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily through April; on May 1, hours expand to 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. For general information, visit www.bbhc.org, or call 307.587.4771.

Photo: Men’s Fancy Dancer Corey LeClaire, Lakota/Navajo from Durango, Colorado, dances at the 2010 Plains Indian Museum Powwow. Photo by Ken Blackbird.

Postmark deadline April 25 for performing arts fellowships

Monday, April 25, is the postmark deadline for the Wyoming Arts Council performing arts fellowships in music composition.

This competition is open to Wyoming performing artists only.

Find a printable application at http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/Artists/Performing.aspx

Call Michael Shay at the WAC at 307-777-5234 if you have any questions.

Call for entries: Emerging Young Artist Contest for Laramie County

The Arts Alliance of Cheyenne and the A.S.K. After School for Kids Program is hosting the first annual:

Emerging Young Artist Art Contest for Laramie County

This first year’s art contest will have a science theme. Draw or depict a science idea, whether existing or something you imagine existing in the future! The sky is the limit. Be creative. Be innovative. Have fun!!

The contest is open to all students and children anywhere in the Laramie County School Districts, grades Pre-K through 12, and home-schoolers. Entries can be submitted in 2D (drawings and paintings) or 3D (sculptures). All entries must be inspired by some aspect of Science. Artists may submit one entry only to the contest. Postmark deadline is April 30, 2011.

Entries are grouped by age and judged against their peers.

Category         1st place   2nd place    3rd place
Grades Pre-K          $15        $10                  $ 5
Grades K to 2         $20        $15                  $15
Grades 3 to 4         $25         $20                 $15
Grades 5 to 6         $35         $25                  $20
Grades 7 to 8        $75          $50                  $25
Grades 9 to 10    $100         $75                  $50
Grades 11 to 12   $100         $75                  $50

For Contest Overview, Official Rules and Entry Form, CLICK HERE.

Call for entries: Laramie Area Visitor Center Photo Contest

Sign up now for the 2011 Laramie Area Visitor Center Photo Contest at http://www.visitlaramie.org/photoContest.html

The contest will run from March 10 through April 29, 2011.  Entries will be judged by a local panel, and finalists in each category will be displayed at downtown businesses where citizens of Albany County will be encouraged to vote for their favorite photo. The photos will be in downtown businesses from May 9 through May 20, 2011.  The voting results will then be used as part of the formula to select the winning entries.  The winning photos will be announced in the Laramie Boomerang during the week of May 23, 2011.

Acceptable entries must be original photographs taken in Albany County in the last two years (from 2009 to 2011).  Entries will be judged in the following six categories that represent the spirit and people of Albany County:  Landscape; Wildlife; Winter Activities; Summer Activities; Building/Museums; and Western Heritage.  Lake Marie and Medicine Bow Peak are in Carbon County, but very spectacular from the Albany side, so photographs taken of Lake Marie and Medicine Bow Peak from the Albany County side will be accepted.

Call for entries: VSA & VW exhibition program

VSA & VOLKSWAGEN: EXHIBITION PROGRAM
http://vsarts.org/x5796.xml
Deadline: June 10, 2011. VSA, a program of the Kennedy Center, and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., seek submissions from emerging artists with disabilities ages 16–25 for Momentum, a national juried art exhibition on display at the Smithsonian Institution during fall 2011. Fifteen finalists will be selected and will share $60,000 in cash awards.

Call for applications: UW's Friday Night Fever Battle of the Bands competition

UW announces an opportunity for local bands to win $1,500 during Friday Night Fever's 2011 Battle of the Bands competition at 8 p.m. Friday, April 15.

Applications will be accepted no later than 5 p.m. Friday, March 25, by e-mail at fnf@uwyo.edu or by mail to Friday Night Fever, Dept. 3625, 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071. All bands are required to submit an MP3 or musical CD demo and stage plot along with the application.

A total of six bands will be selected to compete at the Battle of the Bands 2011 for a chance to win the $1,500 grand prize. A panel of three individuals will judge the competition. Band members wanting to enter do not have to be University of Wyoming students.

For complete rules and the application form, visit www.uwyo.edu/union/cac/fnf/battleofthebands.html .

For more information call Friday Night Fever at (307) 766-6340 or e-mail fnf@uwyo.edu .

Calling all Wyoming composers!

The 2011 performing arts fellowships' application and guidelines are available at http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/Artists/Performing.aspx

This year's category is music composition. The postmark deadline is April 25, 2011.

For more info, contact Michael Shay at the Wyoming Arts Council at 307-777-5234.

Jurors announced for WAC 2011 performing arts fellowships

Applications are open for the Wyoming Arts Council 2011 performing arts fellowships in music compositions.

Print applications will be mailed tomorrow to those on the WAC's performing arts lists. A printable application will be posted on the WAC web site by March 11. Go to http://www.wyomingartscouncil.org.

Postmark deadline is April 25, 2011.

This year's jurors are:

Forest Greenough

Forest Greenough has been a staple in the Colorado music scene since his arrival from Seattle in 1999. Known as a very diverse performer, Dr. Greenough is a regular member of the Fort Collins Symphony, Principal Bass of the Steamboat Springs Orchestra, and Principal Bass of the Strings in the Mountains Summer Festival. He has also performed in various roles with the Greeley Philharmonic, Cheyenne Symphony, and Boulder Philharmonic, and has toured nationally with artists such as Andrea Bocelli. As a chamber musician, he has received commissions and premiered many new works in many genres. Also an award-winning jazz bassist, Dr. Greenough currently plays regular engagements throughout Colorado.

An accomplished studio musician, Dr. Greenough has performed on numerous recordings across the musical spectrum, from contemporary jazz and classical to pop/rock and metal. He has published compositions in both the jazz and classical realms, and has developed new theories on tension-release systems in American Post-Minimal composition.

He joined the Colorado State University faculty in fall 2005. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition from Eastern Washington University, Master of Music in Double Bass Performance, Master of Music in Theory and Composition, and Doctor of Arts in Theory and Composition with a secondary emphasis in Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Northern Colorado.

FMI: http://central.colostate.edu/author/fgreenough/

Christopher Guillot

Christopher Guillot is a skilled composer, producer and engineer. He plays a variety of musical instruments and possesses a truly eclectic musical sensibility. Chris has owned Cherry Sound Studio in Denver for six years where he has helped more than 1,000 artists create their music.

He released an album with two-time Grammy winner Derrick Perkiness in 2007, and is currently working on his next album. He has had a diverse musical past. He grew up in a musical family, and his godfather was the late great Norman Petty, producer for Buddy Holly and Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs.

Chris holds a BSM in Audio Engineering and Music Business from the University of Colorado. Chris developed a highly successful music and music technology education program at The Spot Youth Center in Denver where he helped hundreds of young people learn how to create music and set goals. He now serves as the Art to Action Program Coordinator for flobots.org.

National Museum of Wildlife Art hosts "Snow Critters Contest for Kids" March 6

Above: A wintry exterior of the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson. Below: A polar bear sculpture made of styrofoam by local artist Ben Roth.

From a press release:

Blocks of snow will be waiting for young carvers to try their hands at the frosty art of snow sculpture at the National Museum of Wildlife Art on Sunday, March 6. The “Snow Critters Contest for Kids” will take place on the future site of the museum’s new sculpture trail as part of the museum’s popular First Sundays series. Also on hand to celebrate outdoor sculpture, Jackson artist Ben Roth will create one huge snow sculpture as well as offering snow carving pointers for the kids. Free refreshments will accompany live music from “ski bum rock band” Waist Deep to round out the perfect winter afternoon.

March 6 First Sundays snow sculpture day schedule is as follows:

11 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Museum open and free

1 – 2 p.m.: Kids snow sculpting

1 – 3 p.m.: Artist Ben Roth on site as Waist Deep rocks the museum. Free refreshments.

First Sundays featured artist Ben Roth’s work ranges from two-dimensional pieces on plaster and steel to large-scale sculptures incorporating natural materials like 50-foot standing dead lodgepole pines. Roth’s public art works include pieces for the MurieCenter and FordPark in Vail. The March 6 snow sculpture event including Ben Roth’s appearance is sponsored by Wells Fargo with additional support from the Wyoming Arts Council through funding from the Wyoming State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Jackson band Waist Deep, known for its powerful riffs, top-notch musicianship and meaningful lyrics describing the ski bum experience, features Peter Chandler on vocals and harmonica, Jeff Eidemiller on guitar, Andy Calder on bass and Andy Peterson on drums. Part of the Community Performance Series, Waist Deep’s First Sundays concert is sponsored by Jan and Larry Finch.

First Sundays, which occurs the first Sunday of the month throughout the year, offers free museum visitation to area locals. (“Area locals” include Jackson as well as the neighboring communities of Teton Village, Wilson, Moran, Kelly, Moose, Hoback, Star Valley, Bondurant, Teton Valley, Pinedale and Swan Valley). First Sundays are sponsored by Wells Fargo.Check for details on activities, entertainment, and hands-on fun for kids on the museum website at www.wildlifeart.org, or call 307.733.5771.

A member of the Museums West consortium and accredited by the American Association of Museums, the National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States provides an exciting calendar of exhibitions from its permanent collection and changing exhibitions from around the globe. A complete schedule of exhibitions and events is available online at www.wildlifeart.org. The museum is also active on Facebook at wildlifeartjh and on Twitter at @wildlifeartjh.

Media Contacts: Darla Worden, WordenGroup Strategic Public Relations, 307.734.5335, darla@wordenpr.com; Ponteir Sackrey, National Museum of Wildlife Art, 307.732.5444, psackrey@wildlifeart.org.

Opening reception for Boys & Girls Clubs Regional Art Exhibit is Feb. 25 in Rawlins

Call for entries: The Faces of Migration Student Short Film Competition

The Filmmaking Club and the Humanities Center at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA are proud to present this year's The Faces of Migration Student Short Film Competition held on Sunday, April 10. We seek student submissions from across the world that creatively reference the issue of migration.

The Grand Prize is $1000 USD. Second Prize receives $500 USD and Third receives $250 USD. In addition, all selections will be screened throughout the Faces of Migration Festival prior to the feature length movies. Submission deadline is March 20th. Please visit www.cmu.edu/faces for more information.

The student portion of The Faces of Migration International Film Festival has pushed its deadline back to March 20.

Call for entries: Ohio State University Press

This listing from Poets & Writers (via The Bloomsbury Review):
Deadline: January 31, 2011

Entry Fee: $20

Web site: www.ohiostatepress.org

A prize of $1,500 and publication by Ohio State University Press is given annually for a collection of short fiction. Submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages of short stories, novellas, or a combination of the two with a $20 entry fee during the month of January. Send an SASE or visit the Web site for complete guidelines.

Ohio State University Press, Prize in Short Fiction, 180 Pressey Hall, 1070 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210-1002.

Call for entries: Warren Adler Short Story Contest

Warren Adler
Short Story Contest
Deadline: January 15, 2011
Entry Fee: $15
Web site: www.warrenadler.com/writing-contest.shtml


A prize of $1,000 and publication on the Warren Adler Web site is given annually for a short story. Warren Adler will judge. Submit a story of up to 2,500 words with a $15 entry fee by January 15. Visit the Web site for complete guidelines.

News from Cheyenne Heritage Quilters

Lots of news from Barb Gorges at Cheyenne Heritage Quilters:

We have a new website at http://www.chquilters.org/. We also have a new meeting location. The CHQ annual quilt show will be held Aug. 25-27 in a new location downtown. We have a competition, "Recycle Tradition," which we would like to invite entrants. The deadline is July 18.

For more, check out the latest edition of the organization's newsletter.

Deadline extended: Wyoming Face of Travel

Update from Wyoming Tourism:

That's Right!! Your chance to win $500 CASH and over $700 in conference registrations is still on the table.

We have heard from a few of you... but we need to hear from more... we have extended the deadline to enter the 2011 Wyoming Face of Travel contest to Friday, December 10, 2010.

All you have to do is create a short video about why you are the Wyoming Face of Travel and post it at

http://www.wyomingfaceoftravel.com/ to be entered into the contest. It is so easy even a Wyoming Tourism Deputy Director could do it!

The winner also takes home two free registrations to the Wyoming Governor's Hospitality and Tourism Conference for their employer, a $740 value! So, please encourage your employees to enter. Forward this email to them, post this in your breakroom at the office... help us find the 2011 Wyoming Face of Travel.

FMI: Alan Dubberley, Deputy Director, Wyoming Office of Tourism, alan.dubberley@visitwyo.gov; 307-777-8561.