Not quite an official #whirlwindarttripwithkate (one of those will be bubbling up again soon) — it was a trip, Kate was there, and there was art — Kate, Rusty & I took a little jaunt down to Sheboygan to visit the Art Preserve of the John Michael Kohler Art Center. We visited JMKAC last summer, too, and our first visit to the Art Preserve was in February 2021 (Beta version)… but this time I have photos.
The Art Preserve is a museum that focuses on artist-built environments as much as the work of the artists… and it’s also like a museum about museums. Racks, cabinets, shelves & drawers full of work that are normally behind closed doors are right out in the open. Storage space & exhibit space work together. It’s different… and cool.
It starts at the entrance… where you walk through this “forest of trees” to enter the building.
One of the current exhibits is Bea Fremderman and Grottoes.
This one was just…
…incredible. I could have looked at that for hours and still discover new things! (Click one of those gallery images to see/scroll through bigger.)
Bea Fremderman lives in NY (I think) but we have some pretty great grottoes here in Wisconsin, including The Dickeyville Grotto & Rudolph Grotto Gardens, along with many smaller ones. And then there’s “Fred Smith’s Rock Garden” — officially the Wisconsin Concrete Park & Rock Garden Tavern, which is now owned by the Kohler Foundation, and there are pieces from the park on display at the Art Preserve. We used to pass by that park whenever we took Hwy 13 to the cottage when I was a kid. It was fascinating… even the many times that we just drove by (Dad was always pretty focused on getting to where we were going).
Anyway, I was just delighted to spot this:
Those are just the perfect tap handles for the Fred Smith Bar!
Aren’t they just adorable?
I think we’ll have our own little homage to Fred Smith in the front yard next summer. Rusty was inspired to erect a “standing stone” out front last fall and, well, it looks like it’s awaiting the inscription for whoever lies below! I just chuckle when I think about what the neighbors might be thinking. Anyway, plans are to turn it into an art piece. Lord knows I have enough “material” to make it happen… and I have all the mastic & grout for the long overdue mosaic tables project.
Also of interest at the Art Preserve was an exhibit & model of Mary Nohl‘s property, some of which I’d previously seen at JMKAC.
I took almost this exact same photo then… fascinated by how interesting a collection can be. Scissors. Shovels. Drill bits. This is the tiniest section of a large wall that’s on display. Another thing that you could stand in front of for hours…
She also had some work that reminded me of Ruth Asawa’s (who was inspo for a #whirlwindarttripwithkate to St. Louis in 2018).
Speaking of collections.
I’m still in love with these button & pencil displays. It’s all in the HOW. Anything can be interesting if presented in an interesting way!
This is a very small part of a “staging of tableaux” from the home & studio of Ray Yoshida, an artist & teacher in Chicago, including his work as well as the work of others.
(Click one of those gallery images to see/scroll through bigger.)
There was SO MUCH MORE — from these artists/exhibits and several others that I haven’t even mentioned.
I had Airbnb guests here for a football game a couple of months ago. I always reach out to guests with suggestions for things to do around here, though I don’t usually think they’ll venture quite that far (about an hour away) on a weekend that’s already filled with activities, but they asked me specifically about JMKAC & The Art Preserve as it was on their list! I was happy to confirm that it was definitely worth their time. They were also into supper clubs, so visited a couple of those, too.
Have I mentioned that Ali is giving Airbnb a go with the apartment above the coffee shop? We have a regular dynasty happening over here!
- The Artist’s Perch (mine)
- Ann’s Queen Anne (Annie’s)
- The Dreamer’s Loft (Ali’s)
The “dreamer” referred to above is Rusty, but we all do a lot of daydreaming. heh.
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The forest of trees is an intriguing entrance and that grotto is incredible! In a small way, the things in it remind me of the bits I used to clean out of the kids’ pockets before I did laundry. If only I had saved them all and put them together in a grotto! I’m already looking forward to seeing your standing stone art piece (later when it’s warmer).
Oh Vicki – how cool! thank you for the little tour … I LOVE that pencil display, and the beer taps. and imagining what Rusty might create in your front yard!
I wish this was all a little bit closer (geographically) to me, because I’d just love to see all of this in person! (I also wish I could steal away on any of your #whirlwindarttripswithkate because ohmygod you guys see the best stuff!) Thanks for the vicarious tour. I am smitten. XO
I am likewise wishing I was closer in distance… but thank you so much for “taking us along” on this little jaunt! I am in love with every bit of it (those buttons!! Oh.my.gosh!)
I love when you bring us along on these art trips, Vicki!
Oh my! You do find the BEST places. What fun. The grotto is amazing, the “tree entrance” is enchanting and the beer taps are just plain fun. Can’t wait to see what Rusty comes up with for your piece in the yard. Also…took a look at the pics of Ali’s Air BnB – you all create the most inviting and beautiful places!!