The Whitewater Arts Alliance will host “From Whitewater to the World: The Etchings of Léon Rene Pescheret” from February 27 to March 30, 2025, at the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main St., Whitewater. The exhibition features the work of Léon Rene Pescheret (1892–1971), a British-born American printmaker known for his color and monochrome etchings of Gothic cathedrals in Europe, world’s fairs, northern Wisconsin woods, and the former “State Teachers College” (now UW-Whitewater). Pescheret set up his studio in Whitewater, Wisconsin in 1936 and worked there for over 30 years, producing prints that appealed to local and international viewers.
The exhibit is curated by Ashley Dimmig, PhD, a WAA Board member and the Crossman Gallery Director and Art History Lecturer at UW-Whitewater’s Department of Art and Design. She earned her PhD in Art History from the University of Michigan in 2019 and oversees the gallery, curates exhibitions, and teaches art history.
The exhibition features prints loaned by private collectors Ed Hale, Pat Blackmer, and Dan Richardson, alongside works from the Crossman Gallery at UW-Whitewater. Together, these pieces show Pescheret’s ability to turn diverse landscapes and cultural moments into detailed etchings. This exhibition presents nearly 80 of his prints, a mere slice of his vast body of work, shedding light on the depth and breadth of his career. Pescheret’s philosophy of creating affordable prints stemmed from his belief that art should be accessible to everyday people, not just wealthy collectors.
Join us for an opening reception and panel discussion with the curator and the collectors on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 12 pm-3 pm at the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main St., Whitewater. Attendees will enjoy light refreshments and hear insights from collectors about Pescheret’s enduring impact. This event is free and open to the public.
About Whitewater Arts Alliance:
The Whitewater Arts Alliance, Inc. is dedicated to supporting, promoting, and developing the arts as an essential and integral part of the community.
Whitewater Arts Alliance / Cultural Arts Center
402 West Main Street
Whitewater, WI, 53190
Phone: 608-201-2151
Email: wwartsalliance@gmail.com
Website: whitewaterarts.org
Facebook: facebook.com/wwartsalliance
Gallery Exhibit Hours
Thursdays: 12-4 pm
Fridays: 12-4 pm
Saturdays: 12-4 pm
Sundays: 12-4 pm
Please Note: The gallery is closed outside of Gallery Exhibit Hours except for special events and is also closed when no show is currently running.
