Art in Public Buildings
In 1991, the 51st Legislature of the State of Wyoming passed the Art in Public Buildings legislation. One percent of construction costs of new, state-owned buildings are to be utilized for placing artwork in the public setting, helping to beautify our public buildings and draw attention to the wealth of artist experience within our region.
'Lines of Sight' at the UW Engineering Education and Research Building by Ashley Hope Carlisle and David Jones
About the Art in Public Buildings Program
Established in 1991, the Art in Public Buildings program is administered by the Wyoming Arts Council to enrich public spaces with commissioned artwork. The program allocates a portion of state capital construction funds specifically for the integration of public art into new building projects. Since its inception, more than 200 works of art have been installed in and around public buildings across Wyoming, enhancing the cultural and visual landscape for residents and visitors alike.
Each project’s artwork is selected by a dedicated committee formed specifically for that building. Committees typically include community members, representatives from the user agency, the building’s architect, artists or members of the arts community, and a representative from the State Construction and Management Office.
The Wyoming Arts Council facilitates and leads these committee meetings, providing guidance throughout the process. However, the Council does not vote on the final artist or artwork, ensuring that decisions are community-driven and reflective of local values.
Wyoming Public Art Opportunities
The Wyoming Arts Council manages all public art opportunities through CaFE (Call for Entry), a free, easy-to-use platform for artists to submit their work for consideration. Each Request for Qualifications (RFQ) includes important details such as eligibility requirements, deadlines, and project budgets. While all eligible artists are encouraged to apply, Wyoming-based artists are given preference as part of our commitment to supporting local talent.
All active RFQs are posted on CaFE, and the Wyoming Arts Council will make announcements when new opportunities are open for submission.
Active Art in Public Buildings Projects
Sheridan College Science Center | Sheridan
The Science Center at Sheridan College supports hands-on learning, research, and collaboration through modern laboratories and flexible learning spaces. A new public art project will bring original artwork into the facility as part of Wyoming’s Art in Public Buildings program.
Veterans’ Home of Wyoming | Buffalo
The Veterans’ Home of Wyoming in Buffalo provides residential care and support for Wyoming veterans. A new public art project will add original artwork to the facility and contribute to a welcoming environment for residents, staff, and visitors.
Projects in Progress:
University of Wyoming Aquatic Center | Laramie
A public art project is underway for the University of Wyoming Aquatic Center in Laramie. The project will feature a two- or three-dimensional artwork on a prominent interior wall.
Western Wyoming Community College Health Sciences Building | Rock Springs
The new Health Science Wing at Western Wyoming College supports hands-on learning and career training for future healthcare professionals. The selected artwork reflects themes of knowledge, community, and discovery.
Artist Selected (2025):
Alexander Bond of Mancos, Colorado. His sculpture, Telophase, will be installed within the Health Science Wing.
Telophase transforms recycled metal objects into an otherworldly sculpture portraying duplication at the cellular level. The piece symbolizes the spread of knowledge and community, while its larger-than-life scale invites viewers to consider how biological rhythms are reflected in daily life.
Central Wyoming College Jackson Campus Project | Jackson
Central Wyoming College’s new Jackson Center supports education and workforce development in Jackson Hole. The selected artwork connects the building to the region’s natural environment and cultural history.
Artist Selected (2025):
Ben Roth of Jackson Hole. His sculpture, TumbleWhale, will be suspended in the building’s clerestory.
TumbleWhale draws inspiration from Wyoming’s prehistoric past as an ancient ocean. Constructed from locally collected tumbleweeds, the suspended whale recalls the area’s geologic history while highlighting an iconic element of the Western landscape.
Wyoming Girls’ School Stolt Hall | Sheridan
The Wyoming Girls’ School in Sheridan provides education, support, and structured programming for Wyoming youth. Two new artworks will bring opportunities for creativity, reflection, and inspiration to students, staff, and visitors.
Artist Selected (2025):
Ashley Hope Carlisle of Laramie. Her works, Seeds of Possibility and The Secret Life of a Seed, will be installed within the facility.
- Seeds of Possibility brings together a variety of seed forms that appear to drift through the facility, representing students and their potential for growth.
- The Secret Life of a Seed draws on the legacy of botanical illustration and features small, portal-like openings that offer glimpses into another world, encouraging viewers to reflect on curiosity, change, and transformation.
Recently Completed Projects
Wyoming State Forestry Helibase | Casper
The Wyoming State Forestry Helibase, located at the Casper Airport, supports the Wyoming State Helitack Program and its wildfire suppression and emergency response work across the state.
Artists Selected (2025):
Tiimo Mang of Colorado and Robert Martinez of Wyoming. Their artworks, Vigilance and Fire Team, are installed at the facility.
- Vigilance by Tiimo Mang draws inspiration from the flight behavior of the American kestrel, appearing to hover protectively over the landscape. The bird holds a Pulaski, an essential firefighting tool, symbolizing courage and readiness.
- Fire Team by Robert Martinez features portraits of Wyoming emergency responders layered over historic state maps. The artwork incorporates colors inspired by Wyoming sunsets and fire, reflecting both the landscape and the work of those who protect it.
University of Wyoming North Hall Dining Area | Laramie
The University of Wyoming’s North Hall opened in August 2025 as part of the university’s Student Housing Project. The selected artwork contributes to a welcoming environment in the building’s dining area.
Artist Selected (2025):
David Eaton of Seattle, Washington. His artwork, Beauty of the West, is installed in the North Hall dining area.
Beauty of the West celebrates Wyoming’s landscape and culture through a visual exploration of the state’s natural forms, colors, and open spaces. The piece reflects the identity of Wyoming and offers students and visitors an uplifting sense of place within the new facility.
Northwest College
Northwest College in Powell constructed a new Student Center, which opened in 2024. The commissioned work was integrated into the two-story fireplace by selected artists Shelley Beishline and Rob Beishline of Tooza Design. Their sculpture, Landform Journey, was installed in the fall of 2024, with a celebration held in January 2025.
University of Wyoming Engineering Education and Research Building
The University of Wyoming recently completed construction on the Engineering Education and Research Building (EERB) in Laramie. The committee selected WindDriven Studios (WY) to create an outdoor sculpture on the Lewis St. side of the EERB. The sculpture is an interpretation of a historic engineering transit that incorporates the various engineering departments housed in the building. It was installed in the spring of 2024 with a celebration the following October.
Central Wyoming College
Central Wyoming College, located in Riverton, constructed a new Rocky Mountain Complex, which houses its agriculture and animal science programs. Chicago artist Michael Young has fabricated a large stainless steel sculpture, “Gathering” which incorporates LED lighting, seating, and a fire pit. The sculpture was installed in the spring of 2023 and dedicated at a ribbon cutting of the new facility in August 2023.
Sheridan College
Sheridan College is renovating an existing prefabricated metal building with a new building addition to create a new Advanced Manufacturing and Applied Sciences Center, scheduled to open in fall 2024. Artist Matt Baral’s piece, “A River of Wind” was installed in 2024 with a ribbon-cutting event on September 4th, 2024.
Casper College
Casper College is currently constructing a new Visual Arts Building on campus in Casper. Missouri artist Nathan Pierce recently installed a large stainless steel and acrylic sculpture, “In the Wind.” A building dedication was held in the spring of 2023.
Skilled Nursing Facility
The Wyoming Department of Health, along with the Veteran’s Commission and State Construction Department, recently completed the Veteran’s Home of Wyoming Skilled Nursing Facility, located in Buffalo, Wyoming. Lander artist David Alan Clark installed a life-size bronze sculpture, “The Family Business” in the fall. A building dedication was held in October 2023.
Sheridan College Technical Education Center
Sheridan College in north-central Wyoming recently completed construction on the new Technical Education Center. Photographs by former Sheridan College faculty member Dave Marquith have been installed. The exterior powder-coated steel sculpture “Tech Center Quad Carousel” by local artist Lonnie Wright was installed in 2023.
Explore Wyoming’s Public Art Collection
The Public Art Archive™ (PAA) is a free, growing online database that offers universal access to information about public artworks across the U.S. and beyond. It’s a valuable resource for discovering and exploring public art in communities nationwide.
Use the button below to view artworks created through Wyoming’s Art in Public Buildings program.
