A Great Year at The Trout Museum of Art

Trout Museum of Art and Fox Cities Building for the Arts reflects on a great 2015.

Hello friends, members and supporters!

Impact and effectiveness are two of the things I look for as a donor to organizations that are important to me and share my values. From the vantage point of the President of the Fox Cities Building for the Arts and The Trout Museum of Art, I feel great about all we have achieved this year!

During 2015 the Building for the Arts programming has provided exceptional opportunities for children and adults to access arts and culture. And, there is a spirit of joy and possibility in the outreach and collaboration made possible by the Building for the Arts.

Highlights from this year include a record number of children engaged in programs and visits to the art museum. Through work with our collaborative partners, we produced programs like Storytime in the Museum, The Young Audiences Fine Arts Series, Artistic Adventures, and Family Studio. Additionally we offered art camps, outdoor experiences and more.

This year marked the first full year of SPARK!, a program providing interactive, hands on experiences in a comfortable museum setting to engage and stimulate those experiencing memory loss. It also serves to provide the caregiver with an enjoyable outing during which they learn techniques to engage their loved ones at home.

The uniqueness of The Trout Museum of Art allows us to showcase visual arts exhibitions like this year’s Norman Rockwell: A Portrait of America and the current exhibit, Masterworks through the Centuries featuring the work of Durer – Rembrandt – Chagall. These exhibits provide a foundation for many of the programs we share with our community.

We celebrated two major milestones. During the month of September, we officially announced the burning of the mortgage on the Fox Cities Building for the Arts! This year also marked the 55th anniversary of Art at the Park.

We continue to evaluate our role in the community so that we can do our very best to bring unique exhibits, programs and events for all to enjoy and that make the Fox Cities a great place to live!

I hope that you will join me and the many friends of the Building for the Arts and The Trout Museum of Art in making your year-end gift.

Our very best wishes to you and your family for a Happy New Year!

Pamela Williams-Lime

Placemaking Draws Connection Between Arts and Community Development

How did you become involved in the Downtown Placemaking program?

I have always been drawn to artists and creative types, and while traveling have observed how in many cities the initial impetus for neighborhood revitalization and vibrant districts begins with artists (and Gay people) moving into an area.  

Parklet Carolers in Downtown Appleton

 

A few years back I also co-authored a study of artists and craftspersons in northwest Wisconsin that helped me draw the connection between arts, placemaking and community development in a big way. We found that even in more rural areas these people were contributing over 20M per year to the regional economy. They were also contributing to local and regional tourism development, participating in festivals and art shows, and helping create destinations where both residents and visitors to an area would congregate and mingle.

Enjoying the new parklet on College Avenue

Having moved to Appleton 5 years ago I was eager to get involved with people and groups that are rolling up their sleeves and doing projects that create a stronger sense of community through the arts.  I’m honored to have had the opportunity to become involved in ADI’s creative placemaking initiative over the past several months, and look forward to helping organize and activate the creative spaces this group is helping bring to life!

by Andrew Dane
Appleton Downtown Placemaker

Grand Opening of The Draw – November 28th Event Details

Grand Opening of The Draw

November 28 – Noon – 8 p.m.

800 S. Lawe Street

Parking available in the Newberry Trail parking Lot

The Draw, located at 800 S. Lawe Street overlooking the Fox River at Appleton Eagle Flats will host a grand opening Nov. 28 from noon to 8 p.m.  “Just look for the dark gray building with a giant eagle painted on the front of it,” said John Adams, curator and project visionary. 

Event Details

Feather & Bone Wish List show

Over 25 pieces of original art from artists located around the block, across the country and even internationally

Draw 360

Live art event with 15 artists creating inside looking out

Tenant Meet and Greet

A chance to meet the draw tenants and see inside their workspaces

Live Music

A few friends spinning records keeping the atmosphere alive who knows maybe someone will even grab a guitar and start to play…

Refreshments

Refreshments from Stone Cellar  

Art Giveaway/Prize Drawings

Prize drawings include yoga passes, Mile of Music badges, an original piece from the show and much more!

New Riverfront Creative Arts Venue “The Draw” to Open November 28

The Draw, located at 800 S. Lawe Street overlooking the Fox River at Appleton Eagle Flats will host a grand opening Nov. 28 from noon to 8 p.m. 

“Just look for the dark gray building with a giant eagle painted on the front of it,” said John Adams, curator and project visionary. 

Adams helped bring the 5,200 square-foot building back to life with workspaces and offices for digital and fine artists, a modern art gallery and a place for creative professionals to collaborate.  He approached Stadtmueller & Associates with his idea last year, and together, they helped make it happen. 

Today, there are 16 suites with a variety of tenants that range from artists and graphic designers to musicians and wellness consultants.  “The flexibility to adapt to the needs of the community and the artists is what makes The Draw unique,” said Adams.   From pop-up restaurants, to fashion shows, storytelling nights and music events, the venue will host a variety of gatherings. 

For two years, Stadtmueller & Associates researched potential redevelopment opportunities for the former office building.  The group sees their investment as doing more than just renovating a building.  “By bringing more arts and culture to Downtown Appleton’s riverfront, we hope to rejuvenate the neighborhood and draw young professionals to the area,” said Renee Torzala, Stadtmueller & Associates.

Torzala and Adams both serve on Downtown Appleton’s Creative Placemaking committee that works to enhance the cultural environment through access to the arts.  Downtown Appleton Executive Director Jennifer Stephany has been doing research on the economic impact of bringing art to downtown districts.  “Creative placemaking is a growing strategy for communities to stimulate economic development and improve quality of life,” said Stephany.  “We are excited to welcome The Draw to our downtown riverfront on Small Business Saturday, a day that we encourage shopping local,” she added.

Statistics show that the arts and culture sector in Wisconsin generates $535 million in economic activity, $65 million in local and state revenue, and $479 million in resident income, according to the Wisconsin Arts Board. (Economic Impact Study, 2010).

The grand opening of The Draw will launch John Adam’s Feather & Bone gallery show – Wish List, featuring 25 pieces of original art from around the world.  Visitors will also be able to meet some of the tenants and tour the building.  “I am really looking forward to bringing diverse people together to celebrate, create, inspire and be inspired,” said Adams.

Festival of Trees at The Trout Museum of Art

2nd Annual Festival of Trees – Nov. 1 – 21:

Join the Trout Museum of Art for this free celebratory exhibit!

The Fox Cities Building for the Arts rings in the holiday season with unique experiences for the entire family. Local artists and businesses display colorful wreaths, trees, and stockings, available for silent bidding throughout downtown Appleton.

Home for the Holidays

Thursday, Nov. 5 & 12, 6pm-9pm

Children’s Story & Activity Time

Wednesday, Nov. 4 & 18

Drop-In Studio: Upcycled Holiday Ornaments

Nov. 7, 14, & 15, Noon-4pm

Live Performances

Starting this Saturday

Auction Reception

Saturday, Nov. 21, 6pm-8pm

When planning your visit to the museum, please be aware that the elevator is currently out of service. We apologize for the inconvenience.

A Downtown Holiday Tradition

For a full Festival of Trees experience, be sure to visit each participating downtown destination. Each business is part of the exhibition space, showcasing a tree that you can bid on. Proceeds benefit a partnering non-profit organization. Pick up a map at The Trout Museum of Art to participate in this downtown experience!

Downtown Appleton Art Featured at The Airport

Next time you visit our Appleton Airport check out the art mural by Chad Brady.

Create More Share More Art on the Town Video

Strathmore Artist Papers was at our recent Art on the Town sharing art supplies with our community so more of us can create art.  Here is a note from the event organizer:

Hello! I wanted to send a quick thank you to both of you and Appleton Downtown Inc. for being so easy to work with this summer for our “Create More, Share More, Strathmore” paper drop events. As part of the campaign we had a video made of the final event which features downtown Appleton and “Art on the Town” quite nicely. I thought you might be interested in seeing it.

Jane Oliver
Communications Specialist
Strathmore Artist Papers™

Fox Valley Chorus October 27th Open House

CALLING WOMEN SINGERS!  What’s this a cappella singing all about?  Come and find out for yourself.  Fox Valley Chorus of Sweet Adelines International would like to share with you the art of four-part barbershop-style harmony.  We invite you to our Open House Rehearsal.

WHEN:    Tuesday, October 27^th, 7-9:30 p.m.

WHERE:  Grace Lutheran Church, lower level, 900 N. Mason Street, Appleton

Prior musical experience or ability to read music is not necessary.  Interested guests will be invited to perform Christmas selections in a portion of our up-coming holiday show, “A Time for Joy”, on Friday, December 4^th, 7:30 p.m., at UW-Fox Valley, 1478 Midway Road, Menasha.

Please contact Shirley: smercier@new.rr.com or 920-739-3511.

The Appleton Boychoir Welcomes new Board Members

The Appleton Boychoir welcomes new Board members. 

Anne Jones, formerly with Kimberly-Clark for 26 years, and a Boychoir parent

Austin Boncher, Appleton Boychoir founder

Daniel Flaherty, Godfrey and Kahn, and father of two Boychoir graduates

Zay Rugland Lenaburg, parent of a son in the Ambassador Choir

Abraham Liebeskind, Neonatologist with Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, and Boychoir parent

Walter Rugland, Vice Chair of the Fox Cities Building for the Arts

Susan Toussaint, Mother of a Boychoir graduate

Alexander Tyink, Goodwill Industries, and a past Boychoir graduate

Board leadership includes:

Chair: Ryan Downs; President, GLK Foods, LLC, and past Boychoir graduate;

Vice Chair: Vince Biskupic, Outagamie County Judge and past Boychoir parent

Treasurer: Mark Knuth, Schenck Business Solutions and past Boychoir parent

Secretary: Anne Jones, Boychoir parent

The new board members join ex-Officio Timothy Hanna, Mayor, City of Appleton and past Boychoir parent; Hilary Armstrong, Appleton Boychoir Executive Director and past Boychoir parent; and Kevin Meidl, Appleton Boychoir Artistic Director and past Boychoir parent.

Founded in 1979, the Appleton Boychoir has given musical training to thousands of area boys.  The Boychoir has had considerable touring and hosting experience in this country and abroad. Since its founding, the Boychoir has made appearances with many exceptional choirs and orchestras. The mission of the Appleton Boychoir is “enriching lives through singing.” To learn more about the Appleton Boychoir and other upcoming performances, please visit www.appletonboychoir.com.

Fox Valley Chorus Live Webcast and Upcoming Performances

Fox Valley Chorus will be in Las Vegas performing two songs in the Sweet Adeline International Competition.  If you’d like to watch our live performance here’s how:

10/8/15, 5:58pm, Central Time: Watch us on webcast: http://sweetadswebcast.com/ Click on the Arrow!  (I’m in middle, 3rd row up)

Open House October 27th
Feel free to share this with any women you know who might be interested in coming to our Open House, with the opportunity to then perform with us for our 12/4 holiday show (even if they have no intention of joining our chorus.)

Holiday Show December 4th
All are welcome to come to our holiday show at UW-Fox Valley, Menasha.

Thanks!

Shirley Mercier

Fox Valley Chorus of Sweet Adelines Int’l