Reception June 2 in Sheridan for Davi Arnold's "Viewscapes"

http://www.sheridanwyolibrary.org/

Laramie High School arts show opens tonight at WOW

The Laramie High School art show opens Friday, May 13 (tonight!) from 6-8 p.m. at Works of Wyoming, 710 Garfield Street, Laramie. The event is from 6-8 p.m. and will be exhibited in the WOW Gallery through May 27. There are about 80 pieces of student work with a variety of media and subject matter.

Photography by Nicole K. Somerville at Corridor Gallery in Casper

The Corridor Gallery announces another debut showing of Casper artist Nicole Somerville. “Shade of Inclination.” The show opens with a reception on Friday, April 29 at 7 p.m. and continues through Sunday, May 1.

Nicole appreciates the trek and skill involved with a classic landscape of a well-known area but chooses to take a different approach. Rather than seeking the end of the path, Nicole finds inspiration along the path and skillfully creates an emotional image. Nicole’s tools are her imagination, medium format film camera, 35mm film camera and a digital SLR.

“I photograph what I describe as abstract landscapes. The color stories, shapes and different perspectives take center stage; unlike normal landscape photography that features the importance of a place, subject and certain time. I’ve traveled across country and many of my photos can be derived from my backyard, all the way to the grandeur of Arches National Park.  Either way, where the photo was taken is not important to me, what matters is what the piece creates beyond the subject.  In these pieces I hope to propose the viewer to experience atypical beauty and to blur the conventional line of what makes a photograph. Do not try to figure out what you are looking at or where it could be, just simply enjoy the encounter.”

Nicole K. Somerville, 24, born and educated in Michigan, Attended Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, and majored in photography and fine art.

Nicole comes from a highly creative family but is the first to pursue a career from art. Owes her obsession of photography to her mother, who had a camera ready to go 24/7, everywhere.

In June 2010 she came to visit Casper after meeting her boyfriend at a wedding she photographed earlier that spring.  Everything just fit right together, and she moved out here that August and has completely enjoyed every moment creating art in the west once again.

Her training is strongly derived in the fine art sense. Also studied ceramics in college, which believes to have given her well-rounded approach to photography.  The photography program she went through was based on film and a strong sense of art history.  Although film techniques are quickly disappearing the knowledge gained from it she believes will ultimately help her stand out in today’s art/photography community.

Somerville concludes: “Art is alive in so many corners of the United States, for a while all she could think about was getting to Europe to study art there, after this trip she realized the great resources and subjects that are currently happening on our home soil.”

Contact: The corridor 307 333 7035, Zak direct 307 262 3549 or Reed direct 307 259 8001
Nicole Somerville Direct: 307-315-3612

Link Gallery hosts Ringo Stavrowsky's art and film festival preview April 14 for Art Design & Dine

This announcement comes from Rebecca Barrett at the Link Gallery in downtown Cheyenne:

Come and join us on Thursday April 14th from 5PM to 8PM at the Link Gallery at 124 West Lincolnway for our monthly Art, Design and Dine art walk.  This month we have some very exciting things  that we think will provide an evening you won't soon forget, including the Cheyenne International Film Festival program release reception and party, and new paintings from a wonderful new artist, Ringo Stavrowsky.

This Art, Design and Dine evening we will be hosting the second Cheyenne international Film Festival's Program Release Reception.  Be among the first to know what movies they will be screening at the Historic Atlas Theatre from May 19th to the 22nd. Join friends and make new acquaintances as you enjoy an evening of catered food sponsored by Suite 1901 and tickle your palette with a wine tasting sponsored by Table Mountain Wines  or enjoy a choice of beers provided by and sponsored by Shadow's Restaurant.  It promises to be a wonderful evening so be sure to bring your friends along as well.

We will also be showcasing the art of Elvira Stavrowsky, better known as "Ringo." Ringo Stavrowsky's art is best described as whimsical Western,  a sort of Walt Disney approach to the West.  It will bring a twinkle to your eye.  Ringo, whose background is in interior design, was encouraged by her father in law, the famous artist Oleg Stavrowski, to paint the West as she saw it while growing up on the shores of the Black Sea in the Ukraine at Odessa.

"I remember seeing films and reading books about the West," she recalls. "I knew that I would find a way to get there.  Even when there was almost no hope of getting out of the Soviet Union I felt this special place calling to me and I knew that I belonged there.  I saw an overdubbed version of John Ford's "Stagecoach" and i was completely captivated by it.  I kept going back again and again until my friends began calling me "Ringo".  The name stuck and I did finally find my way to the wonderful  Wild West.  Originally  my work was more traditional but as I gained competence I found myself longing to do something different.  I began distorting and stylizing my work into something more interesting for me and into something that is  much more of a personal expression of how I feel about the West."

Among Ringo's pieces that we will be displaying are "Two of a Kind" a 16X20 Acrylic on Canvas which portrays the humorous relationship between a cowboy and his horse.  We will also have "War Party" and "The Archer"  two 16X20 acrylic on canvas pieces  and also "Hunters" a  24X35 acrylic which portray the American Indian in her singular way.  We also have "Gaucho" an 11X14 acrylic on canvas done in Ringo's singular style.

Student Art League Showing & Sale reception April 15 at WOW in Laramie

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

Corridor Gallery debuts "Abstracted Landscapes in the Kingdom of the Sky Queen" March 25

The Corridor Gallery announces the debut showing of “Abstracted Landscapes in the Kingdom of the Sky Queen” by Casper artists Maria Rose and E.K. Wimmer. Opening Friday, March 25, 7 p.m. and showing through Sunday, March 27, “Abstracted Landscapes in the Kingdom of the Sky Queen” is mixed-media assembly based closely on a story. The chronicle depicted is that of a general whose quest for a mystic book holding the secrets of creation guarded by the Sky Queen and her loyal Bird Army. The story is brought to life with sculpture, paintings, collage and motion picture. Rose and Wimmer meticulously deliver their original whimsical mixed-media story transporting the viewer into full concept immersion.

E.K. Wimmer and Maria Rose biography:

E.K. Wimmer was born in New York in 1980 and spent his early years in New Mexico. He began making short films and studying classical music around the age of 11. Maria Rose was born in 1981 in Havre, Montana. She began formal art training at age 13. E.K. and Maria attended art classes together in high school under the training of the allegorical painter Michael Copeland. In 1999 they co-wrote “A Tendentious Man Discovers Theology”, their first short film together. After high school they both studied art in Europe with Michael Copeland. In 1999 E.K. had his first solo photography show called Photomontages. That same year they both attended college in NM for art. Maria, attending by the Lorraine Schula Art Scholarship studied painting and E.K. studied photography. E.K. and Maria were married in the summer of 2001 and shortly after transferred to the University of Montana to finish their undergraduate degrees. During this time, E.K.’s photography was represented in the Steve Bicknell Gallery in London, England. After completing their undergraduate education in Montana the couple moved to Denver to begin coursework at the University of Denver, both seeking master’s degrees in art history. While in Denver they exhibited in several shows between the years 2007-2009, including E.K.’s second solo exhibit, She, at the 023 Gallery and a duel show between Maria and E.K. called Silhouettes and Abstracts at the Other Side Arts Gallery. The couple also organized and showed in the Iandi Art Movement Spring Salon in 2007. They have co-written and directed several music videos and short films including Peel This Onion and Simply Call My Name, the latter of which was screened at the 5F Film Festival. The couple and their work have been featured in several publications including: Phosphorescence, Side Down and Hey Quarterly. The couple has work in private collections throughout North America and Europe including New York City, London and Los Angeles. E.K. Wimmer and Maria Rose moved to Casper, WY in 2009. E.K. is currently the curator of the Wyoming Veterans’ Memorial Museum and Maria teaches art history at Casper College.

Event Title: Abstracted Landscapes in the Kingdom of the Sky Queen
Opening Date/Time: March 25, 2011 doors open at 7 pm, cash bar
Showing: Regular business hours, Saturday 10am – 5pm and Sunday Noon – 4pm
Where: The Corridor Gallery 120 East second street Casper Wyoming 82601
Contact: The corridor 307 333 7035, Zak direct 307 262 3549 or Reed direct 307 259 8001

Ucross Fellows Retrospective Exhibition reception Feb. 19 in Big Red Barn Gallery

The opening reception for the Ucross Fellows Retrospective Exhibition will be held on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2-4 p.m., at the Ucross Foundation Art Gallery, 30 Big Red Lane, Ucross.

The exhibit features the work of more than 40 artists representing 27 years of visual arts residencies.

FMI: 307-737-2291

Zak Pullen unveils painting of Masters Golf Tournament champs Feb. 25 at Corridor Gallery

News from Reed Merschat at the Corridor Gallery:

The Corridor Gallery in downtown Casper announces the completion and debut showing of the "Masters Grip," a painting by Casper artist resident and gallery co-owner Zachary Pullen. On Friday, Feb. 25, Masters Grip will available for viewing to the public for the first time ever. As well as the final painting, the show will also include the work leading up to the final canvas, including all preliminary sketches and layout pencil drawings to completion. Zak is off to the annual Masters Tournament hospitality venue in Augusta, Georgia, this April to announce the unveiling of his latest creation. The painting contains 75 years of history depicting those that helped write it. The public and press are invited to join Zak at the Corridor Gallery for Masters Grip world debut right here in Casper, Wyoming.

Four years ago, professional illustrator and avid golfer Zachary Pullen conceived and began creating Masters Grip. Inspiration for this painting came through a story told of Tiger Woods and Byron Nelson comparing their grips during a champion’s dinner. In 2011, Zachary is happy to announce the completion of a painting culminating his passions into one 72” x 24” canvas. At the center of the painting, seated at a table in the foreground of Amen Corner, a vibrant and expressive Robert Trent Jones, Jr., leads Zak’s rendition of the beautiful Augusta National Golf Course. Around Robert, Zak meticulously integrated the caricature portraits of all 45 professional golfers to date sharing the honor of winning the famed “green jacket." Zak, a professional illustrator for 16 years, has found success with many illustrations and paintings published in such periodicals as Golf World, Sports Illustrated, New York Times Book Review, Esquire, Penthouse, National Geographic Society and many others. In addition to periodicals, Zak’s work has been the content of multiple picture books published by Simon and Schuster, Penguin Putnam and Sleeping Bear Press. Zak has also earned notoriety by his acceptance into The Society of Illustrators and the Communication Arts best in contemporary illustration annual. Masters Grip is a project born for the love of the game. “I’m thrilled to be releasing a new work of art based upon my passions for the culture, personality and history of golf” Zak states.

EVENT DETAILS

Release Title: Masters Grip

Opening Date/Time: February 25, 2011 doors open at 7 p.m., cash bar

Showing: Regular business hours, Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday Noon-4 p.m.

Where: The Corridor Gallery 120 East Second Street, Casper, WY 82601

Contact: The Corridor at 307-333-7035 or Zak direct at 307-262-3549

"Laramie I am Here"

"Laramie I am Here." Opening Night Reception and The ARK's Cooper Center for Creative Arts.

February 24, 6-8 p.m.

Cooper Center for Creative Arts

Let us be your guide!

Come see Laramie through our eyes as we explore our town through paintings, photographs and drawings. Experience the things that we see and do every day as we live, learn, work, and play in this great community. We have devoted our talents to producing works of art depicting our friends, our families, and ourselves. We will show you our favorite places to go, our favorite things to do, and all of the things that make us a part of this place called Laramie.

FMI: http://www.arkregionalservices.com/

Hot art for cold days -- Artists' reception Feb. 10 at CAM-PLEX for "Colors of the Tropics"

From CAM-PLEX in Gillette:

CAM-PLEX is pleased to invite you to meet artists Ronni Barbula & Ramona Roll on Thursday, February 10, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This artist reception is free and open to the public. To see the exhibit stop by anytime from Monday, February 7, through Friday, March 11.

For more information contact the CAM-PLEX ticket office at 307-682-8802. Ticket office hours are Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CAM-PLEX’s website: http://www.cam-plex.com. GALLERY HOURS are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Gallery doors are open during Heritage Center events and by special appointment. CAM-PLEX office number: 307-682-0552.

Ronni Barbula Artist’s Statement:

Ronni Barbula’s formal educational background is in the Graphic Arts. After free-lancing for eight years, Barbula began to work with a series of mediums in the fine crafts. She’s been fusing (kiln firing), glass since 1998 and has truly found her passion in glass.

She shows and sells her work locally at the AVA Community Art Center’s gift shop, at the Local Color’s Annual Art Gala in May, and regionally in fine gift shows and galleries.

Ronni also gives frequent studio tours in her home. She has expanded her studio space to include large displays of her glasswork and jewelry for sale to the public by appointment. Call her anytime at 307.680.6691 for a private tour of her studio and home.

Her primary focus is in hand-crafted jewelry, a fusion of her own uniquely designed dichroic glass stones, and her individually created fine silver settings.

In addition she produces a line of “Window Jewelry”, large statement piece wall hangings, organically shaped food safe vessels and a variety of other items, all of which are her own original designs and creations.

“Color is my passion and combining color and function with glass truly makes my heart sing.”

Ramona Roll Artist’s Statement

On her travels to the Hawaiian Islands, the beautiful scenes above and underwater inspired the “Tropical Color” series. Scenes that captured great emotion when she encountered them…”my personal swim with the giant green sea turtle, for example, or the dramatic thunderclouds-which miraculously split and gave way to a magnificent sunset.”

“Another such example is a painting, where as a little girl, I remember standing in the middle of my dear grandma’s garden, smelling sweet flowers, listening to buzzing bees and singing birds. The Gazebo, I discovered many years later in the luscious green yard of a Hawaiian estate.” She decided to unite the both in her painting “Gazebo Garden”.

Two of her works, included in this show, reflect some experiences of her time living in the beautiful West. The painting of Spearfish Canyon is especially dear to her because her family and she visit there every year to hike and enjoy a picnic at this very spot. Her children run free and squeal as they dare splashing and playing in the freezing water.

“Painting with acrylic gives me the freedom to overlay many times, until I feel the colors are brilliant and vibrant.”

“I strive to produce happy and pleasant art that creates warm and joyful emotions in the viewer, maybe even a desire to be at the scene.“

“I hope you will enjoy the show…”

Reception for Oxfam America's photo exhibit Jan. 31 at UW Union Gallery 234

A photo exhibition depicting the rights of impoverished people worldwide opens with a free reception from 5-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31 in Gallery 234 of the University of Wyoming Union in Laramie.

Oxfam America's "Right to Know, Right to Decide" will be on display Monday, Jan. 31 through Thursday, Feb. 3. The exhibition will serve as a preview for the topics and issues to be discussed at the Good Mule Conference Feb. 12-13.

The Good Mule Project is a student-led initiative to increase awareness of social and environmental justice issues, to encourage civic literacy and action and to advance cross-cultural understanding at UW.

Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger and injustice. Part of Oxfam's work supporting poor communities worldwide includes the "Right to Know, Right to Decide" campaign which calls on international oil, gas and mining companies to reduce poverty and respect the rights of poor people.

Oxfam America is one of 14 affiliates in the international confederation, Oxfam.

For more information on either event, e-mail the Good Mule project at thegoodmule@gmail.com .

Photo: This is among the photographs that can be seen in an exhibition from 5-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, in Gallery 234 of the University of Wyoming Union. The collection will be on display Monday, Jan. 31 through Thursday, Feb. 3.

WOW hosts opening reception for members' show Jan. 21

1st Annual WOW Member Show will be held January 21 - February 18

Opening reception on Friday, Jan. 21 6-8 p.m.

SEE the artwork of WOW Members. 

HEAR the harp music of Alice Freeman. 

SNACK on appetizers and cake.

FMI: http://www.worksofwyoming.org

Meet the Touchstone Laramie artists: Dona M. Fleming

Dona M. Fleming, "Overflight" (detail, 2009), Hand-painted ArtSilk, embellished, 17"X 36"

Dona will be one of the artists exhibiting and selling their work when The Laramie Artists Project presents the 5th biennial “Touchstone Laramie” on Saturday, Nov.13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 14, from 1-5 p.m at the Fairfield Inn in Laramie. The event is a special fine art exhibition and sale by a consortium of Laramie’s professional artists. FMI: http://www.laramieartistsproject.com/

AVA Center artists' reception Oct. 7 in Gillette

Artist reception this Thursday, Oct. 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Ava Center in Gillette. Featuring work by Sarah Rogers and Steve Roselles. FMI: http://www.avacenter.org/.

"Metal Show" reception at AVA Sept. 9

Free public artists' reception for the "Metal Show" will be held at the AVA Center in Gillette on Thursday, Sept. 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Join us for appetizers and meet the artists!

Corridor Gallery features Michael Flicek's black-and-white nature photos Sept. 17-19

Reed Merschat at Casper's Corridor Gallery sends this news:

I'm happy to announce "Nature Studies - A Journey in Black & White" by Casper artist, Michael Flicek as an upcoming show at the Corridor Gallery in Casper. Michael is a internationally shown and award-winning photographer whose work has been featured in many galleries and shows across the world. "Nature Studies - A Journey in Black & White" is the debut show for Michael in Casper, exclusively at the Corridor Gallery. Michael's work will only be showing from Friday-Sunday, September 17-19! Please join us for the opening reception on Friday, September 17 at 7 p.m. Music will be provided by Equinox, a Casper Symphony trio and members of the Wyoming Arts Council artist roster. Michael Flicek will conduct an artist's talk on Saturday, September 18, 2 p.m.

For more information, download press release at http://www.thecorridorgallery.com/michaelflicek.pdf.

Mike and the staff at the Corridor Gallery are available for questions or more needed information. Please don't hesitate to contact any of us with questions. For more on Michael Flicek: http://www.michaelflicekgallery.com/

New portraits of seven Wyoming governors to be unveiled at evening reception in Cheyenne

One of three painters of recently-completed Wyoming Governor portraits: Russian-born artist Galina Perova of Salt Lake City

A public reception for the newly unveiled official portraits of seven Wyoming governors will be held Friday, August 20, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Historic Governors* Mansion, 300 East 21st Street, Cheyenne.

This year's Governor's Portrait Project features artistic renditions of Governors John E. Osborn (1893-1895), DeForest Richards (1899-1903), Bryant B. Brooks (1905-1911), Leslie A. Miller (1933-1939), Nels H. Smith (1939-1943), Lester Hunt (1943-1949) and Milward Simpson (1955-1959).

Artists for this year's portraits are Robert Kuester, Galina Perova and Michele Rushworth.

The portrait exhibition will be held in conjunction with the mansion's newest exhibit, "Road to the Capitol," which explores the process one takes to become elected Governor of Wyoming.

Additionally, the exhibit examines the first state election between F.E. Warren and George Baxter.

Visitors can also learn about this year's gubernatorial candidates, and kids 17 and younger can cast their vote for the next Governor of Wyoming in a mock election.

The Governors' Portrait Program was created by the Select Committee on Legislative Facilities in 2005. The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources is also a partner.

The Select Committee on Legislative Facilities has been a champion of this program to ensure that the State of Wyoming honors former governors with an official portrait.

The program unveiled five original portraits: J.J. "Joe" Hickey, Stanley K. Hathaway, Clifford P. Hansen, Michael J. Sullivan and James E. Geringer, in 2007.

The completion of the seven new portraits brings the number of portraits in the state collection to 25, which includes nearly all elected governors after statehood, who have served at least one full term.

For more information about the Historic Governors' Mansion and/or exhibitions, please call 777-7878. For more information about the Governors Portrait Project, please contact Renee Bovee at 307-777-6312.

Pinedale Fine Arts Council hosts public reception for WAC board and staff at 5:30 today

The Wyoming Arts Council board is meeting today and tomorrow (Aug. 5-6) at the Sublette County Public Library in Pinedale.

The meeting's public comment session will begin today at 4 p.m. at the library.

Everyone's welcome to the 5:30 p.m. public reception at the Rocky Mountain Bank hosted by the Pinedale Fine Arts Council. Come out and meet the WAC board and staff members.

At this meeting, the board will discuss the comprehensive Community Vitality Index CVI), recently completed for Wyoming by the Western States Arts Federation. The board also will discuss input from the WAC's town meetings and focus groups conducted in the spring. This is the next stage in the process of drafting the WAC's 2011-2015 long-range plan.

Reception for "Ghost in the Cargo Van" show Aug. 13 at the Corridor Gallery in Casper

"Coats That Were Wings," Luke Whitlatch, acrylic and dye on canvas, 14x28x16 inches, 2007

Press release from the Corridor Gallery in Casper:

Casper native Luke Whitlatch is making the trek from his current city of Los Angeles for the debut Casper showing of his artwork at the Corridor Gallery. The press and public are invited to attend the free opening reception on Friday, August 13, starting at 7 p.m. Luke will be present during the opening and presenting an artist’s talk the following day, Saturday August 14, at 2 p.m. The artist’s talk is also a free event to the press and public. Luke’s artwork will only be on display through Sunday, August 15, during business hours.

Luke creates intricate and colorful works of art on linen or canvas by bleeding aniline die initially and finishing with oil and acrylic paint. Luke’s works are then stretched onto handmade dimensional frames that lend shape to the work. Every aspect of this artwork is unique and visually stimulating.

“Ghost in the Cargo Van” Artist’s Statement

For a painting to be truly new it must be responsible for its own history, be it theoretical, technical or physical. “Ghost in the Cargo Van,” is a show about the things that you thought you saw. These images were made to pay homage to the past while rejuvenating historical ideas.

Abstract images rely on the viewer to project their personal opinions and experiences onto the images. Many legends and myths were created by this same phenomenon. Time aged mental recollections can lead to a person changing what they actually saw, into something completely different. When presented with limited amounts of recognizable imagery the viewer can create their own story based on shapes colors lines and past references.

Much is based on emotional recollection while making this work. These paintings are mostly based on personal experiences and emotional information. Modernist ideas of form and color give way to intuition. Specific experiences as well as short moments in time are not represented solely by visual imagery. A memory may be based on a smell, weather or a specific state of mind.

Abstract images allow for these types of variables to be expressed without being bogged down by representation. These paintings are interpretations of points in time that are important to me personally, however when they are finished they are no longer mine. A painting takes on a life of its own when put on display. The ghost of an image can live in the mind much longer than the image itself.

Event Details

“Ghost in the Cargo Van” -- Original Art by Luke Whitlatch

Located at The Corridor Gallery: 120 E. 2nd St. Casper, WY 82601

Free Admission

Opening Reception: Friday, August 13th at 7:00pm

Open Showing: Saturday, August 14th 10:00am to 5:00pm

Sunday, August 15th noon to 4pm

FMI: Please contact The Corridor Gallery at (307) 333-7035, Reed at (307) 259-8001 or visit http://www.thecorridorgallery.com/.