Art in Lander

One thing I haven’t mentioned about Lander is art. Since I love art and plan on continuing to make art should the town I retire to have an art connection? Probably so. In Wyoming, Lander is thought of as being an “artsy” town. Its even known as the city of bronze for the famous bronze foundry, Eagle Bronze, located there as well as the many bronze statues that appear throughout the city.

There is even an art center. The Lander Art Center is a non-profit organization whose goal is to encourage, stimulate, and support interest in and appreciation of fine art. They have an exhibition gallery. Exhibitions of local, regional and national art and craft change on a six-week basis, with 8 shows per year. In their classroom they offer classes for youth, young adult and adults in a variety of media.

There are several (over seven) local galleries as well as the yearly Heart of the West National Art Show held each year in October and the Riverfest Art Fair held in July. Plus three active art guilds in the county -- the Riverton, Lander and Wind River Valley Art Guilds. For a small town there are a lot of places to view art or ways to be involved in art.

I’ve already gotten to use the services of Eagle Bronze in completing my first bronze sculpture, Guidance, destined for the Avera McKennan Indoor Sculpturewalk program in Sioux Falls, SD. The show opens May 16th and the sculptures are on display for a year, so if you’re in Sioux Falls stop in and take a look.

Open Plains

So I'm thinking of taking on a new venture, I LOVE landscape photography and I've been doing it for years. My main places of choice have been usually during camping trips or just during my mountain outings. Obviously Springs is a place with gorgeous mountain scenery, and many of my pictures have the Rockies involved somehow. I'm thinking about trying different scenery, I want to experiment with heading out east and shooting some of the open plains, I enjoy vast landscape, I guess it never occurred to me to go where it is vastly open haha. Anyway I think it could be interesting, I also know that I've realized the city is expanding itself, there aren't many open plains left anymore. I'll have to experiment a bit and just figure out the right places to go and see where my camera takes me. Anyone know of any good places where its mostly just land and not a whole lot of "stuff" around? If you do please let me know! =)

Next Part...and plan on posting mutimedia soon...misplaced my camera cord

Anywho here is Part 3!

Intersections....
as all things find an overlap
A city that finds itself through
gay lords who hide behind the steeple
the cry's and pleas of men
to the Divine
where in the early of evening
people wait in line
for some it is a long road home
others search for answers
through remains of a tribal past
with careful handling and study
in hopes preserve
within the present...

TBC

So over this semester I posted pictures of places I've been and things I've seen. I'm From New York and being in Colorado over these past few years made me appreciate the outdoors more. I think a lot of people don't realize how amazing some of the sites in Colorado are cause we see them everyday. i thought I seen a mountain before till i came out here boy was I mistaken. You can see clear blue skies, or the beautiful night time sky being illuminated by just the stars. You can't see stuff like that in big cities. I make a point of taking a moment and appreciate these things every moment I can. I hope everyone takes the time to do the same. Well hear are some more pictures of sites I went to see. There are a few picturews from helen hunt falls from a few weeks a go that I didnt get to post and then some og Garden of the Gods this weekend.

Lander Signs

Do you ever stop and look at the signs for stores or think about their names? When I was in Lander I took pictures of a few of the signs & store fronts because they’re unusual. They give the town character. You don’t have Borders or Starbucks to go to but there is the Book Basket and the Folklore Coffeehouse. There are shops called the Whippy Bird, The Wild Iris, Heavenly Everlastings, Sprout’s and many others. How they got their names I don’t know, but they make you wonder what they’re selling, so maybe a visit to find out what’s at a Whippy Bird might be in order next time I’m there. Some of the stores use the whole side or front of the building to attract customers. I particularly like the front of the feed shop, Lander Pet & Ranch Supply, with all the cute critters. The cowboy outside Melody Liquors is also quite the character.

Camping Anyone?!!!

I definitely think one of the best ways to relax is going camping. Camping tends to be a love or hate deal from what I've seen, and all I can think about right now is going as soon as school is out! I'm so stressed with finals coming up I just keep day dreaming about being in the mountains. I guess that might have something to do with all the rain we've had lately, rain is so peaceful and smells wonderful, its relaxing as well! I think the perfect weather is the kind we had the other night after the rain, there was a nice warm breeze and the smell of rain. Even more reason to go camping! I think every time I've gone it has rained, the mix of rain and campfire and I'm the happiest ever! I guess I just wanted to let that out, I've been feeling so overwhelmed lately I just needed to share my urge to go camping, no technology, no worries, as you can tell from my previous blogs I am obsessed with nature, I love being in it and I get some of my best pictures from camping trips! Is school out for the summer yet? It should hurry up and bring us all good grades! =)

Homeless

Every week I walk my dogs (weather permitting) while my son works out at his gym downtown. From the gym I walk down Colorado to America the Beautiful park and then to the Santa Fe Trail. Over the last couple of weeks the local news stations have been commenting on how all of the homeless have been moved to alternative shelters and the clean up has been a success. Well I have been walking around the Santa Fe trail for a couple of months now and have seen the clean up of homeless camps around the America the Beautiful Park, but about a 1/4 of a mile down from there is a homeless camp and several other lone tents strung along the trail. I really don't care to see these camps and think that the city needs focus on the city trails. I would like the city to designate an alternative camping site for the homeless that do not want to go to shelters or receive aid. I think it is an eye soar and makes our city look junky and dangerous. Granted these individuals usually do bother anyone but you never know what people will do and some even have dogs running around loose. The picture is not the greatest since I took it with my phone camera, but I am not brave enough to go any closer to these camps without someone else I know around. So from the outside these camps look crappy and I am sure the inside of the camp and tents are not much better. I guess this is just my point of view. I would never want to live in the pubic eye like that. We all make our choices.

Things To Do

As promised I said there would be a blog about things to do in Lander that are not organized events. In looking over the list, one thing is obvious; you have to love the outdoors. Recreational activities in the area focus on the natural environment and all it has to offer. In the winter it’s cold and snowy which means there is a lot of fun to be had sledding, snow mobiling, cross country skiing, ice fishing and ice skating. During the rest of the year there’s hiking/backpacking, rock climbing, road/mountain biking, fishing, camping, horseback riding, hunting, and exploring nearby historic sites.

This suits me just fine, give me a stretch of river and a fishing pole, preferably a fly rod, and I'm content. Or my bike to ride, or a trail to hike…I think you get the idea that I like being in the outdoors. For those who think a day of shopping at the mall is their idea of fun Lander is not the place for you. No malls, Walmart is 24 miles away in Riverton and the nearest large box stores are 150 miles away in Casper. Now if you like exploring mom & pop stores with interesting names you're in the right place.

Besides the recreational activities you'll find groups for just about any interest you might have. There is a city band and a theater group. There is an art guild and a book club. These are only a few of the groups that exist, there are many more. Lander has an indoor swimming pool, a gardening center and of course a library. Why, I can't think of a thing missing and I’m sure I forgot to list quite a few activities.

A Different View

So I was thinking during class this last week... I keep talking about how certain things, mostly landscape scenery, tends to make me feel overwhelmed with their vast and endless qualities.... what if the "virtual window" didn't force a frame on what we see and what if it didn't inhibit us from being able to see what is really in front of us? Obviously we have a view that doesn't allow us to see the entirety of the landscape, and our physical make up forces a certain frame on everything we look at. Yet, we make panoramic lenses (going back to the discussion about glass we were having in class) that allow us to see more at once in photographs, we are pushing the limits to be able to broaden our view. What if we could see all of it at once? Talk about overwhelming! It really makes me wonder how animals with eyes that aren't forward facing (certain monkeys for example) see the world. I was just thinking about this during our discussion in class, thought I'd throw it out there. Its difficult for me to think how overwhelming it would be to see the entire landscape at once, what a strange feeling...

Post...(Sorry video soon)

As I have been making my rounds lately and after watching a video posted about colorado springs I have begun to see something....

As a single pair watch the city's isonomatic rage
As she remains idle transfixed upon that movement
It is here history is a blend and swril of opposites
The wealthy hide themselves behind iron clad gates
As the mad lay close behind with barcaded windows
The Arts are tucked away
To only reveal a conflict within the metropoliton that
lays far from the spectacular and orinate...
from basements to small exihibition....
the roads of the forests are long and winding
very few between where direction is not impared....
soon the threads will unreavel laying behind
the fibers of disconnect...there is something holding it in tact

Lander Events

Whenever we go to Lander my son complains and says there is nothing to do. How can people stand to live here?! I guess if you're 17 and use to city life it might seem that's the case. I on the other hand think there are lots of things to do. For a small town there is always something to do in Lander no matter what your interests are. Below is a sample of some of the organized events there are to do through out the year. There are many other events too, these are only the highlights. Plus there are the many activities the area has for you to explore on your own (another blog entry). All pictures/information is courtesy of the Lander Chamber of Commerce website.

Lander Brew Festival: The Lander Brew Festival enjoyed its inaugural year in 2003. Each years' festival features great entertainment and food. Visitors can enjoy unlimited samples of over 50 brews from 15 of the Rocky Mountain regions finest breweries. The annual Lander Brew Festival is an occasion you won't want to miss in 2010! Reserve June 12, 2010 and make plans to attend!

Heart of the West Art Sale and Show: October 16, 2010 Lander will be hosting the Heart of the West Invitational Art Show and The Cowboy Gear Exhibition. The art will be on display during the day, with the awards presented in the evening, along with single malt scotch and wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, cash bar and the Fur, Felt and Denim Ball with live music. Local artists are also active in the event with a quick draw competition as well as art exhibits along Lander's Main Street.

The International Climbers Festival www.climbersfestival.org is held the second weekend in July, bringing climbers and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world to Lander to try their skill at climbing and to enjoy world-famous speakers, slide-shows, and other entertainment.

The Annual One Shot Antelope Hunt is the premier wild game hunt of its kind in the world. For over fifty years, Lander has hosted this famous event every September. For more information and upcoming events, please visit their website: www.waterforwildlife.com

Pioneer Days Parade and Rodeo is held every July 3rd and 4th. This years celebration marks the 115th year, and the two-day rodeo is the oldest paid rodeo in the world. The 4th of July parade has over 100 entries drawing spectators from around the state. After enjoying buffalo bar-b-que at City Park see the spectacular fireworks display to complete the day. Tickets for the bar-b-que and rodeo are on sale at the Chamber of Commerce.

Lander Half Marathon is held every July 4th. 2010 marks the 31st anniversary of this race that starts on Main Street and includes the Squaw Creek/Baldwin Creek Loop. Download the official registration form in pdf format here.

Shoshone and Arapaho Indian Pow Wows are open to the public and are held from May through September, drawing competitors from all over the country. The 2010 schedule will be available soon on the Wind River Reservation page www.northernarapaho.com.

The Wyoming State Winter Fair is held in Lander every February-March and is Wyoming's only winter fair. Events include horse, cattle, sheep, and livestock shows; a business fair; major entertainers and a dance.

Wind River 4x4 Association Show & Ralley : . All 4x4 vehicles are welcomed to enter the off-road show, last year's grand prize was $500. Entry fee is $35. For more information please call 307-332-9881 or log onto their website at www.windriver4x4.com

The International Rocky Mountain Stage Stop Sled Dog Race begins in Jackson at the end of January and follows the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail through Lander and other Wyoming communities. The "Race to Immunize" is a spectator friendly event and draws top mushers from around the world. www.wyomingstagestop.org

What to make of this. . .

Abyss

Anyone that has ever been to a beach might be able to relate to this, these are pictures from the plane, and I loved how the clouds met the sky and it seems like they just fade into each other. It reminded me of the trip my family and I took to Myrtle Beach a few years ago, my cousin and I were outside on the balcony at the condo on the beach we were staying at, and it was so quiet. As I looked out to the ocean, all I could think about was how it looked like the sky and the water just swallow each other when the horizon line meets. I kept thinking how beautiful it was, but how scary and overwhelming it was at the same time, it looked like an abyss of nothing. This was very similar, it seems like the clouds go forever. Just was pretty to me, I also like how the relfection of my camera is showing slightly in the pics, seems like its floating, I just think it looks amazing, and intense . (If you haven't noticed I'm attracted to clouds =)

Waldo Canyon

Waterfall in the ravine.
Worrisome find along the trail. Rabbit (?) blood, flesh, viscera in branches about 4ft off the ground.
Neat quartz outcroppings

Through their windows...

OKay so i took these photos a while ago and JUST NOW found the camera!!! MUAHAHAHA! Success! Anyway. When I asked the curator of the McAllister House for some reading material about the home and the McAllister family, I have found one thing extremely fascinating about the McAllisters and their windows....THEY WERE MADE OF GLASS!!! hahahahaha....okay in all seriousness. Yes they were made of glass, which gives evidence to Major McAllister's love of fine, building materials. However, what I mean to allude to is the view outside of the McAllister's windows.

When Major McAllister and his wife arrived in Colorado, it was a savage country; far removed from the opulent society they had left in Philadelphia. From readings I have sifted through as well as contemporary photographs, Fountain Colony (as Colorado Springs was known then) was desolate. Beyond the untamed beauty of the peaks, there was little of the landscape to recommend itself. All those beautiful trees that line streets and shelter historic homes were not there. Have any of you ever been east towards Falcon or Peyton? Its all just flat prairie out here in the boonies...and so was the view that met Major and Mrs. McAllister everyday from their pane-glass windows.

In the development of Fountain Colony, General Palmer and Major McAllister decided to bring trees out to this desert area from the Ohio River Valley. They hope to make the area more appealing to prospective settlers. In fact, they brought out nearly 3,000 trees!!

So...When the McAllisters looked out their windows they would see vast expanses of prairie grasses...perhaps the occasional construction of neighborhood homes. I was intrigued and decided to go about the house and compare what the McAllisters would have seen in 1873 to the view 137 years later.

There were TREES!! Mature, adult trees that surround the small cottage. An alien sight to the saplings the McAllisters much have been used to. There are other buildings, both new and old construction, also surrounding the family home. Across the street there was a cold, concrete building. CONCRETE. How odd to see concrete and streetlights from behind a lace-veiled window, in a room trapped in time. From the McAllister's bedroom I could see the bank in the lot behind the cottage. I could see the dumpster where the bank and other businesses so casually throw their trash. Where would the McAllister's place their trash? First and foremost, there wouldn't be the much to throw out. Settler's used all they could...waste was intolerable. Beyond my musings I see a homeless individual clawing his way through the dumpster. So hunger has followed the McAllisters from the nineteenth century into the twenty-first.

Sinks Canyon

Sinks Canyon is located just outside of Lander. The Sinks and Rise of the Popo Agie river is pretty amazing, where else does a river completely disappear under ground and then reappear. After flowing into the cavern called the Sinks, the water flows

underground following an unknown path. “Geologists speculate the water travels through many cracks and fissures created in the water-soluble limestone until it rises to the surface in the calm pool” of the Rise a quarter of a mile downstream.

I’ve been here many times before but never in the winter or early spring when the snow and ice prevents you from walking right up to the opening, where the river rushes underground. Standing there at the opening of the limestone cavern called the Sinks, the river usually muffles out all other sounds as it disappears under ground but not this day. Today the snow and ice muffle the noise of the river and prevents me from getting closer. But none of its beauty is loss, just different, enhanced. Its calming to just listen to the flow of the river under the ice and the sense of stillness you perceive. So quiet and peaceful you don’t want to leave. Down stream from the Sinks is the Rise. I’m surprised to find it much like it usually is, I expected to find ice along the edges but the currents must

be strong enough to keep ice from forming even though the pool appears calm. The fish of course are there and as large as ever. They know they’re safe from anglers and food always magically appears from above. People just can’t resist feeding them, nor can I. But they’re so well fed the fish ignore the food I toss, but not the two mallards who frantically swim over to gobble it up.