"Laramie: A Gem City Atlas," a project by the University of Wyoming Creative Writing Program, can be viewed at Coe Library through the end of September.
The display is located on the third floor outside of the Emmett Chisum Room. Audio information for the project is available in the Chisum Room.
The exhibition is the result of a project initiated by the UW MFA in Creative Writing Program, which invited Eminent Writer in Residence Rebecca Solnit to work with students to rethink and re-map Laramie and the surrounding area.
The project echoes Solnit's book "Infinite City: A San Francisco Atlas," that examined the factors that make up a city and how maps can create a visual record of goods, services and people.
"If you missed seeing the work of our non-fiction workshop students last spring at the Art Museum, now is the chance to wander over to the library and check it out," says Alyson Hagy, professor in the UW Department of English.
The exhibition features 16 maps created by UW students and a few community members. Each map contains unique and sometimes quirky landmarks that contribute to Laramie's culture -- from bars and beauty salons to areas of beetle kill, missile silos and ghost sightings. Also, local and student artists created original artwork in response to the data on the maps. This artwork accompanies the maps in the exhibition.
"Laramie: A Gem City Atlas" and Solnit's visit to UW were co-sponsored by the Albany County Public Library Foundation, the Wyoming State Legislature through the Eminent Writer in Residence Endowment, the MFA in Creative Writing Program, the UW Art Museum, The Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources and the UW College of Education Social Justice Research Center.
For more information about "Laramie: A Gem City Atlas," contact Alyson Hagy at (307) 766-4269 or email ahagy@uwyo.edu.
For more information about the UW Art Museum, call (307) 766-6622 or visit the museum's webpage at www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum or blog at www.uwartmuseum.blogspot.com.
Located in the Centennial Complex at 2111 Willett Dr. in Laramie, the museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays. Admission is free.
