"Buckaroo culture" icon Waddie Mitchell receives top award from Nevada Arts Council

From the Nevada Arts Council:

Cowboy poet and Great Basin buckaroo Bruce Douglas “Waddie” Mitchell is the 2012 Nevada Heritage Award recipient. With an extensive history of artistic achievement and teaching, Mitchell continues to advance the significance of our Western heritage and cowboy poetry wherever he appears. His work and life will be featured on our website this fall. Created in 2010, the Nevada Heritage Award honors and recognizes Nevada master folk and traditional artists who, at the highest level of excellence and authenticity, carry forward the folk traditions of their families and communities through practice and teaching.

Mitchell was nominated for the award by the Western Folklife Center in Elko, home of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, which notes that he has become "an icon of Nevada, of buckaroo culture and of cowboy poetry itself."

Hear stories of Wyoming ethnic traditions July 14 at Laramie County Public Library

One World, Wyoming Stories

When: Thursday, July 14, 7– 8:30 p.m.

Where: Laramie County Library Cheyenne (map)

Description: Annie Hatch, Wyoming Arts Council Folk & Traditional Arts Specialist, and Andrea Graham, Folklorist with the University of Wyoming American Studies Program, will share stories about a variety of ethnic traditions in Wyoming. They’ll also encourage participants to share their own stories. This is held in conjunction with the “One World, Wyoming Stories,” exhibit in the library through August 16. (Adults, Sunflower Room, 3rd floor)

Summer means time for reading

Time to get going on summer reading. The Laramie County Public Library launches its Summer reading celebration for all ages. Sign up at http://lclsonline.org/src/2011/

Also at the library is the "One World, Wyoming Stories" exhibition. Items from various ethnic traditions in Wyoming will be in display cases throughout the building. Presented in partnership with Wyoming Arts Council’s Folk & Traditional Arts Program and University of Wyoming’s American Studies Program. 

Dutch Hop Polka in Pine Bluffs June 11

"Weekend of Workshops" June 10-12 in Buffalo

Jenny Wuerker will teach plein air workshop June 11

A Weekend of Workshops

June 10-12, 2011

Lobban Artists' Row, Buffalo WY

Choose from: Blacksmithing, Plein Air Painting, Ceramics, or Zumba

Plein Air "Wuerkshop": June 11, 2:30 - 8 p.m. Call 307-217-1322. $50 fee. 

Get Hooked on Blacksmithing: June 11, 9-4pm. Led by Dave Osmundsen of Arrowhead Forge. Call 307-684-2338.

Perfecting Porcelain with Martha Grover: June 10-12. Call 307-684-4555.

ZUMBA: June 11- June 12. Call 307-250-3815.

Buy a ticket to win a quilt



Click on image for larger view

The Wyoming State Quilt Guild (WSQG) is selling tickets for a chance to win the quilt, "Scottie's Victory"  (image), pieced and quilted by Jan Barnett of Shell, WY. The pattern was taken from the Eleanor Burns book, Victory Quilts. Jan added her own special touches.

Each year an Opportunity Quilt is made and raffled to raise funds for the organization. WSQG donates quilting books to each Wyoming county library. It also supports educational activities through Kids' Camp, which are held throughout the state. Young people ages 8-12 construct a quilt with WSOG providing teachers and partial funding for supplies.

Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. Please direct inquiries to Elaine Decker, 307-347-6382, for info on a WSQG member who may be selling tickets in your town or area.

Also, quilters will be gathering in Powell, July 14-17 for Quilt Wyoming's "Simple Pleasures" festival.




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.

WhatFest fund-raiser April 23 in Laramie

This is a fund-raiser event for WhatFest this summer! Come down Front Street Tavern (Sweet Melissa's) in Laramie for good times, good people, and good music with John Kirlin and the High Plains Drifters, J. Shogren and Guests, Jeff Duloz and Niles Mischke, Shotgun Shogun, and Patrick Harrington.

Inda Eaton returns to Casper May 7

May 7, 2011 • 7:30 p.m.
Kelly Walsh High School Auditorium

Acoustic rock artist Inda Eaton receives nationwide critical acclaim for her innovative songwriting – often compared to a fusion of John Mellencamp and Melissa Etheridge.

Inda and her band have opened for names such as Hootie and the Blowfish, LeAnn Rimes, Smashmouth, Chicago and John Hiatt.

Performing original work and featuring guests from the Casper and New York neighborhoods, she will debut music from the upcoming, sixth independent album.

“... Inda Eaton, a uniquely talented singer/songwriter who played to a full house. Eaton writes songs that are a little Indigo Girls, a little Springsteen, but largely-her. I was struck by how accessible the tunes were without being trite or simplistic. These were perfectly structured songs with good lyrics that led the first-time listener easily from section to section. Eaton’s vocals and stage presence are confident and highly likable.” –TalkHouse

SEWIPA Powwow March 26 at LCCC

Billings Gazette: Cody saddle maker "preserves the cowboy way -- with bling"

Cody saddle maker Gordon Andrus was featured in an article in today's Billings Gazette entitled "Saddle maker preserves the cowboy way -- with bling." Gordon's saddles were among those exhibited last year at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center's "Art of the Horse." Read the Gazette article at http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/article_d62af18d-5e3c-598e-b6fb-fccb369d5481.html

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/

SEWIPA holds traditional powwow March 26 at LCCC

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.

Combining the artistry of food and music at Casper College

From a Casper College press release:

Mardi Gras-inspired dishes will be served at the next Casper College Ethnic Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 27, in the Roberts Commons Cafeteria from 5-6:30 p.m.

The Mardi Gras celebration will feature chicken and andouille jambalaya, crawfish court bouillon, okra etouffee, gazebo garden gumbo, confetti chopped salad, red beans and rice, ratatouille, and bananas foster for dessert.

The dinner will feature live music to promote the upcoming Kinser Jazz Festival Feb. 8 and 9 at Casper College.

Advance tickets for the Mardi Gras ethnic dinner will be sold through Friday, Jan. 21 at a cost of $8.50 each. Tickets will also be available at the door for $11 for adults, $7 for ages 6 through 12, and free for children five and under. Tax will be added to all ticket purchases. Because dinners often sell out, advanced ticket purchases are highly recommended.

Tickets may be purchased at the Accounting and Financial Management Office, located in the Leisinger Administration Building, Room 103; the Roberts Commons Cafeteria; and the coffee bars in the Leisinger Administration Building and the Wold Physical Science Center. Cash is accepted at all locations and credit cards are accepted at the cafeteria and coffee bars.

The final two dinners in this year's series will be traditional Jewish dishes featured in conjunction with the Casper College Humanities Festival on February 24, and Hungarian with a special presentation by the Casper College Forensics team on April 14.

The ethnic dinner series is sponsored by the Casper College Diversity Committee, and is presented by Sodexo Campus Dining under Justin Dreslinski with the menu composed by Chef Josh Kronberg.

In memoriam: Faye Snyder of Cody

A number of people in Wyoming have sent donations to the Wyoming Arts Council in memory of Faye Snyder of Cody. The WAC thanks you for your generosity.

Faye was a folk artist, art teacher and was very involved in the local arts community. She passed away on Nov. 15. Here's the obituary that ran in the Billings Gazette:

CODY, Wyo. — Faye Snyder, 97, Cody, passed away at home on Nov. 15, 2010.

She was born May 15, 1913, in Belle Plaine, Iowa, the single child of Enoch and Lettie Davies. She moved to Cody at age 10, riding much of the way from Iowa on the running board of her dad's Model T, and lived here the rest of her life.

Faye held a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics, Nutrition, and Institution Management from the University of Wyoming. For 77 years, she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Her management skills stood her in good stead when she and her husband Don owned Sunlight Ranch. They delighted in providing their legendary hospitality to generations of dude ranch guests.

Like her father, Faye was an accomplished artist. She was a decorative folk artist and art teacher. Her interest in Rosemaling took her to the back country of Norway to study the folk art painting in historic homes and churches. Because of her interest in art, Faye welcomed the opportunity to volunteer as a docent during the developing years of BBHC.

Faye delighted the women of the community with beautiful clothing from her dress shop, Bustles and Bows. She taught knitting and quilting and started a knitting store. Cody knitters made a path to her door for help with unfinished projects.

She was proud of her family and enjoyed the company of her friends. She loved playing cards and trading recipes and stories over coffee at the kitchen table. She loved her country and enjoyed decorating her home and planting her flowers.

A lifetime member of the Cody United Methodist Church, Faye also gave her time to women's service organizations, AAUW, PEO, and United Methodist Women. She was a true practitioner of Christian good works.

Faye was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 64 years, Don Snyder.

She is survived by her daughters, Sue LaFever of Seattle, Sally (Birney) Holberg of Cody; grandchildren Kate Holberg of Cody, Kirsten (Jerry) Rief of Cheyenne, Lukas (Amber) Holberg of Billings, Cresta Faye LaFever of Seattle; and great-grandchildren Kiana and Jeremy Rief of Cheyenne, Lilly, Lucy and Jack Holberg of Billings, Simon Obrzut of Cody; and her beloved Welsh Corgi companion, Davey.

Memorials may be sent in Faye's honor to The Morris Animal Foundation, 10200 East Girard Ave., B430, Denver, CO 80231; The Wyoming Arts Council, 2320 Capitol Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82002; or the Park Co. Library (Cody Location), 1500 Heart Mountain St., Cody, WY 82414.

Memorial services will be held at Cody United Methodist Church on Thursday, Nov. 18, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Dan Wanders officiating. Friends and family are welcome to join in a time of lunch and fellowship following the service in the church's fellowship hall. An online guestbook is available at http://www.ballardfh.com/.

Update from Paul Taylor on "Wardaman Dreaming Project" and 2011 tour dates

Laramie's Paul "Walking Stick" Taylor has a busy winter ahead of him. He sent this letter via e-mail:

Dear Friends,

2010 FIELDWORK
The Wardaman Dreaming Project is excited to report another successful year of fieldwork, amassing a further 15 hours of Wardaman culture with Elder Yidumduma Bill Harney. We continued to document rock art and sacred sites and followed the beautiful Flora River, filming the associated story and songline as it weaved through Wardaman land. We documented bush plants and sign language as Yidumduma transmitted teaching to his grand nephew Jonas Doctor.

WEBSITE
We aim to produce a specific WDP website in 2011 featuring the best of our recordings for teaching Wardaman youth and open to the general public.

ARCHIVE
In August, copies of all fieldwork 2003-9, over 90 hours, were placed in safe-keeping with AIATSIS in Canberra, and with the Wardaman people.

FUNDRAISING
We are busy writing grants and fundraising for the coming year.
Our sincere thanks to the fabulous Kalliopeia Foundation and the WRAR, Western Rock Art Research for their continued support.
Our deepest gratitude goes to these donors:
Peggy Baldwin, John Loyd, LOYD ARTISTS, Phil Edgerton, Terry Wyszynski, Pia Hansen, Anne Taylor, Susan Ely, Laramie Kiwani's, David Romtvedt, Alan Bacque and Leslie Larsen.
This work would not be possible without all your support.

US TOUR 2011
Yidumduma and Paul Taylor will be touring Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona and California in January - March 2011. For more information go to Loyd Artists. See the itinerary at the end of this newsletter.

In deepest gratitude,
Paul Taylor
Director
Wardaman Dreaming Project, WDP.
pauldidj@gmail.com
PO Box 1427, Laramie WY 82073
307-721-8853
http://www.paultaylor.ws/

Bill Harney and Paul Taylor Tour

Saturday, January 15, 2011, Laramie, WY Montessori Day

Friday, January 21, 2011 Phoenix, AZ, Musical Instrument Museum (tentative)

Saturday, January 22, 2011, Superior, AZ Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Wednesday, January 26 to Friday, January 28, 2011, Pinedale, WY Pinedale Arts Center

Monday, January 31, 2011, Rock Springs, WY University of Wyoming - IS Scholars Series, Western Wyoming College

Tuesday-Wednesday, February 1-2, 2011, Riverton, University of Wyoming - IS Scholars Series, Central Wyoming College

Thursday-Friday, February 3-4, 2011, Powell, WY University of Wyoming - IS Scholars Series, Northwest College

Sunday, February 6, 2011, Jackson, WY National Museum of Wildlife Art

Tuesday, February 8, 2011, Laramie, WY Cheyenne, WY University of Wyoming - IS Scholars Series, Laramie County Community College

Wednesday, February 09 and Thursday, February 10, 2011, Torrington, WY Eastern Wyoming College

Friday, February 11, 2011, University of Wyoming - IS Scholars Series, Laramie

Tuesday February 15, Casper, WY Casper College-IS Scholars Series

Wednesday February 16 through Thursday, February 17, 2011, Sheridan College, WY University of Wyoming - IS Scholars Series, Sheridan College

Friday, February 18 and Saturday, February 19, 2011, Buffalo, WY World’s of Music Series

Friday, February 25, 2011, Boulder, CO Fiske Planetarium, CU

Wednesday, March 2 to Sunday, March 6, 2011, San Francisco, CA Kalliopeia Foundation (tentative)

Editor's Note: You can bring Paul to your community through a Wyoming Arts Council Arts Across Wyoming grant. Find info and applications at http://www.wyomingartscouncil.org/

Learn more about native arts

The Native Arts & Cultures Foundation is dedicated to promote the revitalization, appreciation, and perpetuation of Native arts and cultures in all sectors of society through philanthropy and partnership, ensuring a path that benefits present and future generations of indigenous peoples in America. In its first year of its grant program, it has awarded $384,000.
Go to http://www.nativeartsandcultures.org/innovation to read more about this foundation.

"Music in the Wind" exhibit at UW Gallery 234 (w/10/8 update)

Lydia Renneisen's exhibition "Music in the Wind: Revealing the Diversity of Wyoming" can be seen through Friday, Oct. 15, in Gallery 234, Room 004 of the University of Wyoming Union.

A public reception for the artist will be held on Thursday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m. Renneisen will share her experiences photographing Wyoming culture and diversity that day at 8:30 p.m. in the Wyoming Union ballroom. Both events are free and open to the public. This evening event has been postponed due to conflict with UW Homecoming events.

A recent UW graduate with a B.S. degree in rangeland ecology and watershed management and environment and natural resources, Renneisen criss-crossed the state taking pictures of people attending Wyoming music festivals. The project was supported by a Larsh Bristol Memorial Scholarship for photojournalism and a creative activities grant from the Haub School.

"A number of symbols are used to represent Wyoming and are easily recognized by tourists and newcomers; however, natives are more acquainted with scenes that depict our heritage as cowboys and our love-hate relationship with energy development," she says. "Wyoming has a long, rich history of alternative cultural resources. There are many music festivals that have been held around the state for decades, providing a glimpse of the unique, diverse human nature of Wyoming."