Art walk to bring a splash of color to Home and Hearth

This year’s Sheboygan Falls Chamber-Main Street Home and Hearth Swings into Spring event will certainly not be lacking in bold color, vivid imagery or artistic beauty.

As a new addition to its solid lineup of spring-themed events and activities, an art walk has been slated in conjunction with the popular downtown Sheboygan Falls promotion Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Sheboygan Falls artist Kitty Lynne Klich and six of her art students will be showcasing locally-produced oil paintings, as part of the inaugural art walk.

“I’ve been involved in several events like this in the past places like at senior centers and at civic and community group functions,” Klich said. “But this is a brand new thing for my students, as well as for Home and Hearth.”

Klich said the idea for the art walk came to life when Chamber-Main Street Home and Hearth organizers contacted her about during an art show at local businesses.

“The people at Chamber-Main Street were looking for something new and unique to do for Home and Hearth this year,” she said. “When they asked me to do it, I immediately thought it was a great idea.

“Home and Hearth is about spring time and the home improvement projects people often do this time of year. For some people, arrival of spring might mean putting up new artwork in their homes. I think doing an art walk is a great fit for Home and Hearth.”

Klich, who is a California native, is no stranger to Chamber-Main Street.

“Many years ago, I did four oil paintings of various downtown scenes when I was at the old Friends Antiques, during Main Street Memories,” she said. “I donated those four prints to Chamber-Main Street, which were used as promotional note cards.

“From that experience, I built a good relationship with Chamber-Main Street. I think that is part of reason they came to me with the idea, and we were able to put this together for this year.”

Klich will be stationed at Bemis Bath Shoppe, where she will be doing a floral oil-painting demonstration.

Art student Lyle Krause, who is a Sheboygan Falls native, will also be displaying his paintings at Bemis Bath Shoppe.

In addition, Rev. Martin Carney of Falls Community Church (The Wine House), Penny Klefstad of Glenbeulah (The Corner Studio), Corinne Roelse of Kiel (Buehler Furniture), Rita Harmeling of Oostburg (Richardson Furniture Emporium) and Randy Bishop of Chilton (Wally’s Studio and a piece of cake) will showcase their paintings.

“I asked five of my most experienced students to display their work at the art walk,” Klich said. “This is something new and exciting for the students.”

Five of the artists are currently students in Klich’s art classes held at the Plymouth Art Center.

“I’ve been the resident art teacher at the Plymouth Art Center for the past 13 years,” she said. “I presently have a total of 35 students in the four weekly oil-painting classes that I teach.

“One of the artists that will be featured in the art walk, Rita Harmeling, is one of my former students. She is now a professional artist. Although she is not a current student, I thought having her participate would be pretty neat.”

Each of Klich’s students will have paintings available for purchase.

“It will give them a chance to get their feet wet by showing their work to the public and networking with potential customers,” she said. “It is possible that the students could get the opportunity to work on setting a price and possibly move toward selling some of their works.”

Bright green signs will be positioned outside each business participating in the inaugural art walk.

“The art walk concept gives people the chance to walk down the street and maybe visit a store or shop that they’ve never been to before,” Klich said. “We are hoping the art displays will draw some new people to each of the businesses, while also giving the artists some additional exposure.

“The students have done some outstanding works that they are eager to share with a large audience,” she said. “I want to thank each of the business owners for giving us a chance to do this.”

The art walk will be held in conjunction with a current student art show titled “Personal Journeys” at the Plymouth Art Center, which runs through Friday, June 4.

“Many of the students have works that are presently featured at the Plymouth Arts Center, so it is an exciting time for them,” Klich said.

Klich is also the host and producer of the cable television show “Gallery Works,” which can be seen on channel 14 in Plymouth and WSCS Charter cable channel 95 in Sheboygan.

“I volunteer my time to ‘Gallery Works’ as a public service to the community,” she said. “It is a show that is aimed at reaching people who might be intimidated by art galleries.”

Copies of “Gallery Works” are also available at the Sheboygan Falls Memorial Library.

Klich also does paintings on commission out of her private art studio in Sheboygan Falls.

“I love what I do,” she said. “I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to bring the beauty of art into people’s lives.”

For more information on the Home and Hearth Swings into Spring Art Walk or art class openings at the Plymouth Art Center, contact Kitty Lynne Klich at 467-9063.