In partnership with the Wyoming Committee of National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) in Washington, D.C., Clay Paper Scissors Gallery & Studio is honored to present the five Wyoming artists who were shortlisted for New Worlds: Women to Watch 2024, a biennial exhibition that shines a light on underrepresented regional artists. Wyoming Women to Watch will be on display through October 19, 2024 at Clay Paper Scissors Gallery & Studio in Cheyenne with a special performance by artist Sarah Ortegon HighWalking during the October 4 Artwalk (performance at 7:30 PM; Artwalk runs from 5-8 PM).

This marks the first time Wyoming is represented in the critically acclaimed international series, thanks to passion of NMWA board member and Wyoming Committee founder Lisa Claudy Fleischman (1958-2023). Under her leadership, a dozen influential women from throughout the state joined forces to fundraise and advocate for Wyoming artists. Unlike a standard group show, this exhibition allows each artist their own space to express their individual process and practice. Selected by Wyoming curator Dr. Tammi Hanawalt, the show honors each artist’s singular voice. NMWA curators ultimately selected Sarah Ortegon HighWalking (Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho), whose work combines painting, beadwork, and performance to retell narratives of modern Indigenous women.

Throughout the selection process, the five artists, along with the committee members, uplifted and celebrated each other. The result of this collaboration and support, Wyoming Women to Watch showcases the work of Sarah Ortegon HighWalking alongside the ephemeral land art of Jennifer Rife (Cheyenne), the undulating ceramic installation of Bronwyn Minton (Jackson), the miniature anthropomorphized insects of Leah Hardy, and the attention to overlooked moments of Katy Ann Fox (Jackson). Together, these five visionary artists present a connection between human interaction with the natural world.

All photos courtesy of Jennifer Rife.