News

ANTIGO, Wis. — Downtown Antigo is getting a little more colorful thanks to a collaboration between Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) and the City of Antigo Street Department. Three more banners are now displayed on City of Antigo street poles along the 700 block of 5th Avenue, adding original artwork and a personal touch to the downtown landscape. The large banners, measuring approximately 60 x 30 inches, were painted by three AVA artists who volunteered their time, talent and paint to…

ANTIGO, WI — Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) recently wrapped up its 2nd Annual Antigo Visual Arts Scavenger Hunt, a community event created in collaboration with downtown Antigo businesses to bring art, creativity and exploration together throughout the downtown district. The 2026 Scavenger Hunt featured 36 participating downtown businesses and 32 local artists, making this year’s event even larger than its inaugural year. Each participating artist created an original piece of artwork based on a theme selected by one of AVA’s…

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

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…