Artmobile visits RWE

There is a world of art out there to see from paintings, sculptures, charcoal or ink, but in some areas of Wyoming it is not feasible or convenient to visit an art museum to experience it.

Queue the Ann Simpson Artmobile from the University of Wyoming; a traveling art museum directed by educator Erika Ramsey that visits small towns in Wyoming. They go to K-12 schools, libraries, senior centers and other available community areas to display and analyze these pieces with those who may never have had the chance to visit a museum of fine art.

The Artmobile carries art from the University of Wyoming Art Museum consisting of 15 pieces of art from 15 different artists demonstrating surrealism and displayed on boards that are setup just like a museum demonstration. These pieces are changed every two years and visit 20-30 places in Wyoming per year.

Last week the Thermopolis Lights On Afterschool Program hosted the Artmobile at Ralph Witters Elementary giving pre-kindergarteners, students at RWE and Lights On participants the opportunity to learn about what it is like to visit an art museum. They participated in proper etiquette, deep viewing of art pieces, colors and their meanings pertaining to mood, and messages delivered by the artist with lesson plans like "Perspective Shmersmective", "The Subconscious Poet" and "Making Fun of Observation."

Participants were also encouraged to draw the pieces themselves to garner the full museum experience like a training artist and breaking it down into simple shapes and designs.

The Artmobile program is sponsored by the Ann Simpson Artmobile Endowment. If you would like more information, visit the University of Wyoming website at http://www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum/learning-from-the-masters/outreach/artmobile1/ or contact Erica Ramsey at (307) 399-2941.