Olsen, Alexander present their works during exhibition opening reception 

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Olsen, Alexander present their works during exhibition opening reception 

By Kim McDarison

The artistic works of Janesville painter Woody Olsen and Waukesha ceramicist Jennifer Alexander were presented to the public during an opening reception at the Whitewater Arts Alliance’s gallery in the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center.

The event, held Thursday, kicks off the alliance’s most recent gallery exhibition which will remain on display throughout the month of June.

The two-artist show is titled: “The Beauty of Nature.” The Whitewater Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main St., is open Thursdays through Sundays, between noon and 4 p.m.

During Thursday’s reception, both artists offered a “talk” about their work, process, and creative path, with some 30 people gathered in the gallery to view the work, enjoy wine and light refreshments, and learn about the artists.

Event-goers additionally participated in a 50/50 raffle, during which Ruth Ramsey, a reception attendee from Chicago, drew the winning ticket, which belonged to Whitewater resident Angie Alesci. She won $60.

Wine was a new addition to the alliance’s gallery receptions, Whitewater Arts Alliance Gallery Director Kim Adams said.

Whitewater Arts Alliance Board member Jodie Raddatz and Olsen selected the wine, Alliance Board member Katy Wimer, who also served as bar tender, and Adams said, with some wines selected because they were produced locally and others, Olsen said, were selected because he liked them and wanted to represent “all the colors.”

Following the artists’ talks, Raddatz presented tokens of appreciation to each artist as well as newly elected Whitewater Arts Alliance President Jeff McDonald, and the group’s first president, who served in the mid-2000s, Dawn Hunter.

During her opening remarks, Adams announced that the upcoming Fran Achen Photography exhibition, which is in its 14th year and annually chaired by McDonald, received more than 160 submissions, which, she said, is the most the show has ever received. Some 90 pieces have been selected to appear in the juried show, which will be made available for viewing throughout July.

An earlier story about the exhibition is here: https://whitewaterwise.com/whitewater-arts-alliance-seeking-entries-for-annual-fran-achen-photography-show-contest/.

About the artists

Alexander said she began Alexander Ceramics in 2020 “to explore the creative path of making hand-pressed ceramic art tiles and hand-built ceramic boxes. The formation of each piece is a meaningful and satisfying process for me,” she said.

The artist said that most of the tiles she creates are a limited edition of 250.

“From the tile, I form a mold which is destroyed after the edition is completed. Some tiles are made without a mold, and these are significant with a star stamp on their back. These one-of-a-kind tiles have their raised line design applied by hand to the surface,” she noted.

She finds it “refreshing to connect with the beauty and diversity of the natural world,” she said, adding: “I love creating designs inspired  by what I observe in nature and the world around me.”

Olsen said he was born in Wisconsin and raised in the Lake Geneva area. He resides today in Janesville and is a member of the Association of Wisconsin Artists.

According to his website, Olsen lived in Chicago for more than 40 years and was a member of the Arts Club of Chicago. He recently retired from Northwestern Medicine Health Information, in Chicago.

Olsen studied art at the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design where he earned a bachelor’s degree in fine art. While at Layton, he studied under the late watercolorist Anne Miote. Additionally, Olsen attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he studied art history, studio arts, etching and printmaking.

Photos from Thursday’s event follow.

Woody Olsen, Janesville, presents one of his favorite pieces among those which he has created and is on display at the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center in the gallery operated by the Whitewater Arts Alliance. Olsen was on hand during an opening reception for the exhibition titled: “The Beauty of Nature.” 

Jennifer Alexander, Waukesha, offers a look at several of her limited edition handmade ceramic tiles and boxes, several of which are on display this month at the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center. She is one of two artists whose work is on display as part of The Beauty of Nature exhibition. 

Whitewater Arts Alliance board member Katy Wimer offers wine during Thursday’s opening reception of The Beauty of Nature two-artist show. 

Whitewater Arts Alliance Student Gallery Assistant Caryana Dominguez, at left, and gallery volunteer docent Marguerite Willman offer information and light refreshments during Thursday’s event. 

Dawn Hunter, the Whitewater Arts Alliance’s first president, serving in the mid-2000s, at left, and former Whitewater Arts Alliance Gallery Manager Ashe McDarison visit during Thursday’s opening reception. 

One-of-a-kind limited edition art tiles are among items found on display as part of The Beauty of Nature exhibition. 

Reception attendees listen as each of two artists give a “talk” about the process they employ when creating art. 

Whitewater Arts Alliance Gallery Director Kim Adams listens as artists address the audience during Thursday’s opening reception. 

Whitewater Arts Alliance Gallery Director Kim Adams welcomes attendees to the opening reception for The Beauty of Nature two-artist exhibition. Works created by the two artists will remain on display in the gallery throughout this month. 

Waukesha ceramicist Jennifer Alexander talks about her interest in nature and art, and the processes she uses when making one-of-a-kind tiles. 

Reception attendees pass a tile between them during a talk given by Waukesha ceramicist Jennifer Alexander. 

Standing next to one of his pieces, Janesville artist Woody Olsen receives a token of appreciation from Whitewater Arts Alliance board member Jodie Raddatz. 

Emily Painter, Whitewater, admires works made by Waukesha artist Jennifer Alexander. 

Janesville artist Woody Olsen draws the viewer’s eye to two of his creative works. 

Ruth Ramsey, who attended the reception with her husband, Michael, both of Chicago, draws the winning 50/50 raffle ticket from a container held by Whitewater Arts Alliance Gallery Director Kim Adams. Michael Ramsey said he grew up in Fort Atkinson and is a graduate of Fort Atkinson High School. 

Angie Alesci, Whitewater, expresses her excitement upon learning that her ticket was drawn in the 50/50 raffle. She won $60.

Louise Hermsen, Delafield, admires a piece made by Janesville artist Woody Olsen. 

Recently elected Whitewater Arts Alliance President Jeff McDonald and the organization’s first president Dawn Hunter, who served in the mid-2000s, visit Thursday during the opening reception of “The Beauty of Nature” exhibition, which kicked off this month’s gallery event featuring the works of painter Woody Olsen, Janesville, and ceramic tile artist Jennifer Alexander, Waukesha.

Kim McDarison photos. 

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