Main Street Messenger
October 2014
104 E. Main St.
Waterford, WI 53185
www.absolutelywaterford.org
[email protected]
(262) 534-9000
“Like” us on Facebook
Inside this issue:
President’s column
2
Reading garden
3
Art walk artists
3-11
River Market
5
Construction
12
Economic opportunity 12
Volume 2, Issue 10
Discover downtown when talent takes over
Dozens of local artists return
for third annual River’s Edge
Art Walk Oct. 10
Nearly 30 local artists will descend downtown Friday, Oct. 10, to showcase and sell
a variety of works during Absolutely Waterford’s third annual River’s Edge Art
Walk. A free community event sponsored
by Runzheimer Foundation and Edstrom
Industries, art walkers will meet some of
the talented individuals who will be featured inside buildings within the Heritage
District marked by colorful paint brushes.
The event, which kicks off at 5 p.m., includes free trolley rides with historic narrative, a variety of musical entertainment and
a sampling of Waterford’s best shops and
eateries. Here is a bit on some of the featured artists:
Linda Dzik Gerard’s
Georgia’s Mystery Tree
Watercolorist Linda Gerard Dzik who will be showing at Pink
Peony, spent more than two decades as a commercial artist, first as
a graphic designer, before pursuing an independent career. During
her commercial years, Dzik created watercolor illustrations for a bimonthly magazine which got her interested in painting.
Her works have been on display at the Wustum Museum of Fine Arts
in Racine, the Anderson Art Center in Kenosha, Lake Country Gallery
in Pewaukee and she was the “featured” artist at Avenue Frame &
Gallery in Racine. She was accepted into
the juried show Watercolor Wisconsin for
See DZIK, page 3
Absolutely Waterford’s Main
Street mission is carried
through volunteerism and our
Four Point Approach:


Design. Enhance and
beautify the physical appearance of the downtown
Economic restructuring.
Revitalize by strengthening
existing businesses and
recruiting new ones

Organization. Focused on
volunteer recruitment,
training and fundraising
efforts

Promotion. Create promotions and special events
to bring people downtown
Brett Roberts of Waterford,
who will be showing at Riverside Chiropractic, says the
primary focus of his work is
function.
“My intention is for the pieces I create to serve a utilitarian purpose,” he said. “With
utility in mind, I utilize the
potter’s wheel as the basis
for creating and often keep
the forms straightforward,
balanced, and comfortable.
I regularly look for opportunities to alter the thrown
forms by stretching or cutting
See ROBERTS, page 3
Take a ride, hear tales from the trolley
As with previous
years, Absolutely
Waterford offers
free trolley rides
to art walk visitors
during Friday’s
event. Those
aboard will get to
hear some history
of the downtown
and some of its
buildings.
Six trolley stops will be offered during
AW’s annual art walk.
Main Street Messenger
Page 2
ABSOLUTELY YOURS
By Mary Beth Mikrut, President
Downtown is where community connects
meeting with the vendors
to find out how we can
improve for next year.
We would also like to
hear from our consumers
– please share your
o Wolverines!
thoughts, suggestions, or
School spirit was criticisms so we can prorunning high along Main vide an even better
Street last week as the
Farmer’s Market for next
students and businesses
year. Feel free to drop a
prepared for Homecom- line to Cynthia Jensen,
ing! Many of the storeour Executive Director, at
fronts were decorated
direcwith wonderful artwork
tor@absolutelywaterfor
showing off Waterford
d.org or call the
High School activities.
office at (262) 534
Along with the Home-9000.
coming Parade that traveled down Main Street
WE WANT YOU!
to the high school – It
Yes, AW is actively
was wonderful to celeseeking folks who
brate school spirit all
would enjoy volunthrough the downtown
teering for an orarea. Many thanks to
ganization that is
everyone who was incommitted to revivolved in making last
talizing Waterweekend such a fun one ford’s Heritage
for students, families and District. Whether it
be to promote our
visitors alike!
Main Street busiRiver Market wraps up nesses or assist in
researching our
older homes and
Absolutely Waterford
would also like to tip its businesses so we
hat off to our vendors
can share our histowho have participated in ry with our residents and visitors
our first year’s River
to the area – there
Market. Many, many
thanks to all of you! The are lots of activities
Village Hall Park was a to get involved
with! Please feel
great venue for both
customers and vendors – free to call or
email Cynthia or
beautiful scenery and
me at
plenty of parking. Except for one bad rainy
weekend, the weather
has been picture perfect.
Also, thanks to our musicians who entertained us
during some of the Saturdays. AW will be
G
[email protected] if
you want to know more
about how you can get
involved with our exciting
and fun organization.
their incredible group of
volunteers who have put
together another outstanding event that will
spotlight our downtown
Our art walk, three
district, local artists and
years going strong
musicians on Friday, OcAnd, another plug for the tober 10. Don’t worry if
you have seen some conRiver Edge Art Walk!
struction signs in the arMany, many thanks to
our leaders, Liz Theirbah ea, the sidewalks will be
and Mary Windler, and clear and there will be
plenty of parking available for all of our visitors.
Fall in love
Don’t forget – take a
few moments each day
to breathe and enjoy the
beautiful fall colors that
surround our Village and
Town of Waterford –
Absolutely gorgeous!
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
R
osemary Christensen has been active
with Absolutely Waterford
since 2012 when she helped
other volunteers introduce the
first annual River’s Edge Art
Walk. The retired clinical
research consultant often
volunteers alongside her
husband Tom, who Absolute-
ly Waterford is also proud
to recognize as a valuable
member.
You can catch Rosemary on
the trolley Oct. 10 while the
art walk is underway. She is
one of three narrators who
will provide passengers with
a bit of history on the downtown. Here’s a bit more on
Rosemary and her role in
What got you started with Absolutely Waterford? “Interest in the community because it is a very nice place to live.”
Proudest Absolutely Waterford moment: “Seeing the success at our various community events.”
What motivates you to give back? “So many young families are unable to give
time due to children, schooling, sports, etc. I have reached the age where
these responsibilities are no longer time-consuming. It gives me the opportunity
to meet nice people who care for issues and things beyond themselves.”
Why should others get involved? “Your community is what each of us makes it to
be. ‘It takes a village!’”
Other community involvement? “I co-facilitate with two other women in the Alzheimer Caregiver Support Group in Waterford.”
When you aren’t volunteering, how do you spend your time? “...with my husband,
Tom is always fun. We bike, kayak, walk, have hobbies at home. There is time
for our grown children and grandchildren.”
Volume 2, Issue 10
Page 3
Reading garden pays tribute to donor’s love for planting, the library
A
group of supporters turned
out Sept. 30 to celebrate
the completion of Waterford Public Library’s riverside reading garden –
a recent gift from the
estate of Frederick
Lewnau.
stand on North Milwaukee Street.
The library board chose
to honor the gift by developing an outdoor
reading garden along
the river, behind the
northeast side of the
building, 101 N. River St.
Bids were solicited from
According to a press
local landscaping serrelease from the library, vices to design and conprovisions of the estate
struct a reading garden
gift stated it be used for which includes separate
something other than
pockets of seating to
operational expenses.
allow space for multiple
The library’s board of
groups and landscaping
directors discussed ways features that attract
to pay tribute to the late birds and butterflies.
Lewnau, who lived in
Horticultural Handiwork,
Waterford for 95 years Inc. out of Rochester deand was a regular lisigned the reading garbrary patron.
den which will be accessible in three seasons.
The board noted that
Library Board President
Lewnau raised vegetaJannah Kost said “The
bles and flowers on his
board was honored to
family farm his whole
receive this generous gift
life. He was known by
neighbors for the beauti- on the library’s behalf. In
deciding how to pay
ful produce and flowers tribute to Mr. Lewnau’s
he and his brother sold
life…it was important for
every summer at their
‘Awareness and how it
moves’ by Frank Korb
Locals gather near the newly-opened reading garden at Waterford Public
Library, a three-season serene setting designed by Horticultural Handiwork.
us to create a connection
to the outdoors.”
She added, “The library
means many things to
many people and enhancing visitor experience through a welldesigned reading garden, a concert piano or a
collection of new technology available for checkout encapsulates the library’s mission to bring
knowledge, information
and diversity of ideas to
all residents.”
Additionally, gift funds
are currently being used
From Dzik, front page
several years, and took home a number of awards. Her painting
titled “Wise Warrior” was used as the cover image for a book
about breast cancer survivors called “The Blue Tattoo Club.”
Much of her work can be found hanging on the walls of “The
Gathering Room” at The Cruise in Tichigan, a restaurant that she
and her husband have owned for more than 15 years.
“As a child, I enjoyed playing outside and exploring. Long bike
rides took me away from my neighborhood to search for creeks,
Linda Gerard Dzik tadpoles and crayfish and to build forts. Other days, you could
find me collecting white rocks, which I spent hours painting with
watercolors. In the warmth of the sun, I loved watching the colors blend on each new white
surface. When the rain came down on my temporary creations, I again had the
opportunity to experience the flow of liquid colors. Little did I realize that in my busy
grown-up life I would find comfort again in the process of paint and water flowing
together. It brings me much joy and contentment to have instrumental music playing (like
the sounds of nature) and a scented candle burning (reminding me of the fresh air of a
summer day) as I lose myself in “the process” of painting with watercolors. In each
painting, I experience things that are rarely visible in the finished piece, like the beauty
of the blending colors that happens for my eyes only in a brief instant. It’s those hidden
moments that keep pulling me back into my studio.”
to sponsor the Gale
online educational courses available to Waterford library patrons. The
Gale courses are instructor-led classes in professional development, technology skills, and personal enrichment.
Main Street Messenger
Page 4
M
ixed media and fiber artist
Kathryn Storey, who will show at
Love Inc., grew up in Texas where she received training in Fine Arts before moving
to the area where she apprenticed with a
hand weaver, and has since shown her
works at a number of regional art shows
and fairs.
The artist has an at-home studio, where she
works in both art and traditional weaving.
She works in mixed media that includes pen
and ink, acrylic, watercolor and graphite.
Her weaving includes items for personal use
like scarves and unique shoulder bags, and
consists of natural fibers such as cotton,
wool, rayon or chenille. Storey said she has
had the luxury of growing up in a family of
artists and in a community of artists.
Barn scene, Terry Alby
More artists, mediums
Longtime resident Terry Alby, who will
be showing at Patriot Financial, is wellknown in the community as former owner
of Alby Materials Inc., a local concrete
business, which he ran for three decades.
After selling the company in 2007, his
artistic business, Alby Raw Photography,
took the forefront, plugging him into the
community, through local events and
small-town scenes, including area barns
at sunset.
“I enjoy being creative in both art and
weaving and feel that both complement
each other very well,” she said. “I believe
that art is a way of living one’s life - that
each day can be influenced by a creative
touch or observation. This is what makes life
worth living. Each day can hold a new idea
of something that is extraordinary and
worth imparting on paper, canvas or in
fiber.”
outstanding product and services. I started an in-house marketing department
and then a graphics company. These
divisions also did work for outside clients,
including our own large and broad base
of customers.”
Alby is presently a freelance photographer with Southern Lakes Newspapers
and also Journal Publishing. His works
often appear in the Waterford Post and
other area publications. He is a proud
According to Alby, he started his passion member of the Coalition of Photographic
Arts of Milwaukee, with photos on disfor photography 35 years ago when he
play in the members’ gallery.
set up his own wet lab and darkroom.
His selected works are now on display at
“I designed and built an automatic, adthe Museum of Wisconsin Art in West
justable speed, drum turner for photo
Bend.
paper development that is still working
today,” he said. “As Alby Materials
grew, I found a need to promote our
His work can also be viewed at “Alby
Raw Photography” on Facebook.
Waterford-native Patti
Bacun, who will be showing
at Bon Voyage, received
her bachelor’s degree in
fine art from the University
of Wisconsin in 1975. After
graduation, she moved to
Florida, where she worked
own glass beads.
for Largo Fire Rescue for 27
“It is my passion and joy; I
years before retiring.
find it challenging and satisFor the past 18 years, she
fying. It is a seemingly endhas been designing weara- less adventure,” the artist
ble art jewelry based on her said.
Main Street Messenger
Page 5
Just two markets left…
Continue showing support for local producers this season by
attending the final two Waterford River Markets hosted in
2014.
“Choices Will Always Remain in Details” by Frank Korb
F
the interaction with one another, I
explore visual relationships and
work toward a sense of balance
and harmony,” he said.
“By juxtaposing colors, shapes
and textures while considering
Korb earned his bachelor of fine
arts degree at the University of
Wisconsin-Whitewater and his
master’s degree from Cardinal
Stritch University in Milwaukee.
His exhibitions have included
galleries and art spaces throughout Wisconsin, including group
exhibitions, solo exhibitions, art
happenings, fundraisers, and
lectures. Korb’s works are held in
numerous public and private
collections nationally and internationally. He teaches art at
Waterford Union High School.
rank Korb, who will be
showing at Thai-Italiana,
is known for his figurative
works, portraits and abstract
geometry. Inspired by the formal
qualities in the elements and
principles of art, Korb observes
the existence of them in the environments around him while working to incorporate those observations in his compositions.
Searching throughout art history
for answers to visual questions,
Korb finds his inspiration and
answers from the Pop Artists, the
Abstract Expressionists and Minimalists.
From Roberts, front page
and assembling.
Visually, the artist likes to create contrasts throughout the piece with the use
of shape, texture or glaze color. Glaze
application plays a great role in segmenting various areas of a form and
creating little focal points within a
piece, according to Roberts.
Roberts attended University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2005 to pursue a
Fine Arts degree in Ceramics with
teaching licensure. There, he worked as
a volunteer assistant in the ceramic
studio upon graduation in 2011. He
has also had experience teaching clay
work to kids and adults in community
courses and currently teaches 3-D Art
at Waterford Union High School.
Revived in May by Absolutely Waterford in response to community demand, the River Market showcased a modest selection of vendors who offered up fresh and unique products
throughout the summer months. The last two events will be
held on Saturdays, Oct. 4 and Oct. 11 at Village Hall Park
on River Street from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Young talent Savana Schraeder lent her musical talents at
select events, taking the Village Park Stage to entertain vendors and patrons alike. Jeanne Christensen of Horticultural
Handiwork noted Savana was a great asset to the weekly
markets, and brought a nice following to the park.
In appreciation of Savana and the local producers who
joined AW’s premier farmers market year, the Board of Directors is supplying participants a light lunch. The public is
encouraged to attend. Community support is critical to keeping the markets going. Feedback on how to improve upcoming seasons is appreciated.
To help plan the 2015 River Market season, email [email protected]. To learn more about the market and this year’s slate of vendors, visit
www.waterfordrivermarket.org.
Waterford artist William Dutkiewicz, who will
be showing at Patriot Financial, tapped into his
talent after contemplating retirement.
“I was always good with a pencil, so I started to
go to comic book shows that had artists there, like
Comic Con.”
It was at these types of shows that he learned
from artists, including the legendary Neal Adams,
who he said took some one-on-one time with him.
His creations are all done by hand with pen and
marker.
Soon enough he created a fishing comic book, "It's
Time To Fish,” on Amazon E-books. He also designed a logo for the "1158th Transportation
Company," National Guard, as well as executed
T-shirt designs and commissioned pictures of bikes
and cars.
Volume 2, Issue 10
Page 6
‘Beyond all that we know…’
Waterford painter David Koel, who will be showing at
Riverside Chiropractic, is passionate about history, people
of the past and the places they have inhabited.
“The actions and life struggles of those individuals and the
past can teach us a lot about ourselves today,” he said.
In Koel’s work, the artist chooses to illuminate historical figures Americans learn about, “beyond all that we know from
books or historical accounts regarding them.” The artist researches each person for a better understanding and empathizes with what life must have been like for that person,
in order to make a personal, human connection.
“I love this research,” he said, “learning about different
individuals and finding their place in history, and, by doing
so, may find mine. I have learned to appreciate them as
individuals, each with their own unique character, perfections and flaws.”
His work is also about layers, textures and patina – elements he likens to history, peeling back the layers of memory.
“I begin by creating the basic structure from large marks or brushstrokes and work toward small,
detailed marks and brushstrokes, much like a camera being out of focus to clarity,” he explained.
The artist mostly works from black and white photographs, which he contends, allows more freedom to choose what palette to use for a particular piece. Breathing new life into old photographs
is something the artist says adds great excitement to his experience creating.
Koel graduated in 1991 from Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) with a fine arts degree in drawing. He currently teaches art at Waukesha Public Schools, where he has been for 21
years. The artist has had a number of showings in both public and private collections and is known
locally for his works on display at the Creative Arts Resource & Network, where he also lent his
teaching skills to adult student artists.
Waterford potter
Stephanie Maass, who
will be showing at Bill
Czaja State Farm
Insurance, spends
nights and weekends in
her home workshop
elbow deep in clay,
throwing pots on her
pottery wheel.
Several years ago
while searching for a
creative hobby she met Karen Norris, owner
of "Our Creative Outlet" in Delafield.
“She introduced me to throwing clay which
has turned out to be a welcome relief from
my stressful day job,” she said.
Much of her techniques were learned by
watching others online, which gave way to
the name of her shop, Eclectic Pottery.
“I try many different pottery techniques,
some successful and some not. I almost never
Save the date!
Professional broadcaster
Nicholas Strong has been busy
this summer with AW Director
Cynthia Jensen producing a
video about Absolutely
Waterford and businesses
within the Heritage District.
A premiere of the video, “Not
Just Anywhere…Absolutely
Waterford!” is set for Tuesday,
Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at
Waterford Public Library, 101
River St. The public is invited to
attend.
make the same thing exactly the same more
than once,” she said.
Maass, who was born and raised in
Burlington, moved to Waterford 35 years
ago to start her family. She holds a
bachelor's degree in healthcare management
and a master's degree in education.
Returning for her second year in the River’s
Edge Art Walk, the artist said she really
enjoyed meeting “all the great people who
came out to enjoy the evening,” last year.
Waterford jewelry maker Brenda
Heald, who will show at ReMax Premier Properties, is self-taught, creating
designs for more than a decade. Her
nature-inspired jewelry includes a lot
of natural stone, especially jasper,
which she says is one of her favorites.
“I enjoy manipulating wire and metal
in my designs and recently have been
making shamballa bracelets,” she
said. Heald shares her designs in her
Waterford home when she periodically hosts open houses. Her designs are
also for sale at Simply Marvelous in
Burlington.
Volume 2, Issue 10
Page 7
Creating is ‘source of fulfillment’ for artist
Fiber artist Penny Schaubel, who will be showing at
Marty’s Fiesta Hall, grew up in rural Kenosha, where she
was brought up by a creative family, including aunts who
were very successful painters and potters, and her mother a
gifted seamstress. “As a child I loved painting, drawing,
sewing and gardening. I studied art all through high school
and was inspired to be an art teacher as an adult,” she
said.
She attended UW-Whitewater from 1966-1969, majoring
in art with a minor in art history. Her emphasis was painting
and ceramics. She went on to graduate from UW-Parkside
in 1970 with a BA in Art Education, and was one of 25 students in Parkside's first graduating class.
“Short on cash, and frustrated at not being able to obtain a
full time art position, I abandoned art and took a corporate
position at Baxter International in Deerfield, Ill., becoming a
Documentation and Training Manager,” she explained.
“After years of a fairly stressful, fast-paced, corporate career, I began quilting and sewing in
2006. I was finally able to focus on art using my creative skills as a stress reliever and a source of
great fulfillment.”
In 2007 and 2008, when her parents died, Schaubel created
her first hats using their old wool sweaters.
B
urlington mixed-media
artist Gail Willert who
will be showing at Waterford
Public Library, carries degrees
from the Art Institute of Chicago
and the University of Illinois. In
addition to creating mixed media
and photography works, she is a
therapist and teacher.
Her recent exhibits include solo
and group shows at the Anderson
Arts Center in Kenosha, the
Wright Museum in Beloit, CAR&N
Gallery in Waterford, ARC Gallery in Chicago, Koehline Museum
in Des Plaines and the Kohler Arts
Center in Sheboygan
“I love to respond to life with
three-dimensional assemblages
as well as two-dimensional photomontages, sometimes in a spiritual vein, sometimes with humor,”
she said.
“The hats were a way of remembering them, using something
that was theirs and adding my own designs and love of flowers,” she said. “Friends began asking about them and my
career literally ‘bloomed.’”
The artist continues to combine her love of gardening to her
pieces, and brings new life to old materials, mostly sweaters,
transforming them into new wearable art. Appropriately, she
calls her pieces, New Leaf Designs.
“Each hat is unique and made with care and creativity,” she
said. “I pride myself on their originality and quality. A lot of
love, joy and sense of accomplishment go into making each
hat. Over the years I have also added aprons with the same
type of botanical designs and I have also painted silk scarves
and used commercial silk with floral patterns.”
The third annual River’s Edge Art Walk will also include live
entertainment throughout the evening. Performers include:
Pianists Ingrid Hanson Popp, Eric Carlson and Kristen Gleason,
Waterford Public Library
KR Bluegrass Band, Marty’s Fiesta Hall
The Tichigan Two, Riverside Chiropractic
Burlington photographer Betsy Redmer, who will
be showing at Kerri’s Custom Cakes, is a novice
landscape photographer who was raised on a
local dairy farm. She is married with three grown
children. She loves to hike and bike and is drawn
to the sky and nature.
Susan Larkin, Patriot Financial
Jackie Powell, Bill Czaja Insurance
Jim Bergles, Rendezvous Jewelers
Brian Lauer and Friends, former Martini MO’z site
Volume 2, Issue 10
Page 8
B
rookfield
fiber artist
JoAnne
Meyer, will
be showing at Bill
Czaja State Farm
Insurance, is a
creative knitter
who started by
felting hunting
hats for her three
sons.
“They needed hats that were warm and almost waterproof, and felted-merino wool seemed to work well,” she
said.
‘Divine beauty of the natural world’
Burlington artist Lisa Dukowitz,
who will be showing at Marty’s
Fiesta Hall, creates photographs,
paintings and mixed media artworks. As a child she spent a
great deal of time exploring and
drawing the rugged limestone
bluffs and anthropomorphic twisted cedar trees found in Door
County’s famed Port de ’Mort of
Lake Michigan. There, a spiritual
connection formed in her imagination between land, body and
soul that still exists today, she
said.
During graduate school at UWMilwaukee’s Peck School of the
Arts, Dukowitz studied under
landscape painter Tom Uttech
who encouraged her to document
the remaining remote places of
the world and to paint en plein
air. She studied human and animal anatomy through the work of
Renaissance artists da Vinci and
Michelangelo while studying
abroad in Florence, Italy.
becoming
a professional
educator.
She currently
teaches
art at
Waterford Union
High
School.
Her paintings and photographs
have been shown in a wide variety of public art events, juried
regional exhibitions and Midwest
travel publications.
Dukowitz’s current works, she
said, “not only seek to provide
evidence of the divine beauty of
the natural world but also to provoke viewers to see themselves
within the heavenly landscapes
and to question our traditional
dogmas that separate our origins
and hereafters from the evolution
of the planet. Humanlike forms
After earning her MFA, she
are often secretly hidden in landworked in a variety of art roles
scapes; similar to those in my
including graphic designer, pro- childhood drawings of the twisty
fessional framer, portrait photog- trees.”
rapher and retouch artist before
Look for the brightly-colored
paint brushes inside pots that
mark artist locations downtown
With requests for dozens of hats from extended family,
friends and all kinds of fashionistas, Meyer stays busy
with her business, Jo’z Feltz.
Recently, she discovered hand-spun alpaca.
“I found the blend of merino wool and alpaca produces
an amazing finished sheen to the hat, as well as added
warmth. I now prefer to work with the blend of the two
fibers for that reason,” she said.
Wind Lake-based fiber artist
Ann Gainey, showing at
Waterford Public Library,
designs unique apparel fashions, jackets, scarves and
jewelry. Her designs are sold
at Ann’s Unique Boutique in
Wind Lake. She has displayed her designs at a
number of venues, including
the Wisconsin Museum of
Quilts & Fiber Arts in Cedarburg for its “First Fiber Arts Biennale” exhibit. In the exhibit, two of her pieces were shown, including an Italian
linen bolero jacket and an Italian silk burnout velvet peacock design on silk chiffon scarf.
Burlington potter Kathy Kerner,
who will be showing at Waterford Public Library, specializes
in raku pottery, a craft she
learned as a student at Mt.
Mary College. She is an art
teacher at Norris School in
Mukwonago. She is involved in
art shows around the area,
showing her work as well as
being active with CAR&N, the
former gallery that offered owcost art classes to people of
every skill level. She lived in
Waterford for 36 years and recently moved to Brown's
Lake in Burlington.
Volume 2, Issue 10
Page 9
German-inspired art
Waterford potter Dorothee
Pfundt, who will be showing at
ReMax Premier Properties, was
just 10 when her parents signed
her up for a clay class along with
her siblings.
“We were rolling, kneading and
shaping clay and having a lot of
fun,” she recalled.
“Later on trips or vacations, I was
always fascinated when I saw
clay spinning on the wheel, seeing how it turned with magical
fluidity into large plates and tiny
vessel. ‘If I just could try that
once,’ I thought,” she continued.
respect for clay and a few small
pots to show.”
Today, she works right in Burlington at her studio, Nature’s Turn,
where she “makes that connection
with clay on the pottery wheel
and it is just as much fun as it was
when I was 10.”
“I had a lot to learn; patience,
focus, being prepared for the
unexpected, but it all pays off
when a good piece comes out of
the kiln,” she said.
atercolor painter Don Vander Leest of Racine,
who will be showing at Waterford Public Library,
has documented his travels through his art, painting in all
50 states.
“I also have paintings in 29 countries with 33 in Japan,
and 30 in England,” he said. “The latest places on the list
are Russia and Korea along with India, Europe, North
Africa and South America.”
Eventually the artist signed up
for a 10-day pottery vacation in
northern Germany, where she
was born, learning how to throw
clay on the pottery wheel.
Four of the artists paintings covering the Southeast corner
of Wisconsin have been reproduced on Master, Visa and
debit cards by Educators Credit Union. His images of
lighthouses have been used for its checks.
“Wow, it was not easy,” she said.
“At first lumps of clay did not
turn into anything, but I had the
feeling that I can do it. Not giving up during that week, I
emerged with a new sense and
Potter Brigitta Richter,
who will be showing at
Marty’s Fiesta Hall, was
born in Munich and grew
up in Passau, Germany.
Early in her career as a
dental technician, she
exhibited excellent
technical and spatial
abilities. This experience
further enhanced her
interest in artistic
expression and creation. Along
with family, came the
opportunity to concentrate full
time on her artistic talents. In
2002, she started to explore her
creative interests by
experimenting in oil painting.
She has since expanded into
other media including pastels,
ink, acrylics, clay sculpting and
pottery.
W
Additionally Vander Leest has painted Park High School
buildings in Racine which will be copied onto collectors
items like ink pens and cups.
He is currently working on Preservation Racine sketches
for its September Historic Tour.
“I love history and enjoy sketching and painting buildings,
sky and water,” he said.
a way to communicate both
visually and emotionally through
color, subject and context. She
seeks to bring extraordinary
perspective to ordinary
situations.
Her strong work ethic, sincerity
and fanciful spirit all play a role
in the creative process where she
strives to achieve a certain
ambiance and emotive feel with
Her work concentrates on finding each piece she creates.
Beading enthusiast Diane
Miller of Wind Lake has
been creating and selling
her beadwork jewelry
since 1999. In 2003, she
was introduced to chainmaille - jewelry made by
connecting metal rings to
one another, a common
technique used to craft
medieval armor. Although
she still enjoys all kinds of beading, her focus today is mainly
on her chainmaille work. She shares her love of the art with
others at her jewelry-making classes held routinely at Waterford Public Library. When she is not teaching or selling her
finished jewelry at art fairs throughout southeastern Wisconsin, she is managing her online stores, DianeMillerDesigns.com
and MidwestMaille.com, which specialize in Argentium, sterling silver chainmaille kits, jump rings, supplies, finished jewelry and art glass lamp-work beads. She will be showing at
Waterford Public Library.
Volume 2, Issue 10
Page 10
“I believe art is a visual language.” - Tanya Fuhrman
Waterford painter
Tanya Fuhrman,
who is showing at
Peoples Bank,
carries a master’s
degree in painting
from UWWhitewater, where
she studied under
Helena Ehlke. Much
of her work is
commissioned
portraits and
landscape in private
collections, however,
she has shown in a
number of exhibits
including UWWhitewater,
Crossman Gallery, Downtown Racine Corp; Dog Days of Summer, Summer Splash,
Bears it All, previous year’s River’s Edge Art Walk, area coffee shops and
Community United-Methodist Church in Waterford, among other places.
“We have been all given talents and gifts with which to communicate,” the artist
said. “Mine just happen to be visual, and this has given me a voice to be heard. I
believe art is a visual language.”
Furhman has been drawing and painting since childhood, and noted, “I drew what
my mind liked and painted what my heart enjoyed.”
“But when I noticed what pricked my social conscience made other people think,
and what gave my heart joy helped others find joy in their lives, well, I think that’s
when I became an artist. To make others look inside to confirm their own thoughts or
to notice outside themselves the Creation around them with new eyes was like a
language. Art is another language to communicate with other people...”
S
elf-taught painter Katie Babinat
Gardipee of Mukwonago, who will
be showing at Marty’s Fiesta Hall, has
been painting for more than 15 years. At
15, she was commissioned to do a mural
which paved the way to many other opportunities with a number of referrals for
her work doing other residential murals.
Her murals can be found in approximately
32 different homes throughout southeastern Wisconsin, a few churches, and businesses; such as the ARCH building in
Waukesha, Pattersons Orchard of New
Berlin and Café 213. She displayed at
Martini MO’z before it was destroyed in
the January 2014 fire, and is well-known
by the MO’z family for her execution of
the former historic building. Her medium of
choice is acrylic paint but has recently
been experimenting with watercolor. Most
of her artwork is custom pieces and murals
designed for customers per their requests.
Don’t forget to check out community art work during the
River’s Edge Art Walk.
Loose Ends Quilters group will have their creations on display at
Waterford Public Library.
Waterford Union High School art students will have their pieces on
display at the high school. Enter through Door #1.
Muskego painter Terry A.
Fischer, who is showing at
Peoples Bank, is a self-taught
artist who has lived and painted
in southeastern Wisconsin her
entire life. She concentrates on
portraits and landscapes, or as
she puts it, “what God put in
front of me.”
“That time in spring when there
are a million shades of green –
incredible. That time in summer
that I call golden days. It’s not
just the quality of the light, but
the quality of life and family
and friends. That time in fall
when the trees burst with so
much color and leaves crunch
underfoot – unbelievable. Then
there is winter, when the
snowfall puts such a hush on the
world, I feel I have to whisper,”
the artist relays.
relaxed. The goal is to reveal a
bit of a person’s personality
while still keeping the mystery.
The exploration of the diversity
of humankind is a journey in
itself, she explains.
Introduced to watercolor as a
child, Fischer found the
versatility perfect to create soft
As difficult as portraits are,
greens and muted blues, as well
there is nothing more rewarding, as crisp oranges, and deep
according to the artist. The
purples. She loves to make the
challenge is to make the
paint flow or sparkle, blend or
complicated look easy and
contrast.
Volume 2, Issue 10
Page 11
Don’t miss the line up!
The 16th annual Waterford Winter Wonderland Parade, hosted by
AW and sponsored by Runzheimer Foundation is right around the corner. Hit the streets of downtown Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m., to see a
fantastic holiday lineup proceed from the Associated Bank down Milwaukee to Main Street and end at the Waterford Public Library where
tree lighting, carolers and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus await.
The parade committee is currently seeking parade participants and donations to help support the event.
To get involved, email [email protected] or call (262)
534-9000.
Hours of patience and practice to produce
Waterford’s Tom Heald, who will be showing at Rendezvous
Jewelers, is a scroll saw artist and woodworker who quickly went
from hobbyist to full-time artist. Using scrap cedar wood left over
from a friend’s construction jobs, Heald found his niche making trellises with stained glass, planters and birdhouses.
The hobby took a forward leap to scroll sawing and intarsia.
“Next I began creating cutting boards, serving trays with all types
of wood; creating my own patterns and designs,” he said. “Word
of mouth became a business with my art work found all over the
states and in some foreign countries.”
As word-of-mouth grew, so did the spectrum of the wooden art
projects coming out of Heald’s shop, River Ridge Woodworks in
Waterford. His works are also seen alongside chainsaw artists who
do shows throughout the Midwest, and during the Absolutely Waterford’s weekly River Market.
What began as a hobby for
Camblesport jewelry maker
Marie McAllister bloomed into
a business, Designs By Marie,
shortly after her retirement in
2001. Citing her travels to Asia,
Europe, Scandinavia and South
America, the artist said she has
seen numerous unique designs
which inspired her own creations.
“I love making jewelry and the opportunity it provides me to display my talents and unique designs,” she said.
Her earrings are made from sterling silver and Swarovski crystals.
However, for heavier pieces such as spoon bracelets and wind
chimes, she opts for silver-plated parts in order to keep her designs affordable. In addition to participating in area artisan fairs,
McAllister also hosts an open house inside her home annually. She
will be showing at Café 213.
Muskego-native Jeanne
Raccoli-Baas is a pastel and
mixed media artist who will
be showing at Waterford
Area Chamber of
Commerce. She has taught
and has continued to study
art in various university and
gallery settings. Her work is
in corporate as well as
private collections. She has
served as a juror for art
competitions and shows. Her
goals are to instill a love of
art in people of all ages and
to provide a working
knowledge of the area’s art
heritage.
Her current focus has been
the exploration of jewelry
making techniques. Having
taught art metals to young
adults, she has gained an
appreciation for the hours of
patience and practice
involved in making a
wearable piece of art. She
makes one-of-a-kind pieces
in silver, brass and copper,
often using “found” objects as
surprise accents.
“I feel a sense of guidance
and discovery in the act of
creating,” she said.
Main Street Messenger
Page 12
Main Street intersection construction continues through fall
Built in 1961, the current configuration of
the intersection is problematic for large
trucks and trailers to maneuver without
entering opposing traffic, according to the
release. Also, large volumes of vehicles use
the intersection in the mornings and afternoons, which creates congestion and unsafe
conditions.
ject. During construction, one lane of traffic
will be open in each direction on all legs of
the intersection. Temporary sidewalks will
be used for pedestrian access to local businesses.
Work is underway at the intersection of
Main and First streets as part of the Department of Transportation’s $445,000
reconditioning project of highways 20 and
83.
The WIS 20/83 and Main Street intersection is at a bridge crossing the Fox River—
the only bridge vehicles can use within
This project includes installing traffic sigthree miles and is a gateway to the downnals, expanding the southwest corner radius town Waterford area. This intersection
to facilitate large truck movements, intreatment is in advance to a much larger
stalling new sidewalks with updating peconstruction project of WIS 20/83 which is
destrian ramps/crossings, as well as inplanned for 2018 or 2019, pending fundstalling new curb and gutter.
ing.
Work began on Sept. 22, with contractor
Zenith Tech planning to complete the project late fall, according to a press release
from the Village of Waterford.
The Village of Waterford has had law
enforcement helping coordinate traffic
flows during peak commute times; this practice will continue through the life of the pro-
For more information contact Brian
DeNeve, WisDOT SE Region Communications, at (262) 548-8759 or [email protected]
Business briefs
they serve. DEED does this through partnerships with governmental entities, educationRacine County Economic Development Cor- al institutions, non-profit organizations and
poration and Gateway Technical College’s the business community. DEED, via the Small
Launch Box have teamed up to offer area Business Development Centers, helps entreentrepreneurs a Technology 101 workshop preneurs create new businesses and grow
on Thursday, Oct. 9, from 7:30-10 a.m.
Free Technology 101 workshop
offered
The free workshop will take place at SC
Johnson iMET Auditorium, 2320 Renaissance Blvd, Sturtevant, and will include a
team of presenters who will discuss website strategies, Google Mail and integration, Microsoft Office 365, mobile
technology and computer networking
and systems, among other areas relevant to business.
For more information, or to register, visit
racinecountyedc.org.
In’DEED’ a good business resource
The Division of Entrepreneurship and
Economic Development (DEED) foster,
supports and coordinates entrepreneurship and economic development activities occurring at the University of Wisconsin campuses and the communities
existing businesses by providing training;
information about finances, technology and
other resources; one-on-one business counseling; and networking opportunities.
For more information, visit www.uwex.edu/
about/economic-development.html
OUR PROUD SPONSORS
Sponsorship opportunities
Absolutely Waterford’s
Sponsors and individual
donors are cherished
members of the AW team!
Your support makes
possible the exceptional
cultural events that
Waterford residents and
regional visitors count on,
including the River’s Edge
Art Walk, our season-long
Saturday Farmers Market
and the Waterford Winter
Wonderland Parade. As a
not-for-profit Wisconsin
Main Street program,
Absolutely Waterford
welcomes sponsorships and
gifts at all levels.
Please let us tell you more
about making a gift or
becoming a Sponsor by
calling our Executive
Director, Cynthia Jensen, at
(262) 534-9000, or visit us
at absolutelywaterford.org.
Our valuable contributors
Waterford Public
Library
Mary Beth &
Chas Mikrut
Café 213
Mike Ciezki
Gil & Rose Amborn
Cynthia Jensen
Howard Bryant