My First Submission!

I’ve received the first submission from Tina Zethmayr, a Mauston resident. It’s a watercolor of a stump in her backyard and she writes the following about what makes this area unique,

‘Mauston is in the bed of the ancient Glacial Lake Wisconsin. The duff is mostly white pine straw with occasional bits of maple and oak leaf debris. Just south and southwest of here in Juneau County begins the driftless area. In one county you get multiple ecozones and land forms. Which results in a wonderland of diverse of indigenous species.’ Thank you Tina!

YOU DON'T NEED TO BE A WRITER OR ARTIST

This grant is a work in progress and I've realized I was wrong to ask for just artists and writers to submit their ideas. I want YOUR idea. You don't need to be a writer or artist to jot down what YOU think makes Juneau County a special place.

This morning I drove to a beautiful spot to walk my dog. The snow was falling on a old barn, three horses came up to the fence to greet me. It was incredibly charming. A man stopped to say "Hi, I'm your new neighbor- just bought the home down the road." We chatted while I explained that I was not from the direct neighborhood and talked about the beauty of the morning and area. He said, "every time I crossed the Wisconsin border, I felt like I was home. And now I am."

Afterwards, I thought, 'that's it' - Juneau County is like being home!' It's comfortable. It's safe. It's deep-down beautiful. That's when I realized it doesn't take a writer to talk about what's meaningful to us all. I want this mural to be a true reflection of what we all feel. So let me know what you think makes the area special, please. E-mail me your thoughts at dldahl@mchsi.com

What's this all about?

I have received a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with matching funds by the city of Mauston to begin a project meant to support the Arts in Juneau County AND increase awareness of the things which make our area a great place - to live, to work and to play!

It starts by a call to all artists, writers and students to submit a piece that communicates what they feel is the best of our area. What inspires your imagination and creativity? Why do you live here? What makes it special?

I've discovered in my 16 years of living in the area that we tend to snicker a bit about our home. Perhaps that's part of its charm, we're unassuming people living in an unassuming place. No one knows we're here and that's what we like. But in these trying times we need to boost our spirits and our neighbors, it's time to let the world know we live amid unbelievable beauty surrounded by kind and caring people.

Next step is to create a traveling art show which will move around the county to visible places- businesses and public spaces. It will spread the word of our wonders. And who knows, maybe, just maybe, it will make one of us smile when we're down and think "it's not so bad, I'm luckier than I remember". And they'll smile at someone who'll smile at someone . . .

LET ME KNOW IF YOU KNOW OF A BUSINESS INTERESTED IN HOSTING THE ART SHOW!

Next step is to take several of the submissions and weave them into a mural to be painted on the outside of a building in the City of Mauston (it might be one large mural or several small ones). I will oversee the entire project with help from Hickory Hill Arts Members and other submitting artists.

LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE A DOWNTOWN MAUSTON BUSINESS WITH A WALL THAT MIGHT HOLD A MURAL

The final step is to hold an art opening with all the artists and writers attending. Their artwork, along with the final design, will be available as prints on t-shirts and coffee mugs and who knows what else. The hope is that retail establishments in the area will order in bulk for re-sale to the public to spread the word of our wonders even farther.

A few words of thanks . . . Juneau County Inventor's and Entrepreneur's Club has been my partner in this grant. Kris Yaeger, in particular, helped me to discover and write the grant.

Members of Hickory Hill Arts, a group of local artists who meet (and are gratefully provided a home by) Burr Oak Winery the last Tuesday of every month, are my constant inspiration and, hopefully, future partners in this endeavor.

ART and WRITING Submissions

So, here's what you need to know about submissions:

It can be an art piece or writing (or both) that communicates the best thing about living in the Juneau County area. By art piece I mean painting, sculpture, collage, photograph whatever means best communicates your feelings.

How many can you submit? As many as you like. If there are too many submissions for the art show (what a great problem) we may have to narrow it down to your best submission.

How do I submit? If you can submit it to me digitally via e-mail or CD that would be great. If you do not have the digital know-how, call me and we will arrange a date to take the photo or scan of your project. (I don't want to be responsible for storing your original artwork)!

What happens with the submission? In addition to becoming part of the art show, I will be posting submissions on this blog AND TO THE NEWSPAPER. If you have a photo of yourself I will include that also. so....

IT'S A GREAT WAY TO GET ADDED EXPOSURE FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR WORK. That is one of the major goals of this project . . . to build awareness of the arts and the artists of the Juneau County Area.

Help me make this a better place for artists by making a submission . . .

Deadline is March 15, 2010

As a Business in Juneau County what can I do to get involved?

1. You can host an art show at your business.

2. Or - you can donate money to host a show at the location of your choice.

3. If your building permits you can ask that a mural go on your building (This year's grant is funded by the City of Mauston, so you must be a Mauston Business)

4. You can get out the word. Encourage employees, friends and family to enter submissions and just plain TALK IT UP!

5. You can help spread the word by printing up flyers and distributing them. The link to the flyer will be posted shortly.

6. You can consider buying coffee mugs, prints and/or t-shirts with the submission of your choice on the front as gifts or for re-sale purposes. These will be available at the Grand Finale Art Show!

I Have an Idea!

This project is only as good as the excitement it creates. It's your project too. If you have an idea- let me know! And please pass on this blogspot and the Juneau County Art Spirit it's meant to inspire to all!!!!