UW Visual Arts Department Faculty to Exhibit at UW Art Museum

A new exhibition that showcases the creative work of University of Wyoming visual arts department faculty members will open Saturday, Aug. 31, at the UW Art Museum. 

The UW Visual Arts Department Faculty Exhibition includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, photography, graphic design, videos and mixed media.

Individually, UW Department of Visual Arts faculty members exhibit their work in national and international venues. The exhibition is an opportunity to view their work collectively.

“We are excited to show off the creative work of our very talented visual arts faculty,” says Nicole Crawford, chief curator of the UW Art Museum. “Their efforts are usually seen through their teaching and, therefore, we don’t have many opportunities to see their artwork at UW, much less collectively.”

Participating faculty members are Diana Baumbach, Ashley Hope Carlisle, Kathleen Frye, Brandon Gellis, Leah Hardy, Margaret Haydon, David Jones, Patrick Kikut, Ricki Klages, Mark Ritchie, Rani Robison, Bailey Russel, Doug Russell and Shelby Shadwell.

“While studio faculty have strengths in many different areas, two things are of primary importance: commitment to studio practice and dedication to fostering excellence in the education of art students,” says Ricki Klages, head of the UW Department of Visual Arts. “Art department faculty at the University of Wyoming are committed to their creative work. They continue to inspire, to provoke and to nurture that creative process in each other, in their students and in the wider artistic community.”

Public programs planned in conjunction with the exhibition are:

-- “Life-Woodcut: Printmaking Workshop with Mark Ritchie,” Thursday, Sept. 19, 5-8 p.m., UW Art Museum. Ritchie, a professor of art in the UW Department of Visual Arts, will share his process of translating drawing to print and working with live animals in this fast-paced printmaking workshop.

The workshop is limited to 12 individuals, ages 16 and up. The cost is $20 per person. To register, go to https://artmuseum.catalog.instructure.com/courses/printmaking9192019.

-- “Lunchtime Conversations with Curators,” Wednesday, Nov. 6, 12:10-12:50 p.m., UW Art Museum. This program is the first of two special curator-guided gallery walk-throughs with art department faculty members. The event is free and open to the public.

-- “E N A M E L: Fused Glass on Metal Workshop with Leah Hardy,” Saturday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Room 235, the Metalsmithing Studio, in the Visual Arts Building. This workshop will introduce basic techniques of kiln-fused enamel on copper. Participants will saw out small simple shapes from copper sheet to enamel, employing dry sifting, stenciling and sgraffito techniques. The small-scale pieces can manifest as jewelry, bookmarks or charms. All materials will be provided. No experience is necessary. All participants are encouraged to bring idea drawings and a packed lunch.

The workshop is limited to 10 individuals, ages 16 and up. The cost is $20 per person. To register, go to https://artmuseum.catalog.instructure.com/courses/enamel112319.

-- “Lunchtime Conversations with Curators,” Wednesday, Dec. 4, 12:10-12:50 p.m., UW Art Museum. This program is the second of two special curator-guided gallery walk-throughs with art department faculty members. The event is free and open to the public.

The UW Visual Arts Department Faculty Exhibition will be on view through Feb. 22, 2020.

For more information about the UW Art Museum, call (307) 766-6622, visit the website at www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum, or follow the museum on Facebook and Instagram.

The UW Art Museum collects, exhibits and interprets art to inspire creativity and nurture lifelong learning for the people of Wyoming. Located in the Centennial Complex at 2111 E. Willett Drive in Laramie, the museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday hours are extended to 7 p.m. Admission is free.