Library exhibits: past, present and future

WAUPACA – The library exhibit room at the Waupaca Public Library saw a wide variety of events in 2025 as part of the Waupaca cultural plan enacted in 2018.
Liz Kneer, the exhibit room coordinator, was at the Jan. 20 city council meeting to talk about the Waupaca Area Arts and Culture Network (WAACN).
The Waupaca Area Library is a part of WAACN, which funds the exhibit room in the lower level of the library.
“We hosted a diverse offering of exhibits and programs and collaborations and relationships were strengthened with community partners,” Kneer said. “Working with over 20 unique partners on a city, county, state and national level we created many meaningful connections with our patrons this year.”
There were a total of seven exhibits on display in the lower level in 2025, which brought in over 26,000 visitors as well as two exhibits on the bandstand and inside city hall.

Kneer said the exhibits ranged from raising awareness about homelessness in rural communities to the importance of information with the banned books exhibit.
The library also was able to host over 400 students from the Waupaca school district for field trips, which are free.
Kneer said the most notable of the programs last year, in her opinion, was hosting Ruta Sepetys, a bestselling author.
There were 1,200 Waupaca school district students and 300 community members that were able to see her presentation.
“After her first visit Ruta mentioned ‘Waupaca is the type of place authors love to visit,’” Kneer said. “What an amazing compliment to receive. This speaks volumes to the work WAACN has done.”
Kneer highlighted the city’s effort to put emphasis on culture and arts in this community, and the emergence of WAACN as a reason that authors and artists are attracted to the community.
Kneer said they are in the process of planning the displays for 2026, which will include an art display from local students in February, as well as an agricultural and gardening exhibit, Wisconsin archeology and geology exhibit and a 20 year anniversary celebration of the arts community in Waupaca.
Rounding out the year is an exhibit from Kevin Knopp and a display of quilts from local, artisan quilters.
“How fortunate are we to have the opportunity to recognize the rich cultural diversity in our community,” Kneer said.