Group wants to add performing arts venue

by Christi Marsico
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 9:31 AM MDT

Four of Casper's young adults are making a stand for change in the arts community.

Zen Petersen, Kristin Reid, Ryan Lockhart and Bethany Vesely comprise Wyoming W.A.V.E., which stands for Wyoming Arts Venue and Entertainment.

W.A.V.E. is the next 501(c)(3)-pending nonprofit organization to step up and join the movement to develop Wyoming's art culture.

This nonprofit organization is dedicated to enhancing the state’s live music and performing arts culture by organizing community projects and events and providing local arts grants for Wyoming's performing artists.

The group has created a Web site, www.wyomingwave.com, which states their mission, as well as ways to be involved.

"We believe that all kinds of art, be it visual, performance, music and more, are equally valuable and essential elements of a ‘well-balanced’ community,” the mission statement says.

“It is crucial that communities, from all across the county, have adequate facilities that support these arts, not only for the benefit of artists, but for the entire community to see, hear, discuss, experience, and most importantly, to enjoy."

W.A.V.E.'s initial community project, The Blue Barrel, a building to support live music and the arts, is the first order of business.

"In order to have a thriving arts culture, you need to have a facility to cater to those events," Petersen said.

The Blue Barrel’s proposed location is 145 N. Durbin, now housing Gard Talbot’s Drafting and Engineering Supply, and owned by Kirk Talbot.

Talbot has plans to relocate his business to smaller quarters in the future and feels these four adults have “all their ducks in a row.”

Talbot supports W.A.V.E.’s of action by giving the organization a chance before listing his building on the market.

“The city really needs something like this,” Talbot said.

With standing capacity of 600-650 and seating for 400, this building offers other advantages, such as its downtown location.

W.A.V.E. believes the facility's presence downtown would be beneficial to surrounding businesses, encouraging potential customers to visit those places before and after events.

The building would feature large men's and women's restrooms, a full bar, walk-in refrigerator and a permanently installed, professional grade sound and lighting system.

The purpose of the building would be to host live music and performing arts events.

The Blue Barrel facility also will be available to be rented for public and private events, such as dances, conferences, art shows and receptions.

Petersen and his partners describe the suggested renovation designs as having a universal appeal.

"A heavy metal fan would feel just as comfortable as a blues and jazz fan," he said. "We aim to capture a simple and classic color scheme with a professional and clean feel."

W.A.V.E.'s Web site notes that the group's mission is not to accomplish the goals that already have been achieved in Casper, but to offer a new facility not currently available and collectively wanted by the majority of the community.

"Certain artists will not perform unless the facilities are appropriate," Petersen noted.

According to the group's research, Wyoming is currently the only state in the U.S. that is lacking a full-time live music and performing arts venue of W.A.V.E.'s proposed scale.

"The whole point is to bring Wyoming's art and music culture up to a national level," Petersen said.

With goals of obtaining 100 percent of the funds from community contributions to get the ball rolling by late fall, the organization eventually wants to give back to the community by offering grants to local artists.

"We want to show that anybody can step up and make a difference and inspire people to get locally involved," Petersen said.

W.A.V.E will be accepting pledge forms and donations under $75 while it still is a pending 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Once the IRS approves the group’s forms, donations of more than $75 will be tax exempt.

The members of W.A.V.E. plan to launch their campaign this week throughout the community, explaining who and what they are.

For more information, call 267-9205, or visit www.wyomingwave.com.

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