Ucross Foundation

The Ucross Foundation is preparing for its 40th Anniversary Gala. Wyoming Public Radio’s Grady Kirkpatrick spoke with a recent artist-in-residence about her experience and the event.

Gov. Mark Gordon and First Lady Jennie Gordon will be presented with Ucross's Outstanding Patrons of the Arts Award for their generosity and commitment to the arts in Wyoming by author Craig Johnson. Founding Trustee and longtime Chairman Jim Nelson will also be honored with the Raymond Plank Award for Visionary Leadership for his vision and support for Ucross. Former alumni will also set to discuss how their time at Ucross impacted them as artists.

Joy Harjo, a Ucross alumna and the 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate and Larry Mitchell, a Grammy Award-winning musician and Harjo's longtime musical collaborator, will perform at the WYO Theater on Feb. 25. This is the first time Ucross has hosted a U.S. Poet Laureate as they celebrate their 40th anniversary with events throughout 2023.

The opening of a dance studio and performing arts center and the long-time Christmas celebration will both be held on Dec. 17. The singing of Christmas carols, a Walt Longmire inspired Christmas story by author Craig Johnson, a fireworks show, and a Christmas tree lighting are some of the events on tap for this year.

Improvements include opening up the space so that views aren't obstructed and making room for sculptures and being able to incorporate audio and video elements for exhibits. Regular hours for visitors to view the gallery will begin Nov. 5. A new dance studio is set to open in December.

"Celebrate the Arts" was launched about 20 years ago as a sculpture-based event but has since branched out to include the literary, visual, and performing arts. They've attracted hundreds of people each year and are hosted at sites throughout the county. The festivities begin Thursday, Aug. 25 and run through Sunday, Aug. 28.

Events will consist of a tour of the campus grounds, a behind-the-scenes look at artist’s studio spaces, preview the Ucross Foundation Art Gallery, in addition to a picnic and pizza outside the Big Red Ranch House. This is only the second time Ucross has opened their facilities to the public in four decades.

M.L. Smoker, originally from the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana, and Savannah LeCornu from Bellingham, Washington spent two weeks at the renown artist's residency where they had uninterrupted time to work on their artistic creations.

President and Executive Director Sharon Dynak is retiring after 15 years at the helm and over 25 at Ucross. William Belcher, the current Director of Development and External Relations, will take over the reins later this year.

The Ucross Foundation is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Over the years, Ucross has welcomed a few thousand artists, playwrights, musicians, as well as others in the art world to southeast Sheridan County. Wyoming Public Radio's Hugh Cook has more.