Eaux Claires is a huge two-day music and arts festival featuring terrific live performances, music, and crafts along the banks of the Chippewa River on 60 acres of farmland just outside the city of Eau Claire.
In year four of Eaux Claires, they’re reconfiguring the grounds, re-imagining the staging and devoting more attention to the one-of-a-kind experiences that make this festival unique. They’re enhancing the interplay between the artists to allow more performances per artist, many more collaborations throughout the duration of the festival and, well, more once in a lifetime moments. Expect to see unpredictable performances, hidden venues and surprise collaborations across a full two days of music and togetherness.
The festival, curated by Justin Vernon and Aaron Dessner, runs July 6-7, 2018. Tickets are on sale now, many are sold out already but you can check out the different tiers here.
For campers, Eaux Claires offers campground areas only minutes away via a free shuttle. Campgrounds will feature shower facilities, general stores, and spacious sites able to accommodate multiple tents. Camping passes are sold separately from all Admission Tickets and sell for $165, $300 for oversized vehicles.
If you prefer a hotel or other lodging, Eaux Claires is once again working with University of Wisconsin Eau Claire to make hundreds of its dorm rooms available for reservations at reasonable rates (about $84), also with free shuttle transportation.
Art on the Avenue – previously known as the Marshfield Mother’s Day Art Fair – has paired up with the Downtown Wine Walk and will take place Saturday, May 12th at the Holiday Inn on Central Avenue, Historic Highway 13, in the heart of “Hub City.”
So, with a new location in 2018, Art on the Avenue is offering a wide variety of fine arts and crafts by local, regional, and national artists. A visit to the nearby New Visions Art Gallery or Partners Art Gallery provide more art to browse, and the Stierle Bird Exhibit at Marshfield’s Public Library (211 E. Second Street) offers a unique display of 400 birds representing 140 species, plus a collection of approximately 2,000 bird eggs.
Marshfield has a lot more to see, including the beautiful Wildwood Zoo, the World’s Largest Round Barn on the grounds of the Central Wisconsin State Fair, the handsome Upham Mansion, Marshfield Clinic, the Blue Heron Brewery & Pub, a nice selection of downtown shops and art galleries, and original portions of the Yellowstone Trail.
U.S. 10 brings you to Marshfield – including via freeway from Stevens Point – as well as Highways 13, 80, and 97. Find out more at VisitMarshfield.com!
Art on the Avenue Address:
Holiday Inn & Conference Center
750 S. Central Avenue
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 384-3454 Website
Start:
May 12, 2018 10:00 am
End:
May 12, 2018 4:00 pm
Venue:
Holiday Inn & Conference Center
Phone:
715-384-3454
Address:
750 S. Central Avenue, Marshfield, WI, 54449, United States
Beloit’s ArtWalk has been hosted by the Downtown Beloit Association for the past 15 years. It’s a unique evening shopping experience in historic Downtown Beloit that transforms businesses into art galleries! This event draws hundreds of residents and visitors alike to support small businesses and shop for one-of-kind pieces of art.
Now in its 16th year, ArtWalk continues to grow, with more than 25 businesses and 30 artists participating. In addition to the vast array of exceptional items for sale, shoppers can enjoy live music, hors d’oeuvres, and free trolley rides.
The event will be held on Friday, May 11 from 5 to 9 pm in the heart of Downtown Beloit. Brochures will be available listing the participating businesses and the names of the artists or craftspeople selling their wares in each location.
“ArtWalk is an extremely popular event,” exclaims Shauna El-Amin, Executive Director of the Downtown Beloit Association. “Many of the venues offer special giveaways, food items, and entertainment in addition to showcasing the art of local artists. It gets bigger and better every year!”
And, be sure to stop into the Vision Beloit Center, 500 Public Avenue for a special free treats and one-of-a-kind pieces for sale.
Beloit is home to Beloit College – one of reasons for the vibrant downtown – as well as the Angel Museum, the “World’s Largest Can of Chili”, it’s where the modern speedometer was invented, and its resurgence is truly something to behold, especially downtown and along the Rock River. Check out the Ironworks if you can!
I-39/90 and I-43 meet on the northeast side of Beloit; Highway 81 brings you in from the east and west. U.S. 51, of course, is the main north-south drive through the heart of the city, and Highway 213 (long ago once part of Highway 13) brings you in from the northwest.
Beloit ArtWalk Address:
Downtown Beloit
State & Grand Avenues
Beloit, WI 53511
(608) 365-0150 Website
Start:
May 11, 2018 5:00 pm
End:
May 11, 2018 9:00 pm
Venue:
Downtown Beloit
Phone:
608-365-0150
Address:
328 State Street, Beloit, WI, 53511, United States
Folklore Village is a nationally recognized folk arts and culture center dedicated to enriching lives through time-honored traditions. Thousands of people of all ages come to Folklore Village to gather with friends, meet new people, to eat, dance, sing and play. Come study with a master fiddler… sing with a gospel choir… dance until midnight… learn to spin wool… feast on jambalaya… join a back porch jam session… plant prairie flowers… or picture yourself as a student in a real 1890 schoolhouse… or come and enjoy the annual Festival of Christmas & Midwinter Traditions during the final week of December!
International dance instructors Liv and Bill Vanaver will lead fun and engaging international dances for all skill levels to include Balkan, Green and more! American country/folk singer Val Mindel will also be on staff from Vermont leading singing and harmony workshops. Bob and Julie Young will also be leading American social dance workshops. Other folk artists and crafts include blacksmithing, fiber arts, theater games, Ostfriesland Tea, Sankta Lucia Celebration, a Christmas Festival Auction and international meals throughout the festival – heck, even yoga daily. There is a also a wonderful Children’s Program. You are welcomed no matter what your skill level! Full and Part time registration is available and required.
Folklore Village is six miles east of Dodgeville, just south of U.S. 18/151. Highway 23 is nearby to the west. Their website has full details on all the events and updates!
Address for the Festival of Christmas & Midwinter Traditions at Folklore Village:
3210 County Road BB
Dodgeville, WI 53533
(608) 924-4000 Website
Start:
December 28, 2017
End:
January 1, 2018
Venue:
Folklore Village
Phone:
608-924-4000
Address:
3210 County Road BB, Dodgeville, WI, 53533, United States
First Fridays in Cedarburg provides opportunity for families to come together to partake in an artistic experience, including unique educational elements for youth ranging from artist-led crafts to hands-on musical experiences. Guests are greeted with an opening band featuring local musicians at 6:00 pm. Dinner will be available for purchase from food trucks, as well as indoors from “After Party” Sponsor, The Stilthouse Restaurant. Other activities include a local handmade art show, kid’s crafts, dancing, cash bar and good times. At 7:00pm, the lights go down and the party turns up as the main act, Consult the Briefcase, takes the stage for two hours. The Center’s full cash bar and dance floor will multiply the fun. This exciting series is free of charge to members of the Cultural Center and children under 5. Non-member general admission is $5 at the door. Full details are on the Cedarburg Cultural Center website.
Historic downtown Cedarburg can be reached via Washington Avenue, which is Historic Highway 57. Today’s Highway 57, as well as Highways 60, 167, and 181, come close. I-43/Highway 32 is also a few miles to the east and you can access Cedarburg via County C (Exit 89).
Start:
November 3, 2017 4:00 pm
End:
November 3, 2017 11:00 pm
Venue:
Cedarburg Cultural Center
Phone:
262-375-3676
Address:
W62 N546 Washington Avenue, Cedarburg, WI, 53012, United States
The Lakewood Lakes Country Arts and Crafts Show in Oconto County – along Highway 32 – takes place on Saturday, August 5th, 2017.
This 39th annual show showcases 265 booths occupied by 200 vendors offering original work. The show opens at 9:00am and runs til 3:00pm with free admission and parking! You’ll find everything along N Road in town, just off 32 amidst the beauty of the North Woods.
Photo credit: Tom Padjen
While in the area, check out all the beauty of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, head north on Highway 32 to Carter and Wabeno (Larry the Logroller isn’t far away!) or all the recreational fun to be had in adjacent Townsend and down the road via 32 and Highway 64 to Mountain. Miles of ATV and recreational trails run across the area. The natural scenic beauty alone all around this part of Oconto County makes it one beautiful road trip!
Address of the Lakewood Arts & Crafts Festival:
Lakewood Town Hall
17258 N Road (just off Highway 32)
Lakewood, WI 54138
(715) 276-3956 Website
On this terrific tour of the Driftless Area of Wisconsin, you can meet 45 area artists and watch them at work during this self-guided driving tour through Baraboo, Spring Green, Dodgeville, Reedsburg and Mineral Point. Potters, weavers, glassblowers, woodworkers, painters, jewelers, quilters, photographers & sculptors. Meet the artists, experience our work spaces, watch as we create unique works of art. A wide variety of high-quality artwork is available for purchase in every price range. This is their 22nd Anniversary and it’s one of the most popular art events in the Midwest. Whether this is your first time on the fall art tour, or if you’ve visited their studios every year for the past two decades, you’ll enjoy this October weekend, art-filled drive tour.
Each studio and Gallery Headquarters (in Baraboo) has the full-color brochure, which include a map of the Tour. Pick one up at your first stop! When you get out on the road, watch for signs pointing you in the right direction, and the distinctive blue flags at each studio.
This is a great way to experience the beautiful fall colors in one of the most scenic areas of the Midwest. As you drive, Highways 33, 136, and 23 figure prominently on this tour, as do numerous county and side roads. You’ll be close to Taliesin, House on the Rock, American Players Theater, Governor Dodge State Park, Pendarvis, the Circus World Museum, Ochsner Park Zoo, and many more notable places as you go from studio to studio. Get the printable tour map in .PDF here and more details on the artists at FallArtTour.com. You can also call (608) 356-7805, visit their Facebook page, or e-mail them at info@fallarttour.com.
I-90/94 and Highway 33 brings you to the start in Baraboo (it’s only about seven miles from the Interstate) and the U.S. 18/151 expressway meet you in Dodgeville and Mineral Point, making it easy and fast access regardless of where in the region you’re coming from!
Start:
October 14, 2016 10:00 am
End:
October 16, 2016 6:00 pm
Venue:
Downtown Baraboo
Phone:
608-356-7805
Address:
Downtown Baraboo, Baraboo, WI, 53913, United States
The Annual Lorine Niedecker Wisconsin Poetry Festival in Fort Atkinson offers a weekend full of workshops, speakers, open mic poetry readings, round tables, landmark tours, and poetry café. The festival is in honor of local poet Lorine Niedecker (1903-1970), a twentieth-century, second-wave, Modern American poet often identified with the Objectivists. Living most of her life on the shores of the Rock River near Fort Atkinson, she is perhaps best known as a poet of place who wrote about the Blackhawk Island that she loved.
Social events, informal gatherings and workshops will begin Friday evening and continue through Saturday evening.
Get all the event details on the Lorine Niedecker website; the main Schedule of Events is below.
You can reach Fort Atkinson via U.S. 12 or Highways 26, 89, or 106 in the heart of Jefferson County. Get poetic and check it out!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS at the LORINE NIEDECKER WISCONSIN POETRY FESTIVAL Friday, October 14, 2016
8:00 – 6:00 Dwight Foster Library is open, Library
Lorine Niedecker Room opens for reading, writing and quiet reflection
9:30 – 4:30 Hoard Historical Museum is open, Museum
Exhibits include the Lorine Niedecker Room and Native American and regional history.
Gallery Exhibit Along the River
Festival info, maps, information for self-guided tours of LN sites including her cabin on
Blackhawk Island and gravesite will be available at the Museum and Library.
5:00 Café Carpe opens for dinner Café Carpe
6:30 Open mic – Moderator Nick Demske of BONK!
7:30 After Party at Café Carpe coordinated by Dot Kent, group poetry and word games
Saturday, October 15, 2016
8:00 – 12:00 Poetry at the Farmers Market with Paul Wiegel Farmer’s Market
Fox River Poetry Company
8:30 Poetry Cafe and Poetry Store Open Fort Atkinson Club
Registration, freebies, exchanges, free Wi-Fi, light refreshment, Poet’s book shop
9:00 Festival Welcome and Niedecker News – Ann Engelman
9:10 David Wilk; Putting the Poet in Her Place
10:00 Dot Kent; Henry James letter to a friend and Lorine Niedecker’s
“Sorrow Moves in Wide Waves”
11:00 Norma Cole with Ronnie Hess and Paul Smyth; LN: Beyond English, beyond home
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Wisconsin Poetry Festival Open Mic — Moderator Angie Trudell Vasquez
(Sign up in the Poetry Café)
2:30 “Round Tables” These small groups encourage discussion with poets
Group A:
John Walser (Lorine Niedecker Poetry Award winner, 2015)
Brenda Cárdenas (Milwaukee poet laureate 2010-2012)
Group B:
Kathryn Gahl (Wisconsin People and Ideas fiction winner, 2015 and 2011)
Pat Moran (Winner of the Grayson Book Poetry Prize, 2015)
4:00 Oscar Mireles; Diversity of Wisconsin Poetry: Poet Laureate building community,
collaboration and audience through Latino eyes
5:15 Photo at poetry wall- Closing meal at Paddy’s
Downtown Waukesha, along with being a crazy maze of streets, offers up a lot of fun places. That includes art galleries. For the Waukesha Art Crawl, over 175 artisans at 20 galleries and showplaces, live music, gift shops and more are featured at this seasonal event. Walk the downtown streets to discover your next artistic treasure, shop the boutiques, listen to live music or indulge in food and drink.
The Waukesha Art Crawl for 2016 takes place on the following Saturdays:
March 5th
May 7th
August 6th
October 1st
December 3rd
How do you get into Waukesha? I-94 and Highway 16 bring you to the north side; Highways 59 and 164 round the south and east sides. U.S. 18 cuts right through, take that or East or St. Paul Avenues.
Start:
August 6, 2016 4:00 pm
End:
August 6, 2016 10:00 pm
Venue:
Downtown Waukesha
Phone:
262-542-1522
Address:
337 W. Main Street, Waukesha, WI, 53186, United States
“First Fridays” will provide an opportunity for families to come together to partake in an artistic experience, including unique educational elements for youth ranging from artist-led crafts to hands-on musical experiences. Guests are greeted with an opening band featuring local musicians at 6:00 pm. Dinner will be available for purchase from food trucks, as well as indoors from “After Party” Sponsor, The Stilthouse Restaurant. Other activities include a local handmade art show, kid’s crafts, dancing, cash bar and good times. At 7:00pm, the lights go down and the party turns up as the main act, Comfort Shag, takes the stage for two hours. The Center’s full cash bar and dance floor will multiply the fun. This exciting series is free of charge to members of the Cultural Center and children under 5. Non-member general admission is $5 at the door. Full details can be found on the Cedarburg Cultural Center website.
Historic downtown Cedarburg can be reached via Washington Avenue, which is Historic Highway 57. Today’s Highway 57, as well as Highways 60, 167, and 181, come close. I-43/Highway 32 is also a few miles to the east and you can access Cedarburg via County C (Exit 89).
Start:
April 1, 2016 4:00 pm
End:
April 1, 2016 11:00 pm
Venue:
Cedarburg Cultural Center
Phone:
262-375-3676
Address:
W62 N546 Washington Avenue, Cedarburg, WI, 53012, United States
In conjunction with the Southport Quilters Guild Annual Members Quilt Show, the Guild will sponsor activities at the Kenosha Public Museum in downtown Kenosha’s HarborPark District.
The Kenosha Public Museum is a natural sciences and fine and decorative arts museum with over 80,000 collections, including 1,200 works in fine arts. Exhibit programming includes mammoths, world cultures, Native Americans, zoology, geology, fossils, and fine and decorative arts.
For National Quilting Day, here’s the schedule:
9am-Noon – Quilting Workshop with Kathy Tracy of Country Lane Quilts. Please contact the Museum at 262-653-4140 to find out if space is still available.
10am-5pm – “Scrappy Days are Here Again!” and “Pieces of Poetry” quilt challenge by Southport Quilters Guild members on display in DaimlerChrysler Hall
10:30am-1:30pm – Quilting demonstrations by members of the Guild and family activities
2pm – “A Little History of Quilting” presentation by Kathy Tracy . The presentation takes you through different periods in American history showing examples of quilts with different styles and techniques. It includes a PowerPoint presentation, a trunk show of quilts from her books, and time for questions. Free tickets will be available the day of the presentation beginning at 10am. Seating is limited – first come, first served.
The Kenosha Public Museum can be accessed by taking Highways 32, 50, or 158 into the city’s HarborPark District, which sits right along Lake Michigan on the east side of downtown. Make a day of it and check out everything else down there!
Start:
March 19, 2016 9:00 am
End:
March 19, 2016 5:00 pm
Venue:
Kenosha Public Museum
Phone:
262-653-4140
Address:
5500 First Avenue, Kenosha, WI, 53140, United States
To celebrate the coming “holidaze”, Eau Claire’s Holidaze Arts Festival – which has been around for 26 years – will feature over 100 quality fine art and crafts exhibitors each fairing hand made goods that make for good shopping for yourself or someone on your list. It takes place in downtown Eau Claire, where there’s plenty else to do, Friday afternoon November 20th into the evening and all day Saturday, November 21st.
Get the full lineup of artists and activities at their website, Holidazearts.com.
I-94, U.S. 12 & 53, and Highways 37 and 93 bring you to Eau Claire!
Start:
November 20, 2015 3:00 pm
End:
November 21, 2015 4:00 pm
Venue:
The Linsmore Hotel
Phone:
715-832-6942
Address:
333 Gibson Street, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, United States
The annual Holiday Art Fair in Madison is an excellent showcase of contemporary fine art and craft during the gift-giving season. This juried show includes over 85 artists exhibiting ceramics, fiber art, glass, jewelry, paintings, prints, photographs, and more. The festive event will also feature performances by local arts organizations throughout the weekend, holiday refreshments, Rediscovered Arts & Treasures Sale, silent auction, and the popular Gourmet Gallery filled with treats for every taste.
The Holiday Art Fair is held at the MMoCA, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. It’s right on State Street downtown, close to U.S. 151/Washington Avenue. Of course, I-39, 90, and 94, U.S. 12, 14, 18, 51, and Highways 30 and 113 all bring you into Madison!
Admission to the Holiday Art Fair is $6, with children under 12 admitted free. Their website has all the details and the full lineup!
Start:
November 20, 2015 2:30 pm
End:
November 22, 2015 3:00 pm
Venue:
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
Phone:
608-257-0158
Address:
227 State Street, Madison, WI, 53703, United States
Downtown Oshkosh comes alive the first Saturday of each month when art galleries and businesses open their doors to feature artwork of all varieties and genres. Hundreds of art lovers descend downtown to enjoy, mingling with quite a few college students to make it interesting!
Next Gallery Walk is November 7th; after that, December 5th. Officially, it runs 6-9pm but the fun doesn’t stop at 9.
Oshkosh hugs the western shore of Lake Winnebago and is directly reached by U.S. 45 and Highways 21, 44, and 76. Highway 91 gets you close (via 44) and several exits off I-41 bring you downtown, including 9th Street and Highway 44.
Start:
November 7, 2015 6:00 pm
End:
November 7, 2015 9:00 pm
Venue:
Downtown Oshkosh
Phone:
920-303-9200
Address:
445 N. Main Street, Oshkosh, WI, 54901, United States
“O-Town” fills with professional artists who set up in local shops downtown to exhibit their talents. The downtown shopping district stays open late to host the artists and in-store specials. Free horse and buggy rides are offered through downtown and you will catch a strolling barbershop quartet along with other fun activities.
Check their web page for more details and lineups.
Oconomowoc is right where Highways 16 and 67 meet, just north of I-94’s Exits 282 & 283. Nestled between Fowler Lake and Lac La Belle, it’s a beautiful town in western Waukesha County!
Start:
November 6, 2015 5:00 pm
End:
November 6, 2015 9:00 pm
Venue:
Downtown Oconomowoc
Phone:
262-567-5755
Address:
133 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Oconomowoc, WI, 53066, United States
Held at the Waukesha Expo Center, this show features over 70 antique dealers from across the country displaying for purchase American and English furniture, accessories, folk art, jewelry, oriental rugs, lighting, clocks and more!
Hours: Fri 5-9pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm.
Dates: Nov. 6-8, 2015; April 29-May 1, 2016; Nov. 4-6, 2016
You can get to the Waukesha Expo Center via I-94 and County T or J; Highways 16 and 164 bring you within a mile and U.S. 18 and Highway 59 are nearby in downtown Waukesha.
Start:
November 6, 2015 5:00 pm
End:
November 8, 2015 4:00 pm
Venue:
Waukesha County Fairgrounds
Phone:
262-896-8490
Address:
1000 Northview Road, Waukesha, WI, 53188, United States
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events › Art
July 6, 2018 – July 7, 2018
Eaux Claires
In year four of Eaux Claires, they’re reconfiguring the grounds, re-imagining the staging and devoting more attention to the one-of-a-kind experiences that make this festival unique. They’re enhancing the interplay between the artists to allow more performances per artist, many more collaborations throughout the duration of the festival and, well, more once in a lifetime moments. Expect to see unpredictable performances, hidden venues and surprise collaborations across a full two days of music and togetherness.
The festival, curated by Justin Vernon and Aaron Dessner, runs July 6-7, 2018. Tickets are on sale now, many are sold out already but you can check out the different tiers here.
For campers, Eaux Claires offers campground areas only minutes away via a free shuttle. Campgrounds will feature shower facilities, general stores, and spacious sites able to accommodate multiple tents. Camping passes are sold separately from all Admission Tickets and sell for $165, $300 for oversized vehicles.
If you prefer a hotel or other lodging, Eaux Claires is once again working with University of Wisconsin Eau Claire to make hundreds of its dorm rooms available for reservations at reasonable rates (about $84), also with free shuttle transportation.
The full lineup continues to evolve; get the latest here.
You can get to the event via I-94, U.S. 12 & 53, or Highways 37 and 93 (it’s closest to Highway 37 near U.S. 12 and I-94.)
Their Twitter is @EauxClaires.
May 12, 2018
Marshfield Art on the Avenue
Art on the Avenue – previously known as the Marshfield Mother’s Day Art Fair – has paired up with the Downtown Wine Walk and will take place Saturday, May 12th at the Holiday Inn on Central Avenue, Historic Highway 13, in the heart of “Hub City.”
So, with a new location in 2018, Art on the Avenue is offering a wide variety of fine arts and crafts by local, regional, and national artists. A visit to the nearby New Visions Art Gallery or Partners Art Gallery provide more art to browse, and the Stierle Bird Exhibit at Marshfield’s Public Library (211 E. Second Street) offers a unique display of 400 birds representing 140 species, plus a collection of approximately 2,000 bird eggs.
Marshfield has a lot more to see, including the beautiful Wildwood Zoo, the World’s Largest Round Barn on the grounds of the Central Wisconsin State Fair, the handsome Upham Mansion, Marshfield Clinic, the Blue Heron Brewery & Pub, a nice selection of downtown shops and art galleries, and original portions of the Yellowstone Trail.
U.S. 10 brings you to Marshfield – including via freeway from Stevens Point – as well as Highways 13, 80, and 97. Find out more at VisitMarshfield.com!
Art on the Avenue Address:
Holiday Inn & Conference Center
750 S. Central Avenue
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 384-3454
Website
May 11, 2018
Beloit ArtWalk
Beloit’s ArtWalk has been hosted by the Downtown Beloit Association for the past 15 years. It’s a unique evening shopping experience in historic Downtown Beloit that transforms businesses into art galleries! This event draws hundreds of residents and visitors alike to support small businesses and shop for one-of-kind pieces of art.
Now in its 16th year, ArtWalk continues to grow, with more than 25 businesses and 30 artists participating. In addition to the vast array of exceptional items for sale, shoppers can enjoy live music, hors d’oeuvres, and free trolley rides.
The event will be held on Friday, May 11 from 5 to 9 pm in the heart of Downtown Beloit. Brochures will be available listing the participating businesses and the names of the artists or craftspeople selling their wares in each location.
“ArtWalk is an extremely popular event,” exclaims Shauna El-Amin, Executive Director of the Downtown Beloit Association. “Many of the venues offer special giveaways, food items, and entertainment in addition to showcasing the art of local artists. It gets bigger and better every year!”
And, be sure to stop into the Vision Beloit Center, 500 Public Avenue for a special free treats and one-of-a-kind pieces for sale.
Beloit is home to Beloit College – one of reasons for the vibrant downtown – as well as the Angel Museum, the “World’s Largest Can of Chili”, it’s where the modern speedometer was invented, and its resurgence is truly something to behold, especially downtown and along the Rock River. Check out the Ironworks if you can!
I-39/90 and I-43 meet on the northeast side of Beloit; Highway 81 brings you in from the east and west. U.S. 51, of course, is the main north-south drive through the heart of the city, and Highway 213 (long ago once part of Highway 13) brings you in from the northwest.
Beloit ArtWalk Address:
Downtown Beloit
State & Grand Avenues
Beloit, WI 53511
(608) 365-0150
Website
December 28, 2017 – January 1, 2018
Festival of Christmas & Midwinter Traditions, Dodgeville
Folklore Village is a nationally recognized folk arts and culture center dedicated to enriching lives through time-honored traditions. Thousands of people of all ages come to Folklore Village to gather with friends, meet new people, to eat, dance, sing and play. Come study with a master fiddler… sing with a gospel choir… dance until midnight… learn to spin wool… feast on jambalaya… join a back porch jam session… plant prairie flowers… or picture yourself as a student in a real 1890 schoolhouse… or come and enjoy the annual Festival of Christmas & Midwinter Traditions during the final week of December!
International dance instructors Liv and Bill Vanaver will lead fun and engaging international dances for all skill levels to include Balkan, Green and more! American country/folk singer Val Mindel will also be on staff from Vermont leading singing and harmony workshops. Bob and Julie Young will also be leading American social dance workshops. Other folk artists and crafts include blacksmithing, fiber arts, theater games, Ostfriesland Tea, Sankta Lucia Celebration, a Christmas Festival Auction and international meals throughout the festival – heck, even yoga daily. There is a also a wonderful Children’s Program. You are welcomed no matter what your skill level! Full and Part time registration is available and required.
Folklore Village is six miles east of Dodgeville, just south of U.S. 18/151. Highway 23 is nearby to the west. Their website has full details on all the events and updates!
Address for the Festival of Christmas & Midwinter Traditions at Folklore Village:
3210 County Road BB
Dodgeville, WI 53533
(608) 924-4000
Website
November 3, 2017
First Fridays in Cedarburg
First Fridays in Cedarburg provides opportunity for families to come together to partake in an artistic experience, including unique educational elements for youth ranging from artist-led crafts to hands-on musical experiences. Guests are greeted with an opening band featuring local musicians at 6:00 pm. Dinner will be available for purchase from food trucks, as well as indoors from “After Party” Sponsor, The Stilthouse Restaurant. Other activities include a local handmade art show, kid’s crafts, dancing, cash bar and good times. At 7:00pm, the lights go down and the party turns up as the main act, Consult the Briefcase, takes the stage for two hours. The Center’s full cash bar and dance floor will multiply the fun. This exciting series is free of charge to members of the Cultural Center and children under 5. Non-member general admission is $5 at the door. Full details are on the Cedarburg Cultural Center website.
Historic downtown Cedarburg can be reached via Washington Avenue, which is Historic Highway 57. Today’s Highway 57, as well as Highways 60, 167, and 181, come close. I-43/Highway 32 is also a few miles to the east and you can access Cedarburg via County C (Exit 89).
August 5, 2017
Lakewood Lakes Country Arts & Crafts Show
The Lakewood Lakes Country Arts and Crafts Show in Oconto County – along Highway 32 – takes place on Saturday, August 5th, 2017.
This 39th annual show showcases 265 booths occupied by 200 vendors offering original work. The show opens at 9:00am and runs til 3:00pm with free admission and parking! You’ll find everything along N Road in town, just off 32 amidst the beauty of the North Woods.
While in the area, check out all the beauty of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, head north on Highway 32 to Carter and Wabeno (Larry the Logroller isn’t far away!) or all the recreational fun to be had in adjacent Townsend and down the road via 32 and Highway 64 to Mountain. Miles of ATV and recreational trails run across the area. The natural scenic beauty alone all around this part of Oconto County makes it one beautiful road trip!
Address of the Lakewood Arts & Crafts Festival:
Lakewood Town Hall
17258 N Road (just off Highway 32)
Lakewood, WI 54138
(715) 276-3956
Website
October 14, 2016 – October 16, 2016
Fall Art Tour, Baraboo to Mineral Point
Each studio and Gallery Headquarters (in Baraboo) has the full-color brochure, which include a map of the Tour. Pick one up at your first stop! When you get out on the road, watch for signs pointing you in the right direction, and the distinctive blue flags at each studio.
This is a great way to experience the beautiful fall colors in one of the most scenic areas of the Midwest. As you drive, Highways 33, 136, and 23 figure prominently on this tour, as do numerous county and side roads. You’ll be close to Taliesin, House on the Rock, American Players Theater, Governor Dodge State Park, Pendarvis, the Circus World Museum, Ochsner Park Zoo, and many more notable places as you go from studio to studio. Get the printable tour map in .PDF here and more details on the artists at FallArtTour.com. You can also call (608) 356-7805, visit their Facebook page, or e-mail them at info@fallarttour.com.
I-90/94 and Highway 33 brings you to the start in Baraboo (it’s only about seven miles from the Interstate) and the U.S. 18/151 expressway meet you in Dodgeville and Mineral Point, making it easy and fast access regardless of where in the region you’re coming from!
October 14, 2016 – October 15, 2016
Lorine Niedecker Wisconsin Poetry Festival
The Annual Lorine Niedecker Wisconsin Poetry Festival in Fort Atkinson offers a weekend full of workshops, speakers, open mic poetry readings, round tables, landmark tours, and poetry café. The festival is in honor of local poet Lorine Niedecker (1903-1970), a twentieth-century, second-wave, Modern American poet often identified with the Objectivists. Living most of her life on the shores of the Rock River near Fort Atkinson, she is perhaps best known as a poet of place who wrote about the Blackhawk Island that she loved.
Social events, informal gatherings and workshops will begin Friday evening and continue through Saturday evening.
Get all the event details on the Lorine Niedecker website; the main Schedule of Events is below.
You can reach Fort Atkinson via U.S. 12 or Highways 26, 89, or 106 in the heart of Jefferson County. Get poetic and check it out!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS at the LORINE NIEDECKER WISCONSIN POETRY FESTIVAL
Friday, October 14, 2016
8:00 – 6:00 Dwight Foster Library is open, Library
Lorine Niedecker Room opens for reading, writing and quiet reflection
9:30 – 4:30 Hoard Historical Museum is open, Museum
Exhibits include the Lorine Niedecker Room and Native American and regional history.
Gallery Exhibit Along the River
Festival info, maps, information for self-guided tours of LN sites including her cabin on
Blackhawk Island and gravesite will be available at the Museum and Library.
5:00 Café Carpe opens for dinner Café Carpe
6:30 Open mic – Moderator Nick Demske of BONK!
7:30 After Party at Café Carpe coordinated by Dot Kent, group poetry and word games
Saturday, October 15, 2016
8:00 – 12:00 Poetry at the Farmers Market with Paul Wiegel Farmer’s Market
Fox River Poetry Company
8:30 Poetry Cafe and Poetry Store Open Fort Atkinson Club
Registration, freebies, exchanges, free Wi-Fi, light refreshment, Poet’s book shop
9:00 Festival Welcome and Niedecker News – Ann Engelman
9:10 David Wilk; Putting the Poet in Her Place
10:00 Dot Kent; Henry James letter to a friend and Lorine Niedecker’s
“Sorrow Moves in Wide Waves”
11:00 Norma Cole with Ronnie Hess and Paul Smyth; LN: Beyond English, beyond home
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Wisconsin Poetry Festival Open Mic — Moderator Angie Trudell Vasquez
(Sign up in the Poetry Café)
2:30 “Round Tables” These small groups encourage discussion with poets
Group A:
John Walser (Lorine Niedecker Poetry Award winner, 2015)
Brenda Cárdenas (Milwaukee poet laureate 2010-2012)
Group B:
Kathryn Gahl (Wisconsin People and Ideas fiction winner, 2015 and 2011)
Pat Moran (Winner of the Grayson Book Poetry Prize, 2015)
4:00 Oscar Mireles; Diversity of Wisconsin Poetry: Poet Laureate building community,
collaboration and audience through Latino eyes
5:15 Photo at poetry wall- Closing meal at Paddy’s
August 6, 2016
Waukesha Art Crawl
Downtown Waukesha, along with being a crazy maze of streets, offers up a lot of fun places. That includes art galleries. For the Waukesha Art Crawl, over 175 artisans at 20 galleries and showplaces, live music, gift shops and more are featured at this seasonal event. Walk the downtown streets to discover your next artistic treasure, shop the boutiques, listen to live music or indulge in food and drink.
Check out WaukeshaArt.com for all the updates and details!
The Waukesha Art Crawl for 2016 takes place on the following Saturdays:
March 5th
May 7th
August 6th
October 1st
December 3rd
How do you get into Waukesha? I-94 and Highway 16 bring you to the north side; Highways 59 and 164 round the south and east sides. U.S. 18 cuts right through, take that or East or St. Paul Avenues.
April 1, 2016
“First Fridays” at the Cedarburg Cultural Center featuring Comfort Shag
“First Fridays” will provide an opportunity for families to come together to partake in an artistic experience, including unique educational elements for youth ranging from artist-led crafts to hands-on musical experiences. Guests are greeted with an opening band featuring local musicians at 6:00 pm. Dinner will be available for purchase from food trucks, as well as indoors from “After Party” Sponsor, The Stilthouse Restaurant. Other activities include a local handmade art show, kid’s crafts, dancing, cash bar and good times. At 7:00pm, the lights go down and the party turns up as the main act, Comfort Shag, takes the stage for two hours. The Center’s full cash bar and dance floor will multiply the fun. This exciting series is free of charge to members of the Cultural Center and children under 5. Non-member general admission is $5 at the door. Full details can be found on the Cedarburg Cultural Center website.
Historic downtown Cedarburg can be reached via Washington Avenue, which is Historic Highway 57. Today’s Highway 57, as well as Highways 60, 167, and 181, come close. I-43/Highway 32 is also a few miles to the east and you can access Cedarburg via County C (Exit 89).
March 19, 2016
National Quilt Day in Kenosha
In conjunction with the Southport Quilters Guild Annual Members Quilt Show, the Guild will sponsor activities at the Kenosha Public Museum in downtown Kenosha’s HarborPark District.
The Kenosha Public Museum is a natural sciences and fine and decorative arts museum with over 80,000 collections, including 1,200 works in fine arts. Exhibit programming includes mammoths, world cultures, Native Americans, zoology, geology, fossils, and fine and decorative arts.
For National Quilting Day, here’s the schedule:
9am-Noon – Quilting Workshop with Kathy Tracy of Country Lane Quilts. Please contact the Museum at 262-653-4140 to find out if space is still available.
10am-5pm – “Scrappy Days are Here Again!” and “Pieces of Poetry” quilt challenge by Southport Quilters Guild members on display in DaimlerChrysler Hall
10:30am-1:30pm – Quilting demonstrations by members of the Guild and family activities
2pm – “A Little History of Quilting” presentation by Kathy Tracy . The presentation takes you through different periods in American history showing examples of quilts with different styles and techniques. It includes a PowerPoint presentation, a trunk show of quilts from her books, and time for questions. Free tickets will be available the day of the presentation beginning at 10am. Seating is limited – first come, first served.
The Kenosha Public Museum can be accessed by taking Highways 32, 50, or 158 into the city’s HarborPark District, which sits right along Lake Michigan on the east side of downtown. Make a day of it and check out everything else down there!
November 20, 2015 – November 21, 2015
Holidaze Arts Festival
To celebrate the coming “holidaze”, Eau Claire’s Holidaze Arts Festival – which has been around for 26 years – will feature over 100 quality fine art and crafts exhibitors each fairing hand made goods that make for good shopping for yourself or someone on your list. It takes place in downtown Eau Claire, where there’s plenty else to do, Friday afternoon November 20th into the evening and all day Saturday, November 21st.
Get the full lineup of artists and activities at their website, Holidazearts.com.
I-94, U.S. 12 & 53, and Highways 37 and 93 bring you to Eau Claire!
November 20, 2015 – November 22, 2015
Holiday Art Fair, Madison
The annual Holiday Art Fair in Madison is an excellent showcase of contemporary fine art and craft during the gift-giving season. This juried show includes over 85 artists exhibiting ceramics, fiber art, glass, jewelry, paintings, prints, photographs, and more. The festive event will also feature performances by local arts organizations throughout the weekend, holiday refreshments, Rediscovered Arts & Treasures Sale, silent auction, and the popular Gourmet Gallery filled with treats for every taste.
The Holiday Art Fair is held at the MMoCA, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. It’s right on State Street downtown, close to U.S. 151/Washington Avenue. Of course, I-39, 90, and 94, U.S. 12, 14, 18, 51, and Highways 30 and 113 all bring you into Madison!
Admission to the Holiday Art Fair is $6, with children under 12 admitted free. Their website has all the details and the full lineup!
November 7, 2015
Oshkosh Gallery Walk
Downtown Oshkosh comes alive the first Saturday of each month when art galleries and businesses open their doors to feature artwork of all varieties and genres. Hundreds of art lovers descend downtown to enjoy, mingling with quite a few college students to make it interesting!
Next Gallery Walk is November 7th; after that, December 5th. Officially, it runs 6-9pm but the fun doesn’t stop at 9.
Oshkosh hugs the western shore of Lake Winnebago and is directly reached by U.S. 45 and Highways 21, 44, and 76. Highway 91 gets you close (via 44) and several exits off I-41 bring you downtown, including 9th Street and Highway 44.
November 6, 2015
Fall Gallery Night
“O-Town” fills with professional artists who set up in local shops downtown to exhibit their talents. The downtown shopping district stays open late to host the artists and in-store specials. Free horse and buggy rides are offered through downtown and you will catch a strolling barbershop quartet along with other fun activities.
Oconomowoc is right where Highways 16 and 67 meet, just north of I-94’s Exits 282 & 283. Nestled between Fowler Lake and Lac La Belle, it’s a beautiful town in western Waukesha County!
November 6, 2015 – November 8, 2015
Lake Country Arts & Antiques Show
Held at the Waukesha Expo Center, this show features over 70 antique dealers from across the country displaying for purchase American and English furniture, accessories, folk art, jewelry, oriental rugs, lighting, clocks and more!
Hours: Fri 5-9pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm.
Dates: Nov. 6-8, 2015; April 29-May 1, 2016; Nov. 4-6, 2016
You can get to the Waukesha Expo Center via I-94 and County T or J; Highways 16 and 164 bring you within a mile and U.S. 18 and Highway 59 are nearby in downtown Waukesha.