Functional meets fanciful at "Upcycling 101" in Casper

Wyomingarts had a chance to meet with Casper artist and performer Betsy Bower on Sunday. Betsy's mom, writer Cindy Bower, arranged the meeting as she was wrapping up the annual Wyoming Writers, Inc., conference at Ramada Riverside.

Everyone in Casper was out and about this weekend, no doubt because it was the first good weather of the spring. Betsy had participated Saturday in "Upcycling 101" at the Winter Methodist Church and the adjacent James Reeb Memorial Community Playground in north Casper. When she wasn't demonstrating how to upcycle old wine bottles into drinking glasses using a portable forge, she was peddling her blendercycle. Here's a description of the contraption from an article by Tom Morton in Sunday's Casper Star-Tribune:

Bower had on display a creation that wasn’t particularly useful, definitely not beautiful, but certainly fun. 

She enhanced a child’s bicycle by mounting a blender on a wooden platform on the rear bumper and running a vertical axle from the blender to the top of the rear tire, which would drive the axle to power the blender. Sort of margaritas on the go. 

Forget the margaritas. Betsy spent at least part of the day pedaling smoothies into an eco-friendly froth. Anne MacKinnon's Little Hands organization had several work stations for children and adults at the event. The organization, funded by the Wyoming Arts Council, the Natrona County Recreation Joint Powers Board and AmeriCorps, operates free programs for children 6 and under who, with their parents, learn art. 

She, a few children and a couple of others involved with Little Hands played and created art by smearing thinset mortar — used in laying tile — on a sheet of plastic covering a worn metal patio table. They chose stones, discarded jewelry, lids and other items from a box, then placed them at random in the thinset to create a tabletop.

You can call it upcycling or recycling or reusing. Or just creativity.

BBHC exhibit of arts & crafts from Heart Mtn. Internment Camp opens June 1

View of Heart Mountain Relocation Center barracks, 1942. Photo by Jack Richard. Jack Richard Collection. 

Beauty Behind Barbed Wire: Arts and Crafts from the  Heart Mountain Internment Camp

June 1-September 6, 2011, Cody Firearms Museum Breezeway, Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody

A small exhibit showcasing the craftsmanship of the Japanese-American internees confined at the Heart Mountain Internment Camp during the years 1942-1945 will be on display at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center during this 2011 summer. The exhibit will feature twenty-four arts and crafts objects on loan to the Historical Center from the Heart Mountain, Wyoming Foundation along with another three items from other lenders. Wood carvings, jewelry, needlework, oil paintings, and a doll are among the artifacts in the exhibit.

Through this exhibit the Historical Center aims to call the attention of its visitors to the opening of the Interpretive Learning Center at Heart Mountain on August 20, as well as to honor the artisans who made these incredible pieces. The skill and artistry involved in crafting these objects is outstanding, and the exhibit is certain to be informative and enlightening.

Japan-America Society of Wyoming sponsors Children's Day Celebration April 30 in Laramie

The Japan-America Society of Wyoming announces its fourth annual Children’s Day Celebration on Saturday, April 30, 2-3:30 p.m. at the Albany County Public Library, 310 S. Eighth St., Laramie. Free admission.

Featuring Japanese folk tales, Japanese songs, Origami (paper folding of a Kabuto (helmet), Shodo (Japanese calligraphy), and tasting Japanese foods (cookies and nori, etc).

For more information click here or call 307-721-2580.

SEWIPA Powwow March 26 at LCCC

Call for entries: UUCC "Spring Into Art" show

Calling all Artists & Crafters & Makers of Unique & Hand-crafted Specialties!
Spring into Art Show & Sale 2011 on May 6th & May 7th, 2011
Friday 4:30 – 6:30 pm  and Saturday 9 am – 6 pm

Booths available for May show & sale at Unitarian Universalist Church of Cheyenne Social Hall, 3005 Thomes Avenue, Cheyenne

Open to all artists, craftspeople and other vendors of hand-made wares.
Booth and/or table fee $ 60. and shared booths for $80.
Reservation forms & fees due by April 29th, 2011.

Entry form download: uucheyenne.org/artfest/
or call UUCC office 638-4554

Ways for artists and artisans to help Japan

From Cornelia Carey at the Craft Emergency Relief Fund:

All of us are standing by with great concern as the aftermath of last Friday’s powerful earthquake in Japan continues to unfold. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families as well as those who are on the front lines of the relief efforts there. 

A number of you have written looking for suggestions about where to send contributions and aid. We strongly encourage supporting the first responders and want to pass along Network for Good’s list of some of them: http://www1.networkforgood.org/help-survivors-pacific-quake-tsunami. We have also put feelers out to the arts community in Japan about artists and cultural workers who could use our support further down the line. We will keep you informed about what we uncover. Please also let us know if you have contacts or recommendations for us.

Albin promotes the ag arts at expo March 22

Spring must be on its way! National Ag Day is March 15 and we're in the midst of National Ag Week. The Southeastern Wyoming Home and Garden Farm and Crop Expo will be held in Albin in Laramie County on Tuesday, March 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Prizes given away every hour. Get more information at http://albinwyo.com/calender_view.aspx?id=47, (307) 632-8411 or agrecruit@juno.com. Find more ag-oriented arts & crafts activities in The Fence Post.

Carolina Chocolate Drops and folk artists featured on National Endowment for the Arts blog

This comes to us from Victoria Hutter at the National Endowment for the Arts, the Wyoming Arts Council's federal partner:

In case you haven't had a chance to visit the NEA web site recently, I want to make sure you're aware of some recent podcasts and artist interviews that celebrate the folk and traditional arts. These items appear on the NEA Art Works blog:

*         Audio interview with the Carolina Chocolate Drops (available as a downloadable podcast)

*         Audio interview with NEA National Heritage Fellow and master basket weaver Mary Jackson (also available as a downloadable podcast)

*         Q & A with another master basket weaver, Jeremy Frey of Maine

*         Q & A with the director of the Anacostia Community Museum about their exhibition, "Word, Song, Shout"  about the Gullah culture

  

In addition, an article in the NEA magazine, NEA Arts explores California's Tamejavi festival at http://arts.gov/about/NEARTS/

Winter Farmers' Market features gardening arts and culinary arts and arts artsts

The next Winter Farmers' Market will be held at the Historic Downtown Train Depot in downtown Cheyenne on Saturday, March 5 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

It features local foods grown raised or created within 150 miles of Cheyenne. Also includes arts and crafts items handmade within 150 miles of Cheyenne.

Items for sale include :
Local Honey
Jams & Jellies
Fruit Butters
Winter Squash
Pumpkins
Chili
Cupcakes
Sauces
Bar-B-Que to-go
Beef
Bison
Chicken
Lamb
Turkeys
Tamales
Tortillas
Salsa
Empanadas
Winter Garden Produce
Farm Fresh Eggs
Gourmet Mushrooms
Wyoming-made Baked Goods
Cakes and Pies
Soups and Chowders
Roasted Coffee
Gourmet Pasta
Smoked Turkey
Handspun Yarns
Hand-knitted Garments
Handmade Clothes
Natural Skin Care
Art from recycled glass
Handmade Jewelry
Tole painted items


Sponsored by Wyoming Business Council, Cheyenne Depot Museum, Wyoming Farmers Marketing Association, Wyoming Community Network and individuals who support the local food movement.

For more information call 307.649.243

Crochet across cultures Feb. 1 in Jackson

From the Teton County Library in Jackson:

The Crochet Circle meets at the Teton County Public Library on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 6:30-8 p.m.

Crochet across cultures and learn basic stitches, how to shape a project, and have fun making vests, hats, scarves or flowers with Chilean crocheter Carmen Gloria Rodríguez Sanzana. Bring your own yarn and hooks. Drop-ins welcome. Location: Conference Room. Free. Latino Programs Coordinator, Patty Rocha, 733-2164 ext. 237 or procha@tclib.org. In Spanish and English.

"Wild West Month" at Children's Museum of Denver

In conjunction with the National Western Stock Show, January is “Wild West Month” at the Children's Museum of Denver

Here’s some info:

Saddle up and ride on down to the Museum to join in on Wild West activities and events all month long. The Children's Museum of Denver is stepping back in time to the ol' Wild West where they'll explore what life was like way back when! Yeehaw!

Wintermart Arts & Crafts Sale Dec. 11-12 at UUCC

WINTERMART ARTS & CRAFTS SALE

Opening reception/preview: December 10, Friday, 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Arts & Crafts Sale: December 11, Saturday 9 am - 5 pm and December 12, Sunday 10 am - 1 pm

A few booths are still available for Holiday Gift Market; open to all artists, craftspeople and other vendors of hand-crafted wares. Booth and/or table fee members $50, non-members $60, and shared booths for $80.

Entry form download and information at www.uucheyenne.org/artfest/. For booth/table reservations and information, contact Terry Kreuzer at tkreuzer@terrykreuzer.com or Andrea Heater, Church Administrator at 638-4554 or administrator@uucheyenne.org.

Wyoming Arts Council CAP grant helps fund new outdoor kiln at Gillette's AVA Center

From a story about the AVA Center's new kiln in today's Casper Star-Tribune:

The city of Gillette provided two grants so residents can, for the first time, have access to a large community kiln. The Wyoming Arts Council kicked in a $10,000 grant, and donations to the AVA Center also helped pay for the $28,000 kiln and its enclosure, which will protect it from Wyoming's harsh elements.

"In northeast Wyoming there isn't any place they have an outdoor kiln," said Sandi Aberle, executive director of AVA. "It's a whole new opportunity for potters and students and their imaginations can just explode."

After the kiln is in place alongside the building at the corner of 4J Road and Wyoming Highway 14-16, the AVA Center plans to offer pottery classes that will feature new techniques, clays and glazes. Aberle said the current plan is to fire the kiln about once a month starting in mid-December. The frequency will depend on the size and number of items to fire.

"With that big kiln we open so many opportunities for potters," Aberle said."If you were just putting cups in there, you'd literally be able to fire hundreds of them."

Read the entire CST story at http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/article_6c99f869-1ac9-5b79-8841-ff4bba26e8c7.html

The $10,000 Wyoming Arts Council grant for this project came from the Community Arts Partnership (CAP) category. Get more information about these grants at the WAC web site or by contacting Randy Oestman at 307-777-7109.

Ceramist Connie Norman celebrates the holiday season(ing)

Cheyenne ceramist Connie Norman posted this photo on Facebook, saying that these new salt and pepper shakers were right out of the kiln and she'd post better pictures later. But this is already a pretty good photo. Please pass the salt and pepper in Connie's artful containers. This gravy needs seasoning.

Pinecone Furniture artists featured at Art Design and Dine in Cheyenne Oct. 14

Dale Williams and Jeff Tish of Pinecone Furniture have moved some of their furniture pieces into the Artful Hands Studio And Gallery in Cheyenne owned by Georgia Roswell. They will be some of the featured artists in the Art Design and Dine Art Walk this Thursday, Oct. 14. Come out and see some of their work and support the local arts. Georgia will be on Channel 5 on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 6 a.m., promoting the walk.

FMI: http://www.artdesignanddine.blogspot.com/

More ornaments needed for Capitol Christmas Tree

Calling All Wyoming Schoolchildren. Deadline extended for Wyoming Children to Help Decorate US Capitol Christmas Tree.
The US Forest Service, in cooperation with Santa has issued an important request seeking the assistance of all Wyoming children in the next three weeks to decorate "The People?s Tree" and do Wyoming proud as part of Wyoming's U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree 2010 project.

With the deadline extended to October 22, 2010, schoolchildren from all corners of Wyoming have been asked to help submit handmade ornaments to adorn the Capitol Christmas Tree.

This year, for the first time, the 67-foot tree will be a gift from Wyoming, with 75 accompanying trees, all of which are in need of decoration.

"While we've had hundreds of handmade ornaments arrive at the shop from Wyoming children, we need even more help to make sure the Capitol Christmas Tree looks beautiful for all the other children in the country," said the U.S Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator Mary Cernicek. "I know with the help of our families, teachers and their students, Wyoming can create the most beautiful Christmas Tree in the nation!"

The people of Wyoming will make the 5,000 ornaments used to decorate Wyoming's tree. The ornaments will be 9 to 12 inches tall and must be made to withstand three weeks of harsh winter weather. An additional
1,000 ornaments will be made for the 75 companion trees displayed throughout the Capitol.

In order to facilitate Santa's request, Cernicek has extended the deadline for submission of ornaments from October 8th to October 22, 2010. "We want to do all that we can to be sure Wyoming?s children are able to meet the goal of over 6,000 ornaments by October 22, 2010, said Cernicek. "Not to mention one lucky student's name will be drawn to win a trip to Washington, DC to light the tree."

It is time honored tradition that one lucky child from the state of origin light the Capitol Christmas Tree with the Speaker of the House in front of thousands of attendees in front of the U.S. Capitol.

ABOUT THE CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE PROJECT

The Bridger-Teton National Forest, at the request of Senator John Barrasso, is leading the State of Wyoming in the delivery of the Capitol Christmas Tree for 2010. The Capitol Christmas Tree will grace the west front lawn of the U.S. Capitol in December 2010. The Architect of the U.S. Capitol has already
selected a 67-foot Engelmann spruce from the Bridger-Teton National Forest which will be cut, loaded, covered and prepped for travel in November to Washington, D.C.

In mid-November, the tree will be toured across the state of Wyoming before heading east to the U.S. Capitol. In late November, the tree will be delivered to the U.S. Capitol, where it will be lowered into 5-foot
deep hole, strung with lights, and decorated with thousands of handcrafted ornaments made by Wyomingites from across the State. In December, the Speaker of the House, along with one Wyoming student, will light the tree and showcase Wyoming's historical, cultural and natural beauty.

Through the holiday season, the tree will be lit at dusk, where it will be enjoyed by people from across world. The theme of Wyoming's tree is "Wyoming- Forever West."

For more information on the Capitol Christmas Tree for 2010, please visit http://www.capitolchristmastree2010.org/  or contact CapitolChristmasTree2010@gmail.com, or call Mary Cernicek at (307) 739-5564. Follow the Capitol Christmas Tree on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/BridgerTetonNF.

Mary Cernicek
Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator 2010
Public Affairs Officer
Bridger-Teton National Forest
PO Box 1888
Jackson, WY 83001
307-739-5564
cell 307-413-2481
fax 307-739-5010

Andrea Two Bulls will demonstrate beadwork and painting at Colter Bay Center

Colter Bay Visitor Center & Indian Art Museum on Jackson Lake

From Monday, September 27, through Sunday, October 4, Ogalala Sioux member Andrea Two Bulls will demonstrate beadwork and painting as part of the visiting American Indian artists program. Begins at 9 a.m.,  Colter Bay Indian Arts Museum, Moose. Info: 739-3393, http://gtnpnews.blogspot.com/2010/05/american-indian-guest-artists-program.html. Free, but national park admission required. This will wrap up the 2010 series of programs.

Cody High Style prepares for Rendezvous Royale

In the 2009 Cody High Syle fashion category, Tres Outlaws Boots won the Designer's Choice award.

From a BBHC release:

The Buffalo Bill Historical Center joins artisans and designers who celebrate the spirit of the American West through western decorative arts in Cody High Style: Designing the West.

This year’s exhibition, held in conjunction with the city-wide Rendezvous Royale, is on view September 22 – 25 in the breezeway of the Historical Center’s Cody Firearms Museum. Forty craftsmen display everything from desks and couches to lamps and saddlebags—all with a distinctive western flair. The show is free to the public.

Cody High Style kicks off with the popular “Building Rustic Furniture” two-day workshop on Monday and Tuesday, September 20 – 21, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Master craftsman John Gallis of Norseman Designs West presents this hands-on workshop in his studio where participants learn the basics of woodworking and take home their own handmade projects. All levels of experience are welcome, and since space is limited, registrations are now being accepted. The cost is $300 and includes materials and lunch.

Marge Taylor of Leather Legends invites leather aficionados to make their own leather, fringed vests in her workshop on Tuesday, September 21, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Historical Center. The cost is $100 and includes materials and lunch. All levels of experience are welcome, and registrations are now being accepted as space is limited.

This year’s Cody High Style tour—Thursday, September 23, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.—highlights historic log cabins in the area, beginning with the Joseph Henry Sharp cabin, Absarokee Hut, at the Historical Center. Then, participants travel to several historic homestead cabins around Meeteetse, Wyoming, including the famous Pitchfork Ranch. Space is limited, and registrations are now being accepted. The cost for the guided tour is $100 and includes bus travel, lunch, and guide.

Along with its popular style show, Cody High Style also has several seminars and roundtable discussions that are free to the public:

Sept. 22, 2 p.m.: “Why would a magazine want to do a story on me?” Cowgirl Magazine editor-in-chief, Callan Loessberg.

Sept. 23, 10 a.m.: “Roundtable: Influences of Mastered Style” (historic styles from Molesworth to Roycroft).

Sept. 23, 1 p.m.: “Inspirations of the American West.” Montana Dreamwear designer Celeste Sotola.

Sept. 24, 11 a.m.: “Roundtable: Natural collaboration—defined by our materials.”

Sept. 25, 1 p.m.: “Roundtable: Recycled, reclaimed, and reborn”

A full schedule of Cody High Style events is available at http://rendezvousroyale.org/schedule.htm. To register for workshops or historic cabins tour, contact Jill Oseicki-Gleich, jillo@bbhc.org or 307.587.2619.

Stay current with Historical Center news and activities at http://www.bbhc.org/. 

Handmade/homemade arts & crafts at State Museum Volunteers' show and sale on Saturday

Wyoming State Museum Volunteers, Inc., 33rd Annual Arts and Crafts Show and Sale will be held on Saturday August 14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.., on the Barrett Building grounds, 2301 Central Ave., Cheyenne.

Homemade crafts, only. For more information, please contact Carolyn at 307-632-8244

One of the exhibitors is Pinecone Furniture, co-owned by Jeff Tish, a member of the Wyoming Arts Council's artist roster. Read more about Pinecone Furniture on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001053042731

Cheyenne's Jeff Tish and Dale Williams get "theatrical" with handcrafted wood furniture

Jeff Tish (left) and Dale Williams pose with some of their handcrafted furniture on the grounds of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. Jeff is best known for his technical theatre skills (he just won an honorable mention in the 2010 WAC performing arts fellowships) and Dale is best known for his stage roles with the Cheyenne Little Theatre Players. You can get a closer look at their work on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001053042731#!/profile.php?id=100001053042731