UW Ann Simpson Artmobile to Visit Park County Libraries

Museum-quality artwork is coming to three Park County libraries June 9-13.

Original artwork from the University of Wyoming Art Museum’s permanent collection will be displayed through UW’s Ann Simpson Artmobile at the Cody Library Monday and Tuesday, June 9-10; the Meeteetse Library Wednesday, June 11; and at the Powell Library Thursday and Friday, June 12-13.

Artmobile Curator Erica Ramsey implements the UW outreach program, which includes transporting the art to each venue and setting up the exhibition; creating the schedule and related educational activities; tailoring the program to meet the needs of each location; and co-curating exhibitions. The current Artmobile exhibition is titled, “What's That? Investigating Abstract Art.”

“This exhibit has been on the road since last summer, and will continue to travel the state until the summer of 2015,” Ramsey says.

The exhibition’s 16 original works of art by 15 artists includes serigraphs, etchings, woodcuts, lithographs, aquatints, a pen and ink drawing and a gouache painting.

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,” Ramsey says. “Programming is inquiry-based, tailored to meet the needs of its audience, and coordinated with Wyoming educational standards in art.”

The UW Artmobile offers interactive presentations about the exhibition and the curator oversees the art workshops. 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 typically are followed by hands-on art activities.

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. 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.

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 FMC Corp., Ann and Al Simpson, the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation and other donors. Additional support is provided by FMC Corp. and the Wyoming Arts Council through the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wyoming State Legislature.

Ramsey says the UW Artmobile is available for bookings beginning in August and for the rest of the calendar year. The only cost associated with the booking is that the host community provide hotel accommodations for the Artmobile curator, Ramsey says.

For scheduling information, contact Ramsey at (307) 399-2941 or at artmobile@uwyo.edu. For pictures and stories about past visits, people can visit the Artmobile’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/uwyoartmobile.