October ArtStroll hunting theme

Hunting is about the nature of the hunt, the ethics of the harvest of both animals and plants, conservation of the land, and the folklore, skills and heritage that goes with it. Hunting creates memories.

It’s about sharing time with people, learning survival skills, producing tools, food, furnishings and clothing that relates back to the hunt. It’s about the great outdoors, teaching generations to be good stewards of the land, and the art that comes from viewing the land around us. Hunting is the theme of the Second-Friday ArtStroll in downtown Thermopolis, Oct. 9, 5-8pm.

This month’s Second-Friday ArtStroll will feature artists, live music, refreshments and door prizes. Most downtown businesses are open during the event. Several artists will be demonstrating on Still Strolling Saturday, Oct. 10.

Stroll on Friday evening and visit with Barb Heinze at One Eyed Buffalo Brewing. Merlin and Barb Heinze, local business owners of Merlin’s Hide Out, have been creating handcrafted products from wildlife fur for nearly two decades. Their storefront in Thermopolis is both a retail store and active tannery, where buffalo, black bears, mountain lion and other animal hides are undressed, cured, and sustainably preserved in the long, storied tradition of tanning.

From the inaugural project of gators sewn from beaver pelts, Merlin’s Hide Out artwork is made for use. While primarily known for their production of quality buffalo hides, Merlin’s Hide Out is beloved for their handmade items such as coyote fur blankets, buffalo leather gloves, red fox fur hats, or the ever-whimsical buffalo beards. Each item is handmade and one-of-a-kind, with an artful attention to both craft and utility. Also available for viewing are buffalo hides that adorn the walls of One Eyed Buffalo Brewery.

Guild member Cindy Clancy will also be located in One Eyed Buffalo with chairs, trunks and other painted vintage items that show Cindy’s love of hunting, horseback riding and enjoying the great outdoors. 

In keeping with the theme Pete Coggi, of Wyoming Outside, will feature a collection of hands-on items from the Wyoming Game & Fish. These items will include skulls and furs. Learn about the importance of wildlife management and why Wyoming Outside is working to bring the outside to inside people to encourage them to enjoy Wyoming’s great outdoors.

Joining Pete will be Jennie Blakesley who will be showing her handmade jewelry. Vintage artist Mona Wilson returns for this month’s stroll, guild member Claudia Augustin with photography along with other mediums and Glenda Ramsey will be showing her paintings.

Flying Eagle Gallery is our host business Friday evening and will feature Clay Douglas. Clay works in multimedia and is known for hunting up odd items to use in his art. Clay’s artwork will be on display during the month of October.

 Textiles artists showing this stroll will include Joyce Fletcher, Andrea Linn and Jane, Kathy Hammond’s Quilt Show and Cindy Toth will be showing and demonstrating her knitting and other art.

 Several musicians will be playing during the ArtStroll, including Stepheny Butcher and Shawn McWilliams & Rick Phipps.

 You can be entered to win one of several door prizes by picking up a stroll map at any participating business, have the businesses you visit initial the map and return the map with your information to the host business, Flying Eagle Gallery, at the end of Friday evening’s Stroll. Names will be drawn and winners will receive a piece of art work donated by the artists.

 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 Wyoming Arts Council, Main Street Thermopolis and Hot Springs Travel & Tourism.