American Crafts Week in Cheyenne
Clay Paper Scissors Gallery in Cheyenne has a beautiful new location! 1513 Carey Avenue
Clay Paper Scissors Gallery & Studio was started in 2009 in Cheyenne by Mark Vinich and Camellia El-Antably in the historic Asher Building. “In 2012, we purchased a small unloved building on Carey to renovate,” Camellia says. “Built in the late 1800s, we saw potential in the graceful space and brick walls to be a beautiful gallery addition to Cheyenne. We worked with Tobin & Associates and J.L. Everitt Construction to renovate the building into an open airy space that both honors its history and adds contemporary touches.”
Clay Paper Scissors offers studio space for artists (currently three: Mark, Camellia and Eric Lee) and a gallery that shows a range of work as wide as Wyoming’s open spaces. “We show primarily Wyoming artists from around the state,” Camellia adds.
The duo are heavily involved in the arts in Wyoming. Mark is a Lander native and Cheyenne art teacher; Camellia moved here in 2001 to work for the Wyoming Arts Council. Clay Paper Scissors grew out of their interest in having communal space for art creation, and a desire to show work not seen in local galleries. “We show artwork we want to see — work being done by artists living and working currently that appeals to the mind, the senses and the heart,” Camellia says. “Wyoming is very eclectic in its taste in art and the artists who live here and work in both traditional and contemporary forms and subjects. We feel privileged to know so many diverse artists and to be able to share their work with the Cheyenne community.”
Featured every second Thursday, April – December, from 5-8 PM, Arts Cheyenne partners with Visit Cheyenne and Cheyenne DDA/Main Street to host Art, Design & Dine. On October 9, AD&D will repeat their participation in American Crafts Week (October 3-12 across America) with a Wyoming craftsperson featured in Clay Paper Scissors’ new location. Mike Olson, a ceramics artist from Casper, is their first show in this new space. “Both Mark and I have liked Mike Olson’s work since we first saw it in Casper–the simple pleasing forms, the glazes, the mix of functional and sculptural work,” Camellia says.
Mike Olson attended Casper College and earned his BFA at the University of North Dakota and his MFA in 2003 at Wichita State University in Kansas, both in ceramics. Mike Olson’s work for this inaugural show include stoneware pieces, both handbuilt and thrown. Mike explains that this show’s work is “…about daydreaming and how I like to float away in thought while watching migrating birds, windmills turning or clouds floating by. There is a peace and calm represented by the subtle, simple forms I enjoy creating during the slow motions of working on the treadle wheel.” Mike returned to Casper to start a studio and teach at Casper College, where he is the ceramics instructor.
The show’s opening is October 9, 2014, from 5-8 during the monthly Art Design & Dine in Cheyenne (artdesigndine.org). Mike Olson’s work will be displayed at Clay Paper Scissors through November, with another show opening on the 13th during Art Design & Dine.
Clay Paper Scissors is located at 1513 Carey Avenue in Cheyenne, and can be contacted for available hours and appointments. Call 307.631.6039 or shoot them an email at claypaperscissors@gmail.com. For more information on Art, Design & Dine and their October, November and December 2014 events, visit artdesigndine.org.