Press Release: Art Museum Gala

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
October 16, 2009

Contact: Shantana Judkins
Publicist
University of Wyoming Art Museum
(307) 766-3497
shantana@uwyo.edu


The University of Wyoming Art museum will host its 17th annual benefit ball, “Gala 2009: A Highland Fling,” at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, in the University of Wyoming Union Yellowstone Ballroom.

The Art Museum’s event of the year will include both silent and live auctions, run by auctioneer Dan Sullivan, gourmet dining and dancing to live music performed by Play It Forward.

“Tom and I are confident that we will have a sellout crowd again this year,” said Jacque Buchanan, Gala co-chair along with her husband UW President Tom Buchanan. “It seems that tough times bring out the best in our generous Art Museum supporters, and having an event where the men can wear skirts is certainly attracting some notice! The guys in kilts might decide to vie for a very special trip to Nova Scotia, where they’ll have additional opportunities to wear those tartans.”

Many other unique items will be up for grabs during this year’s live auction including Peter Fillerup’s bronze “Fanning a Twister-Steamboat,” a wonderful log dog house, paintings, art photographs and, of course, lots of single malt Scotch. Special items this year will be experiences that you and your family will enjoy—from going deep under the earth to explore the FMC mine to enjoying a “Chef’s Table” at the new Cavalryman Supper Club.

For those who like to take their chances, two raffles are being held to benefit the Museum as well. While the winners will be announced at the Gala dinner, they need not be present to win. A fabulous diamond necklace underwritten by Dooley Oil will be the first raffle drawn, and the second item is a $1,000 gas card provided by Gala sponsor Laramie GM Auto Center.

The Gala Benefit Ball is held annually to provide funds for the Art Museum’s exhibitions, education, collection and outreach programs that support nationally renowned and culturally significant exhibitions and programs for Wyoming and the surrounding area.

Dinner, the live auction and dancing will follow the cocktails and silent auction. Individual tickets are available for $175 as are table sponsorships at various levels. To purchase your tickets or for more information call the Art Museum at (307)766-3477.

“Imagine learning from the masters” is a guiding principle of the UW Art Museum’s programs. The Art Museum and Museum Store are located in the Centennial Complex at 2111 Willett Drive in Laramie. Hours are Monday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Reminder: One Week to Submit Images for Touring Exhibition

Only one week remains for Wyoming artists to submit images for consideration to be included in a traveling exhibition organized by the University of Wyoming Art Museum. The DEADLINE is Thursday, October 22. Details are below in the official Call for Wyoming Artists.

The University of Wyoming Art Museum is pleased to accept submissions by Wyoming artists for its Touring Exhibition Service. For more than 25 years, the Art Museum has circulated exhibitions of original art throughout Wyoming. Whether from the museum’s collection or borrowed from artists, these exhibitions are available to libraries, schools, community centers, galleries, and museums statewide.

We are pleased to feature a selection of up to twenty Wyoming based artists in a new exhibition to tour through the Touring Exhibition Service. In addition, the Art Museum will be creating educational tools and information online for use by K-12 teachers. This is a wonderful opportunity to have your work seen and studied in a variety of Wyoming communities by the public and school groups. We anticipate a three-year tour which will visit at least five communities annually.

Please submit for consideration three images of your artwork, a brief artist’s statement, and resume by October 22, 2009 to:

Touring Exhibition Artist Submission

c/o Nicole Crawford

Curator of Collections
UW Art Museum

Dept. 3807, 1000 E. University Ave.

Laramie, WY 82071-2000

Or by email to ncrawfor@uwyo.edu

DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL ARTWORK – only jpegs, tiffs, slides or photographs of work will be accepted. Please include with each image: title, size, date, and medium. Requirements: Artists must live and work primarily in Wyoming.

All work must be two-dimensional and ready to frame. No charcoal or pastel can be accepted due to the long-term travel conditions. Size must not exceed 14 x 18 inches in total and image size must not exceed 10 x 12 inches.

Online information on current exhibitions with the Touring Exhibition Service is available at www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum, click on Outreach.

UPDATED - Cell Phone Audio Tour for Brian Burkhardt Exhibition Now Available

The cell phone audio tour for the exhibition moss doesn't grow on rolling stones....a vision of nature by Brian Burkhardt is now available! This FREE program offers additional information about the exhibition and explores the themes and ideas present in Burkhardt's work.

The information can be accessed through a simple phone call just by dialing a local (307 area code) number. If you're in the museum, handouts are available at the front desk. If you're interested in the information but can't make it to the museum, you can still call in. There's even a feedback feature that allows you to record a voicemail telling us what you think of the audio tour, the exhibition, or general comments about your museum visit. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome!

Instructions for how to use the audio tour are below:

Dial 307-200-0040 from your cell phone.

Press the corresponding number, followed by the pound key (#).

1- Audio Tour Instructions

2- General Museum Information

82- Introduction to moss doesn’t grow on rolling stones. . .

83- Dome

84- Flora series

85- Jellyfish series

86- Rocking Chair

87- Shopping Cart

88- Take - Heed

Press 0, followed by the pound key, to leave us your comments and suggestions.

UPDATED!

A .pdf version is available for you to print out and bring with you to the museum, or call in from home!

Funding for this program is provided by the Wyoming Arts Council through the Wyoming State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes a great nation deserves great art.

James Surls to Present Public Talk at Coe Library

James Surls, Rolling Flower

Courtesy of the artist

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

James Surls, nationally known artist, will give an Art Talk on Saturday, October 24 at 1 p.m. in William Robertson Coe Library. The public Art Talk is free and will be followed by a reception to celebrate the installation of Surls’ newest piece, Rolling Flower, in William Robertson Coe Library.

Surls is best known for his sculpture work. He is noted as being “one of America’s most important living sculptors and one of the most distinctive creative forces on the international art scene in the last several decades.” Time Magazine announces that “Surls sculpture is infused, at the start, with a real sense of fright: the noonday demon lurking in the woodpile.”

Surls is also 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.

University of Wyoming Libraries

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.

Netsuke Carving going on RIGHT NOW at the Art Museum!

Montana artist Nick Lamb, shown above, has begun his netsuke carving demonstration for the evening. The picture above was taken just minutes ago in the Art Museum lobby!

Stop by this evening to see what he's creating! Nick has brought examples of his work that you can pick up and see hands-on. There are books to look at, tools to see and Nick is here to answer your questions about netsuke.

This event is free and open to the public.

Netsuke Carving Demonstration on Monday Evening

A netsuke titled, Chanticleer, by Montana artist Nick Lamb. Lamb will be at the museum on Monday night to give a netsuke carving demonstration.

Photo courtesy of the artist.

A netsuke carving demonstration by Montana artist Nick Lamb will be held at the Art Museum on Monday evening, October 5 at 6 pm. Netsuke are small toggles that were worn with traditional Japanese men's clothing. The netsuke hung from the obi belt of a kimono to counterbalance the weight of a small pouch or medicine box. This public program is being held in conjunction with the exhibition, Ichiro: Netsuke, A Life's Work, The Huey G. and Phyllis T. Shelton Collection of Ichiro Inada Netsuke that is currently on view at the Art Museum through November 14.

Lamb carved his first netsuke in 1983 and is today recognized as one of the foremost contemporary, non-Japanese netsuke carvers. Lamb began his formal training in graphic design while attending Berkshire College of Art in his native England. In 1973 he started woodcarving as a hobby. By the early 1980s he had won several woodcarving prizes. His work has been exhibited internationally.

Bring the family by the Art Museum this Monday night at 6 pm for this fun, educational and FREE event! For more information, please call 307.766.6622.