Serving The Creative Communities From Chicago To Milwaukee
Free! Issue 11
Material Sustenance: Carthage College Art & Graphic Design Faculty Exhibit Kimberly Ellen Greene Equilateral Brick Series Glazed Porcelain 32" x 32" x 12" 2013
Diane Levesque Pluck From The Memory A Rooted Sorrow Acrylic on canvas 60" x 60" 2015
Ryan Peter Miller Painthings (installation) Acrylic Paint and Masonite 24" x 12" x 6" 2014
Lisa Bigalke Refuge Thisles Reduction Relief 11" x 8" 2012
Material Sustenance: Carthage College Art & Graphic Design Faculty Exhibit November 30 – December 13, 2015 and January 5- 23, 2016 (Closed Winter Break Dec. 14- Jan. 3) Opening Reception: Friday, Dec. 4 from 4:30- 7:30 pm Kimberly Greene, Diane Levesque, Ryan Peter Miller, Lisa Bigalke, Laura Huaracha, Jose Montoto, Neil Subel, Jared Patton Plock, Suzanne Torres, Angela Lopez, Chad Bridgewater, Annie Oldenburg, and Professor Emeritus Ed Kalke This triennial exhibit highlights the work created by the art and graphic design department faculty, while presenting a variety of media, styles, techniques, and artistic philosophies. As established professional artists with numerous awards and highly accomplished exhibition records, the studio art faculty comprise a marvelous mixture of distinguished artists who manage to balance their dedication to teaching art with their life-long commitment to exploring, creating and exhibiting their own work. This exhibition will exemplify the range of scholarship in the visual arts at Carthage College. The artists will be attending the opening reception. Opening Reception: Exhibit Runs:
Progress II: Kathy Weaver, Jacqueline Moses and Dominic Sansone November Throes 6th,of4:307:30 pm November 6 to December 13, 2014 Feburary 2nd - March 19th, 2016 Opening Reception: Thursday, Febuary 11th 4:30 - 7:30 (Closed Nov. 24pm – Nov. 30 for Thanksgiving Break ) Rare Fruits & Tall Tales: Jerry Belland, Kay Knight and Eric Penington
28th - April 29th, 2016 Special March Christmas Festival Reception: December 5th, 4:30- 7:30 pm Opening Reception: Thursday, March 31st 4:30 - 7:30 pm
Free and open to the public.
Studio Art Thesis Exhibitions May 2nd - 14th, 2016
Gallery Hours: Opening Reception: Saturday, May 7th 1 - 4 pm Tuesday - Friday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Thursday Evening 6 - 8 p.m. Gallery Hours: Saturday 1 - 4 p.m. Monday- Friday 12 - 5 pm Thursday 6 - 8 pm Saturday 1 - 4 pm
For more information on upcoming events, visit www.carthage.edu/art gallery For more information on upcoming events, visit www.carthage.edu/art gallery
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A Message From The Publisher By Chet Griffith
T
hree years ago, we asked a representative from each of our three sister cities--Kenosha, Racine and Waukegan--to describe the arts scenes in their communities. Their replies became our inaugural State of the Arts overview. A lot has changed since 2012, so we decided that it was time to revisit this topic. Two of the original contributors, David Motley and Maureen Fritchen, have returned to offer their thoughts. They are joined by a chorus of new voices from many different artistic disciplines. In an effort to be as inclusive as possible we posted several questions on social media, as well as contacting people directly. The results are quite interesting. As you would imagine, there are as many differing opinions and viewpoints as there are artists. Yet at the same time, many of us share very similar experiences, goals, and face many of the same challenges. There is common ground here, but we will remain unable to address our problems if we fail to identify them. Perhaps this can serve as a catalyst for a larger dialogue, one that not only speaks to where we are as a community, but more importantly, to where we want to go.
4 A Message From The Publisher / Chet Griffith
Issue 11 Winter 2015
Left of the Lake
06 State of the Arts
By Left of the Lake
13 Creative Economy Initiative By Christopher Naumann
18 Bayou Groovin’
By Scott Terry
21 Sojourner
By William Zuback
22 Steampunk Bicycle By Glen Larson
34 2FL: Paper Children
By Lisa Adamowicz Kless
35 Flight
By Katie Sell
38 Stripwax Flashback
Publisher: Chet Griffith Graphic Designer: Joshua Frazer Editor: Lisa Adamowicz Kless Editor: Peg Rousar-Thompson Managing Editor: John Bloner, Jr. Contact Us At: editor@leftofthelake.com
By Jeff Moody
Cover Artist: Robert Hafferman “Beauchene and Miles Take A Walk” Table of Contents Photo: Glen Larson
F
or this third-anniversar y issue, we asked a baker’s dozen of local creatives a few questions about the area’s arts scene and its impact socially and economically. Participating were per for ming a r t ists, ga l ler y ow ners a nd cu rators, those engaged in marketing and administration, as well as poets and photographers. Maureen Fritchen, resident artist, 16th Street Studios, Racine, WI Jessica Schafer, Marketing & Publications Manager, Racine Art Museum Mary Nelson, Racine artist/ photographer Jim Janus, author/poet/storyteller, Winthrop Harbor, IL David Motley, Waukegan artist and City of Waukegan spokesman Christopher Naumann, Executive Director, Downtown Kenosha, Inc. Vicki Seebeck, owner, Seebeck Gallery , Kenosha and Racine, WI 6 State of the Arts / Left of the Lake
Melanie Hovey, Kenosha artist, treasurer/secretary to Kenosha Common Markets, Inc. Julia and Karel Suchy, Voices & Verses, Southeastern Wisconsin Choral Arts Society, Kenosha and Racine, WI Mary Mollerskov, Kenosha artist, photographer, jeweler Brent Mitchell, singer/songwriter, Kenosha Poet Laureate Marjorie Meyer, owner, Re-Vision Gallery, Kenosha, WI Darleen Coleman, Kenosha artist and author
#1
What one thing going on in your community excites you?
J A N U S — Fusion hosts a v a r iet y of performing arts events. It’s an awesome contribution to downtown Kenosha and the surrounding area. NAU M A N N— The Kenosha Dream Playground project. It started small and built momentum. The unity and energy that it created gives me hope. SEEBECK— The traveling sculpture prome n a d e a lon g H a r b orPa rk . T he beaches and wa lk ways are f il led w ith people most days and their exposure to public art is at a maximum with the trail of sculptures. This recent installation is my favorite. What an awesome combination of realistic, whimsical, abstract and kinetic sculptures. M O T L E Y— I a m i n s p i r e d b y t h e young “Soul Violinist,” Lee England Jr., who started his musical career at the age of six in the Waukegan Public Schools and has since been signed as the only non-athlete to represent Michael Jordan brands. He is also the youngest person to produce music for the NFL.
SCH AFER— The growth of collaboration in the Racine and Kenosha ar t communities. A recent example of this developing synergy was Transformation: A r t & Poet r y, a su m mer e x h ibit ion at R ac i ne A r t C ou nc i l . R ac i ne Poet Laureate Nick Ramsey brought together the work of visual artists and writers. Experiences like this weave the creative community together while growing the impact of the arts on the city’s fabric. FR ITCHEN— R acine A r t Museum is creating a new ar t work photo st udio at the Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts equipped with professional photography equipment and step-bystep instructions — just bring your own memory card. Jim Janus
HOV EY— The development of small, local venues whose respectful focus is on the art itself and the artists who are creating it. I contend that when you respect the art, money will follow. Young people today seem to be more interested in qua l it y ex periences for themselves a nd t heir fa mi l ies, rat her t ha n k i l ling themselves to make a buck. Left of the Lake / State of the Arts 7
#2
What do you think makes a vibrant community and what role can the arts play?
SUCHY— A rich cultural life is essential. The arts play a fundamental role, bot h f rom t he perspect ive of t he audience and its creators. An active arts sector creates a socially interactive environment and benefits other aspects of community life. NAUM ANN— The arts bring people together, provide entertainment, education, communication, a unique atmosphere and experientia l qua lit y. They allow expression and statements to be made in a way that evoke new ideas, concepts and understanding, inspire action and help us to define ourselves and our important place in the world. M O L L E R S KOV— A c o m m u n it y without art is missing a part of its heart. Art is a way of living life. W hen one participates in any of the arts, they are involved in peacemaking. JANUS— The arts give people a place to go, something to listen to, something to talk about, and may inspire someone to exercise their creative self. NELSON— In the absence of industry, the arts hold the key to maintaining the driving force of a growing city. HOVEY— Public art and performance is integral to vibrant communities. All children should be involved in music, theater, visual and literary arts programs throughout their education. The arts can easily be integrated into other subjects 8 State of the Arts / Left of the Lake
like science and math, and it compliments technology. An intelligent, savvy, engaged, employed population has every reason to put down roots for life. SEEBECK— The arts—from visual to musical to performance arts—are always top of the list of what’s important to people. People need creative outlets and venues to explore and enjoy in their free time. If you’re in a creative job you are lucky, but many people are not and they need a creative outlet. The arts help fill that void. MITCHELL— A shared sense of purpose and identit y is one element of a vibrant communit y. But this does not manifest itself unless, in some way, the integrit y and value of its citizens are mutually affirmed. Kenosha puts resources into things that it hopes will draw tourists. These efforts will never be more than a gloss of vibrancy—no matter how much money is dumped onto the lakefront—as long as the city attempts to create community from the top down rather than from the bottom up. The music and ar ts scene in Austin, Texas and New Orleans grew out of the poor, uneducated, gritty juke joints and food shacks that became popular among white people with money and eventually grew into lucrative municipal cultural enter prises. Cities that are ar tsy and vibrant are, above all, funky. In places
where a funky spirit reigns, citizens possess a sense of playfulness and openness, the ingredients of where a true art scene may f lourish. MOTLEY— The arts, along with the celebration and fostering of creativity, are just as important as the physical infrastructure of a community. The arts are the soul of the city.
enter ta inment whi le encou rag ing broader perspectives that inspire new solut ions to e x ist i ng problems. T he v isua l aest het ics of ou r env ironment impact ever y thing from our mood to mot iv at ion, a nd u lt i mately ou r success and happiness. And, let’s not forget about economic impact. Racine Art Museum contributes $5-6 million dollars to the local economy annually.
S C H A F E R— A r t s a nd c u lt u r e i nv ite re sidents to t hought-provok i ng
#3
What do we have in abundance? What are we lacking?
SUCHY— We lack widespread interest in the arts because of the historical role of the region as an industrial economy. Local governments focus on replacing the lost jobs of the manufacturing sector rather than in developing the region as a cultural center. MOLLERSKOV— The arts commun it y ha s ma ny t h i ng s i n abu nd a nce: creative people with a desire to make, dance, w rite, sing and play their ar t. What many artists lack is enough money to take care of daily expenses. If it weren’t for creative living and the ability to see beauty in it, as some have said, “Life would be, well... yuck.” JANUS— Kenosha has studios, galleries and performance venues, as well as an abundance of entry-level artists. What’s lacking is artists developing themselves
and learning from more-accomplished artists. NAUMANN— We have a strong group of people who love to create work. The problem isn’t a lack of artists; it’s a lack of patrons. We have creators, but not enough consumers. We need businesses to invest in the arts, underwrite artistic endeavors and incorporate the arts into their workplaces and work cultures. We also lack a general consensus or appreciation of the value of art when it comes to paying artists for their time, training and talent.
Continued on pg. 26 Left of the Lake / State of the Arts 9
Designed by Marjorie Meyer
Designed by Bridget Kelly
Gallery
&ARTIST STUDIOS
4625 Sheridan Rd. Kenosha, WI 53140 • (262)764-6603 revisionartgallery@gmail.com • revisionartgallery.com/ 10 Behind The Scenes / Left of The Lake www.facebook.com/revisiongallery
Friday, December 4, 2015 7:00 pm Racine Festival Hall 5 Fifth Street, Racine WI
Holiday Serenade with special guests, actor/singer Bob Benson and the All County Holiday Chorus General admission and reserved table seats available
Tickets at racinesymphony.org or 262-636-9285 THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Racine Community Foundation SC Johnson Runzheimer Foundation Educators Credit Union Johnson Bank Giving Back – Orchestras Feeding America National Food Drive. Your donations support the Racine County Food Bank.
SYMPHONY ~ SERENADE ~ STUNNING
CREATIVE ECONOMY INITIATIVE By Christopher Naumann
W
hen you think about the arts, do you think about job creation or ret urn on investment? Some would answer no and state that the arts are more about quality of life, or a luxury and a cultural frill. However, the arts are not only an economic engine unto itself; more than ever the arts are becoming a vital contributor to the foundation of the general economy, particularly in today’s global market. How is that possible? The simple answer is the “creative class.” The creative class is a new workforce categorization, coined by economist Dr. Richard Florida. The creative class represents a growing and powerful force in the economy. It represents workers who leverage creativity in their work. Be it the most obvious professions of design, entertainment, and marketing, or industries one might not link to the arts, like research and development, construction and engineering. They integrate the arts into their work and into their lives. They are more productive, more collaborative, and more inventive. These workers are the gold in today’s world of globalization. When you nurture the creative class, you find competitive edge in industries that require new thinking, allow flexibility, and embrace innovation. This leads to more successful and productive economies, and those economies are built squarely on the shoulders of the arts.
impact. Arts Wisconsin, a statewide arts advocacy program, spearheaded this public/private initiative with other stakeholders and partners to create grants that would support three aspects of the arts economy: local and regional creative economic development, arts and creativity in education, and building capacity and entrepreneurship. It is hoped that if passed, this initiative will help foster a stronger foundation to our arts culture. It is hoped that the resources will be leveraged to create new businesses, foster new innovations, and help propel the arts into a celebrated form of high performance economic development. The measure was f irst introduced as Senate Bill 568 in the 2013-2014 session of the Wisconsin Legislature and failed. Although gaining bi-partisan support, the bill was unable to gain enough momentum to pass. It was held out of the 2015 session due to controversies in the most recent budget process. However, Arts Wisconsin is pressing for it to be reintroduced in the fall 2015 session and we are hoping to spread the word to our many friends and supporters of the arts. We encourage you to contact your local state representatives and senators to ensure this small, but significant, piece of legislation, moves forward. For more information http://www.artswisconsin.org/actioncenter/
So how do we capt ure and grow our “creative economy” in Wisconsin? A big step forward is the Creative Economy Development Initiative currently being reviewed by the State Legislature. The initiative is a proposal crafted to bring more resources to artists or art-based businesses that offer specific economic development Christopher Naumann / Creative Economy Initiative 13
Sept.12,2015 through Jan. 3, 2016 Original movie posters, lobby cards, inserts, and window cards of famous Westerns from 1939-1969
Civil War Museum
5400 First Avenue • Kenosha, WI 53140 • 262-653-4141 • www.TheCivilWarMuseum.org Hours: sunday 12 to 5pm • Monday through saturday 10am to 5pm • Closed Holidays
18 Bayou Groovin’ / Scott Terry
NEW 16th Street Studios Gallery
Openings every Third Thursday
Celebrating 20th A n n u a l STUDIO OPEN HOUSE Saturday, December 5, 2015 11:00am - 4:00pm
FREE ADMISSION Alice Hazarian Ashley Faircloth Aurora Contreras-Howe Bradford Lee Bridget Kelly Carlotta Miller Christopher K Johns Colleen Steenhagen Cynthia Morgenroth Dale & Suzi Zierten Dale Savin Dan Simoneau Dave Demske David Jewell Diane Levesque Don Stewart Don & Eileen Voss
Emily Jones Erin Manders Gary Wolfe Greg Helding Gwen Parysek Jane Rae Brown Janet Hoffman Jeannette White Jerry Belland Jim Sincock Jim Tavernese Judith Kaprelian Juli Janovicz Karen Broman Kelly Lahl Kim House Laurie Kis
Linda Schubert Lyle Peters Maggie Lukow Maggie Venn Mallory Olesen Maria Mikus Lee Marilyn Ward Marj Meyer Maureen Fritchen Melissa Pegues Rebecca Bissi Rick Geller Samira Gdisis Sarah Anderson Shelby Chimielewski Susan Sorenson Tony Macias
Racine Business Center 1405 16th Street, Racine, WI For info on resident artist visit www.16thststudio.tumblr.com For info on available studio space visit www.racinebusinesscenter.com
20 Baby Joins the Circus / Suellyn Scoon
William Zuback / Sojourner  21
22 Steampunk Bicycle / Glen Larson
Jeremy J. Johnson, FIC Financial Representative 4801 Washington Road Kenosha, WI 53144 262 - 945 - 0058 jeremy.j.johnson@mwarep.org
Let your imagination run wild!
Experience an exhibition of world–class sculptures near kenosha’s breathtaking lakefront
Eleven new works on display through September 2017. www.kenoshaartsfund.org
#KenoshaArts
Continued from pg. 9 SE E BECK— Is t he a r ts scene on ly about supporting local artists and the non-profits? Is there a place for the businesses who really stick their necks out with their own personal pocket books? Does the arts community become closed and elitist at some point? There seems to be so much hype and promotion of the arts…but really, what is going to give our community a strong arts base? Are we really all completely honest as to how to get there? MOTLEY— Waukegan has an abundance of available properties ripe for the creative entrepreneur to kick off their career or forge a new direction in their life. Our volunteers and communit yminded creatives help lead the charge. More work needs to be done to pair up our talented visionaries with property owners with a common goal of occupying available spaces to achieve critical mass of maximum occupancy and economic vibrancy. HOV EY— We have an abundance of curious, intel ligent people itching to partake in arts activities and events and
Vicki Seebeck 26 State of the Arts / Left of the Lake
an abundance of institutions of higher learning. We lack legislative attitudes and policies that leverage the profound soc ia l a nd econom ic i mpac t t he a r ts make on all aspects of community life. We lack genuine engagement with our col leges and young people. We lack a homeless shelter and have a seriously unmet need for menta l hea lth practitioners. We lack high-end housing for professionals and companies that employ large numbers of these six-f igure earners. SCH A F ER— We a re luck y to have talented visual artists, performers, and musicians in our creative communit y. We need more exposure and f inancial support for all of our current talent and to continue to attract new artists to the community. It’s also necessary to cultivate a larger base of art collectors and attendees. Progress in this effort has been made t h rough educat ion a nd promotion with events like the get bEHIND the aRTS studio tours of Racine and Kenosha, which invite the community to connect with and further appreciate the value of art and artists.
Jessica Schafer Photo By: Frank Juarez
#4
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of turning their hobby into a part-time or full-time business?
MOLLERSKOV— You’d better be just crazy about it! Perhaps driven. And certainly be able to share your enthusiasm and convince others that your efforts are worthy of their investments of time and money as well. Oh, and keep all your receipts! NAUMANN— A business and a hobby are vastly different things. You can casually walk away from a hobby. It allows you to limit your time and investment and to manage your passion so you don’t burn out. Businesses are investments with real money. They require constant nurturing and attention. They can’t just take a sideline if you need a break. MEY ER— Realize you will have less time for your hobby and will spend most of your time with the business end of things. Have enough assets to cover expenses until your business can sustain itself. Write a business plan, connect with others who’ve been through the process, and get involved with your community. FRITCHEN— Turn your garage into a pop-up galler y or rent PODS (portable and on-demand storage), set up on a street corner like street performers, or initiate a public art project and collaborate with others. Get out there and get involved. SEEBECK— There is more to being sel f-employed a nd hav i ng you r ow n business than people realize. One is the
hours. They seem to be end less when you own your own business, especially retail, because if you’re not open when it’s convenient for people to shop, your success will be limited. Taxes are a hidden factor, especia l ly if there is staff involved. It’s also very hard to save for retirement or purchase health insurance for many small mom & pop businesses. MOTLE Y— Continue to dream big, but understand that if this endeavor is meant to be prof itable, successful and sustainable, at some point very early on you will have to translate your macro concepts into very simple and attainable goals. Listen to the multitude of suggestions, comments, and criticisms you receive. They will lead you to conclusions that you may not otherwise have understood if solely entrenched in your own empire. HOV EY— Some hobbies lend themselves to business much better than others. In areas like culinary arts and technology, there is much opportunity. SCH A FER— Make the leap. If your passion is to create professionally, on a ny level, go for it. To e xcel, please know that a significant portion of your time will need to be devoted to building relationships and promoting your art. But, the work is worth it, as your efforts will likely lead to great opportunities, friendships, and a sense of satisfaction in belonging to the larger community. Left of the Lake / State of the Arts 27
#5
What can artists do to help increase public interest in the arts?
COLEM A N— Support other artists. Visit t he g a l ler ie s , at tend op en i ng s , invite friends and coworkers. Create a buzz by being the buzz. JA N US — Create an organization whose focus is to market the work of local artists and teach them how to market themselves. NAU M A N N— It is vital that artists take a more active role in elected and appointed positions in our municipal and state governments and work with businesses and corporate entities to build relationships. They need to participate in non-art related organizations to represent the arts’ point of view. SUCH Y— Create discussion and support circles across disciplines as found in Parisian salons and cafes. MEYER— Provide art talks and demonstrations in the galleries where they exhibit their work. SEEBECK— If an artist wants to make a living by selling their art/craft…they
28 State of the Arts / Left of the Lake
need to explore the audience or market and ask themselves… what does that consumer/collector want and how does my work /product f it into that market? T he y a l so need to e x plore loc a l a nd global markets to see how much other artists are selling similar works for. An artist has many ways to sell work: by themselves solely, through a co-op gallery or a commercial gallery. HOV E Y— W hile I genera l ly do not think that ar tists should donate their ar t work , I think they could volunteer their time publicly. They could paint on-site or serenade in the park or talk to school groups. Bringing an art-element to the public arena endears art and artists to the general population. SCH AFER— Tell your friends about your art, take your neighbors to see art and talk about its value to everyone, as often as possible. Enthusiastic word of mouth is the best introduction to cultural activities and new experiences.
#6
What is your forecast for your community for the next five years?
NAU M A N N— As the Kenosha Downtown’s Main Street Program matures, you will see more formal opportunities for community engagement and volunteer programs. As pressures for development mount, you will see challenged buildings being re-used and repositioned as amazing new places. You will f ind that Kenosha gets more spotlight in the region, earning accolades for our booming arts scene, our growing restaurant and foodie culture, our amazing public amenities, and the value and affordability of our community. You will see more residential units and more people utilizing the Metra train service. You will find a layer of cynics begin to peel away as real money and real investment and real people begin to stake their claim in the next evolution of the downtown. I see great things for the heart of our communit y. We just have to help bring those things to a reality. MEY ER— I’ve watched Kenosha’s development over the years and feel that our local economy will continue to grow if Kenoshans recognize the value of buying locally and supporting local businesses. Our galleries provide businesses with an opportunity to display quality works of local artists at reasonable prices. Investing in art rather than seeing it as a free way to decorate a bar or restaurant is important.
possible to do this if all of us believe in the potential, uniqueness, and importance of the cultural life and continue to work together to improve the cultural image of the region. J A N US — T he a r ts communit y in Kenosha has grown in signif icant ways in the past three years. For the next five years, though, I don’t foresee much of a change. I see a plateau. I see more of the same. I think it’s time now for each artist to raise their bar. I believe that an increase in the quality of the art will bring an increase in the audience for that art. SEEBECK— Our restaurant scene is vibrant, our events along the lakefront are drawing large crowds, our job growth is strong and new businesses are opening. We have huge potential for the preservation of historic buildings and continued lakefront growth. Lake Michigan is one of our largest assets along with our geographic location between Chicago and Milwaukee. Kenosha is on the map. In 1988, people thought we would shrivel up and die because one manufact urer closed. Instead, we have proved to be extremely resilient, innovative, and creative to not only survive but to thrive. I have never been so proud to say I’m from Kenosha and living in Kenosha.
SUCHY— We wish for a vast improvement in the climate for the arts. It is Left of the Lake / State of the Arts 29
Artists represented (clockwise from upper left): Kim Alsbrooks, Dan Dailey, Tom Loeser, Joan Backes
Visit Racine Art Museum Learn more about art exhibitions and events at ramart.org September 25 – January 3, 2016
Lost and Found: Featuring Kim Alsbrooks and Nikki Couppee Urban Wood Encounter 2015: RAM Explores Contemporary Furniture Through January 25, 2016
Contemporary Glass at RAM: The Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser Collection Through July 24, 2016
Joan Backes: Falling Leaves and Painted Branches
Racine Art Museum 262.638.8300
Nearby in Downtown Racine www.ramart.org
MOTLEY— I forecast that Waukegan will be a place where the entrepreneurial spirit, the creative culture, and the tech-sav v y upsta r ts w i l l converge to create an impact that capitalizes on the solid foundation of Waukegan’s art pioneers. They will serve as the next wave of Waukegan’s cultural curators and lead the charge for ward. I see an upswing in the use and frequency of shows and events at the Genesee Theatre because of our lasting relationship and partnership with ULINE and the Friends of the Genesee Theatre. I also see a continued effort to produce the vital and thoughtprovoking shows through the venerable Jack Benny Center for the Arts and the Bowen Pa rk T heat re C ompa ny, t he professiona l ly-staged master y in t he intimate setting of Clockwise Theatre, and the cutting-edge imagination of the nimble Three Brothers Theatre.
702,771 businesses involved in the creation or distribution of the arts in the United States, and these businesses employ 2.9 million people. In the next five years I think that Kenosha will button up some housing a nd redevelopment projects now on the drawing board. The Dow ntow n w i l l cont inue to develop and the arts will be a big part of that growth. I think a permanent public market will begin to take shape as Kenosha HarborMarket continues to thrive. SCH A FER— I foresee a larger, collaborative creative community. The momentum is already growing. Some great new initiatives like Art Root have the intention to actively support and cultivate the arts in Racine. Fast forward five years, and I think that we’ ll be proud of all that’s been accomplished in the community.
HOVEY— According to Americans for the Arts, as of January 2015 there were
Left of the Lake / State of the Arts 31
By Lisa Adamowicz Kless As a writer, there are times when I’m f illed with a combination of admiration and envy after reading crisp imagery and a beautifully crafted storyline in someone else’s work. It was no exception when I came across Paper Children, a short story in the online magazine Axolotl. Set in a village in an unknown location, it hints at being set in more modern times (grocery stores are mentioned), but then leads readers through a lovely, t wining fairytale about a librarian and her out-ofthe-ordinary offspring. Even before I’d f inished reading the f irst paragraph, I was impressed with the author’s evocative, gorgeous sentences, and even more so when she describes the titular children of the story: “Beneath their skin was a tangle of paper veins, and beneath those were crisp origami organs and paper-pulp bones. The children had fine wisps of paper curls atop their paper heads. When they yawned, their mouths made a crinkling sound. The only color on their bodies was a black ink spot in the center of each paper eye.” The stor y can be described as magical realism, but don’t feel bad if that literary term just leaves you puzzled. I could probably only give you a stumbling meaning myself, and even the editors of Axolotl say that they “…have no intention or desire to pinpoint a concrete definition
of magical realism or of slipstream. These terms are slippery, much like our amphibious mascot.” All you really need to know, at least in the case of this story, is that it’s a charming way to elude the bustle of everyday life and escape into a different, enchanting new world for a little while. To read Paper Children online in Axolotl, visit www.axolotlmag.com/en/paper-children-gennarose-nethercott. To learn more about the author, who, among other things, “on sunny days…can be found stationed on street corners typing poems to order from a 1952 Hermes Rocket typewriter,” check out her website at gennarose.strikingly. com. You’ll f ind photos, a list of publications where you can f ind more of her work, event information, and even instructions on how you can order a poem from her online. There’s also a mini-movie of one of her poems. Admiration/envy struck all over again when I saw what cool things she does with her work. For more articles by 2nd First Look, visit our website at www.2ndFirstLook.com, and find us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/2ndFirstLook.
34 2FL: Paper Children / Lisa Adamowicz Kless
Katie Sell / Flight  35
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36 2FL: Moone Boy / Jav Rivera
Dia de los Muertos Day of the Dead Playing Cards
$12 • created by 54 female artists
Available at: ArtWorks, 5002 7th Ave. Kenosha, WI Northern Lights Gallery, 423 Main St., Racine, WI and our online shop: www.leftofthelake.com
Special Offer Buy all four decks in the Artists Playing Cards series for only $30. Offer exclusive to ArtWorks in Kenosha and our online shop www.leftofthelake.com
38 Stripwax Flashback / Jeff Moody
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