Adding Definition

All over Wisconsin, the charm of small cities and towns provides a clever backdrop to some of the most relevant and thoughtful works of art you’ll find in today’s world of ideas. The spirit of creativity breathes through our artists in all mediums, from music to literature to the fine arts. In fact, many artists make it a point to visit or move here so they can interact with their muse daily.

With these artists come those who want to recognize and celebrate this creative artery of Wisconsin life, and when it comes to the fine arts, local gallery owners have their ears to the ground. In Stoughton, the growing number of galleries downtown provide opportunities for gallery owners to share the voices of the artists they represent along with themselves. The result is Abel Contemporary Gallery, Grand Inspired, Woodland Studios, and Zovar Fine Art establishing the twice-annual Stoughton Gallery Night.

“It’s an event the galleries in Stoughton started brainstorming last year,” says Theresa Abel of Abel Contemporary Gallery. “This fall will be the third time that we’ve done this. We’ve recognized that there’s a growing fine arts scene in Stoughton, and that these events draw attention to the fine art galleries in this vibrant community.”

The event itself centers around people going from gallery to gallery to not just experience the pieces themselves, but to meet some of the artists who created them. Venues might also have artist demonstrations, where artists show and discuss their methodologies. For example, Ray Zovar at Zovar Fine Art is always happy to share his process in creating his fiberglass sculptures, and you’re sure to learn something about working in wood as a fine art medium at Grand Inspired, which features fine woodworking complemented by pieces representing work in metal, glass, ceramic, and stone.

Of course, there are the more expected, yet no less fascinating, forms of two- and three-dimensional fine art, and many patrons find it intriguing to learn just what goes into some pieces, whether it be an engaging thought process or an uncommon brush technique. Darren Bell of Grand Inspired says, “People are able to have discussions with the artists to feel a little bit more of a connection to the works themselves.”

For me, it used to feel like the fine art world insisted I obtain an art history degree before I was allowed to participate in it, but the opposite couldn’t be more true with the displays and atmosphere of Stoughton Gallery Night, where all are welcome. Yes, those with deeper backgrounds in art movements will have a different experience than those without, but anyone can appreciate what each gallery has to offer.

At Abel, the old tobacco warehouse is allure enough and provides one of the most compelling homes for regional artists practiced in throwing clay, designing jewelry, layering acrylic, and beyond. There’s even the large NO. 5 showroom for experimental and grandiose pieces.

Grand Inspired utilizes an old Hudson automobile showroom to display the more utilitarian side of art. Chiseled, turned, welded, and cut furniture pieces include nightstands, tables, cabinets, wine racks, and more. But unique decorative pieces, like the delicate Kumiko assemblies (a 1,500-year-old Japanese technique involving precisely cut wooden panels held together by pressure alone without glue or hardware), solidify the notion that there’s intention behind each work.

Woodland Studios showcases thoughtful two-dimensional works alongside unexpected gems, like the gourd carvings of Stoughton’s own Gary Kvalheim. Glass art, jewelry, paintings, investment art, and more are on display in cozy nooks where visitors can take all the time they need to reflect on a piece. There’s also a must-see fine art museum in the back gallery.

On display at Zovar Fine Art are the inimitable works of fiberglass artist Ray Zovar. Ray’s luminous sculptures incorporate a contemporary take on retro aesthetics through an abstract artist’s eye. It’s a colorful space with good energy and good jazz.

Alan Sheets of Woodland Studios says, “Each gallery really is their own type of gallery, and the goal of each of our galleries is to have a variety that’s different from each other.” Those attending Stoughton Gallery Night are in for four distinct experiences as they walk the few blocks of an increasingly revitalized downtown. In fact, Stoughton is at a point in its evolution of becoming more than its prominent Norwegian heritage, and the galleries are witnessing the change firsthand.

“Stoughton is rapidly becoming an art enclave, which is really, really cool,” says Lisa Zovar of Zovar Fine Art. Theresa describes it as an explosion, Darren as a booming arts town. Alan says, “There’s no reason that downtown Stoughton won’t be a major destination for all types of art.”

The image only helps local businesses, something all four galleries are passionate about. “People love an arts destination,” says Theresa. “The more art businesses there are, as an art lover, you’re going to want to come and spend the whole day or stay at a cute bed and breakfast.” There’s certainly enough to do in a one-hour radius for anyone to spend weeks in the area, including hikes, beaches, boating, food, shopping, antiquing, comedy clubs, scenic drives, and exploring the capital city.

Alan says that the things that specifically drew him to the area are what will keep bringing more and more people to Stoughton. “There’s no reason we can’t be Monroe Street [in Madison] or even more. Stoughton is very accessible from the expressway. There’s enough parking, and you can walk. There aren’t many small towns that are multiple blocks long both sides where you can walk from store to store and have a variety of things to see.”

In Theresa’s words, the event “is an evening of strolling about and having a good time in a gallery.” Darren adds, “These nights show the value that galleries bring to the area.” If it hasn’t happened yet, Stoughton Gallery Night is quickly becoming one of those community flares that keep people coming back to an area they can’t help but fall in love with.

Kyle Jacobson is a writer/editor living tomorrow for yesterday.
Photos by Eric Tadsen.

Next Stoughton Gallery Night:

Friday, October 13,
5:00 to 9:00 p.m.