SAVE THE DATE: May 21 workshops for visual artists at WOW in Laramie

SAVE THE DATE: On Saturday, May 21, the Wyoming Arts Council visual arts fellowship judges will each conduct a 90-minute professional development workshop at Works of Wyoming in the Laramie Civic Center. Two workshop sessions will be held in the morning and one in the afternoon. To wrap up the presentations, WAC staffers will preview the agency’s new online Artist Image Registry (AIR) that you've been hearing so much about. Fellowship winners also will be announced at lunch (details TBA). Saturday's sessions are free but registration is required. Call 307-777-5234 or e-mail mshay@state.wy.us.

Attention artists and artisans -- check out the Wyoming Made program

You may have seen Annie Wood of the Wyoming Business Council on Channel 5's early morning show. She promotes the Wyoming Made program. Her office annually issues a spiffy full-color Wyoming Made Product Catalog. In it, you'll find well-known homegrown companies such as Chugwater Chili Corp., Coal Creek Coffee in Laramie, High Plains Press in Glendo and Roy Pilcher's Bears and Company in Devils Tower. There are makers of soy candles, bison jerky, natural soaps, furniture, clothes, etc. Many of those featured in the catalog are artists and artisans.

Here's some background info:

The Wyoming First Program is a way to identify and showcase great products made in Wyoming. All of the companies call Wyoming home and are proud of the quality they represent. All of the Wyoming First products are unique and made in Wyoming.

The Wyoming First Program is designed to assist Wyoming companies with the identification and promotion of their Wyoming Made products or substantially enhanced products and services. Membership allows Wyoming First participants to use the familiar "Bucking Horse and Rider" design stickers and hang tags on their products.

Wyoming First is a program of the Wyoming Business Council. The opportunities for Wyoming First Members include: the ability to use the Wyoming First Bucking Horse and Rider stickers and tags, notification of marketing opportunities, listing on this Web site, one free roll of 250 stickers with the option to purchase additional rolls, eligibility for Trade Show Incentive Grants, Wyoming First posters, and more!

FMI: Annie Wood, Senior Marketing & Attraction Specialist, Wyoming First Program Manager, Wyoming Business Council. Direct: 307.777.2844  Cell: 307.275.5298

On the web at http://www.wyomingbusiness.org/ or http://www.wyomingfirst.org/

Wyomingarts encourages the state's artists to contact Annie about becoming a member. There is a small fee but you get a lot for your money.

Wyomingarts met with Annie from Wyoming First and Anne Dramko of the Arts Alliance of Cheyenne on Wednesday morning. We talked about ways we can work together to promote creative work by Wyoming residents. The Arts Alliance of Cheyenne works with arts organizations and individual artists in Laramie County. The Arts Alliance's user-friendly web site features a calendar of events and a directory of links to local arts and cultural resources.

Anne is interested in working with the Wyoming Arts Council in promoting artists. The WAC is in the process of putting its Artist Image Registry on its web site. It's been a long process but we at the WAC plan to have the AIR up and running in June. It will be a database searchable by artist's name, medium(s) and location. The AIR will show up to five images from each visual artist along with web site and/or blog addresses and other contact info. This will be one more way that the WAC supports the state's individual artists.

Anne at the Arts Alliance of Cheyenne already is planning to link up with the AIR. Down the road, the WAC will encourage its arts partners around Wyoming to provide links to AIR and encourage their local artists to register with it.

Both the WAC and Wyoming First have a statewide mission but both know that arts happen at the local level. More and more communities are forging local partnerships among artists, arts organizations, arts councils, retail businesses, farmers' markets, local governments, civic and church organizations, etc. The WAC even has Community Arts Partnership (CAP) grants that provides funding and technical assistance for these community-based arts initiatives. Get more info from the WAC's Randy Oestman at 307-777-7742.

Wyomingarts will keep you posted on the progress of the AIR project. Meanwhile, we'll see you at your local arts events this summer.

Welcome to Wyoming, Maggie

We at Wyomingarts get many interesting e-mails and phone calls from intriguing people. We've noticed one trend -- more inquiries from artists, writers and performers moving back to the state from elsewhere or moving here for the first time. One of the latter is Maggie Denton in Star Valley.

She started her free-lance efforts in 2009 by writing for greeting card companies. She and her husband moved to Wyoming last year. She was recently featured in "Names in the News" in The Star Valley Independent after placing 4th in an international essay contest, and has a growing list of publication credits. She lives with her husband and two mischievous cats who wreak havoc in her house on a regular basis -- "the cats, not the husband," she added. Maggie says that she "sometimes writes about the cats, admonishing them that they better make her some money, and start earning their keep."

We hear that the job market in Wyoming is pretty good. Not sure about jobs for felines, but we'll check it out.

Maggie sent us a long list of writing credentials. She writes non-fiction, fiction and poetry.

Wyomingarts invited her to join Wyoming Writers, Inc., and/or WyoPoets and sent her links to their web sites. If any of you fine Star Valley poets and writers want to e-mail a welcome to Maggie, send it to either mshay@state.wy.us or lcoatn@state.wy.us and we'll forward it.

Wyoming artists pumping their art through the Pipeline

The mission of the Pipeline Art Project:

The Pipeline Art Project is a group of five Wyoming contemporary artists who are committed to furthering their careers while maintaining Wyoming residency. Their work is in dialogue with the wider world beyond the American West, although it is inspired by this place.

The goal of the Pipeline is to place this artwork in an international context.

Five Wyoming artists are part of the Pipeline Art Project: Sue Sommers and David Klaren, both of Pinedale; JB Bond, Daniel; and Susan Moldenhauer and Wendy Bredehoft of Laramie.

PW Select to feature self-published books

From Publishers Weekly, via a Colorado Independent Publishers Association post on Facebook:

We are returning to our earliest roots. PW dates to 1872, when it was first known as Trade Circular Weekly and listed all titles published that week in what was then a nascent industry. We have decided to embrace the self-publishing phenomenon in a similar spirit. Call it what you will -- self-publishing, DIY, POD, author-financed, relationship publishing, or vanity fare. They are books and that is what PW cares about. And we aim to inform the trade.

To that end, we are announcing PW Select, a quarterly supplement announcing self-published titles and reviewing those we believe are most deserving of a critical assessment. The first supplement will appear in our year-end issue in December. Each quarterly will include a complete announcement issue of all self-published books submitted during that period. The listings will include author, title, subtitle, price, pagination and format, ISBN, a brief description, and ordering information provided by the authors, who will be required to pay a processing fee for their listing. At least 25 of the submitted titles will be selected for a published review. There will also be an overview of the publishing trends that can be identified from among the titles from that reading period. We will also focus on the opportunities that the self-pub world offers. A resource directory will accompany the section offering names of companies providing services in the DIY space.

--snip--

The first reading period for self-published books will be from September 1 until the end of October. All submitted titles will be registered online by the publisher at www.publishersweekly.com/diy; a processing fee of $149 will be charged. Once the registration process is completed, shipping instructions and a confirmation code will be issued. Additional copies of the supplement will be available for distribution.

--snip--

Titles submitted for our first supplement must have been published in 2010 and have a valid ISBN. We will not accept manuscripts or e-books (this time). Only final bound galleys or finished books will be accepted. Books cannot be returned; once finished the copies are donated to Housing Works Thrift Shop, a worthy local charity.

Please, please send your book in a bio-sensitive package (i.e., no bubble wrap or plastic envelopes). Also, please use packaging appropriate to the book you are submitting: no boxes full of packing peanuts or paper stuffing. We recommend reusable and recycled paper envelopes. An acknowledgment of the book's arrival will be issued via e-mail upon receipt.

We look forward to finding the gems worthy of attention, the sleeping indie giants—after all, books are our business.

George W. Slowik Jr.
President

P.S. The $149 processing fee also includes a 6-month subscription to the digital edition of PW.

Self-publishers writers: What do you think of this?

Journey to a place where story pitches succeed with author Dina Mishev

From Nicole Burdick at nicole@jacksonholewritersconference.com:

Jackson Hole Writers Conference is excited to present you with the fourth in a series of six FREE writing workshops for 2010. Space is limited, so if you would like to sign up, please reply to this email or nicole@jacksonholewritersconference.com. See the nether part of this message for upcoming opportunities.

"Angle and Pitch to Sell Your Story" on Thursday, September 23, 6-9 p.m., Center for the Arts Conference Room.

No matter how well you can write, if you can't sell an editor on your idea, you're not going to make a living. The more angles you can come up with based on a single idea, the better your chances of selling one of them. Dina Mishev knows from experience. During this workshop she will take writers on a journey to the place where pitches succeed. While she gives you an approachable understanding of the magazine publishing industry, you’ll also have the chance to work on crafting a great pitch, which means you’ll also be on the way to your next great story. So wrap your mind around three angles of the story you really want to tell and bring them with you, or just grab your pen and paper, and come learn how to spin an idea well. Class is free and open to the public, and registration is required. Light snacks included.

Workshop Presenter: Dina Mishev has been living and writing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming since 1997. A graduate of Northwestern University with degrees in Math and Economics, Dina moved to Wyoming immediately following college and one year turned into another. Dina’s writing career started shortly after her arrival in Wyoming when the Jackson Hole News entrusted her to write a bi-weekly column about 20-something life in the valley. Three years later, Dina quit her job managing the Jackson Hole Wine Auction, deciding it was time to sink or swim as a writer. That first year she sent out 1,483 queries to magazines and newspapers. She got one assignment. Slightly disheartened, but never considering giving up... she now writes about travel, sports, adventure, gear, art, people, and lifestyle topics for Sunset, AAA Via, National Geographic Traveler, Outside, National Geographic Adventure, Pain Solutions, Cooking Light, NWA World Traveler, United Hemispheres, Wyoming Tourism, Arizona Office of Tourism, Healing Lifestyles & Spas, and Mobil Travel Guide. She is a Contributing Editor at Travel Squire. Assignments have taken her from spas in Africa to 100 feet under the Caribbean Sea. See Dina's full bio and more, here.

Upcoming FREE workshops with Jackson Hole Writers Conference: Fiction with Lucy Flood on October 21 and nonfiction with Broughton Coburn on December 2. More details to follow.

These workshops were supported by a grant from the Community Foundation, and your generous donations during Old Bill's Fun Run keep publishing opportunities grounded in Jackson Hole. We're lucky to have over 40 well-published writers living and working in this valley. By making a charitable gift to the Conference you ensure a steady stream of stimulating guest speakers from near and far as well as literary education opportunities throughout the year. Do write! Do consider joining us in making the literary arts thrive in Jackson Hole, and in turn filling the bookshelves of tomorrow with your contributions.

FMI: Nicole Burdick, http://www.jacksonholewritersconference.com/, http://www.jacksonholewriters.wordpress.com/, 307-413-5235

Symposium for artists set for Aug. 5-6 at the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper

"What’s in Your Business Toolkit?"

A Symposium on the Nuts and Bolts of Managing an Artistic Career will utilize business and creative skills to enhance your visibility as an artist. It is a business development symposium for visual artists at the Nicolaysen Art Museum on August 5-6.

Many artists wonder if it’s possible to make a living doing what they love most.

This two-day smorgasbord of information will illuminate the processes of becoming more visible and financially successful as an artist.

Tips, tricks, professional insights, as well as business skills and development will all be addressed in this symposium.

This symposium will present sessions and panelists that will explore the following subjects: Legal & Finance, Crafting a Business Plan, Marketing, Technology, Pricing & Value, and Accounting.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5

9 a.m.: Introduction

10 a.m.: Accounting 101. This session on basic bookkeeping and accounting will help improve your profitability and teach how to calculate breakeven sales.

11:30 a.m.: Lunch Break

12:30 p.m.: Marketing. This session will explore business professionalism, the art of networking, customer/client cultivation, how to draft artist statements, resume packets, and letters (including proposals and cover letters), how to introduce your work professionally, avoiding market saturation and how to find the right representation or art festival for you.

2:30 p.m.: How to Craft a Business Plan. This session will go over the elements of a good business plan and utilize market research to predict sales.

5 p.m.: Evening Reception (with cash bar)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6

8:30 a.m.: Technology. This session will deal with utilizing and becoming familiar with social and media networks o increase visibility, as well as step by step instructions to creating a presence online.

10:30 a.m.: Legal and Finance. In this session, the ins and outs of drafting and negotiating dealer/festival/museum contracts, and copyright agreements will be analyzed. Also, the options and steps artists should be taking for future financing opportunities will also be discussed.

Noon: Lunch Break

1 p.m.: Pricing & Value I

3 p.m.: Pricing & Value II

These sessions will expore understanding your marketplace, evaluating your work for sale, establishing price points and range—and want to go solobucking the system. Local/regional/national artists discuss how they achieved success in the art world and share personal experiences.

Cost for the Symposium (includes reception, 2 full days of panels, snacks & 2 lunches)

125 Non-members of the NIC
$100 Members of the NIC
$50 Students (with valid ID)
$75 Daily Rate (registration for one day)

Please call the museum at 307-235-5247 (and ask for Amanda Helm) to pay by credit card. Please make all checks payable to the Nicolaysen Art Museum.

Hotel Information (ask for the NIC block rate):

Days Inn- 300 East E St. (I25 and Center St.) 307- 234-1159, $69 a night + tax
Super 8 East- 269 Miracle St. 307-237-8100, $79 a night + tax

Registration will open at 8 a.m. both days.

Registration forms will also be available online at www.thenic.org.

Please call 307-235-5247 for more information and ask for Amanda Helm.

Artists learn promo skills at Business of Art Workshop

From Sarah Dahlberg at Works of Wyoming:

You are invited to attend our second summer "Business of Art Workshop: Preparing a Professional Promotional Package."

A promotional package (press kit), is generally designed to provide the artist with enough material to make an assessment of your work. Different versions of your promo package will include materials suited for different recipients such as art collectors, galleries, artists, media, schools, radio programmers, or artist r­­epresentatives. A typical Promo/press kit contains the following components: An Artist Biography and/or fact sheet, Portfolio (print or DVD), Sales Information, and Reprints of Press "Clippings".

Wednesday, July 28, 2010 5:30-7:30 pm

Member Price: $22.50
Non-Member price: $25.00

Register Now!

Call, email, or check out our website for more information on this and other workshops: http://www.worksofwyoming.org/ 

We look forward to seeing you!

FMI:  Sarah Dahlberg and the WOW Team, sdahlbe1@uwyo.edu, 307.742.6574

Western Art & Architecture features Matt Flint

Happy first birthday, Wyo. Humanities blog!

The Wyoming Humanities Council's Vistas Online e-letter celebrates a cyber-milestone:

It's been a successful first year for the Wyoming Humanities Network, the Wyoming Humanities Council's blog! Our most popular post this year was "Why I Love Vintage Advertising," by Communications Coordinator Jenn Koiter.

Here is a short excerpt:

"If the questions of what beauty is and whether it matters are still fit subjects for philosophical speculation (and Elaine Scarry would certainly argue that they are), then thinking people ignore advertising at their peril, since it both reflects and shapes ideas of what is beautiful." (Click here to read the rest of the post.)

Web marketing help available for artists

Attention artists, writers and performers! Wyoming Entrepreneur at the University of Wyoming offers free web counseling for the state's small businesses. For details, go to http://bit.ly/11x3H4.

The Wyoming Arts Council offers Individual Artists Professional Development (IAPD) grants. Since its advent five years ago, IAPD grants have provided funds to Wyoming artist-entrepreneurs to hire web designers, pay for web site hosting and other assorted web marketing projects. You can apply for up to $500 in this category and it requires a 1-to-1 match.

For more info, e-mail your friendly blogger and IAPD adviser at mshay@state.wy.us.

Studio Wyoming wants you!

Pinedale artist Sue Sommers has started a Facebook page called Studio Wyoming. Administrators are Susan Thulin, Jackson; Susan Moldenhauer, Laramie; Wendy Ellen Bredehoft, Laramie; and Sue. It's an open group so anyone can join, although its geared toward the visual artists in the state.

To join, go to http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=125312021021&ref=nf