Wyoming Arts Council Announces Public Art Call

Northwest College (NWC) in Powell, Wyo., is constructing a new Student Center, scheduled to open in 2024.  Through the State’s Art in Public Buildings program, integrated interior artwork will be commissioned for the new facility.

A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is open to artists with a deadline of Nov. 18, 2022.  The call is available on CaFE (callforentry.org). Additional details including eligibility requirements, timelines, and budget information are available on CaFE. For a video of the interior that shows identified locations for artwork, visit the Arts Council website. Submissions to the RFQ must be made through CaFE by the deadline listed. There is a committee for the project, tasked with reviewing applications, selecting finalists, and making the final artwork

selection. Wyoming artists are given preference.

The new Student Center will replace the current building, which was built in the 1960s. The facility is intended to be used primarily by students, staff, and faculty but does include a community center for public events and gatherings. The space is intended to be inviting with a modern dining hall and bright, safe spaces where students can engage in studying, eating, gathering, and leadership. The ground level entry is meant to reinforce the design concept of a grand hall or main communal space. 

At the center of the facility is a two-story great hall space with a floor-to-ceiling, double-sided fireplace and an adjacent two-story wooden wall. The committee is interested in commissioning work that is integrated into either the fireplace or the wall. After an initial committee review of submissions to the RFQ, selected finalists will be invited to submit a proposal to address one or both of those locations. 

Art in Public Buildings legislation for the State of Wyoming is administered through the Wyoming Arts Council. For more information, please contact Rachel Clifton at the Arts Council at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 307-256-0500.

Caption: An exterior view of the new Student Center at Northwest College, courtesy of Hord Coplan Macht.

Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaboratives to Meet in October

The Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation facilitates several outdoor recreation collaboratives convened throughout the state by Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, and Trails. These initiatives bring together local community members, recreation stakeholders, businesses, conservation groups, federal and state agencies, and elected officials to identify and prioritize opportunities for the growth and enhancement of outdoor recreation.

Dates, times, and locations are as follows:

·  Northeast Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (NEWORC - Campbell, Crook, and Weston counties) - October 4th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, location Crook County Courthouse, 309 E Cleveland St, Sundance. Join virtually at meet.google.com/cbm-trzm-cnc or join by phone (US) +1 352-973-0350 PIN: 986970445

·  Natrona County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (NCORC) - October 5th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, location Platte River Trails at The Tate Pumphouse, 1775 W 1st St, Casper. Join virtually at meet.google.com/agb-ngzf-dck or join by phone (US) +1 901-881-9709 PIN: 678562547

·  Bighorn Basin Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (BBORC - Big Horn, Hot Springs and Washakie counties) - October 11th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, location Big Horn Rural Electric Co, 415 South St, Basin. Join virtually at meet.google.com/isu-tfsd-inm or join by phone (US) +1 929-299-3608 PIN: 873889694

·  Park County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (PCORC) - October 12th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Park County Library, 1500 Heart Mountain St, Cody. Join virtually at meet.google.com/dfn-tdhw-ufi or join by phone (US) +1 513-480-5331 PIN: 441001541

Members of the public are welcome to attend collaborative meetings in-person or virtually when available. There will be a designated time for public comment near the end of each meeting.

Established by recommendation of the 2017 Governor’s Outdoor Recreation Task Force, the Office of Outdoor Recreation aims to diversify Wyoming’s economy by expanding, enhancing, and promoting responsible recreational opportunities through collaboration, outreach, and coordination with stakeholders, landowners, private industry, and public officials. 

Learn more about the Office and future community collaboratives by following us on social media or visiting wyorec.com.

For the second year in a row, the Wyoming State Museum is hosting “CreepyCrawly Critters,” a Family Day dedicated to the strange and wonderful wildlifethat we associate with Halloween.

Visit the museum on October 1, 2022 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. to find games, activities, crafts, and learning opportunities for all ages.

Creepy Crawly Critters offers kids and adults alike the chance to meet with partners from the University of Wyoming Entomology department, the Biodiversity Institute, Colorado State University’s Bug Zoo, and Wyoming Game & Fish. 

You’ll get to see live bugs, snakes, and salamanders, enjoy beautifully mounted insect specimens, learn about the important role bats play in our ecosystems, and even take your picture with a real (but no longer living) alligator! Crafts and activities include a Creepy Crawly obstacle course, a flying bugs game, and a make-your-own slime station. 

Like all Wyoming State Museum Family Days, this event is FREE for all ages and will bring attendees closer to the museum’s diverse collections. Families can find the registration link at wyomuseum.wyo.gov/familydays or they can register by phone at 307-630-2573.

Family Days are generously sponsored by SCHEELS in Johnstown, CO. Thanks to their support, these events are always free and open to everyone! Family Day fans can follow the museum’s facebook and instagram accounts to stay in the know about upcoming events: @wyomingstatemuseum.

The Wyoming State Museum is located in the Barrett Building, 2301Central Ave. in Cheyenne. Please call 307-630-2573 for more information. 

SUE LOPEZ AND CYNTHIA RICHMOND DISCUSS THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF S.C. LOPEZ, THE VOICE FOR WYOMING’S LATIN AMERICANS

The Wyoming State Archives hosts a presentation and Q&A session on, "Savino ‘S.C.’ Lopez, From Farmer to a Voice for Wyoming’s Latin Americans," with Sue Lopez and Cynthia Richmond on Thursday, October 13, at 7 p.m.

This will be a live, in-person event with an option for participating virtually. The event will be held in the Wyoming State Museum classroom, located at 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne.

For those not able to attend in-person, registration to attend the event online is through Eventbrite at https://bit.ly/3pAAzYd. This free public event is part of the Archives’ monthly second Thursdays evening speaker series.

Cynthia Richmond and Sue Lopez, the granddaughters of S.C. Lopez and natives of Cheyenne will share an overview of the life and legacy of Savino “S.C.” Lopez, the founder of the Latin American Association Inc. and the National Latin American Federation.

Specific topics to be discussed include Savino “S.C.” Lopez’s journey to Cheyenne; his vision and mission to promote Civil Rights and equality for Latin Americans; and reflections on his life as a husband, father and grandfather. 

Cynthia Richmond graduated from Cheyenne Central High School. She spent her career with Mountain Bell/AT&T in Denver and Utah, moving up in the company through Equipment Engineering, Dial Assignment, and Service Adviser.

After taking early retirement, she started her own company specializing in telephone services support, training, courses, and management, where she contracted with many large entities such as governmental offices and AT&T. Today, Cynthia is retired, married, volunteers, and works “uncharacteristic” jobs of her choice.

Susanna “Sue” M. Lopez has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Journalism from the University of Wyoming. Sue was an English and Journalism teacher at Cheyenne Central High School for 12 years and then spent the next 19 years teaching English at Cheyenne East High School. 

During her tenure, Sue served on several building and district level committees, and she developed as well as taught the curriculum for Multicultural Literature, initially an English elective, but later earning a Senior English status.

Sue was recognized by the University of Wyoming’s Honors Program in 2000 as an outstanding pre-college teacher and her “critical role in influencing the intellectual development of tomorrow’s leaders.”

In 2002, Sue was named HOPE’s (Hispanic Organization for Progress and Education) Teacher of the Year and recognized by Laramie County School District #1 for her achievement. She also was an Opinion Columnist with the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle. Currently, Sue is married and enjoying retirement in northern Colorado.  

The WSA Speaker Series hosts talks at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. Our final speaker for the year is in November. Evan Green will be presenting on firearms and stories from the Wyoming State Museum. Our speaker series will resume in January 2023, with others scheduled throughout the year.

To view upcoming events, check out the Wyoming State Archives events calendar at https://wyoarchives.wyo.gov/index.php/about-archives/events. A recording of this talk will be available on the WSA YouTube channel the week following the talk.

The Wyoming State Archives collects, manages, and preserves Wyoming state public records that have long-term administrative, legal, and historical value. These records document the history of our state and the activities of Wyoming Government offices. The Archives also collects non-government records that contribute to the understanding of the state’s history.

For more information, contact Sara Davis, Wyoming State Archivist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the WSA at 307-777-7826.

The Wyoming State Archives is accessible according to the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines. If you require special assistance, please contact the Wyoming State Archives at 307-777-7826.

In celebration of Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month, Dr. Barbara Mills will present the 23rd Annual George C. Frison Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology sponsored lecture, September 22 at 4:10 p.m. at the Business Auditorium on the University of Wyoming campus. 

The lecture is free and open to the public. The lecture will also be streamed via wyocast at https://wyocast.uwyo.edu/WyoCast/Play/5f6faf0dee084f129a041b1373512c501d. A reception will follow the lecture in the Department of Anthropology foyer.

Dr. Mills is a Regents Professor of Anthropology at the University of Arizona and the Curator of Archaeology at the Arizona State Museum. Her talk is titled “From Frontier to Center Place: The Dynamic Trajectory of the Chaco World.”

Dr. Mills has conducted field and laboratory research in several regions of the Southwest (Four Corners, Chaco, Mogollon Rim, Rio Grande, Mimbres, and Zuni areas) as well as Guatemala, Kazakhstan, and Turkey. She was Director of the University of Arizona Archaeological Field School at Pinedale, where she collaborated with the Hopi and White Mountain Apache Tribes. This was followed by a series of NSF-supported projects including the Southwest Social Networks Project, the Chaco Social Networks Project, and her current project, cyberSW.

The Frison Institute Lecture will discuss current research on Chaco that sheds light on the transformation of Chaco Canyon and the creation of the regional ‘Chaco World.’ This research highlights the complementary roles of population growth, migration, social heterogeneity, inequality, ritual craft specialization, and multiscalar social networks.

The Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources Monuments and Markers Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Google Meet Tuesday, October 11, from 1 – 3 p.m.

Google Meet joining information:                       
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pyx-brzv-gmt
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 601-526-3027 PIN: ‪842 915 434#

The purpose of this meeting is to review changes made to the Handbook, review current projects, and other items should they arise. 

The Wyoming Monuments and Markers Program is a cooperative effort of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR), the Wyoming Department of Transportation, Wyoming Office of Tourism, Wyoming Tribes, local governments, and private individuals and organizations.

The Monuments and Markers Program installs new historical markers and maintains existing monuments, markers, and interpretive signage. The Monuments and Markers Advisory Committee (MMAC) reviews and approves all new signage and signage with revised text under the jurisdiction of SPCR. The MMAC may also be consulted for recommendations for maintenance and replacement of markers.

For further information, please contact Dan Bach, Monuments and Markers Coordinator, at 307-777-6314 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  To learn more about the Wyoming Monuments and Markers Program, visit https://bit.ly/3E1xV2V.

Jessica Moore has been appointed the new superintendent of Sinks Canyon State Park, according to the Wyoming Division of State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails. She replaces Jamie Simonson, who recently retired.

Moore is formally educated in Parks, Recreation & Tourism Resources having earned a Master’s of Science from Michigan State University.

She worked as an interpretive ranger before a robust career at a Wildlife Park where she served as a naturalist and education curator. 

Moore and her family sought out beautiful Lander for a move in August of 2021. 

District Manager Kyle Bernis remarks “We are excited to have Jessica on our team and look forward to accomplishing great things at Sinks Canyon.”

Wyoming State Parks looks forward to having Jessica as the next steward of Sinks Canyon State Park, a truly spectacular place that is special to so many. 

Full Moon Fort Tours
Friday and Saturday, October 7 and 8, 2022
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site
528 Wagon Box Road, Banner, WY 82832
$10 per person age 12 and up

Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site, in conjunction with the Trident Theater Company, is announcing the return of their Full Moon Fort tours!

Held annually on the weekend closest to October’s full moon, this event explores the grisly details of fort life in the 1860s. Tour guides will lead groups of 20 people through the fort by lantern-light to experience an evening of true stories that are too eerie to make up.

Tickets are on sale now, and are $10 per person, ages 12 and up. Ages 11 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.fortphilkearny.com or by calling the Fort at 307-684-7629.

Tours start at 6:30 p.m. and happen every half hour. While the 6:30 tour will be child-friendly, later tours feature true stories told a little more graphicly. 

Tour times fill up quickly so be sure to book early, and all visitors are encouraged to dress warmly for this outdoor event.

Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site is located at 528 Wagon Box Road, in Banner, Wyo., and is a division of Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources. 

For more information or directions, visit the website at www.fortphilkearny.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fortphilkearny, or call 307-684-7629.

Grand Home Tour
Saturday, October 8, 2022
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Trail End State Historic Site
400 Clarendon Ave, Sheridan WY
$20 per person

Grand Home Tour

Spend the afternoon of Saturday, October 8, touring some of Sheridan's finest historic houses! From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., visit three private homes built between 1895 and 1901, in addition to exploring spaces inside the 1913 Kendrick Mansion that are rarely shown.

Tour participants must be able to climb stairs as each house has multiple stories, and the spaces shown at the Kendrick Mansion are not all accessible by elevator.

Tickets are $20 each and are on sale now at the Kendrick Mansion/ Trail End State Historic Site between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. daily, or online anytime at www.trailend.org.

The tour is a fundraiser for the Trail End Guilds, Inc., the friends’ group that helps support the Mansion. Past fundraising efforts by the Guilds have included purchasing historically accurate reproduction rugs, wallpaper, and ballroom cushions. They also put on the annual Holiday Open House and Summer Evening at the Mansion.

The Kendrick Mansion is a 1913 historic house museum located at 400 Clarendon Avenue, Sheridan, on the grounds of Trail End State Historic Site.

Trail End is a division of Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources.  For more information or directions, visit the website at www.trailend.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/trailend, or call 307-674-4589.