News

ANTIGO, Wis. — August 10, 2026 — A colorful new butterfly sign now welcomes visitors to the Wild Ones butterfly garden along Springbrook Trail on 2nd Avenue, on the property of Johnson Electric Coil Company, Inc. in Antigo. The new sign is the result of a creative collaboration between the Wild Ones Northwoods Gateway Chapter and Antigo Visual Arts (AVA), combining a shared appreciation for native plants, pollinators, art, and environmental stewardship. The previous sign at the butterfly garden had…

ANTIGO, WI — Antigo Visual Arts celebrated the remarkable artistic journey of longtime member Joanne March with the opening reception for her special solo exhibition on Thursday, August 6, at the AVA Art Gallery on the second floor of the Langlade County Historical Museum. The evening was filled with family, friends, fellow artists and visitors who came together to celebrate Joanne and her many years as a valued member of the Antigo arts community. More than 70 guests signed in…

View the full newsletter for August 2026. Click on “Read More” to get the link.

We’ve all heard of someone beyond middle age being described as “X-number of years young.” Anyone who knows Joanne March will agree that she is an example of someone who is truly “94 years young.” With that in mind, Antigo Visual Arts is pleased and privileged to announce that Joanne March is our Artist of the Month for August. Joanne, originally from Chicago, met her husband Pete, who was from England, while they were in college in Stevens Point. According…

The Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) Art Center is celebrating the young artists recognized in the first WRAP-Kids program held in northern Wisconsin. The exhibit, featuring artwork by children ages 5–12, remains on display at the Antigo Public Library through July 24. Coordinated by AVA Art Center Manager Kim Schoenrock, the WRAP-Kids event introduced young artists to the full creative process of making, exhibiting, and sharing their artwork with the community. The program is part of the Wisconsin Regional Art Program…

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…

Kim Schoenrock is the Antigo Visual Arts Artist of the Month for July. Kim grew up in New London and became interested in art as a child, and that interest continues to grow. She received a BS in art education from UW-Stout, continued her studies at UW-Stevens Point, and as a life-long-learner, keeps working in various mediums including pottery, tatting, painting, sketching, sculpting, and pretty much anything else related to the visual arts. Kim recently retired from the Elcho School…

View the full newsletter for July 2026. Click on “Read More” to get the link.

Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) welcomed artists, art enthusiasts, and community members to its Spring Symphony of Color Exhibit Reception on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the AVA Gallery, located on the second floor of the Langlade County Historical Society Museum. The reception featured an awards presentation judged by Olivia Kraucyk, who attended the event to discuss the selected award winning works and recognize participating artists. A special sponsored award from Dairy Queen was presented by…

Cartoonist and illustrator Brian Ponshock is the Antigo Visual Arts Artist of the month for June. Growing up, Brian was, and still is, a big fan of the Peanuts comic strip, which inspired him to start creating his own cartoons. Today he illustrates Yaffle, a cartoon panel that he co-produces with Jeffrey Caulfield and can be seen on GoComics.com. A few years ago he was commissioned to paint the Veterans Mural you can see on the east side of the…

View the full newsletter for June 2026. Click on “Read More” to get the link.

On May 21, 2026, the City of Antigo Street Department installed newly painted art banners on the light poles along the north side of the 900 block of 5th Avenue in downtown Antigo. Photos of the installation are included with this release. The banners feature original artwork created by Mary Hayes and Kim Schoenrock of Antigo Visual Arts (AVA). An additional banner by Pat Packard is currently in progress and will be installed at a later date. This project was…