The Washburn Cultural Center is proud to announce the opening of Backwoods Artists, consisting of more than 80 works from 11 artists who have taken classes from local watercolorist Wei Lan Lorber. This group of self-described “backwoods artists” include: Ann Christensen, Donn Christensen, Cheryl Drevlow, Tanya Eitzenhoefer, Jan Enfelt, Aaron Folsom, Margaret Motiff, Marilyn B. Nourse, Merry Nuutinen, Linda Saetre, Nancy Schryer, and Wei Lan Lorber.
Backwoods Artists includes works ranging from watercolor and pastel paintings to collages and mixed media works. The title of this exhibition is both a proud reference to our region and a tongue-in-cheek nod to most of these artists’ relatively short time creating art. However, "backwoods" is by no means the only way to describe the breadth, creativity, and expressiveness on display in our galleries. Many of these exhibited works were executed in Lorber’s classes, where some artists completed their first paintings and others expanded upon their already existing art practices. Other works created outside of the classroom show artists independently exploring and honing their artistic talents. From regional flora to personal portraits, abstracts to architecture, and local birds to exotic sea creatures, these works fill the Cultural Center’s walls with an array of genres, mediums, styles, and color palettes. And when exhibited beside each other, they reveal shared sensibilities, complementary motifs, and interconnected subject matter.
We invite you to visit the Cultural Center from Wednesday, Sept. 16, to Saturday, Oct. 10., to view Backwoods Artists and celebrate this region’s newer local talents! Appointment slots are available every Wednesday through Saturday between the hours of 1 PM and 5 PM. Please contact us at (715) 373-5591 or WashburnCulturalCenter@gmail.com to set up an appointment. Please note that this exhibition, our antiques shop and Vinyl Vault, and museum are open to the public by appointment only, and for the continued safety of all, masks are required of all visitors.
