The Antigo Visual Arts’ Kim Schoenrock welcomed young artists ages 5–12 on Saturday, July 11, for northern Wisconsin’s first WRAP-Kids event, introducing a statewide youth arts program that has previously been offered only in southern Wisconsin.
Coordinated by AVA Art Center Manager Kim, the event quickly evolved into a true mixed-media experience. In addition to designing and painting, Schoenrock introduced a ChompSaw, allowing participants to safely cut cardboard and construct three-dimensional artwork. As the children’s creativity flourished, many explored the art center’s wide variety of materials, creating everything from low-relief designs to sculptural, multimedia pieces.
Following the tradition of the Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP), the artwork will be exhibited regionally and judged at the Antigo Public Library from July 13–24. A public reception will be held on Friday, July 17, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., where families and community members are invited to celebrate the young artists’ accomplishments.
“The ChompSaw emboldened kids to push their creative ideas, resulting in artwork that became far more elaborate and imaginative,” said Schoenrock. “I’m looking forward to meeting with families during the July 17 reception at the Antigo Public Library to talk with parents and guardians about their children’s creative process and the inspiration behind their artwork.”
Selected artwork from the Antigo exhibit will also represent northern Wisconsin at the Association of Wisconsin Artists’ WRAP State Exhibit, held August 10 through September 26, 2026, at the UW Pyle Center in Madison.
WRAP-Kids is sponsored by the Association of Wisconsin Artists and encourages children to experience the complete artistic process through creating artwork, exhibiting their work, and participating in a public reception. By bringing the program to Antigo, Schoenrock and the AVA Art Center have created a new opportunity for young artists across northern Wisconsin to share their creativity on both the local and statewide stage.
The WRAP-Kids program also serves as a natural introduction to WRAP-Teen, the Association of Wisconsin Artists’ program for artists ages 13-19. AVA proudly hosts the annual northern Wisconsin WRAP-Teen Regional Exhibit at the Northcentral Technical College–Antigo Campus, where young artists compete for the opportunity to advance to the statewide exhibition, receive recognition for their work, and earn cash awards. Together, WRAP-Kids and WRAP-Teen reflect AVA’s commitment to fostering creativity from childhood through the teenage years, encouraging lifelong participation in the visual arts while building connections between emerging young artists and Wisconsin’s established artistic community.
