Your Arts Program, Inc.

Connie Muckleberg creates these unique birch bark pouches.  The birch bark is sustainably gathered from dead trees.  The leather work is an act of wildlife conservation.  Connie harvested the deer from which the leather came.  Come in and check out these versatile pouches!

Judy Rattenbach creates these very thick potholders.  They truly fit the folk art category – the art was taught to her by her grandmother and passed through her mother, the objects are necessary for daily living and their creation brightened necessities.

Frances Whitfield creates baskets from materials that she has gathered from Northern Wisconsin forests.  Birch bark, tree roots, and pine needles all find their way in to her baskets.  In addition to the basketry she creates, beads are worked in to tradition and contemporary pieces that have been sought after by many.

 See the man on the left?  Bob Sandlin is one of our many multi-talented artists.  He is a gifted song writer, singer, musician and has and continues to play many of the lead male roles for the Denim and Dessert Readers Theater productions.  He is offering two of his musical compilations at our art center.  The first CD, a vintage compilation reminiscent of the Kingston Trio, features great tracks that will take you down memory lane.  The second musical offering that we feature has been a long time favorite of mine.  It is a series of song written, sang and musically accompanied by the gifted Sandlin.  The easy melody of the songs on this CD will stay with you and remind of easy summer afternoons with your favorite friends.

Julianna Valliere is a water colorist  whose painting style has undergone a significant transformation after a life changing occurrence.  She is a diverse painter whose painting style is at times as soft as many expect of watercolor paintings and then she creates a piece that is bold and bright.  Julie is a proud member of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.  She currently lives in Lac du Flambeau, WI.

Emma Lipets – age 9 – is our youngest artist.  When asked about her art she stated, “I take pictures of flowers.  Whenever I see a flower I get this image in my head and I never want to forget it, I just want to keep on holding on to it so I take a picture of it and that’s what I do.  I take pictures of flower that I like and sometime it doesn’t turn out right so I just try again and again until I get the perfect image and when I do it feels so good.  My aunt is a photographer so I think I got my skills from her, but remember even if the photo doesn’t work,  never give up.”

Meet Enid Cleaves.  Enid is the facilitator for our Writers Group.  Enid has been published in several periodicals as a free-lance author.  She has also been a staff writer for many regional publications.  She has published two books and currently has more at her publisher’s.  Enid is currently writing yet another book.  If you would like to meet Enid you can always find her at the arts program on the second Tuesday of each month for our writers group!

Rudy Philemon is a life long carver.  His art was passed down through the generations of his family.  Rudy is proud to be a member of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.  Rudy’s work frequently incorporates our native Sumac and his skilled carving reveals and showcases the unique grain of this wood.  Stop in to see what his knife has uncovered in the wood!

Judi Schmidt Arnold is a woman of many talents.  “I have been doing artwork all my life.  I have had no formal training, but was lucky enough to catch my father’s genes.  I enjoy painting and drawing wildlife (acrylics, water soluable oils and pastels).  My most recent venture is in beading (bracelets and necklaces).  I like to be creative and do each item unique.  My largest project was a 10 ft. x 20 ft. mural at the Henry Vilas Zoo Discovery Center in Madison, WI.  I am proud to say that after almost 15 years it is still there.  I never get bored with creating art and only wish I had more time to devote to it.   Completing a piece of art, no matter how large or small, gives me great satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.”

 Jerry Labarge is a Tribal Elder and one of the leading decoy makers from Lac du Flambeau. Jerry has been carving fish decoys for several decades and learned his craft from his father and other community elders. Jerry is frequently commissioned to carve ‘fish’ for fellow tribal members to use and for decoy collectors from around the country. He works at the LdF Youth Center where he mentors kids in the traditional art of decoy carving.