5th Annual Artisan Holiday Market at VIVA

VIVA Gallery’s 5th annual Artisan Market will include fourteen guest artists, and will debut at the monthly First Thursday opening on November 3. New work from VIVA’s nineteen member artists will also be on display. The market is a perfect place to find one-of-kind, locally-created gifts for the holidays.

The works of four accomplished potters offer many choices, from the functional mugs, bowls, vases and tea sets by Maureen Karlstad and Darrel Bowman to decorative tiles by Mark Herrling and Charna Schwartz. Charna’s Majolica bowls are a unique and beautiful choice.

It’s said you can’t have too much jewelry, and you will find a stunning variety of styles at the Artisan Market. M’Lou Wilkie is known for her intricate woven beadwork, and Angela Feltes makes use of her hand-crafted colorful glass beads in her jewelry offerings. Peggy Krzyzewski uses natural materialswood, bone, stone and shellin her jewelry, along with her favorite, glass, and is known for her art charms. If metalwork is your favored choice of adornment, then the works of Raelene Roberts and Martha Buche are not to be missed, especially the hammered copper work.

Fiber art is always a favorite for home décor or distinctive clothing. The intricate designs of talented weavers Kathleen Aaker and Angela Feltes are evident in their hand-woven vests and scarves. Sharlene Bohr’s eco-printed scarves and hand warmers are unusual and beautiful gifts. You may choose a colorful layered potholder from Crystal Curley.

Photographs and prints make very special gifts. Tom Rhorer’s photographs capture the unique beauty of the Driftless region. Diane Dahl’s photography is augmented by her mixed media work in acrylics, clay and bits and pieces from nature. Monica Jagel’s intricate colored pencil drawings are offered in the form of prints, cards, ornaments and books. Mark Herrling’s prints are perfect for wall display.

You will find watercolor, oil and acrylic paintings with a wide-ranging array of subjects. Watercolor artists Anne Tedeschi, Diane Splinter and Bill Mapp create scenes of the area, flora and fauna, and still lifes in distinctive styles. Deb Conlon and Paul Bergquist are known for their beautiful plein air work in oil. Liz Quebe’s oil paintings capture the personalities of some of our favorite farm animals while Pita Daniels uses acrylics in big, bold contemporary paintings showcasing the use of color.

Our woodworkers have an array of items to grace your kitchen and home. Hand-carved wooden spoons by Terry Beck, intricately constructed and beautifully finished cutting and serving boards by Jerry Quebe,

or beautiful bowls and rolling pins by Ken Garden add special touches to food preparation and presentation. Ken and Michelle Workowski’s popular rustic bark mirrors, poplar bark baskets and delicate lamp shades, all made from elements native to our area, are great holiday gifts. Nicholas and Kindred Wazee-Gale make delicate boxes and bowls of birch bark, and Ray Bock’s beautifully aesthetic wooden boxes and sculptural vessels are created from exotic hardwoods.

The forged metal work of Nick Smolen will be available in the form of candlesticks, keyrings and sculptures. And the intricately constructed kaleidoscopes of Steve and Peggy Kittelson would make an unusual and treasure gift for a family member or friend.

VIVA Gallery is also a great place to find holiday cards, stocking stuffers and ornaments.

A Sampling of what you will see at VIVA through November and December