Special eclipse ArtStroll

A special eclipse ArtStroll takes place in downtown Thermopolis, Friday, Aug. 18, 5-8 p.m. Hosted by the Hot Springs County Museum and Cultural Center, artists will be set up Friday evening both in stores and on the sidewalks of Broadway. Artists and demonstrators continue Still Strolling Saturday during regular business hours, and some will continue to participate on Sunday. Strollers will enjoy a variety of wares for sale, on display, and in demonstrations.

As explained by Stroll co-organizer Toddi Darlington, “The ArtStroll, usually held on the second Friday of the month, will be a kick-off and lead-in to the celebration of the awesome total eclipse which occurs on Monday, August 21. What a great time to treat yourself to a new work of art or to learn a new technique in anticipation of this extraordinary celestial event!”

Among the special demonstrations and events will be Smoking Waters Art Guild member and award-winning photographer Jeb Schenck’s Solar Filter Workshop (fee involved) outside Flying Eagle Gallery at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Art Guild members Deb Stewart and Marcia Nelson, both multi-talented artists, will lead a Make & Take solar art project (donations to offset cost of materials) using sun reactive fabric in Bicentennial Park from noon to 1:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. Other artists who will be demonstrating are Susan Langford, Healing Oils, at the W.O.W. Store and Stephanie Owens, clay works, at the County Museum. Jen’s Crazy Goats, handmade soaps and lotions, will be at the County Museum on Friday night.

For business locations, artists, and musicians to visit, pick up a Map/Guide at downtown businesses. Participants include Jennie Blakesley at Storyteller, Cal Fulfer at Flying Eagle, Donald Vincent/Joyce Fletcher/Jane Oldridge/Andrea Linn at W.O.W Store, Sallie Wesaw/Mike Howland at Wesaw Studio, Ana Mosser/Barb Rice/Ken Smith-Laser’s Edge/Hospital Auxiliary/Harold Hutson and friends at Hazel-N-Pearl’s, Stephanie Conrad at S2 Designs, and Gayle Phipps at Nature’s Corner. In addition, visit artists on the sidewalks of Broadway, including Sherry Burrows/Lori Sanders, Lynn Burton, Cindy Clancy, Cindy Dragon, Rachel Turner, and Shari Wolf.

One Eyed Buffalo Brewing Company, also downtown, features Danny Schmidt in concert on Friday evening and an Eclipse Street Dance on Saturday, from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Music by Cowboy Hippie and Just Fiddling around will be featured, and all are welcome to come dance and enjoy the music.

Don’t forget the Thermopolis Demolition Derby, also on Saturday night, at the Fairgrounds, starting at 6 p.m. The Wyoming Dinosaur Center will also be hosting events from Friday through Sunday.

Pick up a Stroll map at any Stroll business to find the location of artists, demonstrators and musicians. Return the map to the host business, the Hot Springs County Museum and Cultural Center, on Friday evening to be entered to win a piece of art 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 our local businesses, Main Street Thermopolis and Hot Springs Travel & Tourism.