Platte Valley Arts Council grand reveal

The hum of curiosity vibrated through the Platte Valley Community Center (PVCC) on Saturday. Large and small pieces of art hidden under fabric and tarps tantalized all of those gathered for the Art Reveal. Some peeked under a corner, but most waited, to see the creations that had been so thoughtfully fashioned by the artists being honored.

Teense Wilford presided over the event, offering up some rhetoric and song, as well as appreciation for the five board members and the seven artists being celebrated.

Emotions ran high as Allison Sneddon, the President of the Platte Valley Arts Council (PVAC) spoke about her amazing crew.

Stacy Crimmins was obviously moved by this project and her work with the board members.

There may only be five on the PVAC Board, including Rachel Swanson, Mary Martin and Shirley Hillyard but the measure of their accomplishments would be difficult to match.

Renee Bovee, the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund program coordinator, only furthered the belief that these five women deserve a great deal of the North Platte Valley's gratitude.

Bovee said that when her board went over the grant requesting $50,000 for this project, they were somewhat reluctant, due to the size of our Valley and our population. However, the grant was written so well. The passion and love for art and the North Platte Valley emanated from the application. Bovee said as the board read it, they truly believed that the PVAC could do it and she was not disappointed.

Lunch was served, catered by the Saratoga Sandwich Company and Valley Foods was served by volunteers from Bridge Street Bargains and Platte Valley Kiwanis.

Cindy Loose provided maps of all the public art exhibits in the Saratoga and Encampment.

At 1 p.m. the first reveal was Sierra Smith's memorial to Sergeant Tyler Pickett. "Wyoming Remembers" was translated into metal after Smith visited with Pickett's mom. It was obvious that Pickett was not a bronze statue kind of guy. Smith's creation brought tears to many.

Smith said after she had visited with Pickett's mom, she had a vision of the piece before she ever placed hand to solder. This memorial will eventually have its permanent home at Never Forget Park.

The next reveal was Lori Kostur's 3 panel mural titled "Lake Marie". Kostur said this will be going back home with her until the North Platte Valley Medical Center is ready to display it. She wanted to create something that residents and patients alike could enjoy. Kostur said that many of the residents that will be moved to the Medical Center cannot look out the window at the mountains any longer. She hopes this will provide some peace and relaxation.

Jerry Wood's creation was in the spotlight next. Wood created a sculpture from Italian Alabaster dubbed "Two's the Limit". Jerry has been working with stone for over 40 years and his dynamic with this medium is evident in the detail.

Visiting Jamie Waugh at the Sage Motel the huge mural she calls, "Alone, Never Lonely" can be seen a block away. Vibrant colors dance in the sunshine and give the viewer a glimpse of ranch life. Waugh said she wanted to create something that the community would understand. She'd been looking for a wall this size and the owners of the Sage Motel came to her and told her about this project.

Wheels of colors greet visitors at Firewater Public House, where John Perue has captured sunlight in stained glass sculptures under the trees in his creation, "Wyoming Wind Flowers". This particular project was inspired by a bicycle mishap involving his stepson Joe. When Joe wrecked his bike, Joe's wife, Lindsay, who is an art teacher, asked Perue if they could put stained glass in the spokes. That idea didn't work out but Perue was inspired.

Perue spoke with Ralph Hicks who recycles old bikes and was able to procure more wheels. Perue reused many scraps from his collection. The whiskey barrels that the Wyoming Wind Flowers are "potted" in came from Brush Creek Ranch's distillery.

The Encampment Preschool displays a mural on Hwy 70 that is made entirely from recycled plastic lids. Titled "It Takes a Village". It is a fascinating array of colors and textures.

Ceramic Tiles were sold by the PVAC to individuals to paint their inspirations to be displayed as a mural.

A bronze sculpture of a miner stands in the lobby of the Grand Encampment Museum. This bronze is called simply, "Single Jack". Another example of Lori Kostur's brilliant work.

This is a miniature version of the sculpture she has on exhibit in Leadville, Colorado at the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum.

The last reveal was a "Paint-by-Number: Flo and Elmo" mural created to honor Jerry Palen. Palen's Stampede syndicated cartoons were enjoyed by many generations in both the U.S and Canada.

Palen's talents as a sculptor, artist and representation of the cowboy way of life will never be forgotten.

Many thanks go out to the dedicated volunteers, art patrons and supporters that helped complete this project as well as Carbon County Visitors Council, Wyoming Business Council Rural Development, Wyoming Community Foundation and Power Company of Wyoming.

Next week more of the Public Art on display will be visited in the Upper North Platte River Valley.