Ucross Foundation

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.

The Ucross Foundation is developing a cookbook that will give people a taste of what it's like to be a resident artist in the program. Wyoming Public Radio's Ivy Engel sat down with Ucross Chef Cindy Brooks to talk about what went into the book and her start in cooking.

People will soon be able to get a taste of what it's like to be a resident artist at Ucross Foundation with the new Ucross cookbook: The Ucross Cookbook: Cooking for Artists on a Wyoming Ranch.

The Ucross Foundation has received an $11,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. This is the second NEA grant Ucross has received in as many…