CHEYENNE, Wyo — Feb. 2, 2026 — The 2026 Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition will open in the Gallery of the Wyoming Capitol on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. This biennial exhibition serves as a survey of contemporary Wyoming artists. Artwork was selected by a guest juror from an open call and is available for public purchase. This year’s exhibit is featured as part of Wyoming's tribute to America's 250th anniversary. Artists were encouraged to submit entries that celebrate Wyoming’s breathtaking landscapes, vibrant communities, and the people who call our great state home.

This year’s exhibit showcases 62 works by 53 artists chosen from 383 entries submitted by 152 Wyoming artists. The selections were made by this year’s guest juror Kate Hlavin, Curator of the Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale in Denver, Colorado. Hlavin commented on the depth of talent, noting, “with hundreds of amazing pieces, it was inspiring to see all of the incredible talent in Wyoming. As I went through each of the submissions, I looked for work that uniquely depicted Wyoming and the West.”

Fifty-three artists were selected for this year’s exhibition: Florence Alfano McEwin, PhD, Green River; Rede Ballard, Gillette; Catherine Barnes, Cheyenne; Olivia Bergeron, Cody; Ella Bishop-Heil, Alcova; Emily Boespflug, Jackson; Barbara Bogart, Laramie; Leslie Bookout, Jeffrey City; Joanne Bornong, Sheridan; Josh Buettner, Cheyenne; Katie Christensen, Laramie; Jon Cox, Riverton; Aubrey Edwards, Laramie; Jessica Fritz, Cheyenne; Rocio Gomez Sandoval, Laramie; Susan Grinels, Lander; Zak Hall, Cheyenne; Bria Hammock, Cheyenne; Alexandra Hansen, Aladdin; Rachel Hawkinson, Casper; Carey Hosterman, Cheyenne; Svetlana Howe, Laramie; Jim Jereb, Laramie; Lynn Jones, Laramie; Joy Keown, Laramie; KC Kern, Casper; Danielle Kirby, Cheyenne; Steve Knox, Cheyenne; Carol Kolf, Sheridan; Sarah Konrad, Laramie; Terry Kreuzer, Cheyenne; Phillippa Lack, Cheyenne; Brenna Litynski, Laramie; Alena Mack, Sheridan; Ginnie Madsen, Laramie; Paula McCormick, Lander; David McDougall, Dayton; Mike McRann, Lander; Connie Norman, Cheyenne; James Overstreet, Cheyenne; Denise Patton, Cheyenne; Katherine Peterson, Big Piney; Rosie Ratigan, Lander; Miga Rossetti, Wilson; Georgia Rowswell, Cheyenne; Rhonda Schmeltzer, Worland; Cerrina Smith, Cheyenne; Michele Tilley, Centennial; Sara Willson, Cheyenne; Kathy Wipfler, Jackson; Jane Woods, Powell; Jenny Wuerker, Buffalo; and Debra Zelenak, Lander.

Artists in the exhibition will be honored at a public reception and awards ceremony on Feb. 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. Works receiving purchase awards, the Governor’s Choice Award, Juror’s Choice Award, and People’s Choice Award will be announced during the reception.

The public can vote for their favorite piece for the People’s Choice Award via the Museum’s Facebook page starting Feb. 9, as well as in person until the reception. Beginning on Feb. 9, purchases can be made through the Wyoming State Museum’s website or in person. Purchased works will be available for pickup after the exhibit closes on Aug. 8.

The Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition was established in 2000 under an initiative by Governor Geringer and is organized by the Wyoming State Museum and the Wyoming Arts Council. The exhibition is the primary avenue for the state museum to acquire contemporary Wyoming art for its Capitol and permanent collections. Works selected by participating statewide elected officials and state agencies for purchase are added to the Capitol Art Collection. Works in that collection are displayed in public areas of participating offices and state agencies. The museum purchases additional works from the exhibition for its permanent collection, serving as a record of artists working in Wyoming today.

The Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition will be on exhibit from Feb. 9 to Aug. 8 in the Capitol Gallery. The Capitol is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Figure 1: Steve Knox, Cheyenne, “Paintbrush Dreams,” Mixed media on teabags.

 Figure 2: Alena Mack, Sheridan, “Keeper of the High Country,” Jewelry. 
Figure 3: Barbara Bogart, Laramie, “Impending,” Photography.

Contact: Nathan Doerr, (307) 823-2935; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Jan. 27, 2026 – The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR) will launch a new professional development event on Sept. 17, 2026: the Cultural Heritage Institute, a one-day, in-person gathering in Cheyenne designed to equip cultural heritage employees, historic site and museum staff, and volunteers, both new and long-serving, with practical skills in preservation and collections care.

Hosted in partnership with the Laramie County Library System, the Institute will bring together emerging and experienced professionals, as well as dedicated volunteers, working in Wyoming’s cultural fields to share ideas, exchange knowledge, and build lasting connections. The event will feature sessions, discussions, and networking opportunities centered on preserving and promoting the state’s shared history, arts, and culture.

“The Cultural Heritage Institute will create space for new and emerging professionals—and those looking to strengthen or refresh their foundational skills—to build confidence, gain practical knowledge, and connect with mentors and peers,” said Wyoming State Archivist Sara Davis. “It’s an exciting step toward ensuring Wyoming’s history and culture continue to be preserved and shared by a strong, connected community of professionals statewide.”

The Cultural Heritage Institute will offer a foundation in core practices across museums, archives, historic sites, and arts programs. The event will emphasize practical learning, professional growth, and opportunities to connect with mentors and peers across Wyoming’s cultural community. Participants will learn how cultural collections and programs are cared for, interpreted, and shared within the state’s vibrant cultural network.

The Cultural Heritage Institute is seeking volunteers to lead workshops and lightning talks focused on practical cultural heritage work, including preservation, collections care, digitization, interpretation, and related topics. Individuals with relevant expertise or proposed session ideas are encouraged to submit a brief interest form by March 31, 2026, at Bit.ly/LeadAWorkshop.    

This initiative is made possible through funding from State Parks and Cultural Resources’ Spark Tank Program, an internal fund that supports SPCR staff in developing and testing innovative ideas to advance the department’s mission. The event is being organized collaboratively by SPCR programs, including the Arts Council, Cultural Trust Fund, Office of the State Archaeologist, State Archives, State Historic Preservation Office, State Museum, State Parks, and Historic Sites.

Attendance will be free, with registration required and limited to 50 participants. Additional details will be announced in the coming months, including registration information and a schedule. The event will be held at the Laramie County Library located at 2200 Pioneer Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001. 

For future updates, please visit Bit.ly/WyoCulturalHeritageInstitute. Updates will also be shared on social media through SPCR programs, including the Arts Council, Office of the State Archaeologist, State Archives, State Historic Preservation Office, State Museum, and State Parks, using the hashtag #WyoCulturalHeritageInstitute2026.

Figure 1: A volunteer reenactor demonstrates historic prison labor practices at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site. 

Figure 2: Visitors engage with fossil specimens from the Wyoming State Museum’s collections during the annual Dino Day event.

Figure 3: A Wyoming State Archives staff member uses new 16mm film repair equipment to preserve historic film materials.