June 25, 2020 at 4:02 p.m.
ArtStart reopens galleries by appointment
Puppet maker and paper artist featured in new exhibition
ArtStart reopens galleries by appointment
By Stephanie Kuski-
The work of two Midwest artists is on display at ArtStart through Aug. 8. Ken Vogel, a Madison-based puppet artist, features a wide variety of lifelike marionettes and hand puppets, while Milwaukee paper artist Julie VonDerVellen showcases her delicate textile-inspired creations.
To help curb the spread of COVID-19, ArtStart is implementing sanitation, mask wearing and social distancing as recommended by the CDC and local health officials. For that reason, all gallery-goers are required to wear a mask and remain six feet apart. In addition, sanitizer and masks will be available upon request.
"We're not in any hurry to do unnecessary programming that puts people at risk," ArtStart's Program and Operations Director Ashley McLaughlin explained. "Our board and governance committee are very cautious, so opening the galleries is phase one for us with limited staff, then phase two is opening the galleries full time again."
The galleries are available for viewing by appointment on Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those interested are asked to call or text McLaughlin at (715) 550-0177 or email [email protected] 24 hours in advance.
"We'll open it if one person wants to come through or if 10 people want to come through," McLaughlin commented. "It doesn't matter, we'll open whenever we get a call."
In addition to opening the galleries by appointment, McLaughlin said ArtStart will also be offering a virtual gallery tour (in partnership with Nate Sheppard Media) on ArtStart's website in the early weeks of July.
Both exhibits currently on display offer something for everybody, simultaneously featuring two vastly different gallery spaces.
Vogel, a Rhinelander native who currently resides in the Madison area, has over 75 of his homemade hand puppets and marionettes on display. He's made thousands of puppets since he started fashioning his lifelike creations in the '70s, allowing him ample time to perfect his unique craft.
The artistic process involves lots of tender loving care, as Vogel crafts every detail of each individual puppet. He uses a mold and paper mâché to fashion their face and bodies, then paints them by hand and even hand-sews their costumes from scrap materials.
"He's very thrifty," McLaughlin commented. "They all have their own little quirks... They're like their own little people."
Many of Vogel's puppets are made to look like iconic, real-life people such as politicians or other famous figures. In handcrafting each and every detail of the face and costume, Vogel also creates an incredibly realistic essence that truly makes his puppets come to life.
Alongside Vogel's display in the gallery space next door is textile-inspired paper art by VonDerVellen, who uses a soft, muted palette to provoke palpable emotions that differ greatly from Vogel's exhibit.
"It's very interesting," McLaughlin commented. "It's nice and quiet and subtle, it's kind of perfect for this time right now."
Though subtle at first glance, upon closer inspection one quickly recognizes the intricacies woven into VonDerVellen's paper art.
Her display titled "Thread of Thought" is a collection of paper works documenting the visual narrative of significant, personal experiences that have shaped her journey as an artist.
While some pieces are large and multi-dimensional, others are much more simple. VonDerVellen uses organic patterns coupled with intentional brushstrokes to create a thought-provoking gallery space.
Ken Juon, one of the early founders of ArtStart and the organization's treasurer, curated both exhibitions with a trained eye, placing each piece in a meaningful position to bring structure to both exhibits.
The spatial orientation of VonDerVellen's gallery space directs the eye to certain aspects of her textile-inspired art, bringing focus to its underlying message. In Vogel's display, Juon skillfully situated figures together that typically occupy different spheres in real life, placing the Obamas next to a blue-collared miner next to an exotically dressed woman.
Although these exhibitions featuring Vogel and VonDerVellen will continue as planned, many of ArtStart's summer programs had to be canceled due to virus-related concerns, including the highly-anticipated "Eat To The Beat" summer concert series. "Neighbors Past and Present" will likely be rescheduled for next year, McLaughlin said, adding that many of their children's programs will need to be altered to a virtual or take-home format for the time being.
In spite of this uncertainty, McLaughlin said she and her colleagues are reviewing many innovative ideas for strategies to move forward.
"We're still doing a lot of engagement within the community," she commented. "Our partnership with Nicolet is strengthening."
That partnership has the potential to jump-start different activities and programs in the weeks and months to come, McLaughlin said.
Organizers on both fronts are solidifying their plans, she added.
Stay tuned for more information on future events and activities both at ArtStart and within the local arts community.
Call ArtStart at (715) 362-4328 for more information, or visit their Facebook page or website.
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