Ucross Gala To Honor Senator Alan Simpson and Ann Simpson

On Thursday, Sept. 26, Ucross will hold their fall gala in support of its artists, art gallery and ranch. “A Place in Time: The Ucross Gala” will culminate in an award presentation honoring former Wyoming Senator Alan Simpson and Ann Simpson of Cody, Wyoming, with the Raymond Plank Award for Visionary Leadership.

The evening’s activities will include cocktails in the Ucross Art Gallery, a seasonal dinner, performances by artist-alumni, a lively auction and an awards ceremony in a heated tent on the lawn of Ucross’s historic Big Red Ranch House.

Former Wyoming Senator Alan Simpson and Ann Simpson will be awarded the Raymond Plank Award for Visionary Leadership at “A Place in Time: The Ucross Gala” in September 2024. Courtesy Photo

“We hope the community will join us to honor Senator Al and Ann Simpson for their distinguished service to Wyoming and the United States, as well as celebrate Ucross and its impact on our arts and culture,” said Ucross President and Executive Director William Belcher. “‘A Place in Time: The Ucross Gala’ will be a memorable evening with art, music and dance, all in the extraordinary setting of our historic ranch.”

The Raymond Plank Award for Visionary Leadership was previously presented to former U.S. Secretary of State and former Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil Rex Tillerson in 2018, longtime Ucross Chairman Jim Nelson in 2020, and Pioneer Natural Resources CEO Scott D. Sheffield in 2023.

The award honors and celebrates business leaders, philanthropists and innovators who have forged their own path and had an enduring impact on business, the arts or land stewardship. The Simpsons have a demonstrated history of leadership across these fields, from the Senator’s celebrated service in the U.S. Senate and Wyoming House of Representatives to Ann’s advocacy for arts and mental health.

Senator Simpson was elected in 1964 to the Wyoming House of Representatives, where he served for 13 years. He became majority whip, majority floor leader and speaker pro tempore before running successfully for the U. S. Senate in 1978. Simpson made his mark quickly by accepting difficult assignments and sponsoring legislation establishing federal standards for clean air and water, toxic waste cleanup, and nuclear regulation. He was active on issues regarding veterans, aging, the environment, and national immigration laws. Following his reelection by a wide margin in 1984, he was nominated by his Republican peers to the position of the assistant majority whip. Simpson retired at the end of his third term, in 1996, and for four years taught as a visiting lecturer at Harvard and for two years he served as the Director of the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School.

Along with funding the University of Wyoming’s Alan K. Simpson Institute for Western Politics and Leadership, Senator Simpson served as chairman on the board of trustees for Buffalo Bill Center of the West and trustee emeritus for the Grand Teton Music Festival. In Washington, D.C., he served on the boards of the Smithsonian Institution, Folgers Library, and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022.

A native of Greybull, Wyoming, Ann Simpson launched the first American Field Service study abroad program in Cody. She has been a passionate advocate for mental health in Wyoming and in D.C., as well as a champion of the arts. She created the University of Wyoming’s successful art outreach effort, the Ann Simpson Artmobile, which has traveled the state for more than 30 years showcasing objects from the University of Wyoming Art Museum’s collection and engaging rural communities with the arts through hands-on activities.

In addition to honoring the Simpsons, “A Place in Time: The Ucross Gala” will celebrate the Wyoming nonprofit organization’s mission and impact. Ucross is dedicated to fostering the creative spirit of working artists by providing uninterrupted time, studio space, living accommodations, extraordinary staff support and the experience of the majestic High Plains, while serving as a responsible steward of its historic 20,000-acre ranch in northern Wyoming. Since the residency program began in 1983, Ucross has provided residencies to more than 2,700 writers, visual artists, composers, choreographers and interdisciplinary artists from across the world.

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, center, along with his wife, First Lady Jennie Gordon (not pictured), were awarded Ucross’s Outstanding Patrons of the Arts award at Ucross’s 2023 Gala. At left, Caitlin Addlesperger, Deputy Director at Ucross; at right, Shawn Reese, Executive Director and CEO of Wyoming Humanities. Photo courtesy of Ucross

Further championing the work of artist-alumni, Ucross also provides world-class community programming through events, workshops, publications and exhibitions in the Ucross Art Gallery.

All funds raised before and during The Ucross Gala will support residency time for 115-plus artists each year, continued investment in community engagement activities and responsible stewardship of Ucross’s historic ranch and facilities. Each ticket and table will help Ucross remain a meaningful and relevant resource for artists, the community and the state of Wyoming.

Details for “A Place in Time: The Ucross Gala” are available at ucross.org or by calling 307-737-2291.