Big Horn, Wyo. – (Sept. 29, 2015) This July nine artists spent a week on retreat collecting ideas, sketching and painting at Spear-O-Wigwam, Northern Wyoming Community College’s Mountain Campus. Each day they ventured into the Bighorns, a full 8,300 feet above sea level, to locate new inspiration to capture en plein air. Their drawings, pastels, watercolors and oils will be on display in The Brinton Museum’s Jacomien Mars Reception Gallery from October 25 – November 22. Each artist will exhibit three to five pieces in the Spear-O at The Brinton Museum show, and all nine will attend the opening reception on October 25 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., which is free and open to the public.

Opening reception Sunday, October 25 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., Show runs through November 22

“Sheridan’s investment in the arts is making this a more culturally diverse and interesting place to live,” said Ken Schuster, executive director of The Brinton Museum. “We’re building a thriving creative economy that is attracting artists from across the U.S. The Spear-O at The Brinton show and partnership with Sheridan College allows us to showcase the beauty of the Bighorns and engage students and art lovers on a local and national level.”

This year’s Spear-O at The Brinton artists include Bruce Graham (Buffalo, WY), Lloyd Kelly (Louisville, KY), Joanne Lavender (Colorado Sprints, CO), Marty Mans (Colorado Springs, CO), Lisa Norman (Buffalo, WY), Joel Ostlind (Big Horn, WY), Chessney Sevier (Buffalo, WY), Paul Waldum (Gillette, WY) and Dan Young (Silt, Colorado).

“We are proud to welcome such a talented group of artists to our Mountain Campus,” said Trudy Munsick, dean of Health Sciences, Outdoor Education and Northern Wyoming Community College’s Mountain Campus.  “Our partnerships with the Forest Service, The Brinton Museum and many others provide endless opportunity for everyone to explore and discover the beautiful place in which we live. It is a real treat when we are all invited to see the exemplary body of work these artists put together. A heartfelt thank you to everyone for making this happen.”

The Brinton Museum recently opened its new 24,000-square-foot Forrest E. Mars, Jr. building, allowing it to significantly expand its exhibits, collections and artists’ events. Within the next two years, the museum will convert its original gallery into an education center where artists and students will come together to further their craft. Sheridan College is also embarking upon a significant expansion and will open the doors on a 60,000 square foot Whitney Center for the Arts at Sheridan College in the summer of 2016. The Center will feature a 422-seat Community Concert Hall, exhibition space for student, faculty and visiting artist’s work, and state-of-the-art learning space to support the Music, Music Technology and Art programs.

About Spear-O-Wigwam

The Northern Wyoming Community College District’s Spear-O-Wigwam Mountain Campus includes access to 67,850 acres of land in the Bighorn Mountains for artists’ retreats, outdoor learning and other educational endeavors. Its main lodge houses a dining hall, kitchen, library, and large sitting area with a fireplace. The 16-acre campus also has 11 cabins, classroom/meeting room, horse corrals, and numerous out buildings.  The Mountain Campus also maintains a backcountry field station at Beaver Lakes, which is a day’s horse-back ride or hike from the Campus.

About The Brinton Museum

The Brinton Museum is a fine arts institution devoted to preserving the art and history of the West, while offering a broader view of and greater access to new American art. Located on the historic Quarter Circle A Ranch in the foothills of the majestic Bighorn Mountains, it features 19th, 20th and 21st century Western and American Indian Art in a setting that is art unto itself. Regular admission to The Brinton is $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors and free for children 12 and under. Museum hours are 9:30-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Brinton is located at 239 Brinton Rd., in Big Horn, WY.