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Miniatures, photos, chocolate

Arts center to host exhibits, events

By Angie Landsverk


Pictured is some of Selene Bloedorn-Saeed's hand-spun, hand-dyed yarn.  Submitted PhotoThe next exhibit at the Waupaca Community Arts Center will feature miniatures, photography and more.

Local artisan Selene Bloedorn-Saeed will exhibit her miniatures, as well as her handspun yarn, small woolen items and crocheted characters for children.

Kassie Haskins, a high school student, will exhibit her photography.

The exhibit will open on Thursday, April 21, with a Meet the Artists reception from 5-7 p.m. Both artists will be in attendance.

The exhibit will run through July 19.

“I’ve been doing miniatures since I was 10,” said Bloedorn-Saeed. “I got my first dollhouse. I just kind of played around with it.”

She took some time off from it when she was a college student in Oklahoma.

After Bloedorn-Saeed returned to Wisconsin, she worked at a shop in downtown Appleton for several years, which featured dollhouses and miniatures.

After the business closed, she participated in her first trade show.

Through trade shows, Bloedorn-Saeed became the subject of artisan profiles in a few magazines.

One of them asked her to do tutorials, which she did for a few years and is now in the process of returning to.

“I have a lot of creativity,” she said, “but my most intense creativity comes out when I do miniatures.”

Bloedorn-Saeed likes to “take something from the ground and build it up.”

Selene Bloedorn-Saeed made this pair of miniature hand-woven rugs. Their actual size is 4 x 6 inches. See her miniatures in an upcoming exhibit.  Submitted PhotoShe enjoys building cabinetry out of paper and cardboard and making things with items which are readily available.

That is what she did as a child.

“I learned how to make a lot of things from scratch,” Bloedorn-Saeed said. “That’s what I love to do.”

Haskins, who is a senior at Adams-Friendship High School, is excited about exhibiting her photography.

She connected with the arts center through her teacher, Jennifer Varsik, who once taught at Waupaca High School.

“I have always loved taking photos – since I was 5,” said Haskins. “It has always been fascinating to take something beautiful you see with your eye and capture it so it lasts forever.”

She likes scenic photos and taking pictures of animals.

“It is difficult to take photos of animals because they can move so quickly. I may take five shots and only one is any good. For example, when I was taking pictures of the cranes, I took over 20 and only four were good shots,” she said.

Taking multiple shots of a scene results in variety, Haskins said.

“My mom and I take car rides. That is where most of my photos come from,” she said. “I do some portrait shots for my family and did some maternity pictures for my aunt.”

When Haskins showed some of her photos to Varsik, the teacher suggested she submit them to the Waupaca Community Arts Center to see if they might be accepted to be shown.

“I am really excited and a little surprised that people think my photos are good enough to be displayed,” said Haskins.

Chocolate buffet
The arts center will also hold its annual Mother’s Day Chocolate Buffet this spring.

It will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 6; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 7; and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 8.

Tasting tickets are already for sale at the center at a price of $5 for six tickets. They may be purchased from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

People donate various chocolate treats for the fundraiser. The number of tickets required for each item varies.

Those interested in donating desserts for the event may call the center at 715-258-3741.

In addition, beginning April 30, Dianne Veeser will be making boxes at the center, where people may place their purchased chocolate items.
During the three days of the Mother’s Day Chocolate Buffet, people will also be able to make boxes.

The arts center is located at 200 N. Main St.

The fundraiser began more than five years ago.

“It’s been very popular and a nice Mother’s Day gift,” said Jane Haasch.

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