Holiday Art Fair Tradition Continues
at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
Friday, November 16 • noon – 6 pm
Saturday, November 17 • 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday, November 18 • 11 am – 3 pm
MADISON, WI -- The Art League of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art will celebrate the season with an expanded Holiday Art Fair this year on November 16–18, 2007. A longtime MMoCA tradition, the Holiday Art Fair provides shoppers with an opportunity to purchase unique handcrafted gifts while enjoying the museum’s exhibitions and stunning architectural spaces.
This year’s fair will expand to include the Henry Street Gallery and the Crossroads area of Overture Center for the Arts, as well as the museum’s lobby and State Street Gallery. Forty invited artists and vendors will display jewelry, ceramics, woodwork, fiber, wearables, glass, holiday decorations, and gourmet foods. Art lovers can preview Holiday Art Fair participants on the museum’s website, www.mmoca.org.
Featured Artists: Something for Everyone
The 2007 Holiday Art Fair will offer a wide selection of items and gift ideas to please all holiday shopper. Among the featured artists are:
- Jane Miller, an artist from Madison, uses a childhood love of sewing and a personal collection of distinct fabrics and upholstery samples to create unique handbags. Miller is inspired by a variety of accessories, such as vintage buttons and chopsticks. Her handbags are original, stylish, and elegant.
- Ceramics artist Tom Langholz, from Decorah, Iowa, keeps his studio private and therefore loves the social aspect of selling his stunning pottery at art fairs and shows. With his pottery spanning all sizes and shapes, Tom approaches each new piece with energy and excitement. His favorite part about being an artist? “It keeps my brain active and engaged.”
- Husband and wife woodworking team Kim and Rob Russell bring beauty, variety and a little tradition to their wooden ornaments, kitchen utensils, and containers. Working together for more than 25 years, Kim and Rob play on their artistic strengths to run their successful business.
[Additional information about these artists is attached to this press release.]
Rediscovered Art & Treasures
The 2007 Holiday Art Fair will also include a new component organized by the Art League: a Rediscovered Art & Treasures sale. Art League president Sylvia Beckman suggested the feature several months ago. “We all have once-cherished, hidden treasures tucked away in our closets, attics, and nooks and crannies,” Beckman notes. “It only makes sense to find new homes for these lovely objects so that they can be displayed and enjoyed again.”
In the last few weeks, Art League members and other friends of MMoCA have been searching through their homes for stored art and antiques to donate to this special sale. The result is a treasure–trove of donated original art, jewelry, small antiques, decorative art, and highly prized collectibles. The Rediscovered Art & Treasures Sale will be located in the museum’s education classroom just inside the Henry Street entrance to Overture Center.
Museum Store and Fresco Welcome Visitors During the Fair
Holiday Art Fair shoppers will also want to drop by the Museum Store. Long known for its fine handmade objects, jewelry, books, and children’s toys, the store also stocks a dazzling selection of ornaments, as well as beautifully designed menorahs and other Judaica.
For those looking to rest their feet and enjoy some delicious refreshment, Fresco, the museum’s rooftop restaurant, will be open for lunch during the fair. Shoppers can enjoy fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts, all made from local, seasonal produce, while enjoying the panoramic views of downtown Madison.
Hours
Holiday Art Fair will be open to the public on Friday, November 16, from noon until 6 pm; Saturday, November 17, from 10 am to 5 pm; and Sunday, November 18, from 11 am to 3 pm. General admission tickets are $4 (children under 12 free), with discounted admission available to MMoCA members. For those who wish to beat the crowds, Patron tickets are available for $25 and include priority shopping on Friday, November 16, from 10 am until noon and a luncheon at the Orpheum Theatre.
Proceeds from the fair benefit the year-round exhibition and education programs of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art expresses sincere thanks to Kelly Financial for their generous sponsorship and support of the 2007 Holiday Art Fair.
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2007 Holiday Art Fair participants:
Falling Moon Studio
Artist: Pam Andersen
Baraboo, WI
Kaleidoscopes and Snow Globes
http://www.fallingmoon.com/
Artist: Paul Bergum
Rio, WI
Wreaths
Artist: Judy Callen
Madison, WI
Fiber
CJC Woodworking
Artist: Chris Christenson
Brodhead, WI
Woodwork
Artists: Ginger Brenneis, Sally Hegley, and Gretchen Crownhart
Madison, WI
Handcrafted Holiday Décor
Hats-O-Fancy
Renee Roeder Earley
Madison, WI
Hand Sewn Hats
Doreen Knits
Artist: Doreen Forcier
Madison, WI
Fiber-Wearable Art
JoAnne Warren Watercolors
Artist: JoAnne Hauser Warren
Cuba City, WI
Watercolor Paintings
http://www.joannewarrenwatercolors.com/
Artist: Jenni Hopfinger
Watertown, WI
Enamel on Glass
http://www.jennihopfinger.com/
Wisconsin Wheat, Weeds, & Wood
Artist: Christl Iausly
Spring Green, WI
Wildflower Pictures, Wheatwearings
Matthias James Pottery and Gallery
Artist: Matthias James
Evansville, WI
Clay
http://matthiasjames.com/
Conversation Pieces
Artist: Dawn Kolafa
Oconomowoc, WI
Mixed Media
Norma Koshalek Jewelry
Artist: Norma Koshalek
Madison, WI
Jewelry- Silver, Stones
Langholz Pottery
Artist: Timothy Langholz
Decorah, IA
Wheel Thrown Pottery
http://www.langholzpottery.com/
Mystic Creations by Phyllis Lee
Artist: Phyllis Lee Lethco
Stoughton, WI
3D Jewelry
Marcell Treah Gifts
Artist: Lisa Livingston
Madison, WI
Jewelry
http://www.marcelltreahgifts.com
toby
Artist: Toby McCulloch
Sun Prairie, WI
Wood Vessels
http://www.tobybowl.com/
RTM Knitwear
Artist: Rosemarie Mellenberger
Madison, WI
Knitwear
East Side Bags
Artist: Jane M. Miller
Madison, WI
Fabric Handbags and Accessories
Clay Basket
Artist: Martha Monson Lowe
Decorah, IA
Baskets
Newbury Wooden Toys
Artist: Jim Newbury
Bethalto, IL
Wood
Say Grace
Artist: Susan J. Robinson
Baraboo, WI
Glass/Wire
Kristi Rose Sweaters
Artist: Kristi Rose
Hugo, MN
Wearable Art
http://kristirosesweaters.com/
Russellworks
Artists: Kim and Rob Russell
Spring Green, WI
Wood
http://www.russellworks.com/
Demetra
Artist: Demetra Saloutos
Stoughton, WI
Jewelry and Sculpture
Q3 Art
Artists: Marvin and Michelle Shafer
Chicago, IL
Jewelry and Mobiles
http://q3artinc.zoovy.com/
WarmHeart Mittens
Artists: Deb Garner and Jean Shaw
Madison, WI
Felted Wool Mittens
Floral Tapestries
Artist: Gary Shaw
Brooklyn, WI
Homespun Country
Artists: Marnee and Paul Taylor
San Francisco, CA
Jewelry
Babaloo Designs
Artist: Barbara Thielke
Madison, WI
Fused Glass Accessories
Dream Scapes
Artist: Ronna Trapanese
Madison, WI
Retro Christmas Heirlooms
Artist: Susan Werner
Madison, WI
3-D Mixed Media
BBJ Custom Design Studio
Artist: Joyce Wilson
Madison, WI
Fiber
Gourmet Gallery:
The Chocolate Caper
Oregon, WI
http://www.chocolatecaper.com/
Fromagination
Madison, WI
http://www.fromagination.com/
Grape & Co.
Madison, WI
http://www.grapeandcompany.com/
Madeleine’s Patisserie
Madison, WI
http://www.madeleinesmadison.com/
Melli Chocolates
Cambridge, WI
http://mellichocolates.com/
Tom’s Handmade Candies
Sun Prairie, WI
Artist Summaries:
Tim Langholz
Langholz Pottery
Decorah, Iowa
563.735.5509
Tim Langholz discovered pottery while in school at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Starting out as a math and computer major, Langholz was drawn to the art department because of its social elements and quickly changed his major. After school, he worked in production pottery for several years, where he honed skills in speed and consistency. Being paid by the piece, he worked up to making 400 pieces a day! Shortly after being married, Langholz had had enough of production pottery and working for other people, and opened a studio of his own in Decorah, Iowa. Ten years later, Langholz still enjoys the creative process and says the varied life of an artist is what keeps him engaged. He does most of his selling at art shows and art fairs, keeping his studio private. “I love
meeting and talking with people, traveling and seeing parts of the country I wouldn’t have
otherwise seen.”
Jane Miller
East Side Bags
Madison, Wisconsin
608.257.7683
Jane Miller had been sewing for most of her life before turning her hobby into a business. Taught by her mother and grandmother, she started out making clothing for herself. She transitioned into handbags six years ago and has never looked back. Eastside Bags, Miller’s handbag line, is inspired by a personal collection of vintage fabrics and upholstery samples. Miller enjoys the uniqueness and
appeal of handbags – when making clothing, she disliked having to fit each garment to a person. With her handbags, Miller lets the fabric and fun accessories, such as chopsticks and vintvintage buttons, inspire the design.
Kim and Rob Russell
Russellworks
Spring Green, Wisconsin
608.588.2765
Shortly after they were married, Kim and Rob Russell needed a bookshelf. They took it upon themselves to build one and Russellworks was born. Since 1979, Kim and Rob have worked as a team to create beautiful wooden pieces, including turned bowls, a line of kitchen utensils, and ornaments of all shapes and sizes. Both Kim and Rob grew up with creative influences, both in art and music, and enjoy the creativity and freedom Russellworks allows them. Rob focuses on latheturning objects and has gained popularity with their line of kitchen utensils. This year, for the holidays, he has created a line of lathe-turned ornaments with an old fashioned feel. Kim specializes in making a variety of ornaments and birds and has recently begun to experiment with finishes, including different types of paint and paper maché. If you are looking for the perfect holiday item this season, Russell Works’ beautiful ornaments are sure to please!