Friday, June 28, 2013

New Murals are Underway

Students from the UW Summer Institute help prepare the wall of Modern Printing for a new mural


Be on the lookout for new murals being added to downtown businesses starting this weekend.  One mural got help last week when students participating in the UW Summer Institute helped prepare the wall of Modern Printing for a new mural by Travis Ivey.  The high school students were tasked with painting the wall white, a huge task that had to be completed before the mural can be painted.  

Ivey's mural, "Crossing Sherman Hill," is the first of four new murals planned for this summer.  Additional murals are planned for the summer of 2014.  Be on the lookout in the coming days as artists Meghan Meier and Jeff Hubbell also start work on their murals.

A big thank you goes out to the 86 participating high school students who volunteered their time and talents to downtown businesses during the UW Summer Institute. 

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Accepting Applications for the Ann Simpson Artmobile Curator

Students from the UW Lab School show their enthusiasm for the Ann Simpson Artmobile


The Art Museum currently has a job opening for the Ann Simpson Artmobile Curator position.  This is a 3/4 time (30 hours/week), benefited posi
tion.  Details about the job are below, or you can visit the HR website, and applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.  If you're enthusiastic about sharing original art with people across the state, consider applying for this creative and dynamic job!





The University of Wyoming Art Museum (UAM) seeks a creative, self-motivated, team-player as curator for the Ann Simpson Artmobile Program. This position is 30 hours per week. The schedule varies month to month and requires extensive travel throughout Wyoming.

Duties include developing, implementing and assessing curricula for Artmobile tours, lectures and programs for pre-K through adult audiences; ensuring that all Artmobile programming is aligned with the UAM philosophy of Museum as Classroom; conducting related art-making activities; assessing curricular needs for specific locations and designing individualized programming in conjunction with local educators. This position assists in the curation of Artmobile exhibitions.

The Artmobile curator co-operatively designs, plans and implements the Annual Summer Teaching Institute with the education team. Administrative duties include organizing and scheduling, on average, 20 Artmobile trips statewide yearly; maintaining the budget; and managing travel according to UW procedures. The curator coordinates publicity and promotion for the program.

The curator drives the Artmobile van throughout Wyoming; loads/unloads, installs/deinstalls, and secures the exhibition at each site. The position represents UW to audiences and individuals, promoting programs, resources and events; and attends and participates in professional conferences, symposia and other pertinent meetings.

Requirements: Undergraduate degree in art studio, art education, art history or related field. Knowledge of museum professional standards and K-12 education standards. Excellent interpersonal skills, problem solving, and organizational skills. Ability to work independently, and as part of an education team in a dynamic and collaborative environment. Current driver's license. Capability to drive long distances in sometimes adverse weather (i.e. wind and snow). Proficiency in Word/Excel. Ability to lift 50 lbs.

Preferred: Teaching experience combined with art/art history background. Printmaking experience and knowledge of working with a small traveling press. Ability to work in diverse settings (classrooms, museums, gymnasiums, recreation centers, one-room ranch schools, etc.), with all ages (pre-K through adult), remote and underserved audiences and students/participants with varying developmental abilities.

The University's policy has been, and will continue to be, one of nondiscrimination, offering equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without regard to such matters as race, sex, gender, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, political belief, or other status protected by state and federal statutes or University Regulations.

The University of Wyoming is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Background checks may include, but are not limited to, criminal history, national sex offender search, employment and motor vehicle history. Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of the background check.


Interested applicants are requested to send a letter of application, curriculum vitae, portfolio (as appropriate) and contact information for three professional references to:
Wendy Bredehoft, Curator of Education
University of Wyoming Art Museum
Department 3807, 1000 E. University Avenue
Laramie, WY 82071

Friday, June 21, 2013

Laramie Mural Project Launches Kickstarter Campaign

A sketch by Jeff Hubbell of his mural, Prairie Dog Town


The Laramie Mural Project launced an online Kickstarter fundraising campaign today with a goal of adding 7 new murals to downtown Laramie by the end of summer 2014.  The group will need to raise $15,000 by July 21st in an “all or nothing” approach to be able to continue the project.  Those interested in donating can visit the Kickstarter websiteOnce at the site, donors can choose amounts ranging from $10 to $5,000.  The Laramie Mural Project is a collaboration between local artists, downtown building owners, Laramie Main Street Alliance and the University of Wyoming Art Museum.  

The first murals of this summer include, “Crossing Sherman Hill” by Travis Ivey, which will be located at Modern Printing on the south corner of Kearney and 3rd Streets.  Ivey states, "The mural, ‘Crossing Sherman Hill,’ represents an inspired panoramic landscape of the Laramie Range as it may have looked during the Big Boy Steam Engine Era.  Rather than incorporating an actual route over Sherman Hill, this piece is interpretive of the entire area between Cheyenne and Laramie, complete with the sweeping plains and rocky outcroppings. . . . the Ames Brother's Monument and Dale Creek Trestle."  

Meghan Meier will continue her existing mural, “Grainery Grove II” at The Big Dipper, formerly the Whole Earth Grainery, at 111 Ivinson Avenue.  She will extend the mural of fanciful aspen trees that was completed in 2012 along the north wall of the building.

A third mural by Jeff Hubbell titled, “Prairie Dog Town,” will span three downtown businesses: The Curiosity Shoppe, Atmosphere Mountain Works, and The Herb House, all on 2nd Street.  The mural will be placed on west or alley walls of these buildings and will feature a windy winter scene with large-scale prairie dogs and abstract patterns.

Planning for additional murals by Dan Toro and Talal Cockar are underway.

The Guthrie Family Foundation, Laramie Beautification Committee, Wyoming Arts Council, and the City of Laramie have funded past murals.  Additional funds are needed in order to continue The Laramie Mural Project.  The Kickstarter campaign will enable the Laramie community and fans of the project to help transform downtown Laramie with murals that reflect the area’s social and cultural assets. Kickstarter is an online tool to help raise funds for unique individual and/or community projects.  Funds donated are only received if the total fundraising goal is met, in this case $15,000 by July 21st.  

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Summer Solstice Celebration on Friday

A line forms on the terrace for visitors to take a look through Ray Martin's filtered solar telescope at last year's Summer Solstice event.


Join us on Friday as we celebrate the official start of summer!  The Summer Solstice celebration will once again be held at the Art Museum from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm.  This annual event celebrates the longest day of the year.  On the Summer Solstice, a beam of sunlight comes through a solar tube in the ceiling of the Rotunda Gallery and illuminates a silver dollar in the center of the gallery floor at noon.  In addition, Ray Martin will have his filtered solar telescope set up on the terrace for visitors to safely take a look at the surface of the sun.

This is a free event and is open to the public.  The construction on the roof of the building will not impact the day's events, so please join us as we celebrate summer in Laramie!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Final Days to see "Interstitial" by Gerri Sayler


The popular installation piece by Idaho artist Gerri Sayler, Interstitial: Between Earth and Sky will be de-installed on June 24.  The final day to see the work will be Saturday, June 22.

This was the concluding installation for the exhibition, Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational, which premiered in 2008.  Sculptures have been rotated through the exhibition and have been placed both on campus and around the city.

Interstitial was installed in 2012 and was inspired by the Wyoming landscape, as well as the architecture of the Centennial Complex.  It consists of hundreds of strands of hot glue suspended by monofiliment below the skylights in the Centennial Complex lobby.  The installation shifts throughout the day as the sunlight and weather conditions change.

If you haven't seen it in person yet, be sure to stop by the Art Museum in the coming days to see this site-specific installation!

Monday, June 10, 2013

Employment Opportunities at the Art Museum


The Art Museum is currently accepting applications for the Office Associate, Senior position, as well as a Visitor Services Attendant. 

The Office Associate, Senior is responsible for overseeing special events, including the annual Gala fundraiser, and the Happy Holidays and Festival of Trees community events.  This position also supervises the Visitor Services staff, including the Museum Store operations.  This is a full time benefited position.

The Visitor Services Attendant is responsible for greeting museum visitors, overseeing sales at the Museum Store, answering phone calls, and tracking attendance.  This is a customer service focused position that plays a key role in making sure museum visitors have a great experience at the museum!  This is a part time, non-benefited position.

If you are interested in joining the Art Museum team, information about how to apply can be found on the UW Human Resources website.  Applications for both positions will be accepted through June 16.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Happy Birthday, Harold Garde!



We would like to extend a very happy birthday to artist Harold Garde!  Garde, a UW alumnus and one of our favorite artists, turns 90 today!  Museums and galleries are celebrating him and his career today in Maine and Florida where he has studios.

Garde's work is currently on view in the Art Museum.  Kimonos: Strappo Prints by Harold Garde will be up through August 3.  We invite you to stop in and check out his innovative prints and join us in wishing him a happy birthday!

You can also visit his website for more information about him and his artwork.

Monday, June 3, 2013

UWYO Magazine Article Highlights Donation to the Art Museum


An article in the most recent issue of UWYO magazine highlights long-time Art Museum supporter and art collector, E.G. Meyer.  Meyer recently announced a promised gift to the Art Museum that will include selections from his extensive private collection of Western American art, artwork by the Taos Society of Artists, and European art. 

Meyer has long been a supporter of the Art Museum and had a distinguished career at UW.  You can read the article in its entirety here on the UW webpage.