Mid-Winter Art Show Feb. 10-11
Jolene Hedtke is the featured artist at Wolf River Art League’s Mid-Winter Art Show.
The 54th annual event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 10-11, at Crystal Falls Banquet Facility, 1500 Handschke Road.
Hedtke grew up in Bear Creek and graduated college with a nursing degree. She epitomizes the phrase, ‘you can be more than one thing,’ as she is also a mom, author, illustrator, event coordinator, businesswoman, painter, poet, singer and songwriter.
“If I don’t produce something creative,” said Hedtke, “my mind won’t let me focus until I get something out in a tangible form.”
Hedtke has two children, ages 14 and 6.
“They both love to read or be read to,” says Hedtke. “They are my inspiration. We have been making up stories and creating new adventures for years.”
Hedtke will feature her two Porcupine and Frog children’s books at the show, and many of the ideas in the books are those that she and her children formulated.
“I feel it is so important to learn story-making skills at a young age, and the easiest way I have found is through humor and imagination. My books capture these through creativity and thinking outside the box,” Hedtke said.
Hedtke hopes the books will help others to inspire youngsters, whether they are teachers or caretakers.
When asked about her favorite artist, she replied that her children are her favorites.
“I love to see how they bring their own ideas to life,” she said.
Hedtke will be available throughout the two-day show that features professional, non-professional and student art from throughout the New London area. Ribbons and cash prizes will be awarded.
The purpose of the show is to raise monies for two art scholarships for graduating seniors and several day camp experiences for students in the intermediate school levels.
Sculpture Trail
New to the show last year, Casey Early-Krueger returns to create ice sculptures. Brady Looker and Patrick Pelkey will present their blown glass and wood carving techniques. Jason Hornung will be painting and enjoys discussing his technique and art tools.
A new project for the art league is a sculpture trail to be situated at Riverside Park, between The Waters and Johnny’s Bait Shop. There is a unique way to donate at the show that allows people to be part of the first sculpture for the park. The New London Parks and Recreation Department requested a theme titled “Life on the River” so that the sculptures will reflect the pride residents have in their local surroundings.
Crystal Falls is handicapped accessible, admission is free, and any donations are used for art scholarship recipients.
For more information on Wolf River Art League, visit their new website at wolfriverart.org or find them on Facebook.