News – Sheridan Media
On Tuesday, June 17, the Sheridan Community Land Trust June Explore History program was held at the historic Big Red Complex at Ucross. Now an artist’s foundation, at one time Ucross was a large cattle ranch. Not far up the road was also the town of Ucross, located near the junction of highways 14 and 16, went through several names over the years, Cedar Rapids, Dow, Charger and finally, Ucross, named after one of the original Pratt-Ferris brands.
Caitlin Addlesperger, President and Executive Director at the Ucross Foundation, talked about the Foundation and some of the history of the ranch.
She said that Ucross is based on a 20,000 acre ranch, saying that many of the artists that come through don’t have a basic of comparison, so they tell them that 20,000 acres is larger than Manhattan, New York. The foundation itself sits or 300 acres of land, and includes the Big Red Ranch house, the art gallery, dance studio, a kitchen and dining area, and several artists’ studios.
Addlesperger talked about the Foundation, which was started in 1981 as a 501c3 none-profit by Raymond Plank, who was a World War II veteran, business leader, philanthropist, and stalwart individualist.
Plank was born on May 29, 1922, on a farm in Wayzata, Minnesota and in 1954, Plank and two friends, Truman Anderson and Chuck Arnao, formed an independent oil and gas company, Apache Corporation.
During his tenure as Chairman and CEO of Apache (he retired in 2009), Plank founded several charitable organizations that have impacted the lives of millions. Recognizing that artists need creative space and time to focus their energies, he established Ucross Foundation in 1981.
Addlesperger added about the program,
She said that a lunch is delivered to the studios each day, and at 6 p.m. everyone gathers for supper. She said when the artists are here no one cares if they work on projects or walk around the grounds, enjoy the bird songs and the beauty of the area.
She said that there were more tepee rings in the surrounding hills, and that this was an important area to the Native Americans in the area.
In 1878, some gentlemen from the east came here and created the Pratt-Ferris Cattle Company.
The house had hot and cold water, and a copper water tank in the attic to create water pressure for the house. It was the headquarters of the company for many years and went through several changes over the years before it became the Ucross Foundation. The house was renovated in 1982 but still retains the flavor of the original ranch house.
After touring the ranch house, the group toured the art gallery, and saw the newest exhibit, “Luminous Forms” curated by Emily McElwreath, 2024 Ucross Fellow. The exhibit features light, and according to McElwreath, light is not only something we observe, but something that influences how we understand and relate to the world around us.
The art gallery and cafe is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Ucross Cafe offers beverages featuring espresso by Snake River Roasting Co., a specialty coffee roaster in Jackson, Wyoming, and freshly baked pastries by our artist residency program chef.
To make an appointment for a guided tour of the gallery, please email gallery@ucross.org.
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Last modified: June 19, 2025