Entries Tagged 'Downtown Kenosha' ↓

As we continue our mission of promoting the arts, cultural events, creative Kenosha residents, and the creativity of business owners in Downtown Kenosha and the surrounding area, ExposeKenosha.com, in partnership with the Kenosha Lakeshore Business Improvement District (BID), is excited to announce the launch of the online version of Downtown/Harborside Kenosha Magazine! Now even those outside Kenosha, or in areas where the magazine is not available, can view the news about our wonderful downtown area. Stay tuned for an enhanced online presence with more articles, more stories, and more in-depth looks at the businesses and arts going on downtown Kenosha.

Call for writers: As we launch the online Downtown Kenosha Magazine, we are expanding our need for writers both to cover stories we have planned as well as to present ideas for topics. To be added to the “writer list” or to submit queries please send your information to eksubmissions@gmail.com
- Show quoted text -

Gordon/Marc, 2006, oil and acrylic on canvas, 36 × 36″

New York artist and former Kenoshan Marc Travanti will exhibit selections of his art from the past three decades in a new exhibit, Entanglement, opening July 31 in the Kenosha Public Museum’s East Gallery. There will be a free, public reception from 5:30 to 8p.m. Saturday, July 31 on the second floor Friends Mezzanine at the Museum.

Travanti’s contemporary works explore sensuality, ambiguity, and the human body as a means of understanding and appreciation. His medium varies, but the message is the same: Entanglement.

These series works evolve, transform, and inform one another. A drawing may inspire a ceramic sculpture; a photograph can lead to an oil painting or sculpture or collage. Stock charts and newspaper images become almost unrecognizable as Travanti wrests them out of context to use in unexpected, compelling ways. Images and objects become symbols, as the artist asks us to consider, question, and make our own connections to one another in an increasingly technological world.

Travanti holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Colorado Boulder. The exhibit will be on display through October 28, 2010.

Artworks

The direction from which it is viewed

When viewing this months 2nd Saturday showing by Parkside Senior students Kelly Witte and Rebecca Yelle at Artworks it would be well to keep this phrase in mind. I found that a straight on full frontal view of the absurdly outrageous flamboyance of Kelly’s subject matter worked best for me. You will have a better understanding of Kelly’s art if you will take two moments to read her apologia as you enter her show space. And please read what Rebecca has to say about her presentations. I was quite taken by the degree to which she has honed her art talent. I loved the ceramics and three dimensional paper presentations. This artist has mastered several disciplines in the broad field of “art”. I did find that I needed the prism, I obtained by reading her apologia, to gain a better understanding of her flat work: prints and such. A more oblique “direction worked best for me in viewing these selections.
All in all this is one of the better shows I have seen in a long time. And, by all means, pick up one of Kelly’s “Dinowhors” or “Slutasauresses” while you have the chance.

The Nook
The crowd here at the Nook always seems to be more like a family gathering for fellowship than just a bunch of art lovers fostering their favorite pastime. Artist Dean Talwwater has mounted a very nice show here. Very nice indeed. His sort of realistic but obscured style fits here nicely. It could be the pictures on the ceiling. The music was good and Rick had the kitchen humming taking care of this “family”. When you go to the nook you might try mentioning my name and see if there is any complementary lemonaid still to be had.

Lemon Street
Mary Neely, Tom Budzinski and Richard Keller are the points of focus for the Lemon Street offering to this months 2nd Saturday art goers. I was happy to be among them. I had another very nice chat with Maryllyn Sterling. What a charming lady. Sorry, back to the art. Mary’s photographs are just breathtaking as well as very well thought out. I wanted to take all of them home with me. Tom is quite a potter. He uses a gas fired kiln that gives him some options and latitudes not to had with an electric kiln. His work is beautiful. Richard is a master artist who indulges his flights of fancy. Fore some unknown reason I was more drawn to his sea creatures. Another friendly crowd was on hand here to enjoy these offerings.

Lester Pitz

” . . . We really need to get creative downtown. It would be really cool if one of the art organizations and the city could start a program where land owners donated space (like this) for a yearly, themed (land owners discretion) mural competition. Winner gets to commissioned to actually put it up on the building. . .”

Theodore Ruffalo

by Colleen Kappeler

When people first think of downtown Kenosha, professional acting training may not be what comes to mind! What a blessing for Kenosha, and surrounding areas, that a well-trained coach settled and began work here. From the upstairs of the Pollard Gallery on most afternoons you can hear the echoes of children’s voices. What sounds like play (and I know from experience they love it as much as play) is really acting training in progress. Maureen Cashin Bolog, who uses the Chubbuck Technique to train actors of all ages, specializes in more than just getting work for actors. She creates new life experiences and a new approach to life.
The Chubbuck Technique teaches “actors to use the obstacles in life, not to spiral down into despair, but to propel themselves up to WIN their objectives,” Bolog explains. She is repeatedly told that her Acting Technique class is “life changing.” Adults and children who have taken this class apply their new knowledge and abilities to films, commercials, competitions and scholarship awards. Even those who do not aspire to acting learn self-confidence as well as how to be creative, funny, and interesting people. “Learning to act well requires a person to open up to experiencing life more fully,” Bolog explains. She’s had people drive from as far as four hours away to attend weekly classes with her. Being in the middle of Milwaukee and Chicago, which both offer acting opportunities, serves her well.
As for Bolog she loves what she does and is passionate about – something that everyone who knows her can see for themselves. “I think being an acting coach is my calling. It’s something I decided I wanted to do in 1987. I am passionate about it.” Bolog moved to Los Angeles for six years to study acting and continues to return to California to train with Ivana Chubbuck, who works with Academy Award winning actors. “I want my actors’ skills to be competitive with those successful actors on the coasts,” she says.
Downtown Kenosha offered not only a good location between two major cities, but was affordable and welcoming for Bolog. “I love being in the Pollard Gallery loft….Judy Rossow, Milt Smith, and the volunteers of the Rhode truly serve the community with creating opportunities for artists and people who want to experience the arts.” Being self-employed, working downtown added another dimension to her business as well,

“I feel part of a team of people who care about the arts and care about Kenosha.”

Whether you, your children, or someone you know is interested in pursuing acting or in gaining any number of skills (like self-confidence and pubic speaking), Actor’s Craft offers what you need. In an encouraging, enthusiastic, and energizing atmosphere, Bolog helps people move forward into confidence, no matter their choice in careers.

Picture courtesy of Joe Barr

by Colleen Kappeler

Bella Ancora, such a catchy little name for this adorable boutique. In you walk and see gorgeous brick walls, a tin ceiling and wood floors. All refinished. You look around and see everything from elegant dishware to adorable handmade bows for little girls’ hair. As you begin searching the store for that unique item that just fits your personality, you feel two tiny arms wrap around your legs and look down to see the littlest shopkeeper in Kenosha – twenty-month-old Aurelia!

Not only will Aurelia hand out hugs to unsuspecting shoppers, but she’ll babble her “hellos” and light conversation as you shop. Need an opinion on what colors little girls are into? Ask Aurelia. Need something special for a friend’s newborn? Ask Aurelia. She’s her mother’s little helper, and biggest gift.

Only eighteen months ago, when Aurelia was two months old, her mother, Tina, got the opportunity to buy Bella Ancora. When her husband asked if she could handle a baby and a business she simply said, “I don’t know. I never had a baby or a business before.” Owning a boutique was a dream Tina had if her acting career didn’t take off. “It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. Breast feeding while handling customers was no piece of cake, nor is Aurelia’s increasing milestones like walking around and getting into everything. From it all Aurelia has learned to be comfortable with people and Tina gets to spend these early years with her daughter by her side. “Trying to regulate meals and snacks, bottles and diaper changes, and the occasional temper tantrum all while the public is roaming around is enough to long for daycare occasionally. I would be lying if I said different.” But bringing Aurelia to work is both a choice and necessity. Day care is too expensive in the end, and it’s hard to imagine not “giving each other hugs” all day long. “I hope Aurelia realizes that the decision to bring her to work is for both of us. I WANT to be with her. We are lucky that I can do it.”