The Wyoming Arts Council partners with Wyoming State Parks to hold various arts activities in Parks across the state. Plein Air in the Parks is an annual event that pairs talented artists with beautiful locations. This painting competition is open to artists of all ages and offers cash awards.
The Wyoming Arts Council and State Parks recently concluded the Plein Air in the Parks event. The event was held Sept. 15-18 at Curt Gowdy State Park. This annual painting and drawing competition pairs talented artists with beautiful locations, and offers cash prizes to top participants.
Award winners are:
1st Place: “Wind” – Watercolor & Ink by Bria Hammock (Cheyenne)
2nd Place: “Hidden Falls” – Oil by Lori Kostur (Saratoga)
3rd Place: “Granite Springs Dam” – Oil by Mack Brinslawn (Cheyenne)
People’s Choice Award: “Before the Storm” – Watercolor by Svetlana Howe (Laramie)
Youth Division (ages 12 and under):
1st Place: “Afternoon” – Marker & Colored pencil by Sadie Kruseck (Cheyenne)
2nd Place: “Evening” – Watercolor & Ink by Owen Hammock (Cheyenne)
3rd Place: “Favorite Fishing Spot” – Colored Pencil by Maggie McClintock (Cheyenne)
Judges for the event were Wayne Deahl, State Parks and Cultural Resources Commissioner and Brenda Treuthardt from the Cheyenne Artists Guild.
We are in the process of planning the 2023 Plein Air in the Parks and will have information before the end of the year.
REGISTRATION Registration includes up to two entries in the judged competition. Mediums may include Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Pastel, Graphite, or other medium. Registration is open! Registration includes a waived day use fee to access Curt Gowdy State Park for the participating artist and one guest. You will be given an ID Badge at stamp-in. ID badge must be worn for admission and access throughout the weekend. The general public will need to pay the daily access fee to the State Park. No admission will be charged to attend the show and sale at the visitor’s center on Sunday between 1 and 3 pm. VISITING CHEYENNE A select number of campsites have been set aside at Curt Gowdy State Park for registered artists. Sites must be reserved in advance by calling the Park at 307-632-7946 and mentioning the Plein Air in the Parks event. Overnight and day use fees apply. The deadline to reserve one of these sites is September 3. For information about Cheyenne, visit the Visit Cheyenne website. Visit the Curt Gowdy State Park website for information about things to do and see, amenities, and maps. ARTIST STAMP-IN Curt Gowdy State Park (1264 Granite Springs Rd. Cheyenne, WY 82009) RULES AND GUIDELINES COMMISSION STRUCTURE Artwork entered into the competition may be listed for sale at the reception and award ceremony. During the reception, artists can sell up to 3 additional works created during the event but not entered in the competition. Artwork need not be framed. Sales are processed by the staff during the event. A 25% commission will be retained. This includes any sale of artwork generated during the plein air competition, including direct sales facilitated by artists. 15% of the commission will be donated to the Cheyenne Artist Guild. 10% of the commission will be put toward the Plein Air in the Parks program for future events. Cash prizes and checks for the sale of artwork are mailed after the event. JUDGING AND CASH PRIZES Judging will be done anonymously. During judging, participating artists and the public will not be permitted into the Visitor Center where work is displayed. The judging panel is comprised of artists or those with an arts background, representatives from the community, and individuals familiar with Curt Gowdy State Park. Checks for cash award prizes will be mailed after the event. The below cash awards will be given. Junior Division AwardsRules and Guidelines
Contact: Kimberly Mittelstadt
The Wyoming Arts Council believes that experiencing the arts should be accessible for all, including people with mental and/or physical disabilities, older adults, military/veterans, people living in institutions and those who lack access to the arts due to geographic isolation, cultural difference and economic hardship.