March's ArtStroll celebrates artists of all ages

The Second Friday ArtStroll/StillStrollingSaturday in downtown Thermopolis, March 9 and 10, celebrates Young at HeART, artists of all ages, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be students showing and selling their creations, other artists of all ages, and musicians at the businesses. StillStrollingSaturday continues Saturday during regular business hours. Many of the downtown merchants will be running specials in conjunction with the ArtStroll.

In the words of Janet Langsam, the head of a regional arts organization, ArtsWestchester, “ . . . the arts are an essential ingredient in giving children – all children, no matter their zip code – the tools they need to navigate this world, to make their personal choices and contributions, and to give them the hope they need to better the world.”

This month’s ArtStroll presents opportunities to admire and purchase art from younger people and artists of all ages. Strollers will have the opportunity to see what our students are up to and to visit with other local artists.

Thermopolis Print Zone and Copy Shop/Discover Thermopolis, the host business, has expanded the roster of artists on display. In addition to Beth Stehlin’s hand-embroidered notecards and Bob Stehlin’s meticulously turned wood creations, owner Howie Samelson has added work by Claudia Augustin, BL Clothier, Allen Darlington, Marcia Nelson, Gayle Phipps, Glenda Ramsey, Levi Shinkle and Angela Siems.

Look for art on display by the Children’s Resource Center and a new display of quilts. There will also be artworks from the Head Start students.

A one-man show of work by Jared Little, a high school senior, who likes to express himself through his art will be on display as well. Little works mostly in pencil and loves to draw wildlife. His parents tell him he was born with a pencil in his hand and he continues to keep that pencil sharpened.

Gayle Phipps will be showing and selling her paintings and there will be live music by the Songbirds. You will also find art from students at the Preschool Academy, Brenda Boren’s centerpieces and dream catchers, and Andrea Linn and Jane Oldridge demonstrating and selling knitted and crocheted items. Also look for soft pastel artist Sherry Stottler from Worland.

Gavin Turner, who describes himself as “Jack of All Arts” will be in one of the downtown businesses and you should see Stephanie Conrad’s repurposed art and demonstrations. There will be more repurposed art, Ana Moser’s jewelry, and musician Harold Hutson and friends. Thermopolis Junior National Youth Leaders, four eighth graders raising funds to attend the Junior National Youth Leaders program in Washington D.C. in June, are running a silent auction and bake sale. The silent auction includes a 30”X40” canvas print of the Swinging Bridge with ominous skies in the background.

On StillStrollingSaturday, celebrate libraries. Stroll the downtown shops again and then join the 1 p.m. tour of Thermopolis’ historic Carnegie Library (328 Arapahoe). Then head over to the Hot Springs County Museum and Historical Society for a program about Wyoming’s historic Carnegie libraries. The free program starts at 2 p.m. with a talk by David Cunningham, historian and Director of our neighboring Meeteetse Museum, and a special surprise guest. This will be followed by librarian Tracey Kinnaman who will talk about our library, followed by a reception and light refreshments.

Strollers are encouraged to pick up a map at any stroll business to find the location of artists and musicians. Return the map to the host business, Thermopolis Print Zone/Discover Thermopolis, at the end of Friday evening’s stroll to be entered to win a piece of art work donated by the artists.

The Second-Friday ArtStroll and StillStrollingSaturday are organized by Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation and Smoking Waters Art Guild with additional help from Main Street Thermopolis, Hot Springs Travel and Tourism, and local businesses.