The Coolest of Kohler

Midsummer Festival of the Arts
John Michael Kohler Arts Center--Sheboygan, WI
July 19-20, 2008

The fabulous John Michael Kohler Arts Center hosts the 38th annual Midsummer Festival of the Arts, bringing together over 100 of the country's most talented artists and craftspeople in over a dozen media: Ceramics, Digital, Drawing, Fiber & Leather, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Mixed-Media 2D and 3D, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture and Wood. In addition to this feast for the eyes, you can listen to the live music of award-winning musicians, enjoy samples from exceptional chefs, taste wine and beer created by area brewers and vintners, and create your own masterpieces in artist-led workshops. Indulge your artistic side and celebrate summer at JMKAC!
On the Program...

Midsummer Festival of the Arts: Workshops
• Clay Play
Roll up your sleeves and play with clay! Try wheel throwing and hand building techniques with guidance from Arts/Industry artists, Arts Center interns, and area art teachers.
• Driftwood Discoveries
Create three-dimensional found object sculptures referencing the environment builders seen in the American Masterpieces exhibition
with assorted driftwood pieces, found metal, copper wire, rattan, and more.
• Bird Bungalows
Design a one-of-a-kind bird bungalow for your fine-feathered friends. Using colored tubes, mesh, wood, cones, paint, and a variety of other materials, create a unique whimsical bird dwelling.
• Face Painting
Have your face painted and transform yourself into a new you!
• DIY Series: Stupid Creatures
Artist and author of Stupid Sock Creatures, John Charles Murphy brings his quirky sense of humor and lovable aesthetics to the Arts Center during the Midsummer Festival of the Arts weekend for drop-in workshops where you can make your very own monster. Sewing machines, notions, buttons, odds and ends, and, of course, socks, will be on hand. The artist and collaborators will be there to help inspire your creation.

Midsummer Festival of the Arts: Music
Saturday, July 19
• 10:00-11:00am ~ Sequoia (Blues)
This ingenue is a flaxen-haired, 16-year-old schoolgirl who plays and sings the blues, from Sheboygan.
• 12:00-2:00pm ~ Yid Vicious (Klezmer)
Specializing in Klezmer, a joyful Yiddish folk music, music for dancing and celebrating, from Madison.
• 3:00-5:00pm ~ Spanglish (Latin music)
Performing both American and Latino music, featuring an energetic mix of genres and styles sung in both English and Spanish, from Milwaukee.
Sunday, July 20
• 10:00-10:45am ~ Icarus Drifting (Rock)
Grounded in lyrics and melody, laced with the delicacy of strings, and propelled by the driving rhythms of guitar, bass, and drums, from Sheboygan.
• 11:30-1:30pm ~ The Randal Harrison Trio (Jazz)
Original compositions, violin/percussion/bass, regularly performing at the Sharon Lynn Wilson Center, from Madison.
• 2:30-4:30pm ~ Peter Mulvey (Folk/Rock)
Acclaimed singer/songwriter with an intense percussive guitar style, 2008 WAMI winner, from Milwaukee.

About the John Michael Kohler Arts Center: A nationally acclaimed visual and performing arts complex in downtown Sheboygan, the Arts Center is devoted to innovative explorations in contemporary American art. Its exhibitions focus on a wide range of art forms, with particular emphasis on sculpture, photography, crafts, new genres, installation art, ongoing folk traditions, and the work of self-taught artists. The performing arts emphasize dance, music, and theatre performances from around the world. Programming also includes a renowned Arts/Industry residency program, classes, and special events. With the completion of its expansion, the new 100,000-square-foot Arts Center comprises ten galleries, an intimate theatre, a flexible interdisciplinary performance space, studio-classrooms, meeting spaces, the ARTspace shop, and the ARTcafe. The Arts Center also has an adjunct site: ARTspace, an exhibition space and shop in the Shops at Woodlake in Kohler Village. >>continue>>