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.
