Ucross Gala Honoring Senator Alan Simpson and Ann Simpson – Sheridan Media

On Thursday, September 26, Ucross will host its Fall Gala in support of its artists, art gallery, and ranch.A Place in Time: The Ucross Gala“will conclude with an awards ceremony honoring former Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming and Ann Simpson of Cody, Wyoming, with the Raymond Plank Award for Visionary Leadership.

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

Former Wyoming Senators Alan Simpson and Ann Simpson will receive the Raymond Plank Award for Visionary Leadership at “A Place in Time: The Ucross Gala” in September 2024. Photo courtesy of

“We hope the community will join us in honoring Senators Al and Ann Simpson for their distinguished service to Wyoming and the United States, and in celebrating 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 of art, music and dance, all in the extraordinary setting of our historic ranch.”

The Raymond Plank Award for Visionary Leadership has previously been presented to former U.S. Secretary of State and former ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO 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 paths and made a lasting impact on business, the arts, or land management. The Simpsons have a proven history of leadership in these fields, from the Senator’s celebrated service in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives from Wyoming to Ann’s advocacy for the arts and mental health.

Senator Simpson was elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives in 1964, where he served for 13 years. He served as House Speaker, House Chairman, and Speaker pro tempore before running successfully for the U.S. Senate in 1978. Simpson quickly made a name for himself by accepting difficult assignments and sponsoring legislation that established federal standards for clean air and water, toxic waste cleanup, and nuclear regulation. He was actively involved in issues related to veterans, aging, the environment, and national immigration laws. After winning re-election by a wide margin in 1984, he was nominated by his Republican colleagues to the position of assistant House Chairman. Simpson retired in 1996 at the end of his third term and taught for four years as a visiting professor at Harvard and for two years as director of the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School.

In addition to funding the Alan K. Simpson Institute for Western Politics and Leadership at the University of Wyoming, Senator Simpson served as chairman of the board of trustees of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and as a trustee emeritus of 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.

Ann Simpson, a native of Greybull, Wyoming, founded the first American Field Service Studies program in Cody. She is a passionate advocate for mental health in Wyoming and DC, and a champion of the arts. She created the University of Wyoming’s successful arts outreach effort, the Ann Simpson Artmobile, which has traveled the state for over 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 mission and impact of the Wyoming nonprofit. Ucross is dedicated to fostering the creative spirit of working artists by providing uninterrupted time, studio space, living quarters, exceptional 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 its residency program began in 1983, Ucross has provided residencies to more than 2,700 writers, visual artists, composers, choreographers, and interdisciplinary artists from around the world.

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, center, and his wife, First Lady Jennie Gordon (not pictured), received Ucross’s Outstanding Patrons of the Arts award at the 2023 Ucross Gala. At left is Caitlin Addlesperger, associate director at Ucross; at right is Shawn Reese, executive director and CEO of Wyoming Humanities. Photo courtesy of Ucross

Ucross promotes the work of veteran artists and provides world-class community programs through events, workshops, publications and exhibitions in the Ucross Art Gallery.

All funds raised for and during The Ucross Gala will support residency time for over 115 artists each year, continued investment in community engagement activities, and responsible stewardship of Ucross’ historic ranch and facilities. Every ticket and table will help Ucross continue to be 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.