Northcentral Technical College–Antigo Campus is currently hosting an inspiring teen art exhibit in Room T124B, showcasing the creative talents of 36 young artists, ages 13 to 19, from seven different schools across the region. The exhibit, titled Antigo Regional WRAP-Teen, is part of the Wisconsin Regional Art Program–Teen (WRAP-Teen) and will culminate in a public reception on Thursday, April 17, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Sponsored by the Association of Wisconsin Artists (AWA) and Antigo Visual Arts (AVA), with space generously provided by NTC-Antigo, this exhibit offers a unique opportunity for young artists to display their work, be judged by a professional, and potentially earn state awards. The art will remain on display until the night of the reception, when student artists will gather to collect their work, celebrate their achievements, and discover whether their pieces were selected for the state exhibit.
This year’s exhibit judge, Alicia Schroeder-Haag, 4-H Program Educator for Outagamie County, visited the exhibit on Thursday, April 10 to evaluate the artwork and selected 10 pieces for state recognition. These state-awarded works will move on to be displayed at the AWA WRAP State Conference this summer. Notably, the state conference will be held closer to home this fall at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau.
“I was very pleased with the variety of art that was created and shared,” said Schroeder-Haag. “Participating in this show and others like it gives young artists a chance to express themselves, build confidence, and see the value of their own voices—it’s an experience that allows them to explore their sparks.”
A total of 36 teen artists from seven area communities participated in the Antigo Regional WRAP-Teen exhibit. Communities represented include:
- Antigo
- Crandon
- Elcho
- Rhinelander
- Three Lakes
- Wabeno
- White Lake
The WRAP-Teen program is designed to provide artists ages 13–19 an opportunity to participate in both regional and state-level exhibits. Its mission is to encourage young people to create, celebrate their artistic talents, and inspire them to pursue art as a lifelong passion.
The April 17 reception will feature guest speakers, including Tom from Tom’s Drawing Board in Rhinelander, who will speak about the healing power of art in the lives of youth, drawing from his experience working with at-risk teens.
Also speaking will be Langlade County Circuit Court Judge, John Rhode, who will share his insights on the role of the arts in youth development and community engagement.
Exhibit judge Alicia Schroeder-Haag will also be present at the reception, where she will announce the state-awarded pieces and engage with the students to discuss their artwork. She noted the value of these events in helping youth find and nurture their creative voices.
“Opportunities like this are more than just a showcase,” Schroeder-Haag said. “They are a launching point for young people to see the real-world impact of their creativity.”
This event has been made possible thanks to the collaboration and support of several organizations and individuals. Art is displayed using panels provided by the Antigo School District, with installation help from Vicki Eldridge (AVA Gallery Director), Olivia Kraucyk (AVA Board Member and Antigo High School Art Teacher), and Danna Gabriel (WRAP-Teen Exhibit Coordinator).