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Board Members

 

Executive Board

  • Jim Chambers
  • Marty DeFatte
  • Monte Osterman
  • Lisa Piche
  • John Skalbeck
  • Jeff Ward
  • Melissa Warner
  • Marybeth Zulhke
  • ex-officio  Ben Lehner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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FUNDED in part by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program and the National Oceanic and Atmsopheric Administration, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management under the Coastal Zone Management Act. Grant#NA12NOS4190091

Using Art to Revitalize a River

Until 1200 AD, the Root River was host to the Woodland Mound Builders; their effigies can still be seen today.  The Root River Basin inspired these First Nation tribes to establish ceremonial grounds on the surrounding hillsides, and likewise serves as inspiration to Racine residents and guests. 

The Root River Council has spearheaded several projects aimed at creating a 'sense of place' or an identity around the Root River.  Many of the comments gathered in the 2007 community workshops focused on a need for public art and aesthetic enhancements along the Root River Pathway.  In 2010, in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, the Root River Council and project partners donated a public sculpture to the Citizens of Racine County. 

Artists that created this sculpture ('Dawning') were students from local high schools and the general community learning welding for manufacturing applications.  Students were introduced to design fundamentals, reflected on the works of celebrated visual artists, and had weekly speakers discuss their involvement in the arts.  These students were presented with essays, poems, and reflections of area 4th graders visiting the Root River at the REC.  A poem written by 4th grade poet Ashintya Krishnan was selected as the main theme of this sculpture:

The River Rushes

In nature it freely flows

Creating beauty

-Ashintya Krishnan, 4th grade

Under the helpful guidance of local artists Nathaniel Hunter and consultation from Bruce Niemi , students in the Racine County Workforce Development Center's 'Welding Boot Camp' at Gateway Technical College were charged with developing a design based on their understanding of the Root River and the vision laid out by this student's haiku.  The cement base was constructed through a service-learning project involving trainees learning cement-work through the First Choice Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program.  

 

This project was made possible by a grant from the WI Arts Board and generous assistance from Nielsen Machine, Jaquet Inc., Gateway Technical College, UW-Parkside Center for Community Partnerships, the Root River Environmental Education Community Center.  Special thanks to the following folks for their insight, instruction, and support:  Trenton Baylor, Nancy Carlson, Mark Mundl, Alfonzo Payne, Mike Skender and Donnie Snow.    

 

2012- Art Projects-

Quick Response: Artists on the Root River

reception September 7, 2012 6-9pm

at Black-Eyed Press

312 6th Street  

Racine, WI

What happens when artists spend time on the river and respond to it?  Black-Eyed Press and UW-Parkside Gallery partnered with the Root River Council to gather local artists to the banks of Root River, share information about its ecosystem, navigate it in canoes and kayaks, reflect on its history, and respond aesthetically.  Read more here!

 

6th Street Bridge along the Root River Pathway

 

 

 

 

    Dawn at 'Dawning'...