The Wyoming Art of Carrie Arnold

Carrie Arnold (1944-1998) was a Denver business woman with an active interest in Western history, which she expressed in drawings. She became a pen and ink illustrator for a number of Western books. She was commissioned by her friend Bill Lagos to create scenes of Lagos’ home areas of Hartville and Sunrise, Wyoming.

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Miners standing outside Sunrise Hospital. Carrie Arnold papers, Accession #10664, Folder 22, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Between 1971 and 1997, Ms. Arnold created elegant line drawings that included overviews of Hartville and Sunrise, the old jail, the school, churches, the YMCA and historic homes. Her drawings also included depictions of Guernsey and Laramie.

The scenes are historical, taken from old photographs and enhanced by visits to the sites and conversations with Wyoming natives. Arnold always humanized the historically accurate drawings of buildings by adding people. “Main Street in Hartville, Wyoming” features a group enjoying a lively conversation in the middle of the quiet street. Lagos used the drawings as holiday cards.

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Main Street in Hartville, Wyoming. Carrie Arnold papers, Accession #10664, Folder 22, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

After Ms. Arnold’s death in 1998, Lagos published her drawings in a book entitled The Art of Carrie Arnold.

You can see Carrie Arnold’s work at the American Heritage Center. No appointment needed! The reading room is open Monday 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

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