A Casper native, Art earned an associate degree from Casper College in 1978, a bachelor’s degree from Chadron State College in 1979, and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Wyoming in 1994. Art currently teaches criminal justice, political science, and addictionology classes at Casper College, where he was a long time member of the faculty senate, and has been recognized as teacher of the year by the Wyoming Community College Board of Trustees. He also served as an adjunct instructor at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy. Prior to embarking on a teaching career, he rose through the ranks of the Casper Police Department, and retired as the interim police chief after 20 years of service. Art is now serving his third term as a member of one of the few citizen legislatures remaining in the country, and serves as the House Judiciary Chair. Washut is easily accessible to his constituents and is grateful for the transparent system that has been a hallmark of the Wyoming legislature for many years. He enjoys gardening, shooting, fishing, and Wyoming Cowboy Football.