CHEYENNE — Fly fishing, leather tooling, and gun engraving will be demonstrated by talented Wyoming artisans September 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the “Art of the Hunt” Exhibit Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne.
Presented in conjunction with the “Art of the Hunt” exhibit, the demonstrations will allow visitors to see close-up how this skilled and painstaking work is done, and to talk with the artists in person.
Artists attending the event are Von Ringler of Clark, who crafts custom holsters, rifle scabbards, cartridge cases, and other goods from leather, often decorated with intricate tooling; Jim Blair of Glenrock, a renowned engraver of both guns and knives; Charles McCall of Cheyenne, who ties his own flies, and will be teaching a hands-on workshop at 11 a.m.; and Greg Hallen, an experienced fly fisher and retired Game & Fish employee, who will demonstrate his skill on the museum lawn at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The demonstrations are free and family-friendly. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the Art of the Hunt exhibit will be open during that time. It features the work of more than 50 artists, including fishing rods, pack saddles, knives, taxidermy, quilts, woodcarving, and other tools and crafts related to hunting and fishing.
Art of The Hunt Exhibit
Five years of collaborative research documenting the Cowboy State’s outdoor heritage by the Wyoming Arts Council and the University of Wyoming American Studies Program has resulted in a new exhibit, “Art of the Hunt: Wyoming Traditions.”
The exhibit celebrates how the Wyoming outdoor lifestyle has influenced renowned artisans who have created hand-crafted hunting and fishing gear, crafts and other artistic objects highlighting activities such as hunting and fishing.
On display at the Wyoming State Museum July 18 through June 30, 2015, a variety of events will be held in conjunction with the exhibit. An opening reception for the show will be held Aug. 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the State Museum. Many of the artists with works featured in the show will be on hand.
On September 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., an event held in conjunction with the show will include artist demonstrations, hands-on activities and gallery talks.
The exhibit features more than 70 objects by over 50 Wyoming artisans used by hunters and anglers and which celebrate the results of a successful hunt. Some of the hand-made objects in the exhibit include fishing flies, bamboo fishing rods, taxidermy, pack saddles, engraved firearms, knives, recurve bows and more.
The exhibit is a project of the Wyoming Arts Council and the University of Wyoming American Studies Program in partnership with the Wyoming State Museum. Funding for the artist demonstrations is provided by the Wyoming Humanities Council.
