News

Director of Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) Art Center & Ceramic Artist Amanda Lifke’s artistic journey began at the age of 5, when she first started working with ceramics alongside her grandmothers. This early exposure to the medium sparked a lifelong passion for creating, a passion she continues to nurture at Gloria Pagel’s Country Castings Ceramics. Known for her vibrant and intricate pieces, Amanda’s work is an expression of her artistic versatility. Describing her creative process as ADHD-like, she often moves…

Greg Koeppel delivered an engaging presentation at our October AVA Membership meeting on canvas stretching, sharing his expertise on essential tools like raw duck canvas, miter saws, corner clamps, and more. His captivating demonstration showcased the art of bracing and achieving that perfect 3-inch perimeter. Thank you, Greg, for inspiring us all!

The Association of Wisconsin Artists (AWA) hosted the annual Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) State Conference on September 28 at the Pyle Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) proudly represented our community, garnering multiple awards and showcasing the exceptional talent of our local artists. This year, AVA received three prestigious awards, including: – Sponsor Award: Antigo Visual Arts – WRAP Coordinator Award: Vicki Eldridge   – Youth Service Award: Danna Gabriel   In addition to these honors, several local artists…

Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) welcomed guests to the opening reception of its annual Fall AVA Art Exhibit, titled “Autumn Blessings,” on Saturday evening from 5-7 PM at the Langlade County Historical Museum’s 2nd Floor (AVA Gallery). Exhibit judge Cindy Martin presented awards to the participating artists. “We were privileged to have Cindy Martin as our judge for this exhibit. Her critique of the artists’ work was both positive and informative. With many years of experience as an art educator in…

Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) is proud to announce a unique collaboration with the Antigo Fire Department (AFD) that brings distinctive art to the AFD apparatus bay. This project, spearheaded by AVA artist Vicki Eldridge, features custom-designed fire department patches that celebrate community spirit. In the summer of 2023, Chief Corey Smith approached AVA with a request to have fire department patches painted on the bay walls. Danna Gabriel of AVA shared, “Chief Smith’s request was an exciting opportunity for us.…

Last night’s Antigo Visual Arts members meeting was a fantastic experience!  We were thrilled to have Jeff Demlow as our presenter, who shared his expertise in paint pouring. Jeff demonstrated various techniques and the supplies needed to create stunning, unique paintings. It was an inspiring evening full of creativity and learning!

We are thrilled to introduce Ada Demlow as the new Director of the Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) Art Center. With a wealth of experience in library and arts administration, Ada is perfectly poised to lead our center into a vibrant new chapter. Why Ada is a Perfect Fit for AVA: Diverse Administrative Experience: Ada brings over two decades of administrative and leadership experience, notably her recent role as Library Director at Antigo Public Library. Her proven track record in managing…

Madison, known in the art world as Phoenix, has been passionate about painting since childhood. Born and raised in Antigo, Wisconsin, she actively participated in community clubs such as 4-H, FFA, and the Art Club. These early engagements nurtured her love for art and community involvement, laying the groundwork for her artistic journey. Her path has been marked by challenges, including living with bipolar disorder, which has sometimes led to impulsive decisions. Yet, these decisions have often opened new opportunities,…

🌟 **Event Recap: Jill McNutt’s Art Therapy Session** 🌟 Last evening, at our Antigo Visual Arts membership meeting held at the Antigo Public Library, we had the pleasure of welcoming Jill McNutt, an esteemed Art Therapist from the Madison area, to our center. Jill led an engaging and insightful session on the therapeutic practices of scribbles and neurographic art. 🎨 **Scribbles and Neurographic Art Practices** 🎨 Jill introduced us to these unique art therapy methods, explaining how they can be…

Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 5-7 PM, Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) hosted their “Summer Hummer” art exhibit inside the Langlade County Historical Museum. Antigo Community Theater (ACT) joined in the fun with a sketch comedy performance before the exhibit awards presentation. “ACT’’s summer-themed presentation was a unique and entertaining experience that appealed to all our visitors and members,” said Vicki Eldridge, AVA Gallery Director. “The performers showcased their creativity and talents by preparing the show in a short amount of…

In June 2024, the Antigo High School (AHS) Art Club, in collaboration with Antigo Visual Arts (AVA), proudly completed the Schroeder’s Gift mural on the north wall of the gift barn. This artistic endeavor was a testament to community collaboration and creativity. Olivia Kraucyk, advisor to the AHS Art Club and a board member of AVA, expressed her enthusiasm: “I hope anyone passing through Antigo, whether local or visitor, will feel a sense of joy and community when they see…

Despite the inclement weather and the cozy confines of the new space, Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) hosted a successful Grand Opening event for their new AVA Art Center on Saturday, June 22, from 11 AM to 3 PM. The event took place within AVA’s new space at 1350 Hogan Street inside the Aspen Villages Apartment Complex Community Building. Marie Benes, Treasurer of Antigo Visual Arts, praised the efforts of the volunteers and supporters: “Despite the poor weather conditions and limited…