Friends of Fred Smith Friends of Fred Smith Park

WINTER/SPRING 2016
FROM THE
Inside This Issue
Heritage Days 2015
Highlights
1-2
Restoration of the
Nativity Plaques
3
WI Art Environment
Consortium
4
Celebration of Arts
in Action
5
Calendar of Events
& Workshops
6
Friends of Fred Smith
WISCONSIN Concrete Park
A great place to visit during any season!
2015 4th Annual
Heritage Days :
Get Hooked on History!
History came alive for the 4th year last May during
Heritage Days. Friday was fieldtrip day when 141 4th
2015 Workshop
7
grade kids and 40+ teachers and chaperones from Price
Highlights
County schools tumbled out of their buses on a beautiful
FoFS
spring day. Several homeschooled kids and parents also
8
Members
came and all were engaged at over 30 interactive history
stations set throughout the park. The kids and teachers all had a great experience
Membership Form
9
seeing in action what they learned about Wisconsin history throughout the year in their
social studies classrooms. Nine local history groups, several Friends of Fred Smith
members and eight community artisans provided an array of old tools, hand skills and artifacts for everyone to
handle and experience. An authentic historical re-enactor’s camp returned this year, coordinated by Doug and
Jan Hosig, Thorp, and featured eleven camps with demonstrations of period clothing, open-fire cooking and
baking, hand spinning and weaving, hawk throwing, toys and games, and voyageur life from the Fur Trade Era
to1840. The camp was a living exhibit of life before European settlers arrived in Price County. On Saturday, the
event was open to the public and expanded to include 5 hours of continuous music by several ethnic and
traditional musicians from around Price County and the midwest. This year, ethnic foods by area churches and
heritage food preservation methods such as fermentation provided the newest aspect of our area’s history. A
Kraut mob enlivened visitors with making sauerkraut under the direction of Brandon Byers from Mount Horeb, WI.
An estimated 350-400 people attended from across central and northern Wisconsin. The event required a
tremendous effort by Friends of Fred Smith members, several history groups, boy scouts and community
volunteers. The Friends raised over $14,000 in grant monies to help fund the event. Many thanks to all who
supported and participated in this event! It was, again, truly a community collaboration.
Heritage Days 2015
RESTORING THE NATIVITY PLAQUES
Page 3
Restoration of Fred’s Smith’s statues is often a saga, often
taking longer than it did for Fred to originally create them.
In 2014, the FoFS preservation team started fund raising for the
Nativity Plaques, originally located around the base of #28
Bandstand Tableau, but which had been removed and stored in
the shop for many years, several in pieces. Last winter, Don
Howlett, of Preservation Services, Inc, took the bulk of the pieces
to his studio in Spring Lake to create a restoration plan and
budget, reassemble and, in some cases, reconstruct the plaques
and prepare them for repainting the images. He also organized
vintage images (like the one to the left) of the plaques to provide
a color and image guide. Last spring, the plaques were returned
to the park shop where Angela Kleinhans spent many summer
hours painting Fred’s images back onto the plaques.
The plaques originally sat on the ground and leaned against the
bandstand, a practice which eventually damaged them along with
a few really bad storms. To avoid repeating this, Greg Kleinhans, of Hands On Custom Creations, built steel
rails to hold the plaques above ground and secured these In concrete footings. Though the end of the
restoration is in sight, the remaining painting of the plaques in the shop as well as those attached to the
bandstand base will resume and become finalized before the end of this coming summer with the help of
our newest Preservation Technician, Mike Eggebrecht. Altogether the project is now estimated to total
around $13,000. Part of Fred’s legacy will live on for several more years.
As the story goes, at some point Smith realized that he wanted there to be something at the Park for
everyone, and realized he hadn’t represented Christmas. He used a set of painted cardboard Nativity Scene
cutouts (we don’t know who made these) as a model and copied them onto concrete plaques, which he
installed on the platform and around the base of the Bandstand. And so, the saga continues.
The Friends of Fred Smith, Inc is very grateful to
these individuals, businesses and foundations
for their financial support for Heritage Days 2015:
MarquipWardUnited
Arnold J Stueber, Sr &
Sally A Stueber
Nicolet National Bank
Flambeau Forest Resort
Marie’s on Fayette
Stoney Pub
Price County Telephone Co
First National Bank
Slaby, Deda, Marshall, Reinhard &
Wirtz, LLC
Flambeau Hospital
Marshfield Clinic
Price Electric Cooperative
Heindl Funeral Home
Heritage Credit Union
Wisconsin Humanities Council
Kohler Foundation
AnnMarie Foundation
Weathershield Employee Lite
Foundation
Lynne and Kent Gibbs
Mid-Wisconsin Foundation
Page 4
Wisconsin
Art Environment Consortium
2015 R OADSIDE A RT E XPERIENCES
Wisconsin is home to several unique and
historically important art environments. In 2008,
eight of those places decided to join together and
form The Wisconsin Art Environment Consortium.
Their mission was, and is, to build awareness and
appreciation for those sites and the artistic and
cultural heritage they embody through the joint
efforts and combined knowledge of site stewards.
In order to raise
awareness of the
sites, and with the help of a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, a
map was created locating each of the sites along with detailed directions to get
to them and a brief description of each site. All of the sites are free and open to
the public and each tells a unique story in art. The sites include the Dickeyville
Grotto in Dickeyville, Ernest Hupeden’s Painted Forest in Valton, Fred Smith’s
Wisconsin Concrete Park in Phillips, Herman Rusch’s Prairie Moon Sculpture
Garden and Museum in Cochrane, James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden
in Wilson, Nick Engelbert’s Grandview in Hollandale, the Paul and
Matilda Wegner Grotto in Cataract and the Rudolph Grotto Gardens
and Wonder Cave in Rudolph. Maps are free and available at the
park.
Nick Engelbert’s Grandview in Hollandale
James Tellen’s Woodland
Sculpture Garden in Wilson
In 2015, five of those art environments offeried art-making
opportunities called Roadside Art Experiences which will include
tours, entertainment and refreshments at each site. The Art
Outdoors at Ernest Hupeden’s Painted Forest, James Tellen’s Chair
City Cookout, Nick Engelbert’s Grandview Plein Air Event and Art
Outdoors at the Wegner Grotto County Park are each on a different
weekend in August, 2016. The summer Roadside Art Experiences
will culminate in Phillips with the Celebration of Arts in Action at the Wisconsin Concrete Park on
Saturday, September 24th, 2016, from 10am to 4 pm.
The Friends of Fred Smith, Inc, at Concrete Park will offer an array of instant opportunities to create art in
four different mediums: painting on a life-size mural, glazing and firing raku pottery, decorating the park
garage with mosaics, and painting open-air (Plein Air), post card-sized landscapes. All media are open to
all ages. All materials for each medium will be provided. A quilt display, live music, silent auction and great
food and beverages by Marie’s on Fayette will make this a wonderful event for the entire family. For more
information about all the statewide Roadside Art Experiences and competitions visit
www.kohlerfoundation.org/grants/plein-airpainting-competition-wandering-wisconsin/ .
Paul & Matilda Wegner Grotto
in Cataract
Plan now for a late
Summer Road Trip this
year to visit all the
art environments!
Page 5
Celebration of Arts in Action
A W ISCONSIN R OADSIDE A RT E XPERIENCE
2015 brought with it a redesign of the FoFS annual Celebration of Fred Smith’s
Art event. Called the Celebration of Arts in Action, visitors of all ages had instant
opportunities to create art in four media: painting postcard-sized watercolor
pictures, creating mosaics on the garage wall, glazing and firing raku pottery and
painting on a life-sized mural. Costs were mostly free, allowing anyone
interested in creating, a chance to express themselves. Wisconsin Concrete
Park was aglow with dozens of beautiful, handmade quilts from the members
of Helping Hands Quilt Club, Phillips, and the First Lutheran Church, Prentice.
Music filled the air by the Highview Blue Grass Band. About 166 attendees
participated and an on-site survey revealed several people from outside the
county and outside of the state attended the event that day.
The Celebration of Arts in Action in 2016 is on Saturday, September 24th
from 10am - 4pm. More beautiful work from local quilt artists will hang in the pines
and a studio exhibit of the Keepsake Quilt Traveling Show from New Hampshire will
be open in the park studio. More instant art opportunities will return to the park as
well, including the mosaic wall on the park garage, a life-sized mural and glazing and
raku firing small pots. Great live music and food, too.
Tour along Highway 13 in
Price County on September
24th & enjoy all three great
community festivals on the
same day: the Ogema
Christmas Tree Festival,
Celebration of Arts in Action
and the Phillips Fall Festival.
NEW PARK PRESERVATION TECH
Mike Eggebrecht from Phillips has joined the Concrete Park’s Preservation
Team in 2015 and has been a great asset. As many of you know, he is also a
coach at the schools as well as a regular substitute teacher. In his copious
spare time, he works and is co-owner of Sport Plus Physical Therapy LLC with
his wife, Mel. The Friends and the park are very fortunate to have his help.
Page 6
WISCONSIN CONCRETE PARK
2016 WINTER / SPRING CALENDAR
OF EVENTS & WORKSHOPS
JUNE
MAY
APRIL
MARCH
Call the Park at 715-339-7282 for further details & to register for classes.
Saturday,
March 5
1-4pm
WATERCOLOR PAINTING
Former Phillips art teacher, Sheila Miske, brings her talents to the park to teach color
blending, sketching, masking, stamping and texture techniques along with a few
contemporary embellishments. All ages & materials are supplied. Registration required.
Saturday,
March 19
1-4pm
FELTED SOAP MAKING
Jane Hansen, Ogema farmer and fiber fan, provides you with the materials and knowhow to wrap her bar soap (or your favorite soap you bring) with colorful wool roving and
felt it to create a built-in wash cloth. Jane will also demonstrate her techniques of
making handcrafted soap as well as provide info about sheep, wool and felting.
Registration and $7 fee are required. Space is limited.
Saturday,
April 2
1-4pm
ART JOURNALING
Bookmaker, Shelley Matthiesen, will introduce this process by demonstrating several
methods of decorating the pages of a book either to be used to hold your thoughts in
words, or your feelings in art, or both. Tools & all materials supplied. Registration
required and space is limited.
Saturday,
April 16
1-4pm
ART TILES FROM CLAY
A one part clay class making decorative or commemorative ceramic tiles and painting
them with glaze in the same day. Sheila Miske will lead you through the process. FoFS
will fire and final glaze all the tiles. Registration & a $10 fee are required. Space is
limited.
Saturday, GARDEN ART
May 28
Make your own garden art out of fresh branches cut at the park. Learn to identify & cut
1-4pm
popple, buckthorn or honeysuckle for materials. Sally Punzel returns to show you how to
gather the materials & construct stars, small shelves, garden gates, racks and small pot
trellises using the collected materials, a hammer and nails. Registration required.
Thursday,
June 9
1-4pm
CERAMIC FIGURE PAINTING
The Gehrke Family has generously donated several ceramic figure in all sizes to the park
that need painting. Join in by picking your favorite figure and painting to your heart’s
content. Open to all ages. All materials provided. Registration required & space is limited
Saturday,
June 11
1-4pm
BARN QUILTS
Jeanie Heizler, life-long fabric quilter and owner of Custom Outdoor Covers, returns for
another afternoon of exploring the tradition of making and displaying barn quilts. Create
a mini-sized version of a quilt for your home or mailbox. Patterns and many supplies are
provided. Registration & a $12 fee required. Space is limited.
Saturday,
June 25
R ENE I ANNARELLI
Fiber Artist Trunk Show & Workshop
Trunk Show Fiber artist and quilter from Rhinelander, Rene Iannarelli
10-11:30am will open her trunk of art quilts for a free morning
presentation showcasing ideas for going beyond traditional
quilts. During the afternoon workshop, participants will
Lunch
12 noon
make samples of non-traditional piecing techniques as seen
during the morning presentation.
Workshop
1-4pm
Registration and a fee are required for the afternoon
workshop. Space is limited in both sessions.
Children of all ages are welcome to attend workshops. Those under
10 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Classes fill rapidly and require pre-registration by calling 715-339-7282.
2015 WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS
Page 7
Chalk
Drawing
Ceramics
BARN QUILTS
WaterColor
Painting
Branch
Art
Duck Tape
Ink Block
Printing
Who are the Friends of Fred Smith?
Page 8
Business & Non-Profit Sponsors
Knox Creek Heritage Center
Phillips Area Chamber of Commerce
Schilling Electric
Countryside Artists Gallery & Gifts
Nan Hall Lombardi Fund
Ruth DeYoung Kohler
Foundation
The RDK Foundation has generously donated money to the Endowment Fund, to
the preservation of the statues and to the
operation and promotion of the Park.
THANK
YOU !
Louis Ahlen
Lynn Bjorkman & Arnold
Alanen
Carol Strobl Allen &
Jeffrey Allen
Polly Anderson
Frederick & Evonna Baehner
Ashley Bartelt
Pete & Connie Bartelt
John Barko
Karen Baumgartner
Frances & Randall
Bedore
Liza Berdnik
David Saetre & Janet Bewley
Louise Bingham
Justin Blomberg
Shirley Boeret
Thomas & Lynn Boers
Russell Bowman
Beverly & Dennis Brayton
Wesley Brice
Mark & Marjory Brzeskiewicz
Leslie Buchbinder
Tracy Burkart
Judy & Tony Canales
Debra Cervenka
Susan Chemler
Donna & Pete Christensen
Teresa Coliani
Dale & Mary Ann Collins
Dorothy Cordy-Pritzl
Chris Cornelius
Sue Costomiris
Hilda Demuth-Lutze
Jeff & Laurie Denny
First National Bank of Park Falls
Wisconsin Art Environment Consortium
Price County Historical Society
Stoney Pub
AnnMarie Foundation
Mid-Wisconsin Foundation
Kohler Foundation
Weathershield Employee
Lite Foundation
Marschke Family Fund
WFLA Lodge #236
Park Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
Wisconsin State Historical Society
Price County Antiques Association
Jump River Valley Historical Society
Wisconsin
Humanities Council
With funds from the State of
Wisconsin & the National
Endowment for the
Humanities.
2015 Individual & Family Members
Gilbert & Charlene Dering
Norma Devoe
Suzanne Theis
Dan & Nora Doyle
Jim Draeger
Bonnie Duncan
Dave & Mary Dwyer
Richard & Lenore Elder
Bill & Cindy Elliott
Mary Feranec
Catherine Fisch
Sharyn Friedell
Lee Foster
Etola Foytek
Lynne & Kent Gibbs
Karen Girardeau
Jason & Jodi Grendys
John Hachmeister
Ed & Peggy Hainy
Pat Glascock & Michael Hall
Gene Hedbany
Lynn & Peter Heinz
Jo Farb Hernandez &
Sam Hernandez
David Howe
Dawn Hughes
Jon Humburg
Jody Hucko &
Scott McDonald
Arlyn & Grace Kielsmeier
Russ & Jeanne Kirchmeyer
Greg Kleinhans
Jeannie Klimowski
John Klimowski
Donna Kogler
Ruth DeYoung Kohler
Bob & Linda Kopisch
Keith Laatsch
Barb LaHaye
Dale Lang
Kathy & Bob LaPointe
Wayne Lindeman
David Luebkeman
Lyn & Dan Ludwig
Sherb & Ginger Mabie
Mr & Mrs Bruce Marshall
Gay & Carl Marschke
Kerry Martin
Dr. Johan Mathison
Holly Metz
Sheila & Tom Miske
Doug & Bonnie Moquin
Margaret Nellis
Travis Nez
Tom & Linnea Olson
Marie Pagel
Cathy Peterson
Lester & Mary Jean Petersen
JoAnn Plein
Candace Prahl-Tell
Justin & Bobbie Race
Virginia Rauth
Scott & Kathy Reinhard
Melanie Rigney
Jason & Katie Riley
Molly Ross Family
Rosenberg-Wright Family
Bob Roth
Jan Runge
Doreen Rzentkowski
Glen & Linda Schilling
Rosanne Schleif
Trudy Schragel
LY Schwarz
Fred & Cheryl Scruton
Eileen Stuntebeck & Dave
Sersch
Bernice Shafarik
John & Pat Slaby
Al Smilies
Denise Smith
Jill & Rick Smith
Victor Ferrall & Linda Smith
Joy & Jim Stauber
Marilyn Stone
Lisa Stone & Don Howlett
Doug Sowden
Sue Spoley
Terry Tauschmann
Robert Thieme
Bruce Timm
Tim & Cinda Tollefson
Therese & Ed Trojak
Maureen Trojak
Mildred Trzecinski
Wally & Irene Villareal
Ronald Walcisak
Jacquelyn Ward
G. Lane & Linda Ware
Gary Werhane
Meg Werren
Eric Wery
Lynn & Roxanne Wimme
Joan Wimme
Ken Wood
Ken & Judy Wyant
Terri & Bill Yoho
Jim Zanzi
DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED
The Friends of Fred Smith Endowment Fund
Please consider making a contribution to the Friends of Fred Smith Endowment Fund. Your
gift will keep on giving over time...And, as the saying goes, “You can’t take it with you,” but
you can leave a lasting legacy by remembering the Friends of Fred Smith in your will.
We will be happy to provide details about both options.
Page 9
r!
de
Remin
Friends of Fred Smith, Inc.
Membership Form
Countryside Artists Gallery & Gifts
Page 10
Located in the Historic Smith Family House at
Wisconsin Concrete Park, the Countryside Artists
(CSA) continue to operate the Gallery & Gifts in the
Historic Smith Family House. CSA members provide
valuable information about Fred Smith, area
businesses and events to park visitors as well as
offer beautiful and unique hand-made items for
sale. Having the Gallery & Gift Shop in the house is
an invaluable asset to the Friends of Fred Smith,
Wisconsin Concrete Park and Price County. The
Gallery and Gift Shop opens in May and remains
open everyday through October from 10am-4pm.
Park Helpers Return!
F A LL
2016
FALL CULTURAL TOURS
For several years now, Cub Scout Pack 540 and
their parents have come to clean up the Park
spring and fall from leaf and tree debris and
thousands of acorns. Thanks so much to these
willing and helpful hands for keeping the
Wisconsin Concrete Park beautiful!
The Friends of Fred Smith tried something
new last fall which turned out to be quite fun
judging from the response from all the
participants. About 30 men, women and children
signed up for an FoFS sponsored bus tour to
the Wausau area to visit the Leigh-Yawkey
Woodson Art Museum’s Birds in Art Exhibit.
They were treated to a personalized tour of
the works of the 2015 exhibit competitors
and winners as well as viewed the museum’s
collection of Owen Gromme’s paintings.
Restless children created to their hearts
content in the Kids Room downstairs. From
there, the bus traveled to the Dells on the
Eau Claire State Park to view nature’s fall
pallette of waterfalls and incredible rock
outcroppings. Before heading home again,
the bus made a last stop at 2510 Restaurant
in Wausau for supper.
Watch for this year’s schedule of
Day-Cruising with Friends to northern
Wisconsin’s cultural jewels
coming in Fall 2016!
“It’s gotta be in ya to do it.”
Fred Smith
Friends of Fred Smith, Inc, Wish List
The Friends of Fred Smith are continually looking to improve services, including art workshops and
site conservation. Below is a list of items that we could really use, new or used. If you are able to donate or have information regarding any of these
items, please contact Sharyn at
OTHER ITEMS
ART SUPPLIES
715-339-7282 or email fofs@pctcnet.net .
Refrigerator
Easels
Your generous donations are tax deductible!
Thank You!
Pottery Supplies
Storage Bins- All sizes
Vacuum Cleaner
Deer Antlers (6-10 Pt)