Conley Publishing - Special Sections
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8 • E x p l o r i n g t h e A r t s • N e w s G r a p h i c & D a i l y N e w s • A p r i l 2 0 1 5 243252004 243018004 Named M/T Business of The Year and WISN A-List as Best Kid's Activity Bring this coupon in for Buy ONE, get ONE FREE! Expires 9/1/15 ALL IN BOOKS USED BOOKSTORE 910 S. Main St. West Bend Next to Domino's Pizza 334-2836 Open at 10am 243034005 By Colleen Jurkiewicz News Graphic Correspondent CEDARBURG — Founded in May of 1982, the Cedarburg Artists Guild is now entering its 33rd year of organizing, promoting and celebrating artistry and craftsmanship in Ozaukee and Washington counties. In the early 1980s, founder Dave Eitel recalled, it was a resource sorely needed by the artist community in Cedarburg. Eitel and his wife Pat opened their shop, Cedar Creek Pottery in the Cedar Creek Settlement, in 1978. "I was aware through my own friends and through owning a shop that there were a lot of artisans and craftsmen in Cedarburg, but they didn't have a real high profile," said Eitel. "If you were a visitor coming to Cedarburg, you would find some people ... but other than that, the artists were here but they weren't in view. I thought if there were a guild, it would be a way for people to get together and make the artists' community more accessible." In the beginning, the guild had about 30 members. Now Eitel said that membership exceeds 220, a number that usually swells throughout the year as new artists register to take advantage of members-only events. The membership roster, available on the guild's website, includes artisans of all media, including fiber, photography, painting, woodworking, blacksmithing and interior design. There are a few members who aren't even artists at all, Eitel said – just dedicated art enthusiasts who want to support the local art community. "Everyone is welcome to join," he said. "The only parameters are you have to live or have a studio space in Ozaukee or Washington county." Members can take advantage of social events and annual meetings staged throughout the year, including new member coffees. But socializing isn't the only benefit of membership, said Eitel. "The big thing is being able to participate in the events that we have," he said. Cedarburg Artists Guild members have the opportu- nity to display their work in the annual juried exhibit held at the Cedarburg Cultural Center every fall, as well as the Covered Bridge Art Studio Tour, which runs Oct. 9 through Oct. 11. The CAG also operates a Main Street Gallery boutique of fine art to display members' work in the Cedarburg Cultural Center, which rotates themes every few months. Members of the Cedarburg Artists Guild host the Covered Bridge Art Studio Tour in October. Artists Guild members have the opportunity to participate in the annual juried exhibit held at the Cedarburg Cultural Centre every fall. Artists from Ozaukee and Washington counties come together to share their art