Nicolaysen Art Museum and Discovery Center - Casper, Wyoming

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View Contemporary Art at the Nicolaysen Art Museum and Discovery Center in Casper

The Nicolaysen Art Museum and Discovery Center in Casper, Wyoming is a must see for art lovers visiting the area. The Museum exhibits a wide variety of contemporary art by artists from the Rocky Mountain and High Plains area. Works by artists from other areas of the United States as well as International art is exhibited in traveling exhibits at the NIC, as well.

The NIC is located in a 25,000 square foot building, formerly the Mountain States Power Company. The renovated building is an outstanding place to showcase contemporary art. The large Discovery Center at the NIC offers a variety of special programs and educational exhibits designed for children.

Current Exhibitions

Trappings is the title of a very interesting exhibition presently on display at the NIC. This exhibition was created by Tiffany Ludwig and Renee Piechocki, and includes photographs, audio, and projected video. The exhibit involved 600 female participants from around the U.S responding to the question, What Do You Wear That Makes You Feel Powerful? The exhibition explores themes related to power, self-esteem, identity and presentation in relation to women of diverse nationalities and ages.

Trappings has traveled around the U.S. since 2002, but in Casper it involves a special public art component. Clothing tags have been placed in retail clothing stores in the area that cater to women, inviting them to participate in the exhibit. Responses will be included in the traveling exhibit as it moves forward from the NIC.

Visitors can see two very interesting exhibits by husband and wife artists Jon and Ginnie Madsen currently on exhibit at the NIC. Jon Madsen’s exhibit is entitled Alternate Routes. Jon’s paintings are inspired by the flat, horizontal features of the Wyoming landscape, and focus in particular on human elements. Ginnie’s exhibit Along My Way expresses her interest in atmosphere and light in landscape, and color and pattern are key focuses of her paintings.

Permanent Exhibition: The Conrad Schwiering Gallery
The Nicolaysen Art Museum and Discovery Center acquired the entire studio collection of Wyoming painter William Schwiering in 1999. Part of the vast collection is displayed in an intriguing re-creation of the painter’s studio where he worked in Moose, Wyoming. The studio appears just as it did at the time of William Schwiering’s death, and includes his easel, drawings, art tools, and a work in progress.
NIC Fest

The NIC fest is a vibrant and exciting festival held at the NIC each June. Works from dozens of regional artists and performances by regional bands are part of the festivities. An art car show, chalk art competition, quilt exhibition and special children’s area are regularly featured at NIC Fest. Anyone interested in regional artwork from the Rockies and High Plains region will enjoy visiting the NIC during this large annual event.