Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational to Add New Artwork This Summer

Chris Drury, Carbon Sink: What Goes Around, Comes Around, 2011

Courtesy of the artist

The University of Wyoming Art Museum is planning to add several new works to the public art exhibition, Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational this summer.  The first is by British artist Chris Drury, who will be on site in July to create a new work for the University of Wyoming.

Carbon Sink continues Drury's ongoing exploration of making connections between such diverse phenomena as Nature and Culture, Inner and Outer, and Microcosm and Macrocosim.  Carbon Sink will be constructed from Wyoming coal and Wyoming beetle-killed pine which will be collected from the southeastern region of Wyoming.  The work will connect the geologic and economic importance of Wyoming coal with the current pine beetle infestation surrounding Laramie, commenting on the evolution of the geological and natural cycle of life.  The work will be 12 m in diameter on a site near Old Main on the UW campus.

Drury is one of Britain's leading Land Artists.  Originating in the US in the 1960s-70s, Land Art promotes the use of natural and found materials for the creation of large-scale and often site-specific artworks in the landscape and in remote locations.  In 1974, Drury made a 12-day trek in the Canadian Rockies with a pioneer of Land Art, Hamish Fulton, an experience that focused his creative pursuits.

Carbon Sink is made possible through an anonymous donor and the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund.

Tonight at the Art Museum - Art Talk: Chris Drury

Chris Drury, Mozel Rhine Whirlpool, 2010, courtesy of the artist

British land artist Chris Drury is in Laramie, visiting the UW campus to discuss a new site-specific work to be included in the exhibition, Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational. Similarly to artist Margaret Cogswell's visit this week, it is important for Drury to gain an understanding of the campus and town in order to create a work that meshes with its surroundings.

In conjunction with his visit, Drury will present a public Art Talk tonight at 7 pm, at the Art Museum. It is free and open to the public. He will be discussing his previous works and his approach to themes such as culture, the environment, and nature. For more information on Drury and his work, visit his website or blog.

Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational first opened in 2008 and continues to evolve. Two previous site-specific works, by artists Patrick Dougherty and Steven Siegel, have been removed. The Art Museum is excited to be working with Chris Drury to create a new work for the exhibition!

For more information on public programs or exhibitions at the Art Museum, please visit the website or call 307.766.6622.

Final Days to See 2 Works in Sculpture Invitational

Charmaine Locke (American, b. 1950), Open Book, 2004, bronze, ed. 1/5, 79 x 63 x 40 inches, courtesy of the Surls Locke Personal Collection

Like many of the sculptures in the exhibition, Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational, two works by Colorado artists James Surls and Charmaine Locke were temporarily loaned for the exhibition. As a result, there comes a time when the loan expires, or when an artist needs a piece back for a different exhibition. There are only a few days remaining to see Open Book by Locke, and In Circle by Surls. They will be removed from the exhibition later this week.

Open Book (pictured above) by Charmaine Locke is a bronze sculpture located outside the Albany County Public Library, facing Grand Ave. The work is a call for global peace, and features the phrase, "Why can't we find the path to peace when it is right in front of our eyes?" in six different languages. The arms of the figure hold symbols of nourishment and knowledge.

James Surls' sculpture, In Circle, is located on the north side of Prexy's Pasture. This stainless steel work is different from much of his other sculpture, which includes Rolling Flower, a wood and steel sculpture that is permanently installed in Coe Library. In Circle is dynamic and appears poised for movement. It resembles a molecular structure, or perhaps a tumbleweed.

Be sure to visit these two sculptures before they leave Laramie! A detailed driving guide can be found at each of the sculptures or a downloadable version can be found on the Art Museum's website. For more information on this, or any other exhibition or program, please call the Museum at 307.766.6622.

Save the Date: James Surls Art Talk at Coe Library

Nationally known, Colorado-based artist James Surls will present an Art Talk on Saturday, October 24 at 1 pm at Coe Library. His Art Talk will be followed by a reception to celebrate the installation of his new piece, Rolling Flowers, in Coe Library. Surls created the piece specifically for the new library wing. With the installation of his metal and wood sculpture, the focus on public and community continues in Laramie.

Surls is known for his work with non-profit organizations and emerging artists. He has worked as an arts administrator and arts educator alongside his wife and fellow artist Charmaine Locke. Both Surls and Locke have large-scale sculptures in the exhibition Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational.


Mark it on your calendar today! This event is free and open to the public.

Sculpture Documentary to air on WY PBS

Patrick Dougherty's site-specific sculpture, Shortcut, is one of 18 sculptures included in the exhibition Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational. The exhibition, and Dougherty, were highlighted in a documentary by UWTV that will air in September on Wyoming PBS.

Photo courtesy of the Art Museum.

A documentary by UWTV, Imagine Learning from the Masters: Public Art and Community Partnership will air on Wyoming PBS on Sunday, Spetember 13 at 5:30 pm. The film, narrated and filmed by UWTV's Mary Jung, features interviews with several of the artists who contributed work to the exhibition, Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational. In addition to hearing from artists such as James Surls, Patrick Dougherty and John Henry, the documentary includes comments from UW and city administrators.

Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational was organized by the UW Art Museum in the summer of 2008, during a time when the Museum's galleries were closed for renovation. The exhibition has sparked an over-year-long discussion on public art and continues to receive enthusiastic responses. A public art symposium was held in April, during which time the documentary was first shown.


Be sure to tune in Sunday night, September 13 to hear insider stories about the installation process, artists' motivations and a discussion on the positive aspects of having public art in Laramie.

Moroles' Granite Windows Assembled on Prexy's Pasture

Jesus Moroles' Granite Windows is sited on Prexy's Pasture. Art faculty David Jones and his class arrive at the sculpture as they did a bike tour of all the works now on view in Scultpure: A Wyoming Invitational. Photo courtesy of the UW Art Museum.

Texas artist Jesus Moroles completed the assembly of his new work, Granite Windows, located on the west end of Prexy's Pasture (opposite Half Acre Gym). Finish work will continue over the next few weeks. Moroles said he was happy with the new work. Using a tank to refer to Wyoming's mining industries, the work furthers his exploration in combining found steel objects and granite.

Granite Windows is an interactive work so that viewers may climb inside, sit atop, and/or move the work on its spindle. The "windows" offer interesting and ever changing views of Prexy's Pasture. There are interesting surprises of texture and structure to be discovered inside the scultpure.

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

Press release for Jesus Moroles, click here.

Water Recedes as Steven Siegel's Site-Specific Installation Progresses

Steven Siegel's sculpture emerges from the receding waters of the Laramie River Thursday as work progresses. Photo courtesy of the UW Art Museum.

With brisk winds, chilly temps, and receding water, Steven Siegel continues to work on his site-specific sculpture along the Laramie Greenbelt. Mother Nature has not been kind over the last two weeks during the artist's visit with rain, a snow squall, cold, constant wind, and rising waters of the Laramie River that flooded the area last weekend. Still, the artist's spirits are high as he remains focused on completing the work over the next week.

The Art Museum's Summer Art Camps begin next week as well and students will venture to the site to talk with the artist and learn about alternative materials and creating art for a specific location.

If you want to meet the artist and see his work in progress, the site is along the Laramie Greenbelt in West Laramie. From Snowy Range Road, turn south at the Gunslinger Gas Station (Snowy Range Road west of I-80), proceed to the second left (Commerce St), and park near the paved entrance to the Greenbelt. Walk east toward the Laramie River and you will discover Steve's work.

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

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.

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.

Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational

Photo: Ursula von Rydingsvard's Doolin Doolin on the terrace of the University of Wyoming Art Museum. Photo courtesy of the UW ARt Museum

Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational is an major exhibition that will bring 16 large-scale sculptures to the University of Wyoming campus and the City of Laramie. Participating artists are: Deborah Butterfield, Ursula von Rydingsvard, Jesus Moroles, Charles Parson, Steven Siegel, Patrick Dougherty, James Surls, Charmaine Locke, Carl Reed, John Henry, and Linda Fleming. Additional works from the UW Art Museum collection will include works by Jun Kaneko, Wanxin Zhang, Jesus Moroles, and Robert Russin.

To date, scultpure on view (all at the art museum) are Billings, a larger than life size bronze horse by Deborah Butterfield; Untitled (dango), a glazed ceramic work by Jun Kaneko; Jesus Morole's granite Eclipse; and Doolin Doolin, a carved and constructed cedar work by Ursula von Rydingsvard.

Press release for Ursula von Rydingsvard, click here.
For complete information, http://www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum.