New UW Artmobile Curator Prepares Abstract Art Exhibition

Erica Ramsey is the University of Wyoming Art Museum’s new Ann Simpson Artmobile curator.

She is preparing to travel to communities throughout Wyoming with original artwork from the Art Museum permanent collection. The 2014 Artmobile exhibition, “What’s That? Investigating Abstract Art,” includes serigraphs, etchings, woodcuts, lithographs, aquatints, a pen and ink drawing, and a gouache painting. The new exhibition features 16 original works of art by 15 fascinating artists.

“This exhibition provides a great sample of the endless varieties of abstract art,” Ramsey says. “I am excited to share these works of art with people all over the state, and participate in the complex dialogue about abstraction.”

Ramsey brings a background in art, education and social theory to the Artmobile. She graduated in 2009 from UW with a BFA in painting and drawing, and a bachelor of arts in women’s studies. She is currently working on a third B.A. in special education through Western Governors University. A Wyoming resident all her life, Ramsey says she is thrilled about the opportunity to explore the state with great works of art in tow, discussing abstraction and exploring creative processes.

The Ann Simpson Artmobile has toured Wyoming for 32 years, engaging communities in hands-on art-making activities and discussions about original works of art. The Artmobile shares museum quality artwork with communities that may otherwise have limited access to original art. Visits routinely are made to K-12 schools, visitor centers, libraries, senior centers and other community-accessible locations in Wyoming communities. Discussions of the exhibition are typically followed by hands-on art activities.

The UW Artmobile offers interactive presentations about the exhibition and the curator oversees the art workshops. Programming is inquiry-based, tailored to meet the needs of its audience, and coordinated with Wyoming educational standards in art.

For scheduling information, contact Ramsey by phone at (307) 399-2941 or by email at artmobile@uwyo.edu.

Funding for the Ann Simpson Artmobile Program is provided by the Ann Simpson Artmobile Endowment, established by the Julienne Michel Foundation and with the support of Helga and Erivan Haub, Ann and Alan Simpson, and an anonymous donor. The Artmobile van is provided by the FMC Corporation, Ann and Al Simpson, and PacifiCorp-Rocky Mountain Power Foundation and other generous donors. Additional support is provided by FMC Corporation and the Wyoming Arts Council through the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wyoming State Legislature.