This post is here as a testament to the fact that in the year 2024 (I forgot to hit publish on this post), with a little forethought, one can have a very satisfying afternoon out making the rounds of art galleries. Green Bay has not always been the kind of place where one could spend a few hours happily engaged with legitimately exciting artwork. In fact, I doubt that’s ever been the case. But here we are, in a good place, and it’s taken a lot of effort by a number of people. So, on the off chance that they Google themselves, I thought I should make note of it as an act of appreciation.

This documents a recent outing that my kid, Frida, and I took on an October afternoon. We’d intended to include the Lawton Gallery at UWGB, but unfortunately, we ran out of time (Lawton closes at 3 pm on Saturdays).

First Stop: newArtSpace in De Pere, Wisconsin

124 North Broadway, De Pere | website

newArtSpace is the gallery/studio space of working artists David Graham and Terri Warpinski. They curate and promote roughly five shows a year. They exhibit both area artists and a wide array of painters, sculptors, photographers, and other visual artists that they have come to know over decades of teaching at universities and exhibiting nationally. Their most recent exhibit, “Other Worlds: Jason DeMarte, Don Krumpos, Kristine Granger” is a perfect example. DeMarte is a multi-media artist and photographer who is a former student of Warpinski’s. Krumpos (whom we’ve mentioned here) is a printmaker, shadow puppeteer, and proprietor of Yonder Artland, a studio and gallery in Algoma, Wisconsin. And Granger is a sculptor working in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. By bringing their experience and their personal connections to bear in curating their gallery, Graham and Warpinski are doing a wonderful job of both uncovering the immense talent that often goes unnoticed in this part of the state, and introducing new work to the area. Unfortunately, “Other Worlds” was in its final weekend and newArtSpace will be closed until late January 2025.

Second Stop: The Art Scene, De Pere

421 George Street, 2nd Floor | website

At newArtSpace, we spotted a postcard advertising Collette Larue’s new studio and exhibition space at 421 George Street. It’s on the second floor (I don’t recall if there was an elevator, so call ahead if that’s a concern). We thought we’d stop by to check it out. Unfortunately, it’s only open by happenstance, appointment, or on De Pere Art Nites. We were able to see some gorgeous cyanotypes through the window though, so that made it worthwhile. We look forward to returning. We’re unsure whether Larue will be curating shows by other photographers, or if the space is intended as a personal gallery. We will find out!

Third Stop: The Art Garage, Green Bay

1400 Cedar Street, Green Bay | website

The Art Garage (TAG) is Green Bay’s perennially frustrating community arts center. I’m allowed to say that because I served two years on its board. But, I’m happy to say that TAG is currently growing in the right direction. And its shows are worth checking out. The current exhibit, “Something of the Marvelous,” is work that resulted this past year from inviting artists to spend time at Green Bay’s Botanical Gardens. The resulting work is as lush as you’d expect.

***

The larger point is that things are on the upswing.