On Wednesday, August 18th, merchants will present the Wau-King Art Tour, a showcase of local artists who will bring their work to about 20 shops and galleries in Waupaca and King. These stores will stay open on Wednesday the 18th until 8:00 p.m. This is one of the programs planned by the newly organized Retailers Roundtable to celebrate Mayor Brian Smith’s proclamation before the City Council in July, that August would be Arts Appreciation Month in Waupaca.
It takes a village to nurture the arts, and this is an excellent opportunity for all residents to sample, enjoy, and encourage Waupaca area artists. Here’s a sampling of what you can see and experience as you travel from shop to shop in Waupaca:
Feminine Touch will highlight the jewelry created by Kay Susnar – bold designs using genuine stones in playful mixes of shape and texture. “Her pieces are really fun to wear,” said Mary Jo Shambeau, store owner.
New Direction Custom Embroidery will feature Robin Van Zeeland and Mary Di Salvo. Both are in-house artists, and store-owner Robin Gans noted that “everything we do here includes artistry, so these women are always using their creativity.” On Wednesday evening, however, you will be treated to their personal expressions in pastel, pencil, photography, and graphic design.
The Paint Store will show work by a group of individually talented, likeminded women (Mave Alft, Brit Bauer, Jenny Bauer, Allyce Lees, and Sandy Roe) known as the Canvas Creators whose wall works often feature low relief and mixed media including such things as mica flakes and reflective beads.
Chez Marche, which always provides an interesting visual atmosphere, will have works by Jenny Lila hung to enhance your dining experience.
Stanges, whose philosophy is to present unique and unusual furniture and accessories for your home, will accent the Sculptural Lighting pieces of Paul Kline. His free form table and floor lamps combine wood, stone, and metal to create one-of-a-kind lighting solutions.
Curves will feature a coterie of artists including Brenda Wenberg, Dave Pogrant, Dort De Wild, Brenda Marsh, and Erin Towne. You will see acrylics, stained glass, wood carving, ceramics, fiber art and photography.
Office Outfitters will draw your attention to the nature photography of Tim Bevers.
Framing by Preston glistens on August 18th with the charming hand-painted wine glasses and original jewelry of Sue DeHamer. Her jewelry ranges from hoops to crystal, and images on the wine glasses reflect the interests of the commissioning customer – which in the past have ranged from lighthouses to hummingbirds to flowers.
44? North will include owner Mike Boldt’s photography and the paintings and lithographs of Ann Herzog Wright, of whom Mike says, “I’m a fan and a collector. I’m glad she’s beginning to get the recognition here that she has enjoyed in Western galleries for quite some time.”
Ingeborg’s Cupboard will show rare and special lithographs and poster art.
Originals etc. will host the incomparable and prolific painter, Doris Weed.
Waupaca Community Arts Center will emphasize its resident artists: Bonnie Beck, Anita Golke, Dianne Veeser, Jane Haasch, Erin Haasch, and (full disclosure!) Barbara Fay Wiese.
Embellishments presents the work of Brian Borchardt, Robin Zuege, and Jeff Moran – three very different media (hand made paper art, acrylics, monoprints, and charcoal drawings) from three artists with distinct voices.
King is worth a visit on Wednesday August 18, too:
The Blue Cheese House is where Mark Shiraz from Wines of Wisconsin will cheerfully introduce you to some of Wisconsin’s finest wines.
Freckled Frogg presents the acrylic paintings of Polly Ashley and Landry Kannenburg.
Furniture by Todd . . . Inspired by Nature brings you Todd Reed’s functional wood artistry.
Triptophonics will not only feature the work of Angela Little, they will have her on hand to demonstrate the art of batik, and let you try your hand at this ancient art created by using special tools to apply hot wax to fabric.
Many sites in King also will be brightened by the work of sidewalk chalk artists. So shuttling between King and Waupaca will be a must to imbibe the fullest art experience possible on August 18 — and you have until 8 p.m. that night to get it all in.