AWA is the Association of Wisconsin Artists, a non-profit organization, started in 1954 with just 36 members. AWA’s mission then and now is to support the Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) through the UW-Madison, Division of Continuing Studies. Today with around 500 members, AWA members continue to participate in and promote WRAP exhibitions and the annual WRAP State Exhibition and Conference. AWA publications include Contour Notes, WRAP State Exhibition color catalog, AWA’s Timely Treasures calendar, brochures and www.wiscartists.org. In addition, AWA also kicks off the WRAP State Exhibition and Conference weekend by hosting ‘Evening with the Arts’ artists’ reception which showcases WRAP State Award art, AWA sponsored Statewide Teen Art Mentor Program (STAMP) and AWA Tiny Treasures exhibition, competition and sale. AWA also solicits and distributes over $4500 in awards given out at the annual award ceremony which follows the annual WRAP State Exhibition and Conference.

WRAP is the Wisconsin Regional Art Program. WRAP exhibitions/workshops began in 1940 to encourage the creative growth of Wisconsin non-professional artists from rural areas. WRAP is developed and administered by the UW-Madison, Division of Continuing Studies and has since expanded to include urban areas. WRAP exhibition/workshops are held throughout the year in over twenty locations all around the state. Regional exhibitions include a workshop day for participating artists and the public in which a guest artist gives a lecture or demonstration followed by an educational critique of the exhibited artwork lead by the exhibition judge. Participants may exhibit up to three pieces of art in any WRAP exhibition/workshop. State Award works are eligible to exhibit at the Annual State Art Exhibition and Conference held in September each year.  For more information about the Wisconsin Regional Art Program visit https://continuingstudies.wisc.edu/wisconsin-regional-art-program/