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The Second-Friday ArtStroll downtown July 8, from 5-8 p.m., will feature western artists, western art activities, live western music and refreshments. Most downtown businesses are open during the event. Several artists will be demonstrating on Still Strolling Saturday, July 9. Be sure to pick up a map at a participating business to see the location of the artists and activities during the stroll.
“Our theme for this ArtStroll celebrates our western heritage with All Things Western and we have an exciting line-up,” according to stroll organizer Toddi Darlington. “This month we have western textiles, western paintings, western cartoon drawing make it and take it activities, and we are featuring a good ol’ cup of coffee. The coffee may not be traditional cowboy coffee, but you will enjoy learning just how coffee is roasted and brewed. It’s going to be great fun.”
When you think of cowboys and western ways of living, a hot meal around a campfire comes to mind. Cowboys with tin cups full of steaming coffee. Josh Thomas with Jackrabbit Java will demonstrate the art of coffee cupping, during a coffee cupping party. Coffee cupping is a process to evaluate coffee’s taste: the coffee world’s equivalent to wine tasting. The art of cupping will introduce you to tasting specialty coffee from at least three different regions around the world. Thomas, as the roaster, will guide you in cupping protocol while talking to you about different flavor profiles as you examine the acidity, body, sweetness and finish unique to different cultivars of coffee. Three cuppings will be held Friday evening starting at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Jo and Larry Reed’s will be offering this month’s Make It and Take It Art Activity. Learn how to draw western cartoon characters. Jennie Blakesley will also be on hand with her jewelry.
Cowboys love music and strollers love music. As you stroll along you will have the opportunity to enjoy music played by Shawn McWilliams, Mike Howland and Harold Hutson.
One of the featured western artist is Cindy Clancy. Clancy loves antiques, so the treasures she finds becomes her next “canvas.” Considering her deep love for horses, many of her paintings center around horses or western scenes. Living in Wyoming gives her great opportunities to photograph old buildings, mountain views and beautiful scenes on horseback, inspiring some of Cindy’s favorite landscape paintings.
There will be an open reception for artist Angela Siems. Siems received her art education in Germany. Her father was a commercial (graphic) artist. Appreciation and love for art drove her to start painting again — after raising a family — and in spite of her active ranch life. She has always loved the outdoors and especially Wyoming. She works mainly in pastels and oil. She recently painted a large mural for the Thermopolis Rehabilitation and Care Center.
Shooting sports is a western activity that is still enjoyed today. Cowboys got creative with their handmade decoys. The work of Terry Sani and the many different bird decoys and fish he has crafted out of cardboard will be on display during the stroll.
The ArtStroll welcomes Mary Frix Bell. Bell recently returned home to Thermopolis after living in the Seattle area for the past 46 years. She loves to craft using many different mediums. Her current passions are organic soap making, organic skin care, candle making and crochet and working in her organic garden. She also will do custom order wreaths.
Another new artist is Jodi Bennett. Bennett recently began following in her families footsteps of lathe turning. After a demonstration given by master turner Sam Angelo and help from the Worland Woodturners, she not only began wood turning but also discovered her love of wood burning. Pyrography added to wood turning was the perfect fit for her. “I love creating art with the Worland Woodturners, but getting to work with my custom cabinet and furniture building husband is the best. I’m very excited to prove that you’re never too old to start something new,” said Bennett.
Hot Springs County Museum & Cultural Center will be hosting a Western Art Show. The museum is gathering together art work, that is not normally on display, for this Stroll. Some of the work is historic while other work will be more recent. This will be your chance to view this special collection of art. While there, be sure to take part in the Make It and Take It Art Activity. This month, during the stroll you can make a fun summer western piece of art to take with you.
Wesaw Studio is this month’s host business and will showcase artist Sallie Wesaw’s art. Other artists this month include Andrea Linn, spinner and textile artist, Joyce Fletcher textiles, Jane Oldridge, textiles and Susan Lankford will demonstrate using diffusers and clay necklaces with healing oils. Rodney Skenandore will display his multi-media art. Visit Stephanie Conrad and Stefanie Gilbert and their repurposed art. Barb Rice and Ana Mosser will also be featured. Join Rice Friday evening and Saturday for “An Everything for Your Yard Sale” sale. Enjoy popsicles and shop for rakes and signs and birdhouses and wheelbarrows and flower pots and trellises and repurposed things to help your garden grow artsy.
The Second-Friday ArtStroll and Still Strolling Saturday are organized by Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation and Smoking Waters Art Guild with additional help from Main Street Thermopolis and Hot Springs Travel & Tourism.
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