Entries Tagged 'Kenosha Art Association' ↓

By Colleen Kappeler

As I spoke with Pat Koessler about the upcoming student exhibition for the August BeExposed! event, I was struck by two phrases that continually came up, “Encouragement” and “building confidence”. This is what KAA has to offer to their members, students, and the community. This is how they are unique from other arts organizations around the area, offering people who may not see themselves as artists the chance to try their hand at creative endeavors.
In fact, their mission clearly states they exist to “encourage and promote art, art education, and art appreciation in the Kenosha area.” KAA offers low membership dues that give members the opportunity to display their work in both the KAA ’s Kaleidoscope Gallery and the Pollard’s Spotlight Gallery. There is also a yearly show at the Kenosha Public Museum and special events like the upcoming Black and White party in September.

Members and students range from expert to those who are looking to try an art genre for the first time. The great thing KAA offers is the opportunity for people to try art, build their confidence as artists, and plenty of encouragement from both members and teachers along the way. A few years ago I was able to take a painting class through KAA with Brigitta Richter. It was acrylics, chalk, and drawing, focusing on the seven chakras, a specialty of hers. I went in with nothing more than a faint memory of junior high art class work and came out not only enjoying myself, but with some pictures I now hang on my walls and have given to family and friends.

The classes KAA offers are less expensive than you would find through many other venues to encourage participation and keep them non-intimidating for potential students. KAA does fundraising to pay for the building and utilities, allowing those costs to stay down. Since students who are new to a genre of art often don’t have supplies or want to purchase them without trying a class first, KAA has many products on hand from donations. These products are often available either free or for a small donation.

The artists whose work will be displayed throughout Carolyn’s Coffee Connection beginning this month are people who have taken classes through KAA and the work they accomplished during those classes. This is another opportunity for the students to gain confidence and feel encouraged about what they do. To give an example, one member did a painting in class that Koessler talked her into displaying at the Kaleidoscope Gallery. Later Koessler asked if she could take the piece to show at the museum. The woman was very hesitant, but Koessler proceeded and the piece not only hung in the museum but sold extremely easily.

KAA has a membership around 110 and celebrated their 60th anniversary this year. They rely solely on volunteers, which can be challenging at times. They work with UWP and give out one scholarship each year to a budding artist and are always encouraging new members and volunteers.

If you are interested in trying your hand at any type of art I’d encourage you to check out their website and see what classes are coming up this fall. Remember, just taking a class doesn’t mean you have to commit to it or have experience. And please stop in to see the works that will be on display beginning on August 20th with this month’s BeExposed! event.

KenoshaArtAssoc@yahoo.com
(262) 654-0065
http://www.KenoshaArtAssoc.org

Kenosha Art Association has been running for 60 years, which is to be admired in its own right. However, like any organization that keeps costs low by using only volunteers, they are facing challenges. Many members are older and cannot actively volunteer; others, in the 40-60-year-old range do most of the volunteering, but they cannot hold up the organization alone.

KAA offers opportunities for artists of all ages and abilities that cannot be found just anywhere: low cost classes, opportunities to show your work, connections to other artists, encouragement and confidence. As winter approaches and we all begin to look for something to do with our long, cold days and nights, this is one opportunity to keep in mind. Whether you want to try a class, encourage your children and students to try classes, or have some experience in marketing or organization that you can bring to KAA , please consider getting involved.

Organizations such as this one keep a community vibrant and active – this is not something to ignore or let slide if you have any interest in the arts and their potential to build up a community. Whatever you have to offer, whatever you’d like to try your hand at artistically, give KAA your time and contribute to our community and its efforts to grow and develop.

By Nick Cibrario

The Kenosha Art Association invites the public to attend their reception, exhibit, and program at the Spring Art Event on Saturday, April 17 from 12:00-4:00 p.m. at the Kenosha Public Museum, 5500, 1st Avenue. Sandra Principe will be the guest speaker and juror of the show. Her slide presentation, entitled The Evolution of Still Life Painting from 400BC, will take place from 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Sandra Principe is a woman of action, creativity, and adventure. These character traits are reflected in the exquisite quality of her still life paintings, the gripping suspense of her mystery novels and her quest for truth in her personal life.
After growing up and being educated in Kenosha, Sandra attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where she became submerged in literature and art. Upon completing her bachelor’s degree, she was admitted to law school, where she obtained her doctorate in Juris Prudence. She practiced law in Chicago for twenty years. During this time she set up a studio and began exhibiting her work.

Her spirit of adventure and desire to become a full time artist meant Continue reading →

Congratulations to the winners at the Kenosha Art Association Membership Show.
The show will be in exhibit at the Kenosha Public Museum through February 21, 2010.

Best of Show Albert Prondzinski
1st place Laryssa Lefebve
2nd Place Barbara Farrell
3rd Lenora Barks

Honorable mentions
Sanddra Nowicki
Maggie Scwarz Kraus

The Kenosha Art Association will present its Membership Show from October 3, 2009 through February 21, 2010 at the Kenosha Public Museum’s West Gallery. An artists reception will be held from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, October 4 on the Museum’s mezzanine.

The show is open to all current Kenosha Art Association members, and features two- and three-dimensional works in all media including paintings in oil, acrylic, and watercolor. There are also drawings in graphite, ink, charcoal, and colored pencil; collage and mixed-media work; photographs and digital art; mosaic and stained glass. Included in the exhibit is jewelry, sculpture, and utilitarian forms in clay, metals, and mixed media assemblage. Most of the works on display will be available for purchase through the Museum’s gift shop.

Awards include First, Second, and Third Place, Best of Show, and Honorable Mention, and will be announced at the reception on October 4. The reception is free and open to the public, and offers light refreshments and a chance to meet and mingle with the artists.

The Kenosha Art Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to art enrichment in the community, art education, and to visual artists.

“THE ART OF COLOR”

Kenosha Art Association Members Exhibit 2009-2010

Saturday October 3rd, 2009 to February 10, 2010 at the Kenosha Public Museum
Opening Reception: Sun. Oct. 4th
At the KPM from 2-4 pm

Drop-off Sept. 12th , 13th , 19th & 20th from 1-4 pm (also 6-9pm on the 12th )
Pick up February,13, 2010 1-4pm

at KAAleidoscope Gallery
5615-7th Ave.

The show is open to all current Kenosha Art Association members, and will feature works in all media. The KAA will provide a judge for the awarding of prizes. Artists may enter 1 piece of artwork. The KAA will jury artwork, provide prizes, and will deliver works to the KPM and back. For more info and entry forms stop in at the KAA or contact the KAA : 262-654-0065.

Summer is finally here!
By Pat Koesser

Hello Everyone

May 20th we had our annual May Election Dinner at The Casa Capri Restaurant. The speaker Bob Sabath, had an interesting program about kaleidoscopes and we meet our 2009 Scholarship winner from The University of Parkside, Sean and saw a display of his artwork, Unfortunatly we could not vote for the 2009/2010 KAA officers because we did not have 30 members there. We will have the vote at the Black and White Party on Sept. 12th..If you would like to be a board member there are many ways to get involved let and officer know or call the KAA at 654-0056.

The Good Old Summertime Art Fair was June 7th. The weather was cold and it sprinkled once for about 5 minutes but it was fun and we had a good crowd. The winners are on the inside page. We had a nice group of volunteers, and the exhibitors seemed to sell well. Please consider volunteering to be the chairperson of this very important fundraiser for the KAA next year June. 6, 2010.

Membership payment for 2009/2010 was due on June 1. Membership forms will be enclosed with this newsletter for those of you how have not paid your dues yet. Please fill out both the membership form and the volunteer form and send it back to the KAA PO Box 1753 Kenosha WI 53141.

We have a lot going on this year. The KAA will be 60 years old in 2010. We will be planning special activities, please help with this as it will take a lot of people. The KAA’s 40th & 50th were great.

Look to at the upcoming events that we have planned and plan to help with and attend as many as you can.

KAA Membership Show at the Kenosha Public Museum no theme just your best artwork. The show will run Oct 2009.-Feb 2010. See information sheet inside.

On a sad note we say good bye to Mary Martino, Palmer Martino’s wife who passed away recently. Our sympathly to Palmer and his family.
THANKS!!!
President Pat Koesser

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