The Association of Wisconsin Artists (AWA) hosted its 2025 Wisconsin Regional Art Program State Conference Reception on September 27 at the Center for the Visual Arts.
This year’s state exhibit featured 95 works of art, including seven from Antigo Visual Arts artists:
“Superior” by Camille Converse-Smith
“Chuck” by Vicki Eldridge
“A Hard Day’s A-Comin” by Rosemary Bauknecht
“Checked Still Life” by Karen Now-Stimac
“Welcome” by Jean Adams
“1..2..3..4” by Hans Schmitt
“Harlequin Macaw” by Nancy Leder
Camille Converse-Smith’s painting, “Superior”, was recognized with the Francis M. Kipp Award for Creativity as part of an awards ceremony that distributed $7,000 in recognition of artistic and community contributions.
“We were delighted to host the State WRAP exhibit and conference, which provided a wonderful opportunity to see and share the creativity of our fellow Wisconsinites,” said Madison Hager, curator at the Center for Visual Arts. “The conference was, as always, a celebration of community, bringing 100 plus visitors to Wausau.”
The morning began with a warm welcome breakfast and an engaging keynote by Berel Lutsky, Professor of Art Emeritus at UW–Green Bay. Lutsky presented “Really Big Prints – Large Scale Printmaking,” highlighting the incredible biennial event in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, where massive relief prints are created using a steamroller. AWA President Jeanne Ferreira delivered an inspiring presentation titled “Wisconsin Women Artists” — a highlight of the day, widely praised by attendees.