Local artists seek to revive artist guild

A "call to artists" is being put out by a new group forming an artists' guild in Worland for the surrounding Big Horn Basin.

Sherry Stottler, town artist and art teacher at the Worland Senior Center, and Tym Mazet, an artist from Oregon and new to Worland, have gotten together to revive the once-thriving Worland Artists group, according to a press release.

The kick-off meeting will be Tuesday evening, April 4 at 6 p.m. at the Worland Community Center. At that time they will be organizing for monthly meetings at the Community Center and for future events.

The Washakie Museum and Cultural Center has already confirmed an Art Show & Sale for guild members on Sept. 15 with a public reception that evening. There will be judging for all mediums - oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, mixed media, wood, glass, ceramic, metal, fiber, etc. That evening there will also be a People's Choice award where all attendees can vote.

Pam Gaulke, a member of the former Worland Artists, said, "We used to have a statewide spring art show and sale which was held at the old Washakie County Museum each year. The group had monthly meetings where members gave demonstrations, held critiques, learned about new techniques and new art supplies, and worked from models and still life scenes. We also arranged for yearly workshops, held plein-air sessions, participated in regional workshops, and helped judge the art and photography entries at the County Fair."

Stottler and Mazet said in the release: "We are so excited about creating a strong art presence in the Big Horn Basin. We have so many talented artists here that we know so little about, except for the ones who paint the annual "Quick Draw" at the Museum. We'd love to see all the local artists and their fine work join the guild and be in the shows and other opportunities we'll be hosting in the future."

For more information call 307-347-3081 or email [email protected] or [email protected].