From pilot, to speech pathologist, to local government & politics,  Joan McArthur finds the best of Baraboo through untouched photography.  Joan has created a fabulous line of photo cards and notebooks featuring plants, architecture, and artistic objects around the Baraboo area.

Joan McArthur has also published the first of its kind coloring book which includes the “Best of Baraboo”, including historical and geographic points of interest in and around the Baraboo area.

This Saturday during the Summer ART Classic Fine Art Festival you can visit Joan from 11-12pm in front of the Cornerstone Gallery in Downtown Baraboo.

*Image Left: Joan McArthur Left, Christine Korbein Right.

Artist Rachel Rosenblum is a resident of Baraboo, Wisconsin. Rachel is a graduate of  Montgomery College in Maryland and the University of Wisconsin, Madison; She has been studying art and metals for more than a decade.  At her studio here in Baraboo, Rachel finds creative inspiration surrounded by nature and furry friends whose paws touch her heart. Here work is inspired by the love and devotion of her beloved Mommy Cat, Rachel’s first piece memorializes their affection as a beautiful bracelet, keychain or pendant.

Under the name “Senti-metal”, Rachel creates a blend of sentimental pawprint jewelry and art metal as a tribute to the love we share with out pets. She invites you to gift your own heart with a precious, custom made piece to honor or memorialize your own beloved pets.  To learn more or inquire about her work please visit or  the Cornerstone Gallery in Downtown Baraboo, located at 101 4th Street or call: 608.356.7805 or Toll Free 866.356.7805

Saturday’s Faire on the Square event certainly seemed more organized than in years past. Almost quiet to some extent.  In fact I was a little surprised that it’s been reported as one of the best attended in the history of the event.  Maybe.  But if I had to guess I’d have thought numbers were a bit down compared to past years.  It was certainly mellow.  Having a child, it stood out this year that there were rarely lines to kid’s favorites such as the  bounce house or the pony rides.  Even getting food seemed to be a much quicker task than in the past.  Of course that’s the thing about perceptions or estimates. It’s really anyone’s guess.  (The local paper reported 8,000 to 10,000 visitors.)

Regardless of headcount, numbers are not always the most important measure of an event such as this.  Not for the people who simply come to enjoy the day anyway. By that measure, the spring Faire on the Square was a winner. There was a wide variety of artwork and crafts on display. (see our flickr gallery for more) The farm market was hopping as usual.  We saw quite a few people loading up on tomato plants for their gardens!

The new kid’s shows were a hit. A juggling performance was given by TJ Howell who regular attendees of the Tommy Bartlett show will recognize. TJ always manages to keep audiences engaged and certainly Saturday was no different.  Tristan Crist followed with a well timed and entertaining magic show that actually held the video game generation’s attention.

The Karate demo had high volume Matrix soundtrack music echoing off the courthouse walls.  I couldn’t help but note that not all that long ago music like that would have never have been tolerated on the city courthouse lawn! (And certainly not at that volume!) Although we have a child in karate and see the demos more times than we can count each year, it’s still fun to see the new kids coming up and the others advance.  Having the opportunity to show off their skills helps the kids gain confidence. It’s great to see the community show their support. (Even if the demos occasionally get a bit long.)

This year’s belly dancing performance kicked off with a bit of spooky choreography that had dancers moving through the crowds from the far corners of the square dancing to a slightly haunting rhythm.  It was something of a mix between a zombie flick, I Dream of Jeanie, and a Peter Gabriel concert I attended back in the 80s.

If I had one critique, it would be with the food vendors.  Every year in seems a majority of these folks find new ways to make it harder to get your food to a place to sit in tact. We struggle  to carry thin, over-loaded, paper plates while dropping piled high, fries and curds everywhere.  Even our drinks this year came in barley stable paper cups without covers! First you drop $20 or more on lunch, then hope you don’t drop.. your lunch. You’d think by now the folks selling food at these events would take a couple lessons from fast-food vendors when it comes to packaging. Luckily this is a circus town filled with people who have a good sense of balance and a talent for juggling! (well, maybe not..)

Other than that one minor issue with food packaging, the Faire on the Square was a fun event and a credit to the new organizers.  It will be fun to see what they do with the fall event.

More

• For lots of pictures of Saturday’s event visit “Faire on the Square” Flicker Gallery 0r view the slideshow.

Would you draw for an hour to complete just one square inch of your artwork?  Yes, that’s how long Monica says it takes to complete each inch of her botanical illustrations and artwork.  Now that’s dedication!  As a child, Monica enjoyed being outdoors and drawing nature.  These passions stayed with her through high school and college, where she earned a B.A. in Art Studio. Wanting to continue her study of the natural world, she came to the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, where she discovered that the Botanical Art Certificate Program was the perfect way to meld her enjoyment of art with her love for nature.  Monica graduated from the program as a Certified Botanical Illustrator in September 2000.  She currently teaches “Begin to Draw”, “Colored Pencil” and several “Mixed Media” courses for the Arboretum.  Monica artwork is nothing short of amazing.

Probably all of us can pinpoint moments in our lives which caused an abrupt change of direction, leading us on a distinct future course. My first high school art class was such a moment. From the minute I began to draw my first pencil profile of a classmate, I was hooked on the limitless possibilities of communicating through art. It was also in that class that I was told I could never be a professional artist. Well, being the stubborn German I am, I immediately defied my teacher’s proclamation and determined to pursue what led to an art education degree from The University of Wisconsin-Madison. Shortly thereafter, in 1976, my husband, Rick, and I opened our illustration studio, Ampersand, and began our lives as professional artists. We continue to operate Ampersand from the log home/studio we built in the woods 15 miles from Madison. – RN

The sum is greater than its parts could describe the art form developed by Mark Jacobson.  Mark layers thousands of tiny colored wood pieces together to create magnificent pieces of art. The art of inlaying wood veneers has been around for centuries and is called the art of marquetry. Marks work is unique because he both inlays and overlays colored wood veneers, often with several layers which creates a textured and almost sculptural, 3-D appearance.  The process Mark uses to color the veneers gives his pieces the brightness of paint, while still displaying the richness and saturation of a stain.

“I really enjoy the challenges of these veneers. My head is constantly going places that my hands aren’t ready for yet. The learning and the discoveries are the reward. It is fun to do something different with each piece”, says Mark.

Mark’s work is available at Cornerstone Gallery!

Here in the land of the Ringling Brothers and Circus World Museum one could be forgiven if at first glance the words “Trunk Show” conjured up an image of elephants standing knee deep in the Baraboo river. As it happens my 37.35 seconds of research led not to the circus, but instead revealed a rich history in the world of fashion and art. This of course makes all the more sense when I tell you that the Sauk County Art Association will be holding a trunk show at their gallery in downtown Baraboo this Thursday.

Now, what a trunk show really is, is a special presentation and sale (sans elephants) of works by an artist or designer. The name, you might guess comes from the trunk that an the artist would bring their wares to the show in.  At the show guests have an opportunity not just to purchase, but to hear from and discuss the works with the artists directly.

This Thursday, February 18th from 11am to 6pm the SCAA will be featuring the works of Frank Kudla and Char terBest Kudla. Frank Kudla, goldsmith/designer and Char terBeest Kudla, handbag maker/fiber artist will both be on hand to show and sell their work.  Kudla specializes in mothers/family rings and designs custom jewelry to the taste of his customers.  terBeest Kudla designs and constructions handbags, plain to fancy, from tapestry fabrics.

The Sauk County Art Association now holds trunk shows monthly at their new gallery inside the AL Ringling Theatre on the Square in Downtown Baraboo. If you’ve never attended a Trunk Show before, this would be a good opportunity to take in the experience.  Make an evening of it. Before or after the event you could stop by the Little Village Cafe next door for a bite to eat, or head down the block to the Coffee Bean Connection for a Latte.  Better yet, do both.

The Details:

Sauk County Art Association Gallery is located at 136 4^th Ave, Baraboo, Wisconsin. (On the Square)
Show Hours: 11am – 6pm

More Information:

• Sauk County Art Association
• HelensDaughters.com
• ADifferentAngleJewelry.com
• Coffee Bean Connection
• Little Village Cafe

Todd Persche has been living in the Baraboo Hills for 12 years painting landscapes, botanicals and rural agricultural scenes. He hikes, skis and kayaks throughout the bluffs photographing outstanding natural areas for his subject matter. Environmental themes are always an undercurrent in his work. He frames his paintings using reclaimed barn boards and hardwoods.

In his spare time, Todd is a percussionist who likes to play with local musicians. He also works with local conservation organizations planting trees for The Nature Conservancy, leading tours of the Aldo Leopold Shack, and taking people on bird hikes for The University of Wisconsin, Baraboo. He has recently been elected to the board of directors for the Friends of Devil’s Lake State Park.

This year, Todd and his wife Beth will be participating in Wisconsin’s Fall Art Tour held this October 15, 16 & 17th. He will exhibit watercolors and she will exhibit her mosaics. Their house will be on display as the tour takes place in their studios, located within their craftsman styled work-in- progress. Come see the house, natural landscaping and organic garden complete with an urban chicken barn.

More Information

• ToddPerche.com
• The Fall Art Tour

Someone once said that all news was local.  So since it’s Saturday, let’s push that shall we?  Actually it’s out of a nice conversation I had some time ago with Tanja Crouch of Barbara Orbison Productions/Roy Orbison Music, that i received this press release.  From her office somewhere in Nashville, she works tirelessly to keep the music and the legend of  singer Roy Orbison alive.   Thanks Tanja for passing it along, and of course  Thank you Roy…

GRAMMY AWARD WINNER ROY ORBISON HONORED WITH STAR ON WALK OF FAME

Friday January 29, 2010 Hollywood, CA — Today Roy Orbison, one of the very few artists to have been accepted by the world in all forms of popular music, and to have won Grammys in pop, rock and roll and country categories, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.  The ceremony took place in front of Capitol Records, where Roy’s star is next to those of his dear friend John Lennon and fellow Traveling Wilbury George Harrison. Saluting Roy’s passion for riding Harley’s, his dear friends Danny Aykroyd and Dwight Yoakam launched the event by leading a motorcycle brigade and riding right up to Roy’s wife, Barbara Orbison, and their sons Wesley, Roy Jr and Alex.

Under the warm Hollywood sun, Leron Gubler, President and CEO Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the throngs of fans, friends and media, and declared January 29 to be forever known as “Roy Orbison Day” in Hollywood. The next speaker, Danny Aykroyd, eloquently summed up the emotion of the day, “as Barbara would say, everybody loved Roy.”

T-Bone Burnett, long time friend and producer, added “With the 20th century now book ended, I can confidently say that Roy was the greatest singer of the 20th century.”

Barbara Orbison, the last to speak, spoke lovingly of her husband and the unparalleled legacy he left with the world through his music and his renown warmth of personality and spirit. With eyes soft with gratitude Barbara thanked the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and then turned her attention to the throngs of friends standing behind her,  including Jeff Ayeroff, Dan Aykroyd & Donna Dixon, T-Bone Burnett, Phil Everly, Sean Garrett, Olivia Harrison, Eric and Tania Idle, Chris Isaak, Jim Keltner, David Lynch, Jeff & Camilia Lynne, Jason Mraz, Barbara Bach Starkey, Joe  & Marjorie Walsh, and Dwight Yoakam saying “these are the friends who loved Roy and have continued to love us these 21 years”. Barbara then went on to say that the only thing that would make the moment better would be to have Roy standing there next to her. “But I see Roy through my friends, who all have a little piece of Roy in their hearts. Thank you for remembering Roy and for loving Roy. This is a wonderful way to celebrate his life, and this little stone star will probably be there much longer than any of us.”

For More Information Please Visit: www.royorbison.com

* image provided by Barbara Orbison Productions

Last night we attended the Sauk County Art Association’s A.R.T Gallery grand opening at the Al. Ringling Theatre in downtown Baraboo, Wisconsin.  The long awaited opening of the gallery should help to infuse new life into the historic Al. Ringling theater which it seems has always struggled to find its place in our modern lifestyles.  Incorporation of the gallery featuring amazing local artists, along with stage shows, concerts, plays, movies  & more should go a long way toward making the “AL”  the center of art and culture in our area.

We’ll watch the local paper for the information, the interviews and the final numbers from the silent action.  It will of course continue to take money and volunteer dedication to keep things moving forward.  What strikes me as I’ve often mentioned is that it seems we have a very vibrant art community that lies a bit in the underground of our community. Art is everywhere in Sauk County, yet similar to our wonderful natural  assets here in the Baraboo hills, we need to keep working to find ways to help more of the locals to appreciate what the tourists already know.  There’s a lot of good stuff around here.  The new A.R.T. Gallery can only bring us closer to that goal.

I’m told the gallery will be open on Fridays and Saturday for now and will open more “full time” as the summer approaches.  When you visit our community I invite you to head into downtown Baraboo and visit the local galleries and shops. The “big name” attractions around here often create a vortex that sucks all the attention their way, but all the wonderful things that make a community unique are usually a step or two off the main highway. I can tell you this, just a walk through the new A.R.T Gallery in the amazing Al. Ringling Theatre will make that little drive into downtown Baraboo worth it.

Skillet Creek A.R.T. Grand Opening Photo Gallery – Click Here.