LARAMIE, WY.- The University of Wyoming Art Museum's official opening of the large-scale public art exhibition "Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational" is Friday, Sept. 12, with a free public reception on Prexys Pasture from 4-6 p.m.

"Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational" is a series of 17 works and is an exhibition of public art on the UW campus and in Laramie. The featured sculptures and location are:

At the UW Art Museum

Billings
Deborah Butterfield's "Billings" is a signature work from her collection, representing her found and welded steel construction process.

Doolin Doolin
Ursula von Rydingsvard's "Doolin Doolin " generously lent to the exhibition by Neltje, is a signature work by this artist who specializes in constructed and carved works made from cedar planks.

Untitled (Dango)
Jun Kaneko's Untitled ("Dango") with the thumbprint-like design was purchased from his solo exhibition at the museum.

Eclipse
Jesus Moroles' "Eclipse" was gifted to the museum and is a unique work that combines polished and sawn textures.

At Prexy's Pasture (clockwise from Simpson Plaza)

Molto Allargando
Charles Parson's "Molto Allargando" named for a musical term meaning a gradual increase or rise to a crescendo, uses the industrial materials of steel and glass to create a work that is mechanical in appearance. Two bucket-like forms at opposite ends of a "horizon line" appear to scoop up the earth.

Braced Ring with Outlyer
Carl Reed furthered his exploration of placing a viewing "ring" relative to a distantly placed "outlyer" to create an experience of discovery for the viewer.

In Circle
James Surls' sculpture "In Circle" offers a departure from his wood and bronze work by using stainless steel. Its linear and circular form suggests a molecular structure or perhaps a tumble weed.

Shortcut
Patrick Dougherty's monumental "Shortcut" made from saplings, was inspired by the unpaved "shortcut" on which the sculpture is constructed, and the boulders of the Simpson Family Plaza. Four hut-like forms with entries and skylights are placed so the pathway is not interrupted.

Granite Windows
Jesùs Moroles recycled and transformed a steel tank into an interactive sculpture, creating windows as both framing elements from which to view Prexy's Pasture and simultaneously as entryways from which to climb into the work. The ability to rotate the work enables an ever-changing positioning of views.

At Old Main (President's suite)

Waiting
Inspired by China's 2,000 year old terra cotta soldiers, Wanxin Zhang creates contemporary warriors from clay using molding and coil construction techniques. Zhang's first solo museum exhibition, Warriors, Pit #5, Wyoming 2006, was organized by the University of Wyoming Art Museum in spring 2006.

At the Classroom Building plaza on Ninth Street

Refugium
Linda Fleming's "Refugium" was the centerpiece of her recent New York exhibition. Another interactive work, viewers are able to enter the sculpture and sit on a chair where one is engulfed by the shadow-patterns of the laser cut steel forms.

Throughout Laramie

Open Book
Charmaine Locke's "Open Book" is a call for world peace as the phrase "Why can't we find the path to peace when it is right in front of our eyes?" written in five languages on the sculpture. Located at the Albany County Public Library.

Alligator
John Kearney's "Alligator" is from a series on endangered animals the artist created in the 1970s. Located at the City Annex.

First Steps
Robert Russin's "First Steps" was gifted following his retrospective exhibition mounted at the UW Art Museum in 1991. Located at Undine Park.

It goes under
Steven Siegel's site along the Laramie Greenbelt offered a natural setting surrounded by pathways, roadways, and corporate structures. Known for his use of recycled materials-red mulch, in this case-the artist created a meandering worm-like form. Flooding of the Laramie River early in the installation process influenced the final form of "It goes under." Located at the Laramie Greenbelt on the Commerce Street entrance.

Vedauwoo Modernized
Stan Dolega has taken his inspiration from Vedauwoo to create a new steel and stone work called "Vedauwoo Modernized" that marks a return to sculpture-making for the Laramie artist. Located at Optimist Park.

River High
John Henry's "River High" is from a new series of monumental sculpture and was created for the Wyoming exhibition. Fifty-five feet tall and visible from the surrounding valley, it is a beacon that signals contemporary public art is on view in Laramie. Located at the Laramie Community Recreation Center on Boulder Drive.

Synergy: A Tribute to Alexander Calder
A special invitation to the artists of Ark Regional Services to create an outdoor sculpture for the new Creative Arts Center resulted in "Synergy: A Tribute to Alexander Calder" a painted steel work. Located at the Center for Creative Arts on north Fourth Street.