Home » News » Waupaca News » Week of music, art, teamwork

Week of music, art, teamwork

‘Wautopia’ goes up Aug. 11

By Angie Landsverk


This year’s ARTicipation Week will include numerous arts-related activities, and many of them will take place inside of this year’s community art project.

“What’s different this year is a lot of the ARTicipation Week activities will take place in Wautopia,” said Marci Reynolds, president of the Waupaca Community Arts Board (WCAB).

WCAB organizes Arts on the Square (AOTS).

The 12th annual arts festival is Friday and Saturday, Aug. 17-18, in downtown Waupaca.

See the full schedule in the Aug. 16 issue of the Waupaca County Post.

“ARTicipation Week” includes a week of events leading up to AOTS.

Activities begin Saturday, Aug. 11 and run until Friday, Aug. 17.

Wautopia and more
“Wautopia” is the name of this year’s community art project.

The approximately 30-feet high temporary structure is being assembled on Session Street.

“People can watch it being put together on Saturday, Aug. 11,” Reynolds said.

This begins around 8 a.m.

Teams built the 18 pods that make up Wautopia.

“We have all these groups involved that made Wautopia and then all these people involved in making decorations. Once it is built, there will be an open house,” Reynolds said.

The open house is 3-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12.

The ToTo Foundation and the Humane Society of Waupaca County are the co-hosts.

People may bring their pets to Wautopia, where there will be a photo booth, pet art, bubbles, snacks and activities, Reynolds said.

This serves as the kickoff for a week of activities in Wautopia.

“The senior center is doing many of their programs there all week,” she said. “Basically, the senior center is moving to Wautopia for the week.”

Seniors will play Bridge there, and also do yoga, cardio drumming and Tai Chi in Wautopia as well.
All are welcome to join them.

The Waupaca Area Historical Society will hold a program there.

There will be a writing marathon on Monday, Aug. 13.

It begins at 2 p.m., at Wautopia and ends at 5:30 p.m.

Writers of all skill levels are welcome.

Shannon Holmes Anderson and Terrell Bonnell are the hosts.

Each participant receives a notebook, brochure with a map of the marathon writing locations and place and time to regroup and celebrate the writing day.

“As much as possible, it’s (the activities) going to be inside Wautopia, so people are going to be doing these activities inside of an art project,” Reynolds said.

There will be music at various venues throughout the week.

“There are more activities that week because of Wautopia,” Reynolds said. “We wanted to keep playing on that theme of everyone working together, building relationships, collaboration. Pull together. Do it together. That’s really the essence of Arts on the Square.”

Businesses will be chalking sidewalks, and youth will do so as well on Thursday, Aug. 16.

“There will probably be pop up events during ARTicipation Week that are not on the schedule,” Reynolds said. “Watch the Facebook page.”

Kevin Knopp will talk about the art featured in this year’s Phantom Art Gallery on Thursday, Aug. 16.
Submitted Photo

Phantom art
The Phantom Art Gallery (PAG) will also return.

Located at 215 N. Main St., its “Meet the Artists” event will be 5-6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12.

Exhibiting artists and PAG committee members will be present, with music by the Band Orphans.

Refreshments will be served.

PAG is open noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Aug. 13-16.

People may view and purchase art from local and regional artists.

The gallery will exhibit artwork of Donna Eddy, Jan Mahoney, Cheryl Mocaldo, Phyllis Shidell, Brenda Wenberg, Zack Bartel, Stacia Johnson, Allyce Lees, Ken Voight, Dort DeWild, Rachel Akey, Mary Gordon, Susan Klabak, Susan Martin, Ria D Salvo, Michelle Anderias, Kevin Knopp, Mary Kay Wellhouse, Doris Weed and Sharon Radley.

On Thursday, Aug. 16, beginning at 5:30 p.m., people may enjoy the music of African cultures while viewing artwork.

See original African drums and talk with Ken Horn about them.

At 7:30 p.m., join a “Chat about Art” by Kevin Knopp.

It will be about the art in the exhibit.

On Friday, Aug. 17, PAG is open from noon to 9 p.m.

Wine will be available for purchase during AOTS’s annual street dance.

On Saturday, Aug. 18, the gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wine will be available for purchase throughout the day.

Those visiting PAG also have the chance to see the Crankie built for last year’s AOTS, and the original poetry written for it by area residents.

The gallery will close after AOTS ends.

Hip Pocket will play for this year’s street dance on Friday, Aug. 17.
Submitted Photo

Street dance
Arts on the Square’s annual street dance will take place from 7-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, featuring Hip Pocket.

“It’s a large band. It plays fantastic covers and has a horn section and background singers,” Reynolds said. “It’s from the Wausau area. The lead guy is also in Mo Jo & Flipside. It’s a really great band. It’s a good dance band.”

The dance will take place under the main tent, set up on North Main Street.

Food and refreshments will be available.

“Wautopia will be all lit up,” Reynolds said.

There will be a fire show during the band’s intermission, at the intersection of Session and Main streets.

Scroll to Top