CHEYENNE, Wyo. – March 25, 2026 – Science gets an after-hours twist this spring at the Wyoming State Museum with S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Mathematics) Night. 

On Saturday, April 18, from 5:30–8:30 p.m., the State Museum will transform into an interactive, adults-only space for hands-on experiments, immersive technology, and live demonstrations designed specifically for guests ages 21 and older. This limited-capacity evening event offers a chance to explore science in a lively, social setting—without the daytime crowds.

Throughout the evening, participants will be able to step aboard the International Space Station through immersive virtual reality headsets, explore a mobile science lab featuring hands-on experiments, design and launch their own paper rockets, and experience live chemistry demonstrations and interactive experiments. 

Tickets are $20 per person. Guests must be 21 or older to attend, and valid identification will be checked at the door. Advance registration is required; space is limited and expected to fill quickly. Learn more and register by visiting Bit.ly/RegisterSTEAM. 

This event is presented in partnership by Blue Raven Brewery, Blue Stem Winehouse, the Cheyenne Arts Center, the Children’s Museum of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College, the University of Wyoming Department of Chemistry, and the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium Science Kitchen.

The Wyoming State Museum, a program of the Wyoming Department of State Parks & Cultural Resources, invites visitors of all ages to discover Wyoming’s history from prehistoric to present. Established in 1895, the Museum collects, preserves, and interprets objects spanning history, art, anthropology, and natural history, bringing the state’s stories to life through engaging exhibitions and educational programs. Admission is free year-round, and the Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

For more information about the State Museum or upcoming events, visit wyomuseum.wyo.gov. 

Figure 1: S.T.E.A.M. Night graphic. 

Contact: Stefanie Kowalczyk, (307) 630-2573; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – March 5, 2026 – Governor Mark Gordon and the Wyoming State Museum recognized 53 Wyoming artists at the 2026 Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition awards reception on Thursday, Feb. 26. Three artists were presented with awards, each accompanied by a cash prize:

• Lynn Jones of Laramie received the Governor’s Choice Award for her piece, “The Snowy Range.”
• Georgia Rowswell of Cheyenne received the Juror’s Choice Award for her piece, “Where the Buffalo Roam Again.”
• Alexandra Hansen of Aladdin received the People’s Choice Award for her piece, “Walk the Line.”

Four works were also selected for the Capitol Art Collection Purchase Awards through votes cast by the statewide elected officials and agencies participating in the museum’s Capitol Art Program. These works will be displayed in public offices of state agencies and elected officials. Artists receiving purchase awards were:

• James Overstreet of Cheyenne, for his piece titled “Yellowstone Pool”
• Catherine Barnes of Cheyenne, for her piece titled “April, May and June” 
• Ella Bishop-Heil of Alcova, for her piece titled “Portrait of Two Horses” 
• Steve Knox of Cheyenne, for his piece titled “Lookin' for 2”

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. The exhibit showcases 62 works chosen from 383 entries submitted by 152 Wyoming artists. The selections were made by guest juror Kate Hlavin, Curator of the Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale in Denver, Colorado.

Hlavin, in her remarks during the reception, shared that "reviewing the submissions for this exhibition was a privilege. The level of creativity represented was impressive, and the range of interpretations—from land and wildlife to people and community—was fascinating to experience.” She noted that each artist brought “a unique reason for loving Wyoming, and that individuality was evident in every submission. The works I selected resonated with me as thoughtful, compelling, and beautiful reflections of this place."

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. In addition to the works selected for Purchase Awards and added to the Capitol Art Collection, 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 display until Aug. 8 in the Capitol Gallery. The Capitol is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Works in the exhibition can also be viewed and purchased at bit.ly/4qwN3x1. 

Figure 1: Governor Mark Gordon and First Lady Jennie Gordon with Lynn Jones, recipient of the 2026 Governor’s Choice Award. 

Figure 2: Juror Kate Hlavin and Georgia Rowswell, recipient of the 2026 Juror’s Choice Award.

Figure 3: Governor Mark Gordon and State Parks and Cultural Resources Director Dave Glenn with Alexandra Hansen, recipient of the 2026 People’s Choice Award.

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

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.