News

Antigo, WI — Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) proudly announces the completion and installation of a new public mural that now graces the south side of the Marathon Express Mart in Antigo, thanks to the continued partnership between AVA and the City of Antigo through its public art mural program. This initiative was made possible in part by funds set aside from the City’s facade grant program to support public art that enhances the beauty and character of our local downtown.…

ANTIGO, Wis. (May 18, 2025) — The Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) Gallery welcomed art lovers and community members to its Spring exhibit, Spring Symphony of Color, with a vibrant opening reception held on Saturday, May 17, at the Langlade County Historical Museum. The event launched an exhibit brimming with expressive and colorful works, and marked the beginning of a two-month display that will run through July 12, 2025. Guests were treated to a visual celebration of spring in full bloom,…

Our recent AWA WRAP Antigo Regional Workshop, held on May 10th, was a joyful celebration of creativity and community! Taking place on the second floor of the Langlade County Historical Museum, this hands-on event was led by artists Nancy Leder and Vicki Eldridge. As participants arrived to pick up their work from the Antigo Regional WRAP Exhibit, they were also invited to roll up their sleeves and dive into the art of rock painting. With a colorful array of supplies…

Antigo, WI — On the evening of April 17, the halls of Northcentral Technical College – Antigo Campus were alive with creativity and community as the Wisconsin Regional Art Program–Teen (WRAP-Teen) held its annual exhibit reception from 6 to 7 PM. Sponsored by the Association of Wisconsin Artists (AWA) and Antigo Visual Arts (AVA), the event celebrated the talents and accomplishments of teen artists from across the region. The Antigo Regional WRAP-Teen exhibit, held each spring in Antigo to coincide…

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…

The Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) Gallery, located on the 2nd floor of the Langlade County Historical Museum, proudly hosts the 2025 Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) Antigo Regional Art Exhibit from March 15 to May 10, 2025. The opening reception on March 15, 2025, from 5 to 7 pm, celebrated the creativity of rural Wisconsin artists, drawing a crowd of art lovers, community members, and local creatives to the gallery. The event also featured an award ceremony, hosted by Vicki…

Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) hosted a successful opening reception for their Winter Open Gallery Art Sale on January 18, 2025, at the Langlade County Historical Society (LCHS) Museum. Located on the second floor of the museum, the gallery featured a diverse collection of local art, creating a lively atmosphere for the event. The Winter Open Gallery Art Sale will be on display until March 8, 2025, and the gallery is open to visitors during the regular hours of the LCHS…

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.…