ArtStroll hits downtown

Eight new artists will be featured at the Second Friday ArtStroll, Dec. 11, 5-8 p.m., main street Thermopolis, along with refreshments, make it and take it art ornaments and demonstrations.

New artist Paul Bleicher, of Ten Sleep, has been carving cottonwood bark for the past twelve years. Because each piece of bark is unique, no two carvings are the same. All of his pieces are hand carved with a variety of knives and chisels. While Bleicher has carved many things, he tends to focus on whimsical houses, Santa’s, and fish. 

Sherry Stottler, of Worland, enrolled in a one-day pastel class and that is all it took to create a passion and a purpose upon her retirement as a Presbyterian minister. Stottler has taken several workshops since then and continues to love the absorbing and stimulating feeling she gets as she approaches a blank sheet of sanded paper.

Jeanette Porter, of Worland, learned to do dough ornaments from a friend while living in Kenai, Alaska.  Porter says dough art is fun and therapeutic. Porter is now teaching her art to Kristin Buckman, of Worland. They will have their dough ornaments on display.

Diana Scranton, of Worland, will also be displaying beadwork including bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Scranton stopped doing beadwork and for many years she collected a variety of beads to use in the future. She now has several creations available.

 Other artists include Tammy and R’Lou Blackmon (knitted gifts) and Terry Sani (handmade decoys).  Dennis Russell returns to the show with his hand carved wooden caricatures. New artists Tracy Linko and Susan Linko will also join the show.

Jewel Sievers, will be showing her beaded jewelry. Jewel is new to the stroll and to Thermopolis. Friday is the first time Sievers will show her work. She creates and designs earrings and bracelets. She will be demonstrating her jewelry and will custom make jewelry for strollers.

Belinda Daugherty, of Ten Sleep, will be offering variety in multimedia.

Phyllis Baker will feature her handmade goose egg ornaments. The ornaments will be sold as a fundraiser for the Hot Springs County Museum. The museum staff has many ideas for improving displays, like the Hot Springs State Park section. One of their goals is to raise money to make the needed changes in time for the 100th Year of the Buffalo in Hot Springs State Park.

Timothy T. Wesaw and Kelli A. Wesaw from Ft. Washakie will have fine art Christmas gifts and ornaments for sale.

Host business, Storyteller, welcomes Marsha Hill (weaving) and Carolyn Wostenberg (fiber artist), both from Worland. There will be an artist reception for Claudia Augustin at Flying Eagle Gallery.

Other returning artists will be Mona Wilson (painted Christmas gifts), Andrea Linn, Joyce Fletcher and Jane Oldridge (textiles), Cindy Toth (textiles and multimedia), Debbie Stroppel (photography) and Jennifer Taylor (handmade soaps).

Bring your family and friends to Hot Springs County Museum to make an ornament. Make and take your ornament Friday evening or Saturday from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. This activity is sponsored by Smoking Waters Art guild.

Local musicians along the stroll include Wright’s and friends, Mike Howland, Shawn McWilliams and Rick Phipps.

Pick up a map at a participating businesses. Drop your map at Storyteller at the end of Friday Night’s stroll to enter to win certificates and door prizes given by the artists and businesses.

The ArtStroll is sponsored by Smoking Waters Art Guild, Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation, Wyoming Arts Council, Hot Springs Travel & Tourism and Main Street Thermopolis.