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Winter art loop brings artists, shoppers together

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

Owner Sandra Walling hangs a painting by Karolyn Alexander among a variety of other painter's works at Artisan Co-op in downtown Janesville.

JANESVILLE — This weekend’s shopping opportunities will offer something unique, something colorful and something nobody else will have: An original work of art.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a group of Janesville stores is hosting a Winter Art Walk.

Book World, Earthsong Books and Gifts, Basics Cooperative, Raven’s Wish and the Grapevine Wine Shop will feature works from a variety of artists—and many of the artists themselves.

Many artists will be at the sales, and some will be demonstrating their craft.

About 21 artists will be participating in the event, said Alicia Reid, Raven’s Wish owner and Art Walk organizer.

This is the second such show she has organized.

The first was held just after the Tallman House cancelled its annual arts show.

The number of such shows are down because of the economy, and there are “artists out there looking for venues,” Reid said.

“The Art Loop in August was very successful,” Reid said. “The artists said they were pleased with attendance. Most had sales—and some had mega sales.”

The audience liked it, too.

“My fear was that people wouldn’t want to drive from place to place, but many people said they liked it,” Reid said. “It gave them a chance to talk about the works and rest their feet.”

This weekend’s art loop will feature pottery, photography, watercolors, oils, acrylics, stained glass, wood furnishing, wooden flutes and works in a variety of other mediums.

Artists will include Gary Gandy, Gail Hatton, Rich Fletcher, Jack Zellner, Carmen Goralski, Gail Pratt and Deb Zimmerman.

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The Artisan Co-op in downtown Janesville has a mini art loop of its own.

Art lovers can start at the front window and then work their way around the store, marveling at the quality, variety and affordability of work from local artists.

The Co-op, which is located at 6 South Main St., opened in September and features works from more than 30 artists. It is the second of its kind in south central Wisconsin.

Sandra Walling, storeowner, opened her first arts co-op in Fort Atkinson and watched it take off.

Artist-members provide much of the staff for the store, and visitors often can find them at work.

Shoppers also will find their favorite local artists such as Judy Kukla and Marilyn Keating, and works from lesser-known artists such as Cathy Thompson and Kathleen M. Ward.

Oils, watercolors, felt bags, elaborate scarves, pottery, wood-turned bowls, jewelry, photographs and collages—all the usual suspects are represented.

But the store also features items such as “Guyz”—stuffed creatures that would be equally at home on a shelf with other art objects or in a child’s arms.

Donna Marquart created stained glass works that include found items such as old canning jars, cabinet windows and coke bottles.

Walling plans to join the other businesses for the spring art walk.

Meanwhile, she plans to encourage customers to buy local art from local businesses.