ASSOCIATION of Wisconsin Artists 

Antigo, WI — The WRAP-Teen Reception held on April 23, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Northcentral Technical College–Antigo Campus brought together students, families, educators, and community members to celebrate the creativity and talent of regional teen artists.

The evening featured a presentation beginning at 6:30 PM, highlighting the Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) and its teen initiative. Danna Gabriel, regional coordinator for the Antigo exhibit, opened the program with an overview of WRAP and WRAP-Teen. The event was a collaborative effort between the Association of Wisconsin Artists and Antigo Visual Arts.

John Rhode, Langlade County Circuit Court Judge, followed with remarks emphasizing the role of art in supporting mental health. Drawing from his professional experience, he spoke about how creative expression can provide meaningful alternatives for individuals facing life challenges.

Madison Hager, Curator of the Center for the Visual Arts (CVA), then addressed students about the wide range of career opportunities in the arts. She encouraged participants to think beyond traditional studio roles and shared insights from her own career journey, along with an extensive list of art-related professions.

Exhibit juror Kim Schoenrock concluded the presentations, offering thoughtful feedback on the exhibit and encouraging young artists to pursue originality as a foundation for success in gallery settings. She also spoke about the critical role of parents, mentors, and teachers in fostering open, creative thinking. Schoenrock dedicated significant time to carefully reviewing each work of art, ensuring that all categories on the juror sheets were thoroughly considered.

This year’s exhibit featured 62 works of art from throughout the state of Wisconsin. Of these, 15 pieces received State Awards and 16 were recognized with Honorable Mentions. Reception attendees also participated in selecting the Viewer’s Choice Award, which was tallied by Antigo Visual Arts Gallery Director Vicki Eldridge. The Viewer’s Choice Award, sponsored by Antigo Visual Arts, was presented to John McCarthy for his piece “Everyone’s A STAR!”

Local business Sawmill Surplus supported the event by sponsoring four student awards. Julie Volkmann, representing the business, shared, “The youth who have participated in this art show are incredibly talented! The entries are all amazing. I would love to see how each of these young artists continues to grow. Every one of them is a winner in my eyes!”

Kari Lazers, Director of Regional Campuses for Northcentral Technical College, added, “Northcentral Technical College - Antigo Campus is proud to partner with this event that showcases the remarkable talent of our area teens. Providing a space for the public to experience and appreciate their creativity is something we value deeply.”

The event also featured hors d’oeuvres donated by Antigo Visual Arts members and bottled water provided by Northcentral Technical College. Photography for the evening was generously provided by Benjamin Baumgartner.

Antigo Visual Arts extends its sincere thanks to all presenters, juror Kim Schoenrock, dedicated volunteers, Northcentral Technical College for hosting the event, the Antigo School District for the use of exhibit panels, and the Association of Wisconsin Artists for their continued support through WRAP initiatives.

State Award-winning artwork from this exhibit will be eligible for display at the Association of Wisconsin Artists WRAP State Conference at the Pyle Center from August through September 2026.

Antigo WRAP-Teen 2026 State Award Winners

• Kemeny Bosin — Sunset

• Oliver Doppke — Untitled 2

• Astro Gaedtke — Tech vs. Nature

• Kasper Glebke — Remember Where You Came From

• Rachel Janke — Starking Contrast

• Ember Jesperson — Power

• Isabelle Johnson — Looking into Molly’s Past

• Kaylin Julson — Sign of Spring

• Marissa Mastenbrook — Her Garden

• John McCarthy — Sinking

• Jada Pyawasay — In Beauty I Walk

• Adele Sattler — Coastal Sunset

• Trinity Sonnenberg — Bird Brain

• Crystal Springstroh — Between Silence and Sirens

• Lillian Wegner — Under the Sea

Honorable Mentions

• Daimon Fehr — Cotton Candy Sky

• Brady Ferrington — Starry Night Lantern

• Michael Hagerty — Untitled

• Alivia Harris — Orange Slice

• Erica Jahnke — Spring Delivery

• Alex Kosbab — 20’s Lady

• Kash Krouze — Self Portrait

• Kyra Kurth — In the Jungle

• Isaac Leist — Cybernetic Destiny

• Greyson McClain — Spider

• Cecilia Mudrak — High School Nightmare

• Kandis Roberts — Cherries

• Jedidiah Sarratt — Pseudodragon

• Trevor Stefonek — Coming

• Echo Stone — Sawyer Lake at Sunset

• Lilly Taylor — My First Taxidermy

Special Recognition Awards

• John McCarthy — Everyone’s A STAR! (Viewer’s Choice Award)

• Marissa Mastenbrook — Her Garden (Sawmill Surplus Award)

• Daimon Fehr — Cold Winters Evening (Sawmill Surplus Award)

• Echo Stone — Sawyer Lake at Sunset (Sawmill Surplus Award)

• Greyson McClain — Spider (Sawmill Surplus Award)

For more information about WRAP and future exhibits, visit the AWA website.

Photos by Benjamin Baumgartner.

 https://antigovisualarts.org/wrap-teen-reception-celebrates-emerging-young-artists-in-antigo/

Google Drive Link with PR and photos (please note description of photos in file information/details): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rmC0UztJAYBKlI-aqUbU4ELHgjx8UT-3?usp=sharing 

Antigo, WI — Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) recently welcomed the community to an opening reception for the Antigo Regional Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) Exhibit, held in collaboration with the Association of Wisconsin Artists. The exhibit is currently on display at the AVA Gallery, located within the Langlade County Historical Museum, and continues a long standing tradition of supporting and celebrating nonprofessional artists across the state.

WRAP, established in 1940, is designed to encourage creative growth through noncompetitive exhibits, professional artist demonstrations, and group critiques led by experienced judges. The program connects artists across Wisconsin while providing opportunities for learning, feedback, and recognition.

AVA welcomed the community to an opening reception on Thursday, March 19, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. The event showcased a diverse range of artwork and brought together artists and art enthusiasts for an evening of creativity and connection.

This year’s exhibit judge, Kim Schoenrock, led the evaluation process and selected several works to advance to the WRAP State Exhibit. Awards were presented as follows:

State Awards
1st Place and Artist’s Choice award to Tyler Reynolds for “Tsunagari.”
2nd Place to Beatie Gmeiner for “Come On In!”
3rd Place to Joanne March for “Misty Swamp.”
Additional State selections to Karen Now-Stimac for “Shady Garden” and Hans Schmitt for “Deep.”

Honorable Mention awards were presented to Emily Popelka for “Strong in Your Strengths,” Mary Hayes for “Glorious Forest,” Camille Converse-Smith for “Swan Song,” Vicki Eldridge for “Trialnair,” which also received the Viewer’s Choice award, Megan Hoha for “Illusions,” Michael Hagerty for “Standing Buffalo,” Judith McMillen for “Spring Robin,” and Patricia Packard for “Winter Moonlight.”

Participating artist Megan Hoha shared her enthusiasm for the event, stating, “This was such an amazing, well organized event. The energy of the people and the unique works on display has inspired and energized me to tap into more of my own artistic creativity. I’m definitely looking forward to becoming more involved with AVA.”

AVA extends special thanks to exhibit judge Kim Schoenrock for her thoughtful evaluation and continued support of regional artists. Schoenrock will also lead an upcoming WRAP workshop on May 21 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, where she will demonstrate her technique described as dry point sgraffito without the ink.

Additional gratitude is extended to AVA Gallery Director Vicki Eldridge for her leadership and dedication in organizing the exhibit, as well as to photographer Benjamin Baumgartner for capturing the spirit of the reception through his photography.

The WRAP program continues to thrive through collaboration between the Association of Wisconsin Artists and local arts organizations like AVA, along with the dedication of volunteers and coordinators who make these opportunities possible.

For more information about Antigo Visual Arts and upcoming events, visit www.antigovisualarts.org.  Additional information about the AWA Wisconsin Regional Art Program is available at https://wiscartists.wildapricot.org/.

Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) is pleased to share our press release and accompanying photos from the Antigo Regional Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) Exhibit and reception.

You can access the full press release and all photos with descriptions here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bmGn4YEiRy0bjF8YInKti65lhEmFS2g1?usp=sharing

The press release is also available on our website:
https://antigovisualarts.org/antigo-visual-arts-hosts-successful-wrap-regional-exhibit-and-reception/

All photos were taken by Benjamin Baumgartner. If you choose to publish any images, please credit him accordingly.

If you have any questions regarding this press release, please feel free to text me, Danna Gabriel, at 715-216-3027.

Thank you for helping us share this celebration of regional artists with the community.

Best regards,
Danna Gabriel
Antigo Visual Arts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Celebrating 85 Years of Artistic Legacy: AWA WRAP 2025 State Conference Draws Over 130 Attendees to Wausau

Wausau, WI – September 29, 2025 — The Association of Wisconsin Artists (AWA) proudly hosted its 2025 Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) State Conference Reception on Saturday, September 27, at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, Wisconsin. Now in its 85th year, WRAP continues to uplift nonprofessional and emerging artists statewide. This year’s State Conference, presented in partnership with AWA — celebrating its 71st year — welcomed 134 artists, art lovers, and community members for a full day of artistic inspiration, learning, and recognition.

The 2025 WRAP State Exhibit featured 95 works of art. The exhibit, which opened in mid-August, and ended with the State Day celebration.

“We were delighted to host the State WRAP exhibit and conference, which provided a wonderful opportunity to see and share the creativity of our fellow Wisconsinites,” said Madison Hager, Curator at the Center for the Visual Arts. “The conference was, as always, a celebration of community, bringing 100+ visitors to Wausau.”

The morning began with a warm welcome breakfast and an engaging keynote by Berel Lutsky, Professor of Art Emeritus at UW–Green Bay. Lutsky presented “Really Big Prints – Large Scale Printmaking,” highlighting the incredible biennial event in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, where massive relief prints are created using a steamroller.

Due to illness, juror and scheduled afternoon speaker Joye Moon, a nationally recognized watercolorist and author, was unable to attend. Stepping in, AWA President Jeanne Ferreira delivered an inspiring presentation titled “Wisconsin Women Artists” — a highlight of the day, widely praised by attendees.

“It was my first conference, and such a nice program,” shared artist Sally Koehler, reflecting on her experience.

The event concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing artistic and community contributions. Over $7,000 in awards were distributed, including artwork honors, service recognitions, and Tiny Treasures mini-artwork competition.

2025 WRAP Artwork Award Winners:

Svetlana Neshlyaeva – Blue Lunch, Ada Biddick Award
Marlene Mirr – When Mothers Rule the World, Anne Irish Emerging Artist Award
Katura Bell – Growing Pains, Antigo Visual Arts Award
Patricia Gergetz – Hats For Sale, Artstart Award
Sally Probasco – Teen Beauties, Berk Memorial Award
Jan Wood – Hawk Reverence, Birds in Art Award
Cindy Bear – Sunflowers in Glass Vase, Bonnie Johnson Award
Wendy Crone – Toft Point Trail, Carmen & Eva Beining Award
Barbara Mathews – Fishing, Catherine Hundt Art Award
Emma Macari – Magnolia Branch, Chinese Fine Art Association Award
Pam Veitenheimer – Earth and Spirit Gallery, Donna Miller Treasurer's Award
Lynn Belanger – Cowslip Corner, Ella Gardner Award
Joan O'Connor – Finley in Ireland, Five Painters Award
Ann Eshelman – Corps de Ballet, Five Painters Choice Award
Kaitlin Walsh – Summer in Wisconsin, Aaron & Ruth Bohrod Memorial Award
Jann Roethe – Wednesday’s Child, Fond du Lac Artists Association Award
Camille Converse-Smith – Superior, Francis M. Kipp Award for Creativity
Varla Bishop – Peace and Serenity, Inman Creativity Award
Sue Herring – Monkey and Marbles, James Schwalbach Radio Art Award
Kimberly Strittmater – Oath Keeper, Janesville Art League Award
Cindy Helms – Oak Tree, John Barton Library Award
Shevanthi Hettiarachchi – Zinnias, Joseph E. Burk Memorial Award
Bryan Berenson – Foraging Bear, Julie Chang Artistic Excellence Award
Susan Porubcan – The Forgotten, Julie Chang Artistic Excellence Award
Jane Landwehr – Ever Changing, Lodi Art Club Award
C.W. Stolle – Angel Wings, Madison Watercolor Society Award
Merlin Pieper – Dutch Windmills, Mary Ann Inman Award
Brenda Mulvey – Cattails of the Evening, Mary Lou Lindroth Award
Katherine Murphy – Felicity, Mike McKinnon Memorial Award
Jennifer Herro – Blackburnian Warbler, Ness-Wood Wildlife Art Award
Tom Gage – Phantom, Probasco Stewardship Award
Nancy Kirst – A Friendly Face, RDG Nanci Buchanan Memorial Award
Mary Hanusa-Schuff – Nora at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Robert Dale Compton Award
Mary Mullen – Animas River, CO, Rountree Gallery (FOG) Award
Michael Shea – I Hear Them At Night, Rural Rembrandts Art Club 2D Award
Jason Beck – Time – The Great Executioner, Rural Rembrandts Art Club 3D Award
Nancy Peterson – Shaded Path, Rural Wisconsin Art Award
Teresa Vicars – Funky Daffodils, Shake Rag Alley Award
Sherry Ackerman – Backyard Stroll, Shirley Diedrich Award
Irene Taylor – Quittin’ Time at Aurora, Shirley Diedrich Lifelong Learner Award
Kathleen Sletten – Eyes Wide Shut, The O’Brien Girls Award
Kathryn Kloehn – Incantevole, Waukesha Creative Arts League Award
Tessa Hughes – Withering Away, Young Artist Award
Mary Heinze – In Good Hands, Young at Heart Award

Service Awards Recognized:

Beloit Art Center – Sponsor Award
Dawn Stadelman – Coordinator Award
Kathy Murphy – AWA Memorial Service Award
Christina Chalk – AWA Memorial Service Award
Dave Pawl – Youth Service Award
Tamara Tsurkan – John Steuart Curry Award
Nicolet College – Berk Service Award

Tiny Treasures Mini-Art Awards:

First Place: Lori Hoffmann
Second Place: Deb Horack
Third Place: Teresa Vicars

Monthly Honorees:

• January: Maureen Lien
  
  

• February: Christina Chalk
  
  

• March: Diane Pellowe
  
  

• April: Debra Hall
  
  

• May: Becky Schmidt
  
  

• June: Kathleen Nelson
  
  

• July: Brian McGuigan
  
  

• August: Wendy Crone
  
  

• September: Linda Camino
  
  

• October: Alison Meschke
  
  

• November: Patricia Gergetz
  
  

• December: Rachel Mosher
  
  

Group with Most Entries: Fitchburg Senior Center

About WRAP and AWA

Founded in 1940 by artist and educator John Steuart Curry, the Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) fosters nonprofessional artists through exhibits and educational workshops across the state. The Association of Wisconsin Artists (AWA), formed in 1954, carries forward WRAP’s mission by organizing the annual State Exhibit and Conference.

This year’s State Day fulfilled part of AWA’s mission to support our statewide art community.  

AWA thanks to the National Endowment for the Arts, the Wisconsin Arts Board, and the Fond du Lac Area Foundation for their continued support.

Looking Ahead

Are you part of a local art group? AWA is currently planning next year’s WRAP workshops and seeking new host communities. Hosting a WRAP event is a great way to promote art appreciation and support emerging talent in your region.

Learn more or get involved:
www.wisconsinartists.org

Media Contact:
Danna Gabriel
Secretary
secretary@wiscartists.org

END