WELCOME TO THE ARTS MOTEL

I don’t often list visual arts events on this blog. But this one is too cool to neglect. And it might provide some ideas for writers looking for unique ways to showcase their work.

“Touchstone Laramie,” is a fine art exhibition and sale of locally produced painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, hand-weaving, and other art-forms by members of The Laramie Artists’ Project, a consortium of Laramie-area professional artists. It takes place on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 19, from 1-5 p.m., at the Ramada Center Motel located just off of I-80 and U.S. 287 (S. Third St.) in Laramie. The Ramada Center Motel has worked with the 26 artists of the Laramie Artists Project to transform guest rooms into gallery spaces. Visitors will be able to stroll through each gallery, meet and talk with the artists, buy original art, and enjoy a unique cultural event.

Co-chaired by artists Wendy Bredehoft (a former WAC colleague) and Susan Moldenhauer (see photo), Touchstone Laramie will also present the work of Joe Arnold, Alison Arnold, Mack Brislawn, Penelope Caldwell, Cathi Carr-Lundfelt, Ken Driese, Susan Driver, Jerry Glass, John Guthrie, Tony Guzzo, Sandra Guzzo, Daniel Hayward, Linda Lillegraven (doinated cover art for “Deep West” anthology), Jon Madsen, Ginnie Madsen, Debbie Mathew, Toni Mosley, Joanne Ramsey, David Reif, Sara Schleicher, Jeanie Schlump, Bob Seabeck, and Mike and Jeny Stoesz. Many of these artists have won visual arts fellowships from the Wyoming Arts Council.

This is the third Touchstone event. Touchstone 2004, held in collaboration with the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Park, featured the work of Bredehoft and Moldenhauer only, and attracted more than 300 visitors to the three-day event. This prompted Touchstone 2005, which was expanded to include Linda Lillegraven and Joe and Alison Arnold in an open studio format. This year’s partnership with the motel makes it possible to include an expanded roster of Albany County artists.

Touchstone Laramie has been made possible by the support of many businesses, including Wal-Mart, Ken’s Toyota, Two Dogs Guide Service, Uniwyo Federal Credit Union, West Laramie Fly Store, Night Heron Books, Safeway, Northridge Discount Liquors, the Laramie Area Chamber of Commerce, the Albany County Tourism Board, and many others. FMI: David Reif, Reif Artworks & Design Consulting, 3340 Aspen Lane, Laramie, WY 82070-5702; 307-745-3110.

(Artwork by Susan Moldenhauer, "Medicine Bow N.F. (Susan), 2004," quad ink on Somerset Velvet, 11" x 11")
- posted by Michael Shay @ 9:18 AM