UW Art Museum to Host Benefit Gala April 1

The University of Wyoming Art Museum will host its annual gala fundraiser Saturday, April 1, at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center.

“A Cosmic Ball” will be an evening of food, libations, music and dancing. The evening also will include silent and live auctions. Formal attire with a cosmic flair is requested, event organizers say.

The benefit gala will start at 6 p.m. with a social hour and the opening of the silent auction. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of items, including art, local contributions and inspired travel opportunities. Dinner and a program will begin at 8 p.m., followed by the live auction of art and vacation packages. Following dinner and the live auction, guests can dance to live music provided by the Jason Fritts Project, or mingle with friends and hear live music provided by Fi Sullivan in the Galaxy Lounge.

Tickets to the gala are available through Wednesday, March 15. To purchase tickets, go to www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum/2023-gala/a-cosmic-ball.html.

Hosted by the UW Art Museum National Advisory Board, the annual gala fundraiser provides significant financial support for museum exhibitions, collections, education and outreach.

This year’s event is inspired by the art of Michiko Itatani and the exhibition “Cosmic: Works From the Collection.” Itatani’s paintings explore humans’ place in the larger universe through two distinct series: One explores contact between humans, and the other presents fantastical cosmic monuments to human knowledge. “Michiko Itatani: Infinite Hope/High-Point Contact” is on view at the UW Art Museum through April 1. “Cosmic: Works From the Collection” presents 22 cosmic works from the art museum’s collection that range from 16th century anthropomorphized depictions of the planets to commemorations of the 1969 moon landing. The exhibition is on view through Saturday, May 13.

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 exhibits, preserves and interprets visual culture from around the world to engage academic, local, state, national and global communities. The museum is located in the Centennial Complex at 2111 E. Willett Drive in Laramie. Hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday hours are extended to 7 p.m. Admission is free.