Renowned landscape architect Walter Hood discusses "Art in Public Places" July 26 in Jackson

Renowned landscape architect Walter Hood, designer of the National Museum of Wildlife Art ’s under-construction sculpture trail, will discuss “Art in Public Places” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26 at the museum in Jackson. The event is free and open to the public. Known for his innovative and people-friendly designs of such high-profile public spaces as the grounds for the De Young Museum in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, Hood will share insight into his philosophy about creating multitasking public spaces that are both respectful of the land and rooted in their communities.

In Cheyenne tonight: "The Music of Star Wars"

From the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle:

Toby Rush is set to give his "The Music of Star Wars" presentation, a hit on the UNC campus, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Highlands Presbyterian Church in Cheyenne. By all accounts, prepare to come away with a new appreciation for "Star Wars." 

"But this isn't a straight-laced academic, hoity-toity, bow-tie presentation," Rush said. "We have a tremendous amount of fun. We have a lot of laughs. A lot of it is just enjoying some of the great scenes and the music from those films."

"Star Wars": Behind the music behind the movies - Wyoming Tribune Eagle Online

Trio Fine Art in Jackson offers full slate of summer exhibits

Kathryn Turner

Wyomingarts made the acquaintance today (via phone) with Kathryn Mapes Turner, one of the artist-owners of Trio Fine Art gallery in Jackson.

Wyomingarts has yet to visit this gallery, but will make up for the oversight in two weeks while shepherding the WAC's fellowship exhibit curator around the state.

Kathryn says that there are four landscape painters involved with the gallery (it began with three, thus the name): Kathryn, September Vhay, Lee Carlman Riddell and Jennifer L. Hoffman.

If you're in The Hole this week, you're in luck -- the gallery is holding a reception featuring September Vhay's work on Thursday, July 7, 5-8 p.m. Here's the gallery's full event schedule:

September Vhay

July 7 -- September Vhay
July 28 -- Lee and Ed Riddell 
August 18 -- Jennifer Hoffman 
September 8 -- Kathryn Mapes Turner 
September 9 -- Palettes to Palates 

Kathryn's Wyoming roots go deep. According to her web site bio, she's the fourth generation of her family raised on the Triangle X Ranch in Grand Teton National Park. She's been awarded with such honors as Wyoming Best Watercolor Artist and was included in SouthwestArt Magazine’s “Annual Profile of Young Artists with Promising Careers.”

See samples of her work at www.turnerfineart.com

Trio Fine Art, 545 N. Cache Street, is located four blocks north of the Jackson town square across from the north end of the visitors’ center. It’s open Wednesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Kathryn says there’s always an artist minding the store. What better reason do you need to drop by, say hi and view some fine art?

Gov. Matt Mead presents purchase awards to six artists at Governor's Capitol Art Exhibition

Six Wyoming artists received purchase awards totaling nearly $8,500 during the Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition reception recently held at the Wyoming State Museum.

Following remarks by First Lady Carol Mead (at far left in photo), Governor Matthew H. Mead (at far right in photo) presented  purchase awards to Jerry Antolik of Hudson for his painting, “Mallard;” Sonja R. Caywood of Dayton for her painting, “Evening Cattle on West Pass;” Travis Ivey of Laramie for his painting, “Two Track Morning;” James Kevin Robinett of Cheyenne for his painting, “Brisbee Hill #2;” Georgia Rowswell of Cheyenne for her mixed media work, “She Discovered the West in a Dress;” and Randy Nottingham of Casper for his painting, “Rounding the Hill.”

Secretary of State Max Maxfield awarded the Bobby Hathaway Juror’s Choice Award to Story photographer, Claire L. Leon for her image, “Stained Glass Brook.” The Juror’s Choice Award was selected by exhibition juror, Anne Morand, curator of art, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

This year’s People’s Choice Award was presented to Lindsay Olson of Laramie for her lush photograph “Zamaora – Zamora, Ecuador.”

The pieces receiving purchase awards will be included in the Capitol Art Collection, and are now eligible for display in the offices of the state’s five elected officials. The governor, first lady, secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer, state superintendent of public instruction, Wyoming Business Council and representatives from the Division of Tourism selected the purchase award recipients.

Eat, shop and watch a cool movie tonight in downtown Rawlins

Rawlins DDA/Main Street has been working extremely hard the past few years on its downtown. Tonight, Rawwlins DDA/Main Street and the Carbon County School District #1 Rec Board present Downtown Moonlight Movies, a outdoor movie series showing four films June through September. Tonight’s show at Depot Park, 4^th and Front streets, is the animated feature “Despicable Me.”

This year's movie line-up is:
Despicable Me - June 24th
Back to the Future - July 8th
Jailhouse Rock - July 29th
Happy Gilmore - September 23rd

Movies will begin at dark, about 9:30 p.m. Come down early at 9 p.m. for the costume contest. Dress to the theme of the movie to win Main Street Money, gift certificates good at over 15 downtown businesses. 

Vendors selling food, drink, glow-in-the-dark items and popcorn will be present. 

July 8th's movie showing is in conjunction with SummerFest, Rawlins Jam and Outlaw Show N' Shine. For more information on this great weekend in Rawlins, visit www.rawlinsfest.com. 

September 23rd is in conjunction with state golf and will begin at 7 p.m.

40 years after -- Cheyenne's Class of 1971 celebrates through art

Hynds Building art space, downtown Cheyenne

Class reunions usually consist of picnics and boozy receptions recalling the good ol' (or not so good ol') days. Here's a unique event centered around 40th reunion activities for grads of Cheyenne high schools. Class of '71 grads B.J. Buckley (poet) and Alan O'Hashi (filmmaker) sent me this info:

Gallery 71, sponsored by the Cheyenne High Schools Class of 1971, is hosting an art show and sale in association with the Deselms Gallery and LightsOn! Downtown. It will take place June 21-Aug. 7 at Deselms Fine Art, 300 E. 17^th St., and the Hynds Building, 1608 Capitol Ave., Cheyenne.

The class seeks works from artists who are associated or were associated with the Laramie County School District No. 1 as students or faculty. 

There's a nominal $10 fee per artist. We'll accept up to five entries per artists, however, the number of pieces shown will be dictated by the number of artists who participate. You'll get a chance to determine which of your works will be hung.

Works of art may be of any media. If any of your work sell, there's a 60-40 split with the Deselms Gallery.

Participating artists also may take part in the Friday July 22 Quick Draw event. Artists will set up at the Hynds Building and be provided a painting surface. Open house-goers will get a chance to observe artists in action as they create works of art on the spot. More details will follow. Each quick draw entry will be auctioned off. The proceeds will be spit 50-50 with the artists and LightsOn! Downtown Group, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

How to enter? Download the entry form by opening the "Art Show" tab at http://www.wyocomedia.com/

If you have questions, please email alan@ciff1.com or call 307-509-0182

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.

Call for entries: Lander Art Center juried show

From Dannine Donaho at the Lander Art Center:

At a conference where an artist once spoke about her work in detail, the audience laughed out loud when halfway through she said, "As it turns out, I'm from Pittsburgh." After learning so much about her artwork it seemed perfectly fitting that her large steel sculptures would be influenced by this historically industrial city.

Many of us make an exodus at some point in our lives-- to seek out a life of our own. Those who don't make an exodus might gladly identify with their background. Either way, our roots often appear in subtle and interesting ways even if we don't intend for it to happen or notice until later.

In this exhibition: "As it turns out, I'm from..." The object is to connect your artwork to your roots. The connection may be as simple as the artist mentioned above from Pittsburgh who makes large steel sculptures. Or it may be a connection more direct like painting place related childhood memories or using found objects from your hometown. The interpretation of the connection is in the hands of the artist. Your "home" can be a city, state, country, culture or even a state of mind. 

Whatever the connection, the Lander Art Center wants you to discover it and share it with us. Link for more info: http://www.landerartcenter.com/juriedshow

Michigan researchers find that cuts in arts funding hamper economic recovery

This comes from a story posted yesterday on www.physorg.com

Michigan is hurting its chances at economic recovery by slashing funding for the arts, according to a study by Michigan State University researchers. 

 The study found that arts and crafts activities – such as painting, dancing and filmmaking – are closely related to success of the scientists, engineers and other innovators who create new companies and inventions that stimulate the economy.  

Yet during the past decade Michigan has cut funding for the arts by some 90 percent – from about $25 million in 2002 to $2.3 million this year. In Detroit, officials attempting to balance the budget have proposed large cuts to the city’s arts and cultural institutions. 

 "Politicians often strip funding for arts and cultural assets, assuming they are expendable ‘extras,’ but this may be a serious policy error based on false assumptions,” said Rex LaMore, lead researcher on the project and director of MSU’s Center of Community and Economic Development.

Lights on for LightsOn! June 3 in Cheyenne

www.lightsondowntown.org

Lynn Friess wins IPPY Award for "Western Lullaby"

From a press release:

A Jackson Hole picture book, Western Lullaby, written by Lynn Estes Friess (shown in photo) and illustrated by Barbara Leonard Gibson (Mariposa Ranch Press, 2010), has won a gold medal in the national 2011 Independent Publisher Book Awards. Launched in 1996, the “IPPY” Awards are designed to bring increased recognition to deserving but often unsung titles from independent publishers.  Western Lullaby by Jackson Hole resident Lynn Friess took first place in the category of “Children’s Picture Books (7 & Under).”

Author Friess, a grandmother of 10 and avid art collector, wrote the award-winning Western Lullaby as a bedtime story focusing on the nocturnal sights and sounds of the West, combining the dreamy tale of a little cowgirl’s nighttime surroundings with vivid illustrations by Gibson of the Western outdoors.  An audio CD of the lullaby that inspired the book is included, performed by Wyoming singer-songwriter Marilee Gordon.

This year’s “IPPY” Awards presented gold, silver and bronze medals to winners in 69 national categories as well as regional awards and 12 Outstanding Books of the Year.  Western Lullaby tied for the gold in its category with Henry! You’re Late Again! by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl, illustrated by Brian Barber (Beaver’s Pond Press).  According to Independent Publisher, the 346 medal-winning books for 2011 came from a pool of 3,907 total entries, representing 45 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia, seven Canadian provinces, and seven countries overseas.  A full listing of the 2011 “IPPY” Award winners is available here on the Independent Publisher website.

Western Lullaby was the first picture book written by Friess, a close friend and supporter of the Jackson Hole-based National Museum of Wildlife Art.  In September 2010, Friess published her second picture book, Jackson Hole’s Carl Discovers Wildlife Art, illustrated by John Potter, and written as an engaging way to introduce children to wildlife art and the museum.  The Carl title is the first in a planned series, and proceeds from the book help sponsor programs, exhibits and operating support for the museum.

Media Contact: Ponteir Sackrey, National Museum of Wildlife Art, 307.732.5444, psackrey@wildlifeart.org

Washakie Museum in Worland receives $10,000 grant from National Endowment for the Arts

Washakie Museum and Cultural Center. Photo by David Huber

The Washakie Museum and Cultural Center in Worland is the recipient of a $10,000 Access to Artistic Excellence grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

According to a May 17 NEA press release, the grant will “support a series of visual and performing arts presentations. Project activities will include traveling exhibitions of Norman Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post covers; American Legacy: Our National Parks, On Location with the Plein-Air Painters of America; Montana Repertory Theatre's performance of Doubt; and a music performance by mezzo-soprano Lindsay Craft with the Museum Singers Choir.”

FMI: www.washakiemuseum.org

Cheyenne International Film Festival film highlights the arts in downtown Cheyenne

The Cheyenne International Film Festival (CIFF) short documentary airs on Bresnan Cable Channel 19 in Cheyenne daily at noon and 7 p.m. The program emphasizes the importance of the arts in downtown Cheyenne, Wyoming. The documentary features filmmakers MaryLee Herrmann, Patrick Mallek and Ken Wajda discussing film festivals and independent film. Local economic and community development officials Darren Rudloff of Visit Cheyenne, Michell Howard of the Wyoming Film Office and Randy Oestman from the Wyoming Arts Council discuss the importance of the arts.

Suite 1901 receives Dubois Award May 11 from Cheyenne Historic Preservation Board

From Don Threewit: The Cheyenne Historic Preservation Board is presenting its annual Dubois Award for Excellence to Suite 1901 at -- you guessed it -- Suite 1901. On Wednesday, May 11, 7-10 p.m. This downtown business is a spectacular example of adaptive reuse of a a hotel and lounge and is the newest of Cheyenne's hot spots. Please join us to celebrate John Harrison and his team's success and imbibe in a tasty infused martini. Any questions, feel free to call me, Don Threewitt, at 307-256-4879

Mother's Day grand-reopening of Night Heron Books in downtown Laramie

From the Downtown Laramie Facebook site: "It was a beautiful Mother's Day downtown. Perfect for celebrating the grand re-opening of Night Heron Books!"

Students screen their films tonight at Casper College

Students will present a variety of short films during the Fourth Annual Casper College Student Film Festival on Tuesday, May 3 (tonight!) beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Durham Recital Hall located in the Aley Fine Arts Center in Casper.

The festival features the works of the college’s two video production classes offered last fall and this spring. Films will include mockumentaries, advertisements, movie trailers, musical pieces, and commentaries. The 90-minute program will conclude with the showing of two short narrative movies developed by the student teams.

“The Casper College students were in charge of every aspect of the production process, from the writing of the script to the filming of the scenes to the long hours spent editing the materials,” said Pete Van Houten, Casper College communication and media instructor. “Some of the early work is a little rough, though you can really see some growth in their abilities with the addition of each new assignment,” he added.

The student filmmakers include Greg Bullinger, Brian Castillo, Blake Trimmer, Jason Reinhardt, Calvin Grinder, Karen Hatlestad, Kellan Hawley, Nikki Stevenson, Stephen Christensen, Justin Pehrson, Scott Long, Austin Martinez, Cody Box, Danielle Brown and Trevor Wroble.

The film festival is free and open to the public. Food and refreshments will be served.

Laramie writers read April 30 at Second Story Books

From Laramie writer Julianne Couch:
If you are in Laramie, please join us at Second Story Books Saturday, April 30, at 7 p.m. for a reading by Val Pexton, Paul Bergstrasser, Luke Stricker, Nina McGonigley and me! Food and beverages provided. What more could you ask for?! Second Story Books is located at 105 Ivinson Ave. in downtown Laramie

First summer melodrama volunteer sign-up and orientation May 2 at the Atlas Theatre

From the Cheyenne Little Theatre Players web site:

The Cheyenne Little Theatre Players Melodrama Committee invites you to this season's first volunteer sign-up night and orientation. It will be on Monday, May 2, 7 p.m., at the Atlas Theatre. 

This session is for front-of-house volunteers: box office ticket sellers, house managers, wait staff, bartenders, concessions staff and raffle ticket sellers. There will be signup sheets at the meeting for the melodrama's 19 performance days: July 14-17 (one show); July 21-30 (two shows during CFD); July 31 and Aug. 4-7 (one show). Come on out and sign up early for your favorite job on your favorite night. 

New volunteers are always welcome. Committee members will be there to conduct a short orientation and tour of the historic theatre. 

Reminder: Bartenders must have TIPS training, and it is also recommended for waitstaff. The next session is on Tuesday, May 3, 5 p.m., at the American Legion. We will have info on upcoming TIPS training sessions at Monday's meeting.

Melodrama auditions for "Dirty Deeds at the Depot" will be the week of May 23. Check out the CLTP web site at http://www.cheyennelittletheatre.org for more info.

See you on Monday. Feel free to bring your volunteer-minded friends and family members!

Noted actor Wilford Brimley will be the featured guest at the Cheyenne International Film Festival

Wilford Brimley in "The China Syndrome"

Actor Wilford Brimley and his wife Beverly will appear at the Cheyenne International Film Festival on Saturday, May 21. The evening will be co-presented by the Historic Plains Hotel, the CFD Old West Museum and Hands Across the Saddle. The ticket price is $30.

Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Historic Atlas Theatre and appetizers by the Plains Hotel and wine by the Table Mountain Vineyards.

Wilford Brimley most recently appeared in Did You Hear About the Morgans? The film was set in Wyoming and starred Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker. He is known for his roles in Seinfeld, The Firm, The China Syndrome, The Natural, Cocoon, The Hotel New Hampshire and Absence of Malice. He and his wife Beverly are founders of Hands Across the Saddle based in Greybull, Wyoming.

The audience will also be treated to a demonstration of traditional Northern Arapaho dancing and singing by members of the Wind River Dancers and the Wind River Tribal College language classes. The Plains Hotel has a long history with the Northern Arapaho, as a painting of Chief Little Shield hangs prominently in the lobby of the hotel.

The feature film on Saturday is a never-been-seen-before black and white silent film found in the archives of the Oregon State Historical Office. The silent film will have an original and spontaneous live piano score performed by Rattlesnake Jake Martin.

Opening reception for "inside/OUT" exhibit set for April 8 at Rawlins Main Street Gallery

Rawlins Main Street Gallery is excited to present inside/OUT, an exhibition of paintings by Mike Karr. The exhibition is being held in commemoration of the gallery’s two-year anniversary. An anniversary celebration and opening reception for the artist will be held on Friday, April 8 from 5-8 PM at the gallery, and will introduce a number of new approaches to community art display in downtown Rawlins. 

For the first time ever, work by the gallery’s featured artist will be presented in a curated show that examines a specific theme. The event will also be the first at the gallery to offer guests beer on tap from Snowy Mountain Brewery in Saratoga. A selection of lounge music by artists on the label Cold Busted, owned and operated by Rawlins resident Derrick Daisey will be played throughout the evening. As always, the wine, non-alcoholic beverages and snacks gallery visitors have come to appreciate will also be served. This event is free and open to the public.

The exhibition will remain on view through early May. FMI: Rawlins Main Street