Moroles Sculpture Takes Shape on Prexy's Pasture

Physical Plant staff, the University of Wyoming Art Museum exhibition preparator Sterling Smith, and the artist Jesus Moroles nudge steel tank into place to receive granite infill. Photo courtesy of the UW Art Museum.

Texas sculptor Jesus Moroles was on location earlier this week to install his work for Sculpture: A Wyomng Invitational. Created from a found tank and lined with 10,000 lbs of red granite, Granite Windows will be an interactive sculpture that invites viewers to climb inside the work and/or take it for a spin.

To date, the floor is complete as are the cross-platforms in the work. The east and west "windows" have granite in place. Moroles will return to Laramie in the next week to complete the work.

Press release for Jesus Moroles, click here.
For complete information, www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum.

Laramie Flood impacts work on Steven Siegel's Sculpture

Rising flood waters surround Siegel's scultpure on the Laramie Greenbelt. Photo courtesy of the UW Art Museum

Laramie was deluged with nearly 2 inches of rain in 2 days this week resulting in elevated water levels for the Laramie River. Areas southwest of the city are particularly vulnerable, including the site for New York artist Steven Siegel's site-specific installation. While rain didn't slow the artist's progress on the sculpture, the rising water has impacted the ability to work on some sections of the inner structure. The National Weather Service expects the river to crest on Saturday morning and we hope the waters will be receding by Monday.

Casper Star Tribune article, click here.

Press release for Steven Siegel, click here.

For complete information, www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum.

Jesus Moroles On Site Next Week

Albert Haskins, UW Physical Plant, off loads granite for Moroles Sculpture on Prexy's Pasture. Photo courtesy of the UW Art Museum.

From June 9 to 11, Texas artist Jesus Moroles will be on location creating a new work for Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational. The exhibition has been curated by Susan Moldenhauer, director and chief curator of the UW Art Museum, and organized by the Art Museum in partnership with the University of Wyoming, various agencies of the City of Laramie, and the Albany County Public Library.

Moroles has designed an interactive work that will be created from a tank found at Ace Salvage and his signature material, granite. Sited just west of Half Acre Gym, the sculpture will be assembled by Moroles with the assistance of the museum's chief preparator Sterling Smith, preparator David Jones, and the museum's interns for the project: Michael Hurley, Jamie Fritz, Jedidiah Cracco, Kara Peterson, and Bethany Reisner.

Moroles will be on location Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, June 9 - 11.

Press release on Jesus Moroles, click here.
For complete information, www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum.

Siegel Sculpture Takes Shape on the Laramie Greenbelt

Steven Siegel's Sculpture on the Laramie Greenbelt at the end of the day Wednesday. Photo courtesy of the UW Art Museum.

Steven Siegel, assisted by UW Art Museum chief preparator Sterling Smith and a number of student interns, has established the basic structure of his site-specific work for Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational. After 3 days of working in the museum's woodshop and on site, the sculpture is beginning to emerge from the soggy banks of the Laramie River. Tomorrow, red mulch from the Cheyenne Recycling Center will be delivered. Additional structural components will be added as the work stretches beyond its current 75-ft length.

Working with Steven is a delight and being part of the creative process for the sculptural work for Laramie is a lot of fun. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Sarah at the museum, 766-6621. Volunteers for the coming weeks (June 9 - 20) to assist in completing the work and will also be needed for the 3 weeks in July when Patrick Dougherty will be in town to create a work from saplings.

Press release on Steven Siegel, click here.
For complete information, www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum.

Charles Parson's Molto Allargando completed on Prexy's Pasture

Molto Allargando by Charles Parson on Prexy's Pasture, University of Wyoming. Photo courtesy of the UW Art Museum.

With sod work complete, Molto Allargando by Charles Parson now rises magestically from Prexy's Pasture on the campus of the University of Wyoming. The first of five works that will be placed in this newly renovated center of campus, it is the first of 16 works placed outside the museum that will comprise Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational.

Public programs planned with the exhibition include:
July, day TBD
Public Art Talk by Patrick Dougherty

Sept. 12, 4 - 5:30pm
Public Opening Celebration, Prexy's Pasture

Apr. 4-5, 2009
Public Art and Communities: Impact and Inspiration (working title)
UW Conference Center
A two-day symposium with artists in Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational and more that 20 additional presenters who will discuss the impact and important of public art in our communities and on our campuses.

Press release for Charles Parson, click here.

For complete information, www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum.

Artist Steven Siegel begins 3-week Residency to create new work for Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational

On Monday, June 2, New York artist Steven Seigel arrives for a three-week visit to create a new site-specific installation for Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational. Steve visited Laramie several weeks ago to consider sites and options for materials. Since he works with locally-available recycled materials, we took him to ARK, the Laramie City Dump, and the Recycle Center in Cheyenne. His works will be created near the Laramie Greenbelt east of the Commerce Street entrance (west side). Steve selected the site for its unique juxtaposition of nature, industry, commerce, and travel. The site is visible from I-80.

Steve will begin his work in the University of Wyoming Art Museum's shop to fabricate the internal structure for the work. We anticipate 3 days for this aspect of the project and then he will will begin constructing the work on location. Final materials for the sculpture will also be selected and delivered to the site. For this particular project, we look forward to working with Laramie Parks & Recreation.

This will be the second off-site installation for Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational. Of the 16 sculptures scheduled for the exhibition, 5 are off-campus and have been made possible through a very special partnership with the various offices and agencies of the City of Laramie and Albany County.

VOLUNTEERS are needed to assist in the creation of Steve's sculpture between June 5 and 18. Plans are to work 8 - 5, Monday - Friday. If you are interested in helping, please contact Sarah Gadd, assistant curator at the Art Museum, 766-6621.

Press release for Steven Siegel, click here.
For complete information, www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum.

Charles Parson sculpture installed on Prexy's Pasture

Off-loading and placing sections of Molto Allargando. Photo courtesy of the UW Art Museum

Molto Allargando nearing completion. Photo courtesy of the UW Art Museum

The first off-site installation for Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational was created by Denver sculptor Charles Parson for a site on Prexy's Pasture. Molto Allargando is a 65-ft steel and glass work that references the horizon line so prominent in the American West. The artist, Art Museum personnel and interns, and UW Physical Plant staff undertook the project of off-loading and place sections of the sculpture on the prepared site. Installation, including berming and sod work, was completed in two days.

Press release on Charles Parson, click here.
For complete information, http://www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum.