Winter's End River Sunset by Steven Kozar

Get out of the cold and meet the artist Steven Kozar at Robert Rae Gallery, Friday – February 21, 2011, 5-9 pm.

Many Wisconsinites and people from all over the world know the great realist paintings of Steven Kozar.  Now you can see all of his remaining originals,  and meet Steven at Robert Rae Gallery.  All of the paintings are for sale and prints are also available.  This wonderful show and sale runs through February 20th, if you don’t get a chance to get there tonight.

This versitale artist will also be entertaining you with live music, accompanied by his son Andrew Kozar.

Refreshments will be served, so you can snack while you decide on which painting to purchase.

Robert Rae Gallery
184 W. Main Street
Stoughton, WI
608-577-0177
Open 7 days a week for you!

View Art Walk on Historic Main Street Stoughton, WI in a larger map

A few of my favorites will be presented.  Kathryn Vaughn at Main Street Flowers.  You may recognize this name from Madison Radio.  She hosts a wonderful show on Magic 98 every Sunday morning.  Several of her pieces are on display at Naeset Roe Inn.  Greg Rodriguez at Yaraha River Co-Op, is an outstanding painter.  He just finished a painting of Naeset Roe Inn for me that is hanging in the West Parlor.  Mona Semerau is a wonderful silversmith that does such delicate work.  Stop and see her at Vincenzo’s and have a glass of wine while you are there. So stop in and see some new art during the Main Street Stoughton Art Walk Friday, July 23rd  5-9pm.  If you can’t make it, most of these artists are displayed at other times in these shops.  Come and see them during a stay at Naeset Roe Inn.  The inn is one block from Main Street and a great walk any day of the week.

Here it is:

The Block

Now you want to know what is he going to ask. Well, I need to know the pattern this block goes together best as. There are three different ways that I can but them together.  They are shown below.

Pattern #1

Pattern #2

Pattern #3

The finished quilt will be two more blocks wide and two more blocks tall.  But you get the general feel for the patterns and, and I want to get your opinion, so you get to look at a smaller version of the finished quilt.

I know, some of you may say “what’s the difference between #2 and #3?”  Well there is, even though it is subtle.

Now, here is what I would like from you.
It’s your chance to make a difference
in my future guests lives.
Let your voice be heard.
You don’t even have to leave the house to vote.
You can vote as many times as you want.

Just go to the bottom of this post and leave a reply or click on the comment link,
and tell me which one you like.
It’s simple, type, 1, 2, or 3.

I’ll have the rest of the blocks ready to put together early next week so I’d appreciate hearing from you.

So while you are here vote now.

If you’re reading this on Facebook you can just COMMENT with a 1,2,or3.

Thanks for your help.

Spring is on the way, a little birdy told me so.
Don’t forget to turn your clocks forward when you go to bed on Saturday, March 13th.  Or you will be late all day long.

March 12th is the  ”BE-DE-FU” Event:
Two local stores – Midnight Moon and Diakonos Designs will be sponsoring a creative contest called ‘BE-DE-FU’.  This first monthly ‘BEading DEsigning FUn’ challenge will take place at both stores from 6-8:30 where beading teams will create unique designs using specially selected beads.  We’ll get together at Vincenzo’s at 9:00 to see all the designs and vote on favorites. Join us for food, friends and some creative BEading DEsigning FUn— come design & compete as part of a design team or watch and learn new ideas from fellow designers.  Call Lynn (877-1577) or Becky (575-5642) to reserve your spot.

March 13th – 14th – Make Your Own Jewelry Weekend:
Join Becky at Diakanos Designs and create jewelry from Katherine Vaughn’s art and/or learn to make resin jewelry.  Join Lynn at Midnight Moon and see how easy it is to design your own PMC (Precious Metal Clay) pieces. For more information contact Becky at 575-5642 or Lynn at 877-1577 for more information.

Ann Kleckner, president of 14 South Artists says, “Artists do what they do because they love doing it.  When you buy original art, you participate in the process of promoting the arts, and help to sustain the quality lifestyle of small communities.  You are not just buying a thing.  You are buying an original work, made by an artist out of love.  It’s not just an object…it carries the energy of the artist who created it.”

If you like to view demos or are looking for that perfect painting, pottery piece or jewelry then you should take a tour around southern Wisconsin and visit the studios of artists like Lynn Gifford, jeweler / Becky Guzman, jeweler / Gary Walker, digital painter / Barbara Grant, mixed media / Derek Hambly, painter / Audrey Handler, glass artist / and Paul Morrison, woodworking.  For a complete list of artists and locations click on 14 South Artists.

To add to your tour enjoyment of all this art, why not stay at Naeset Roe Inn in Historic Downtown Stoughton.  Here you’ll enjoy the artistry of hospitality by Carl the innkeeper and Zack his trusty sheltie.  After a night of peaceful slumber, gastronomic treats will greet you in the morning and get you started on your day of touring.  Click here to check availability.  You can walk from the inn to 11 of the artists locals in Stoughton.

Come and support the artists of the 14 South Artists Fall Studio Art Tour.  It’s the perfect place to start your holiday shopping.

Remember also to support all the independently owned businesses in your area.  If you love the community you live in and want to help it thrive, go out and spend some money each month at 3 of your favorite independently owned businesses.  Do you want your community known for all the big box stores or for the great little shop on Main Street?

Look forward to seeing you in the studios on September 26th and 27th.

If you would like to leave a comment on this or any other post on this blog,  Click on the title on the post and it will open a new window.  Scroll down to the bottom and leave a comment.

As promised last week I am posting two maps here that can help you navigate around the Fine Artsy Fair being held in Stoughton, WI on June 19th and 20th.  Friday night there is going to be a Gallery Walk and 17 art galleries, studios, and shops will be open for you to view and buy art in different media.  I’m told that you will also be able to get a glass of wine and maybe some snacks at most of them.  So wouldn’t it be nice to be staying at Naeset Roe Inn, because then you can walk everywhere.  No driving after a couple of glasses of wine.
View Stoughton Art Gallery Walk in a larger map

And then on Saturday there are all kinds of things to do.  You can take a class and learn a new art technique or view the demo’s going on.  Then there will be a lot of street art going on also, including music, face painting and balloon sculpting.  Have your portrait done or munch on ethnic food.  The music reminds me that you can say that you were dancing in the streets of Stoughton WI.
View Classes and Demos in a larger map

And don’t forget that Phantom of the Opera, the 1924 version, will be shown one time only at the Historic Stoughton Opera House and there will be someone on stage playing the piano accompaniment.  That’s 7 pm on Saturday June 20th at the Stoughton Opera House.

The Stoughton Opera House just announced their Sneak Preview of shows coming for the 2009-2010 season.   When you attend a show at the Stoughton Opera House you get a 10% discount on your stay at Naeset Roe Inn.  So buy your tickets and book your room today.  I have it on good athority that one of the TBA shows is the Smothers Brothers.  That takes me back a long way.  I waited on them back in the early 70′s.

Now you know a little bit about my history and a little about what is going on in Historic Stoughton.  So check out the maps and the Stoughton Opera House website and book your rooms now at Naeset Roe Inn.

Talk to you soon.

If you like the outdoors Lake Kegonsa State Park is a wonderful place to spend the day.  It has a nice hiking trail and a great beach to laze on.  If you want to spend some time on the water I would be glad to arrange the rental of a pontoon boat for you.

If you like your hiking trails paved then Historic Downtown Stoughton is the place for you. You can duck into a shelter every 30 feet and get out of the sun.  One of the main events of the summer is the Fine Artsy Fair. This year being held June 19th and 20th.  You’ll enjoy art of all kinds, from painting to photography, performance to plaster.
You can start your Fair off with the Gallery Walk on Friday evening.  17 galleries and studios will be open for you to tour.  Enjoy a summer evening of wine, snacks and Art.  This all takes place 5-9pm.  If you see something you really love it isn’t far to Naeset Roe Inn to bring it back before you continue your tour.
Saturday brings Classes and Demos to the area as well as music and performances on the street.  You won’t want to miss The original 1924, Lon Chaney version of Phantom Of the Opera with the music score played by a live pianist.

There will be classes held at the following shops if you want to learn a different kind of art technique:

All Through The House cooking
Midnight Moon Bead Shop beading jewelry and Presious Metal Clay
Diakonos Designs bead making and jewelry
Peeling Ceiling ceramic tile making
Saving Thyme quilting
Woodland Studios photography and knitting

There will also be demos of different art techniques in studios and shops.  Subscribe to this Blog and next week I’ll be posting maps for the Gallery Walk and classes.

While you are out and about there will be many things to distract your attention, food vendors will be lining Main Street offering everything from fried cheese curds and lefse wraps to tacos and brats.  Acoustic musicians featuring a wonderful mix of local and regional acts including Sharp & Hawkins Band, Blue Collar Joe, Brett Petterson and Badfish Creek will be performing along Main Street.  Expect and eclectic variety of musical styles such as acoustic flok, blues, jazz, and rock.  Activities for children include tile painting and other art demos, face painting, a balloon artist, and other fun things to do and see.

So don’t wait to book your room at Naeset Roe Inn and be a part of the fun of the second annual Fine Artsy Fair in Historic Downtown Stoughton Wisconsin.

Of course if you miss the Fair there is always something to see or do in Stoughton.  Most shops offer classes all year around and the art is always changing in the galleries.

All of this is taking place just a block or three from Naeset Roe Inn.  Don’t wait, check out the rooms and book it online.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the feed to keep up to date on what is happening in Stoughton and southern Wisconsin.  I’ll be talking to you soon.

My favorite Gallery is having a new show entitled “Special Places”  the artist is Tim Mulholland.  The show runs trough April 19th.   But you can enjoy it from the beginning with the Artist’s Reception Friday, March 6th, 5pm – 8pm.  Visit RobertRaeGallery.com.  The gallery is only two blocks from Naeset-Roe Inn, 184 W. Main Street., so it is a nice evening walk away, even in this cold March weather.  Tim does a wonderful job with his camera, and has a great collection of Wisconsin scenes.

The Stoughton Opera House is offering some good shows this month.  Visit the Stoughton Opera House Website for more information.

when your here and at the 14 South Art show, pick up and entry form from the artists and then come up to Main Street and enter to win a $50 artists Gift Certificate at the participating Shops.

The weather is wonderful and everyone is waiting for your arrival.

Last night you missed the tree lighting, a reception for Peter Engler and his 10thvisit to All Through The House to carve his beautiful Santa Clause’s.  then there was a art Show opening at Robert Rae Gallery.  The artist Kathryn Vaughn had a good gathering to see her work and did sell a few pieces.  There is some great Art at the show this weekend.  And you also missed the Victorian Holiday Ball.  People in period costumes were whirling and steppin’ to the music and having a grand old time.

If you can’t make it this weekend there is always the rest of the year to come to Stoughton and do some of your Christmas shopping.  Or remember Next year, the first weekend in December will be another edition of Victorian Holiday Weekend.

I’ve known Kathryn for several years and have some of her art at the Inn.  She does wonders with inks and metalics.  She is also a first rate DJ on Sunday mornings on Magic98 in Madison.

I still have some room available for the weekend if you want to come to the opening and aslo have some fun at Victorian Holiday Weekend, a celebration of our Victorian past and the holiday season.  There is also a wonderful Holiday Art Show put on by the artists of 14 South Artists.This is is their 5th annual and it only gets bigger and better every year.  It’s a Juried Art Show featuring over 30 fine artists from southern Wisconsin.

So don’t sit at home.  Get out and enjoy the fresh snow on the ground.  Maybe take a trolley ride or a wagon ride, do a little Christmas shopping in our unique stores, and see great art in Stoughton Wisconsin.