Laramie Artist Project will be organizing the 6th Biennial Touchstone Gallery this Saturday and Sunday at the Fairfield Inn and Suites.
Touchstone Laramie originated in 2004 with a 2-person exhibition by artists Susan Moldenhauer and Wendy Lemen Bredehoft. In 2005 it expanded to include 5 artists in an open-studio venue. The Laramie Artists Project (LAP) has hosted the biennial exhibit Touchstone Laramie since 2006, continuing in 2008, 2010 and 2012 and 2014. The first 2 exhibitions took place at the Ramada Inn in Laramie. In 2010 the exhibition moved to the Fairfield Inn and Suites. More than 1,200 people each year have visited the small individual galleries (transformed guest rooms) to view the work of approximately 30 to 40 Albany County artists.
Participation is open to artists of all ages and experience which, according to the Laramie Project’s website “provides viewers with the opportunity to discover or reacquaint themselves with their favorite local artists, to encounter original work, and to build new connections. It is gratifying to see visitors engaged in deep discussions with artists and each other about the artwork on display.”
Artists are expected to create and help organize the event, “This is a true collaborative effort. Artists are expected to attend planning meetings, volunteer for assignments, such as fundraising, promoting the event, moving hotel furniture and more.”
Since its inception, the Laramie Artists Project has prided itself on how the Touchstone Gallery gives back to the community, “pening night is a community event. Hundreds of people attend the opening night reception; friends make dates to meet other friends there. Touchstone Laramie has now become just one of the ‘art happenings’ occurring in town.”
As for the artists, the Project says “It provides a wonderful opportunity for all artists to share new work created in the past two years, to meet new viewers and potential patrons, and to connect with the community. It also creates opportunities for professional development as participating artists actively engage in the business of art: curating their work for exhibition, developing marketing strategies, fundraising, installation of the exhibit and more. Artists learn from and encourage each other, working together on all aspects of producing successful events.”
Touchstone Laramie 2018 returns this year as the 6th biennial event Saturday, Nov 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 11 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fairfield Inn and Suites, 1673 Centennial Dr., Laramie, Wyoming.
