“This world is but a canvas to our imagination.” - Henry David Thoreau
| Dear WRAP participants and friends, As you are aware, our community of artists, Wisconsinites, and the world are currently in a sea of uncharted waters. UW–Madison campus, along with the rest of the state, is closed until further notice due to COVID-19. WRAP is a UW outreach program run out of the Division of Continuing Studies. After conversing with WRAP regional coordinators, AWA (WRAA) board and university staff, we are sharing information as it becomes available. Thank you in advance for your flexibility and understanding as we navigate our way forward together. Your health and safety are our top concerns! Here is what is we know: |  Stay Connected, Angela Johnson |
- Our intention is to provide some type of online replacement for regional exhibitions not able to meet in person. We are exploring ways to create a standard process that is straight-forward and easy to replicate across regions. It may take a bit of trial and error.
- We do not know if/when this will happen but will share with our coordinators and email by regions effected when we do know.
- Please feel free contact me with questions at angela.johnson@wisc.edu.
- We do not know yet how this will impact our State Day conference in Wausau at the Center for Visual Arts in September. WRAP, AWA (WRAA) and CVA are working together and watching the situation closely and will be guided by science and best practices.
Stay positive and creative!
The Basics of Photographing Artwork for WRAP Shows
Has your local WRAP moved to an online format? Are you looking for tips to photograph your art? Check out this guide created by WRAP artist Jim Marsala. There are sections for beginning and advanced photographers.
Continuing Studies Art Gallery Application Extended
| Due Date Extended to May 1st! Are you a painter, photographer, or artist who works in a 2D medium? Would you like for your work to have a wider audience? Consider teaming up with UW–Madison Division of Continuing Studies! We exhibit original art from local artists on a two‑month, rotating basis on the 7th floor of 21 N. Park Street, and we regularly receive positive feedback from our many staff and visitors. Anyone who has a connection to UW–Madison Continuing Studies may apply: employees, instructors, students, and family or friends of employees. Apply or get more information here |  |
Permanent collection feature: Joan Arend Kickbush
Arend, Farm Auction
Joan Arend may now be known as Joan Arend Kickbush, the Alaskan artist, but she was once a Wisconsinite. Kickbush began her journey as a young artist in Wisconsin; born in Milwaukee, raised in Stevens Point, then moved around the state.
Her family of French and German ancestry consisted of her father, mother, two sisters, and two brothers. Kickbush’s father worked on a farm as a boy and wanted to get back to his roots along with his family. According to Joan, “The land was in his blood, and the family understood.” Her siblings often split up the chores, and Joan always chose the outdoor task which gave her the opportunity to explore the world around her.
She attended a high school in Almond for three years, but ultimately went to Washington High School in Milwaukee. Her previous high school simply did not offer enough art instruction. Post-graduation, Joan spent her time painting with oil and watercolor, inspired directly by nature. Wood, its grain, bark, and other surfaces of trees were her main focus.
In autumn, Kickbush enrolled in Milwaukee State Teachers College. She learned a great deal under Robert von Neumann. Von Neumann encouraged her to work within her style to improve and valued effort over perfection.
Come Summer 1945, Kickbush began painting people, especially children. This led to her creation of “Farm Auction,” which later won the Wisconsin Agriculturist and Farmer award in the Rural Art Exhibit in Madison.
Kickbush was also able to meet John Steuart Curry. Though ill at the time, he was still able to talk to her about her work. During a show at Roshold Fair, she came to an understanding of how others viewed art. Rather than focusing on the piece as a whole, many people would search for small points of interest in which they could identify themselves or others to connect themselves to the work.
She began a new experience in 1946 when she entered the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee for commercial art. A question remained: Which path should she pursue? Could her two art forms practice in harmony?
After some time, she realized that commercial art was not for her, and she worked as a kindergarten teacher while painting on the side. We are extremely grateful to have her wonderful piece, “Farm Auction,” in our permanent collection.
Her family of French and German ancestry consisted of her father, mother, two sisters, and two brothers. Kickbush’s father worked on a farm as a boy and wanted to get back to his roots along with his family. According to Joan, “The land was in his blood, and the family understood.” Her siblings often split up the chores, and Joan always chose the outdoor task which gave her the opportunity to explore the world around her.
She attended a high school in Almond for three years, but ultimately went to Washington High School in Milwaukee. Her previous high school simply did not offer enough art instruction. Post-graduation, Joan spent her time painting with oil and watercolor, inspired directly by nature. Wood, its grain, bark, and other surfaces of trees were her main focus.
In autumn, Kickbush enrolled in Milwaukee State Teachers College. She learned a great deal under Robert von Neumann. Von Neumann encouraged her to work within her style to improve and valued effort over perfection.
Come Summer 1945, Kickbush began painting people, especially children. This led to her creation of “Farm Auction,” which later won the Wisconsin Agriculturist and Farmer award in the Rural Art Exhibit in Madison.
Kickbush was also able to meet John Steuart Curry. Though ill at the time, he was still able to talk to her about her work. During a show at Roshold Fair, she came to an understanding of how others viewed art. Rather than focusing on the piece as a whole, many people would search for small points of interest in which they could identify themselves or others to connect themselves to the work.
She began a new experience in 1946 when she entered the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee for commercial art. A question remained: Which path should she pursue? Could her two art forms practice in harmony?
After some time, she realized that commercial art was not for her, and she worked as a kindergarten teacher while painting on the side. We are extremely grateful to have her wonderful piece, “Farm Auction,” in our permanent collection.
Wisconsin Regional Art Program: Unwrapping 80 Years
We are working hard to create an online exhibition of WRAP's rich history (that was meant to be at the Kohler Art Library this spring). We will share this on our website, blog, and social media when it is finished. Stay tuned!
New Creative Outlets to Try at Home
| Garden Indoor Gardening to Pass Time During Coronavirus “Quarantine” 10 Things You Can Do in Your Garden Now Despite Coronavirus |  |
 @thejealouscurator via instagram | Quarantine Art Challenges A long and entirely subjective list of creative challenges to get you through COVID-19 |
Contribute to Quarantine Quilt
Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts is asking you to create a block for their Quarantine Quilt!
Interested in becoming a regional coordinator?
| Regional Coordinator responsibilities:
WRAP Central provides a Coordinator Toolkit online, sends email updates, and checklists 12, 6, and 2 weeks in advance of your workshop, creates and sends posters and award cards, and does email outreach to libraries local to your WRAP. If you are interested in becoming a WRAP Regional Coordinator, please email wrap@dcs.wisc.edu or angela.johnson@wisc.edu. |  Joan Cason, The Gold Tree |
Upcoming WRAPs
Please visit our website for updated information about upcoming WRAPs around the state! Due to our current situation, many WRAPs are going online, postponed, or canceled. Thank you for your patience during this uncertain time. Stay well!
Becky Brockman-Schneider, Spring Chorus Pond
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