A Sudden Beautiful Shift at the Lander Art Center

There is a new crispness in the air. Over the last day, the weather has truly turned, bringing with it a cool, cleansing downpour and the unmistakable scent of autumn leaves. There is a buzz in our town, a warmth from the homecoming gatherings that reminds us how good it is to come together.

As the days grow shorter and the world outside pulls on its brilliant autumn colors, we feel a similar pull to gather inside, to create, and to connect. Here at the Art Center, our classrooms are filling, and the clay studio is bustling with a beautiful energy. We are so grateful to share this cozy, creative season with all of you!

In the Main Gallery: Guns, Boots, & Brands

Our main gallery is currently filled with incredible work for the Kiwanis Youth Fundraiser progressive show, “Guns, Boots & Brands.” This exhibition is a powerful community effort to support vital youth programs of all kinds here in Lander. We are honored to host the work of so many generous artists whose pieces will be auctioned on October 24th.

A huge thank you to our current contributing artists: Robin Allison, Jerry Antolik, Gayle Barnett, Leslie Christopher Bookout, Mary Boscamp, Scott Copeland, David “Kaveka” Stringham, Lynda German, Karen Gibson, Susan Grinels, Nita Kehoe, Laura Koch, Robert Laughton, Andrew Lawrence, Alice Marlatt, Ella McDonell, Annette McDonnel, Paula Mccormick, Michael Murdock, Rosie Ratigan, Caitlin Reilley, Katerina Seamands, Susan Streater, Noelle Weiman, Bill Yankee, and Jenny Young.

We would love to see even more artists join this wonderful cause!

Please join us for a special voting night here at the Art Center on Friday, October 17th. Stop in, enjoy light refreshments, and cast your vote to help decide which pieces make it to the live auction at the main Kiwanis fundraising event on October 24th at the Lander Community Center.

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Creativity in the Studios

Whimsical Printmaking Without a Press with Susan Grinels

Have you ever been curious about printmaking? Join the wonderful Susan Grinels for a playful, three-week exploration of monoprinting using the magical Gelli plate. This accessible technique is all about color, texture, and the joy of surprise. It is a perfect way to spend an autumn afternoon.

Spaces are limited, so sign up today right here!

Dates: Tuesdays | October 14, 21, & 28

Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Cost: $65 for the series or $25 for a single drop-in session.

A New Way to Join Art After School

We are thrilled to announce that our popular Art After School program for ages 9-16 has moved to a flexible drop-in model. If you couldn’t commit to the full semester, your young artist can now pop in for just a week at a time or even for a single day. If you have a creative young person in your life, now is the perfect time to take another look.

Warmth in the Clay Studio

As the days get colder, our clay studio is getting even busier. It is a hub of warmth, conversation, and creation. If you are new to clay or want a place to start, our Wednesday orientation and skill-building nights are made just for you. For our seasoned potters, we offer open studio hours and shelf rentals for more creative freedom. Find all the details on the LAC Clay Studio page.

Art in Our Community

Celebrating Young Voices at Bookmarked

We are so proud to be a sponsor for this year’s Bookmarked Literary Festival by supporting the Youth Flash Fiction writing contest. We received 29 exceptional submissions from students in grades 5-12 and have produced a beautiful anthology of their work. Please join us to celebrate these talented young writers at the awards ceremony on Thursday, October 10th at 5:30 PM at the Lander Library Carnegie Room. You can see what else the festival has to offer on their Facebook page.

An Evening of Music: The Storytellers with Jim Culver

We are thrilled to continue our intimate series of music and storytelling. “The Storytellers” invites you into our warm gallery space for an evening of heartfelt performance and connection.

Please join us on Thursday, October 16th, to hear from Jim Culver, a Wyoming-based musician whose sound weaves together folk, timeless classics, and heartfelt originals. His warm voice and easygoing style create an unforgettable experience rooted in authenticity and community. Tickets are available here.

A First Look: Robert Laughton’s “Color is Life”

We are so excited for our next exhibition, a solo show by the multi-disciplined artist Robert Laughton. Titled “Color is Life,” the show is sure to be an astounding experience. Please save the date and join us to celebrate with the artist at an opening reception on Thursday, October 23rd from 6-8 PM.

Calling All Artists for Art in the Afternoon!

Planning for our biggest event of the year, Art in the Afternoon, is in full bloom! This market is the single most important way we can support individual artists and craftspeople in Fremont County. The call for artists to rent booths is officially open. These booths always sell out, so we are giving early applicants first choice of their location. This year’s event will feature live music, food, beer, coffee, and more than 40 artist booths. Apply for your booth today!

In Closing

This sudden shift in the season reminds us of the value of gathering in, of finding warmth not just in our studios, but in each other’s company. Thank you for bringing your light to this space. May the coming weeks be filled with good conversations, creative sparks, and the comfort of community.