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.