Wyoming Arts Council

Permanent collection pieces wide-ranging wonderful


Minerva Teichert, “Running Horses” 1986

For the first time in 13 years, an exhibition of artwork from the Wyoming State Museum’s permanent collection will be on display through December 8. The exhibit features 32 selections from the permanent collection and includes artwork by Wyoming artists, who live, have been residents or have a connection to the state. The selections reflect the dominant theme of landscape with a handful of pieces that include the human figure or animals.

Highlights include a wall-sized painting by Minerva Teichart, a one-time resident of Cokeville, and self-portraits of Laramie artists Joe Arnold and Robert Seabeck. Painting, pastel, drawing and printmaking are represented by residents who have been active in the State for decades. These artists include Linda Lillegraven, Joe Arnold, Jon Madsen and Seabeck all from Laramie; John Giarrizzo from Powell; Neltje from Banner; and Ben Valdez from Cheyenne.

Ben Valdez, “Jefe” 1980
Other mediums on exhibit include photography, ceramics, bronze, stone, photomontage and textile represented by Matt West, Gail Sundell and Robin Laws from Cheyenne; Laury Lacy from Jackson; Mary Lana Perrotti from Cody; Joan Sowada from Gillette; and James Knadler from Laramie.

This exhibition provides visitors a look at the diverse creative processes and themes explored by these artists and collected by the State Museum. The State Museum’s permanent art collection was first instituted during the 1960s through the efforts of Laura Hayes and Bobbie Hathaway. Since then, the collection has grown with work purchased from the annual Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition and through other acquisitions.

Purchased or donated artwork is reviewed by the Museum Acquisition Committee before acceptance into the collection. The last public exhibition was held in 1995.

Don Couch, “Bear Family” 1988

The Wyoming State Museum is located in the Barrett Building, 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays through October. Saturday hours will change to 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., beginning November 1. For more information about this and other State Museum exhibits and programs, please call 777-7022.


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