Arts & Entertainment
Local Artist Recounts Her 'get bEHIND the aRTS' Experience
Sherri said the day was a success for both the artists and those visiting the studios.
The "get bEHIND the aRTS" tour on Sat., April 2 was touted as the beginning of the art's season for Racine and Kenosha. If the season lives to this first-of-its-kind art event, we're in for an exhilarating ride.
Starting at just before noon, more than 70 artists in the two communities opened their studios and shared their creative juices with strangers by performing, explaining and/or demonstrating their particular art form.
This reporter opened her studio and her home in the Mitchell Wagon Factory Lofts in downtown Racine. It was quite daunting. I live and work in the same space so, when strangers are invited into my home, they are exposed to my tastes in everything from furniture to mates (my husband happily greeted visitors while looking up from his video games).
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Then, I really brought them into a private world, one I have created with my paper, pencils and imagination. For most artists, myself included, my work space is a private area not unlike Thoreau's pond, where I go to study not only myself, but my ability to put my mind's images on paper for others.
There is a constant fear that others will not understand nor appreciate my work. I am happy to say I survived. The Artists of Mitchell Wagon Factory Lofts had five artists open their work areas to the public; Daniel Yaris, a professional photographer; Selwyn Ayers, an acrylic painter; Rachel Benson, pastels; Shelley Behling, pottery; and Sherri Myers Wray, drafting (pencil). The building was also filled with the music from artists RymeC' and Leirikal from Afterlife Records who performed songs from their CD's.
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Reports from other locations were also positive and there is a hope this will become an annual event. Art Matters, the organization behind this effort, was formed in response to the Wisconsin Arts Board convening work in our community, and it is a collective of Racine and Kenosha artists and supporters of the arts.
I don't know how many visitors artists welcomed, but the consensus seems to be we had a wonderful time.