Gene Summers our June Guest Artist

Artist’s Statement

Gene Summers is an Emeritus Professor of Rural Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he served from 1970 to 1998.  He has been interested in landscape and nature photography for more than 60 years. 

He has always felt a strong attachment to nature, probably from having grown up in a remote rural area of Southeast Missouri, and to the beauty that is to be found in the great outdoors, if one takes the time to look closely.  Professor Summers attempts to capture the artistry of Mother Nature with the camera. He sees photography as a means of bringing greater attention to natural beauty. It is his hope that a greater awareness of nature will encourage more people to practice conservation and to support environmental protection legislation. 

His work has appeared in several publications and has been on display in Wisconsin galleries and exhibitions. He is a member of the Wisconsin Alliance of Artists & Craftspeople, Wisconsin Regional Artists Association, Madison Art Guild,  Richland Area Art Council, and The Center for Photography at Madison. 

A Big Show in May - Viroqua Teens

"Graceful Hesitation" by Julia Morgan, Laurel High School, WRAA State Award winner

   

Student Artists Featured at VIVA Gallery

For the month of May, VIVA Gallery will exhibit works by high school artists. The schools represented are Laurel High School, a charter school within the Viroqua Area School System, the Youth Initiative High School and artwork by students who have studied with Viroqua artist Kathie Wheeler.

Students will present work in several media, including painting, drawing, photography, clay and sculpture. Among the works will be pieces that won state awards at the recent Wisconsin Regional Arts Program’s high school show, held in Richland Center.

Anne Tedeschi, VIVA member, art instructor, and organizer of the exhibit, says “I find it very exciting to see the unusual level of talent among so many young artists, and I am looking forward to the opening of this very special show.”

Meet the student artists at VIVA’s First Thursday reception on May 5 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Treats will be served.  The Girls’ Ukulele band (best known as Garlic Breath) will provide music. 

You can see the student work at the gallery throughout the month of May, as well as work of 17 member artists.

Fresh and New April 1st Thursday

This month we welcome Amy Arnold and her entourage of Peepwools.  Characters with attitude, meet them and their creator on 1st Thursday, April 7 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.
You can catch up with what Maureen Karlstad is doing too -- she was a founding member of VIVA and this month we welcome her back!  Come see her new work - it's gorgeous and ever so useful.
Thursday, April 7 -- support your local art scene!

Jamie Heiden - 2010 Driftless Art Festival People's Choice Winner

About Jamie

In March, VIVA Gallery in Viroqua welcomes photographer Jamie Heiden as guest artist. Jamie describes her art as “finding a little fairytale every day,” and her photographs bear this out. She captures images that are familiar slices of time and then applies texture with watercolors or through digital manipulation. The results are images whose muted colors and soft lines are universally appealing. Jamie received the 2010 Best of Photography award from Madison’s Art Fair Off the Square, and won the 2010 People’s Choice Award at both the Art Fair on the Green in LaCrosse and the Driftless Area Art Festival in Soldiers Grove.

Meet Jamie at VIVA’s First Thursday reception on March 3 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. The gallery is located at 217 South Main Street in Viroqua. For more information about this and future First Thursday events, contact the gallery at 608-637-6918 or info@vivagallery.net. You may see Jamie’s work at the gallery through the month of March, as well as work of 17 member artists.

Pottery, Sculpture and Music - February 1st Thursday

In the month of February VIVA Gallery is hosting Ryan Meyers as our guest artist. Ryan works as an adjunct professor at Viterbo University, in his studio he works as a sculptor and potter. He describes his current work as sculpture that has implied function. His process involves using a combination of thrown and hand building. Many of the pieces are fired multiple times to achieve the desired effect. He is inspired and fascinated by the idea that his work might be used in daily rituals, such as morning coffee.

February 3 is 1st Thursday for the artist reception, hear the Girls Ukulele Band perform and enjoy appetizers, sweets and beverages from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

New Year, New Work • January, 2011

"Small Works" show at VIVA Gallery in January. Guest Artist Sherry Knapp is featured along with members of the gallery. Sherry Knapp is best known for exquisite, finely detailed dolls, each taking on a life of their own as they are created. Her studio and shop called 'Otherwise' is located on Hwy. 14 between Viroqua and Westby.

Come see this whimsical small works show at the gallery in the month of January.

1st Thursday is January 6 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. As always refreshments are served.

in December at VIVA

The members of VIVA gallery are the featured artists the month of December. Stop by and see beautiful art created by artist members of VIVA. 1st Thursday is December 2 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Come for holiday treats, mulled wine and cider, enjoy warm holiday spirit this evening and through out the month of December. Check out individual blogs of artist members located on the sidebar. See what's new in their studios and at the gallery. Happy Holidays!