COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Community Socials
The Arts Coalition sponsors community socials that feature an art form or area of cultural interest. The events are designed to educate the community on the specific art form and to give artists a forum to display and discuss their work. These socials are usually held three times a year and are free to the public. Subjects have included music, art history, quilting, movies, woodcrafts, poetry, “country living”, artisanal brewing, architecture, domestic arts of the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, dance, Cinco de Mayo, restored cars, a visual arts Gallery Walk, watercolors, a garden walk, photography, and an annual “slow foods” competition.
The most recent social was held in April. Called "Beautiful Beads: The Art of Beading," the social featured four area artists using beads on fabric, creating architecture with beads, and using beads for jewelry.
Slow Food Social
The Slow Food Social, held annually in mid-August, is a community potluck that celebrates our cultural roots in agriculture. Dishes are made with produce that is grown within a 30-mile area, not mass produced or trucked in. Everyone who attends is asked to bring a dish to share in which at least one ingredient is from produce from organic farmers, commercial growers, community farms or home gardens. Dishes also may include food that is hunted, gathered, or caught in the wild. Ready-to-serve dishes are brought for simply enjoying or can be entered in competition for favorite dish in each of three categories—Home Grown, Locally Grown, and Wild. Top vote-getters get Blue Ribbons. Over 50 dishes—from soups, salads, casseroles, desserts—are prepared and shared.
Art At Work
New this year, the Arts Coalition, in collaboration with local businesses, presents a community program that features the artwork of River Valley High School art students in places of business. It is a series of four month-long exhibits, curated by Jan von Stein art teacher, that will bring exposure to an individual advanced art student along with the work of nearly 40 others with emerging talent. The project brings experience to students in displaying their creative work and receiving public reaction and review.
The first display focused on the art of Dr. Seuss, and featured the wildlife art of Dale Fahrini, a senior from Arena, and some pieces of animal art made by Clarissa McKeown, also a senior from Arena. It was held upstairs at The Shed in Spring Green from mid-September to mid-October, 2011.
The second in the series was at M&I Bank on Jefferson Street from mid-November through mid-December. On display were paintings by River Valley High School juniors Lauren Spude and Kim Schwartz, both from Spring Green.
The series continues in mid-February through mid-March, 2012, with a new display of art at Spring Green Vision Center in Jefferson Mall.
Workshops
In January 2011, the Arts Coalition sponsored a Grant Writing Workshop led by Karen Goeschko from the Wisconsin Arts Board. The workshop was free. The objective was to improve grant writing skills of art and cultural organizations and individual artists so that they would be more successful in getting new and ongoing projects funded.
This year, on February 8, a workshop on Sponsorship MatchUp, will be held for those with a great idea for an arts or cultural project that benefits the community but need funding and an organization that can act as sponsor.
A barrier to applying for grants is the requirement for tax-exempt status. Individuals and groups without tax exemption must find an organization with 501c3 status to serve as a fiscal sponsor. Karen Goeschko, assistant director for programs and services at the Wisconsin Arts Board, will give information on how to be a sponsor. The objective is to match a sponsor with those seeking a partnership.
