Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
SAGA ERICKSON, of Hurley, displays a broom during a broom tying demonstration. Erickson is one of many artists who will offer hands-on demonstrations during an open house at the Presque Isle (Wis.) Community Center Wednesday, June 19.
PRESQUE ISLE, Wis. — The Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce and Presque Isle Library will hold an open house with hands-on art demonstrations Wednesday, June 19, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Presque Isle Community Center.
Attendees can talk to artists as they work, ask questions and try their hand at broom tying, wool spinning, throwing pottery, hand-building clay pots, painting and woodcarving.
A children’s event, “Pages in the Park,” begins at 10:30 a.m. It is an “interactive adventure” in stories and watercolor led by librarian Pam Eschenbauch and storytellers.
Several artists will offer programs at set times. All programs are free, unless noted otherwise.
Master watercolorist Mindy Schnell will give a demonstration at 10:30 a.m. to kick off “Pages in the Park.” Schnell will be painting in the center’s flower garden from 1 to 3 p.m. Participants are welcome to bring their own paints to join her.
Saga Erickson, of Hurley, will offer a broom tying class from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Class size is limited to six and costs $25 per person, which includes supplies. Advance registration may be made at 715-561-5006.
Cathy Breitholtz will hold a wildwood arts basket-making class from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Materials cost $30 and people may register at 715-686-2695.
Other artists who will offer hands-on activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. include Jeannine Achauer, oil painting; Steve Helgeson, throwing pots on a potter’s wheel; John and Vickie Langer, hand-building pottery; Jackie Bassett, drop spindle and spinning wheel; Nancy Williams, ceramic beads, tubular peyote-stitched bead-making and copper wire-wrapped sweater pins; Sheri Smith, loom weaving; Dan Roesinger, spoon carving; Allen Connor, cane design using found items and collectibles; Connie Warshall, machine needle felting; and Ron Warshall, woodturning.
“By invitation only, 20 artists have been chosen for their cutting-edge design and expertise in their mediums,” event spokesperson Kay Lorbiecki said. “Many of these artists will be available to talk with you about their work and answer questions.”
Elinore Sommerfeld will guide a tour of artwork from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Artists currently on exhibit at the library include: Jeannine Achauer, Minocqua, oil painting; Saga Erickson, Hurley, mixed media; Jackie Bassett, Presque Isle, fiber art; Cathy Breitholtz, Presque Isle, backstory; Steve Helgeson, Three Lakes, pottery; Carole Hall, St. Germain, glass painting; Linda Christensen, Marenisco, photography; Connie Warshall, Harshaw, fiber art; Ron Warshall, Harshaw, overturning; William Kingsbury, Rhinelander, overturning; Dan Reisinger, Hurley, blacksmith; Nancy Williams, Winchester, jewelry design; Sheri Smith, Winchester, weaver; John and Vickie Langer, Lake Tomahawk, potters; Ed Brodsky, Presque Isle, photography; Elinore Sommerfeld, Boulder Junction, mixed media; Allen Conner, Minocqua, cane design with found items; Kay Lorbiecki, Presque Isle, photography and mixed media; and Melinda Schnell, Presque Isle, master watercolorist and pastel.
The Presque Isle Chamber will offer appetizers and beverages from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
