A Letter from our Executive Director

Dear Friend,

As 2024 comes to an end, I am excited to reflect on this year and share our vision for 2025. Whether you’re newly involved with Art321, reconnecting, or have been with us from the start, your support means everything as we continue to grow and strengthen this creative community.

This past year has been transformative, and we have accomplished so much together. At the time of this letter, Art321 has 222 active members. Not only have we celebrated our 100th anniversary, but we have also:

  • Showcased art from over 200 Wyoming artists at our exhibits this year

  • Had over 100 people attend our classes & groups every week

  • Painted and installed over 4,000 ceramic butterflies, with plans for a community art installation

  • Paid over $35,000 in artist commissions

  • Collaborated with over 15 organizations in our community

Thanks to the dedication and hard work of our staff and board, we’ve made incredible strides this year, celebrating 10 decades of serving Casper artists while transforming our gallery, gift shop, and class offerings.

Our 100th anniversary year has been filled with meaningful accomplishments, including a series of exhibits featuring our founders, our Secret Garden Gala (which sold out in just 9 days!), and a commemorative book now available in our gift shop.

Our gallery and gift shop has undergone a transformation, including a redesigned front desk, updated storage for better organization, and new 14' white gallery walls that brighten the space and showcase artwork in a fresh way. We’ve also streamlined our art check-in procedures to manage inventory more efficiently and ensure the careful display and handling of both gallery and gift shop pieces.

We have expanded our educational offerings with new weekly classes, additional workshops, and a variety of creative groups for all skill levels. Starting in January, we’ll also offer a homeschool art program and after-school classes for kids, providing more opportunities for young artists to explore their creativity.

Looking ahead to 2025: Our theme for 2025 is “EXPLORE”. This season is all about discovering new creative horizons, building community, and expanding access to the arts. We’ll have exhibits on themes like entomology, wildflowers, travel, national park road trips, the fabric of time, and the phases of the moon.

We’re planning another Secret Garden Gala on April 26th with a special twist you’ll love. We’re already booking bands, and our First Thursday ArtWalks will be fantastic community events you won’t want to miss. We’ve got a new event, Art & Eggs at Art321, in the works, connecting artists with our community over brunch. ClayFest planning is underway with a “National Park Road Trip” theme. Additionally, we’ve moved our annual Postcards & Pintsized event to the fall, giving you a chance to pick up amazing, affordable Christmas gifts while competing in a silent auction.

Our goals this year include increasing membership, attendance at our events, and collaborating with more local businesses and organizations throughout the state.

But we need your help.

EXPLORING NEW SPACES

As we grow, our current space limits our ability to expand programs and support more artists. Over the next couple of years, we plan to transform our basement into a dynamic, multi-functional space that will support our core programs and provide accessible facilities for artists to learn, connect, and create. With your support, we can make these changes while continuing to sustain the programs and community that are central to our mission.

The Vision for the Future

Imagine a basement creator center accessible to everyone, where artists can explore their full potential.

The renovated basement space will feature:

  • An Expanded Clay Studio: Doubling our current capacity to accommodate more artists and hold concurrent classes and workshops.

  • We’ve already received a grant for a larger kiln, which will be ordered this week, and the heating installation will begin this summer!

  • A Printmaking Station: Preserving heritage while fostering innovation, this unique resource will allow artists to explore both traditional and experimental techniques. It’s already up and running—come check it out!

  • A Studio Prep Station: Featuring a photography area for your art, a cutting and matting area, and a shrink wrap machine to get your pieces ready for display and sale.

  • Artist Studio Rentals: Private, affordable spaces where artists can work independently while remaining part of our vibrant creative community.

  • Collaboration Spaces: Inclusive areas for artists to gather, share, and create together.

What do we need to make this a reality?

The biggest piece of the puzzle is an ADA-accessible elevator. This crucial addition will ensure that everyone, regardless of mobility, can easily access all areas of our space. It will open up opportunities for individuals of all abilities to fully participate in our programs, explore our exhibits, and contribute to the creative community we’re building.

While we don’t have all of the quotes for the basement renovation, the initial quote for the elevator is $375,000. While this cost is considerable, we are confident that with your support, we can make it a reality.

As a loyal supporter, you know that every contribution is vital to our mission. Whether you’ve attended an event, volunteered, or donated in the past, your support has directly helped us provide arts access, nurture talent, and create a more inclusive space. Art is about more than just beautiful things on our walls — it’s an essential part of our community that we must continue to support.

Thank you for everything you’ve done to make this possible.

Together, we can create a lasting impact, supporting artists, programs, and a community where everyone can explore their creativity. Your donation today will help us expand opportunities for all, ensuring our space remains accessible and vibrant for years to come.

Donate now and be part of a transformative journey!

Laura Hunter
Executive Director