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Whitewater Arts Alliance Hosts 2025 Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP)
Exhibition and Workshop
The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) is proud to announce the 2025
Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) Exhibition, running from May 1-31, 2025, at
the Cultural Arts Center, located at 402 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI. This exhibition
provides artists from across Wisconsin with a platform to showcase their creativity,
enhance their skills, and connect with others in the arts community.
WRAP offers a welcoming environment where artists can learn, share ideas, and find
inspiration. Regional winners will advance to a statewide exhibit, giving them an even
greater opportunity to showcase their talent. The exhibition will feature a variety of
artwork, including 3D sculptures, acrylics, oils, and collages. Supporting local artists
through programs like WRAP is central to WAA’s mission to foster a thriving arts
community.
Submissions Still Accepted
The final date for online entries for the WRAP exhibit is Sunday, April 20, 2025. Entries
can also be submitted in person during the artwork drop-off on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
For more details about submitting art, visit WRAP 2025 (May) — Whitewater Arts Alliance.
Special Watercolor Workshop
Artist and WRAP juror Tom Jewell will host a watercolor workshop titled “How to
Develop Composition in Your Paintings” on Saturday, May 3, from 9 am-12 pm. The
workshop will take place prior to the Awards Reception in the afternoon, providing an
excellent opportunity to develop new skills before the celebration.
During the workshop, Tom will share examples of composition techniques from his own
artwork and guide participants in creating cohesive compositions. Jewell says, “Good
composition is the backbone of any successful painting. In this workshop, I’ll not only
share techniques to create balanced and engaging compositions, but also help
participants bring their own ideas to life. Together, we’ll lay the groundwork for paintings
that truly resonate.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring ideas or photos to work from, as Tom will provide
personalized feedback to each participant. Refreshments will be provided. The cost for
those who do not have work in the WRAP Exhibit is $10 per person, which includes all
supplies and refreshments. The cost is free for those exhibiting work in the WRAP
exhibit as their entry fee includes workshop admission. Space is limited, so early
registration is encouraged. Visit whitewaterarts.org/wrap-2025 to reserve your spot.
Awards Reception
Later that day, join us from 12 pm-4 pm for the Awards Reception, where we’ll celebrate
the accomplishments of participating artists and bring the arts community together.
Exhibit Hours
The WRAP exhibit will be open to the public Thursdays through Sundays, from
12 pm-4 pm throughout May. Admission is free, and for those unable to attend in person,
the exhibit will also be available to view online.
The Whitewater Arts Alliance invites the entire community to experience the 2025
WRAP Exhibition, and support the talented artists of Wisconsin. For more details about
the exhibition or workshop, visit whitewaterarts.org.
For more information, please contact:
Kim Adams, Gallery Director, Whitewater Arts Alliance
Phone: 608-201-2151
Email: wwartsalliance@gmail.com
Website: whitewaterarts.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wwartsalliance
“Celebrating the Arts and Creating Community!”
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE) – Beta Gamma Chapter earned national recognition at the PSE National Convention on March 19-22 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The national convention included more than 160 competitors from more than 30 schools.
The largest competition, the year-long Pro-Am Sell-A-Thon, trains and develops all competitors in all aspects of the sales process and consists of three rounds. UW-Whitewater had seven of the 35 semifinalists and three of the top five finishers.
UW-Whitewater also claimed the Top Team award for highest number of participants in a chapter and for having at least one member among the top 10 of the year-long competition.
UW-Whitewater’s PSE – Beta Gamma chapter is a marketing, sales and business fraternity on the UW-Whitewater campus. The group focuses on professional development with events throughout each semester, including resume building, interview training and newly introduced AI workshops. The chapter is advised by marketing faculty members Rob Boostrom, associate professor, Dennis Kopf, associate professor, and Karen Whalen, lecturer.
The university’s College of Business and Economics supports several award-winning student organizations at the university. For more information on the college, visit uww.edu/cobe.
Iron pour at Wisconsin Makers April 12
Wisconsin Makers will host its eighth annual iron pour on Saturday, April 12.
The public is invited to this family-friendly event at the regional makerspace, located at 200 E. Clay St. in Whitewater.
Spectators are welcome to watch the “pour team” — Teresa “Tree” Lind, a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater lecturer of art and design — and her students and alumni melt cast iron in an outdoor furnace and then fill sand scratch molds with the liquid metal.
Those wishing to make their own casting may buy a scratch mold square to personalize with their design that day, starting at 9 a.m. Each scratch mold must be completed no later than 11:15 a.m.
By noon, the outdoor forge should have reached 2,700 degrees and be ready for the pour. Lind and her team will fill buckets with molten iron and pour it into the sand scratch molds. They will present the completed castings to participants by mid-afternoon.
The per-person cost is $25. Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. All ages are welcome, but youngsters must be accompanied by an adult.
During the iron pour, grilled brats, chips, water and soda will be available for purchase.
Scratch mold workshop set
Persons wishing to get a head start on their squares may attend a scratch mold workshop at the makerspace Friday, April 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. Pizza will be available for $1 per slice.
“Your unique design will be preserved in cast iron for ages to come,” said Wisconsin Makers President Al Jewer, adding that past years’ iron pours each have drawn more than 100 attendees. “This is a wonderful opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind piece of art.”
To get a feel for what an iron pour entails, please view a short YouTube video of the 2017 event: https://youtu.be/Q5HgV94OPe4.
Wisconsin Makers is a nonprofit regional makerspace (community workshop) offering an affordable, collaborative and educational environment that inspires people of all ages to become innovators by unlocking their skills through continual experimentation and training. Work areas/equipment include: 3-D printing, laser engraving, machining, welding/fabrication, electronics, blacksmithing, woodworking, ceramics/pottery, jewelry making, arts/crafts, quilting and more.
For more information on the iron pour or scratch mold workshop, or to learn about the makerspace or memberships, visit Wisconsin Makers’ Facebook page at @wisconsinmakers or call Jewer at (630) 430-9498.
Updated: 4/8/25 @ 3:30 p.m. to add gallery hours (Thursday through Sunday, 12-4 p.m.)
The Whitewater Arts Alliance and the Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) are excited to announce the 2025 Art Exhibition, Let Kindness Be My Muse. This annual event, showcasing artwork by students from all five WUSD schools, is a proud part of the Be Kind Whitewater, a grassroots, community-based, non-partisan group that promotes kindness, connection, civility, and creative expression for the betterment of our community and region.
The exhibition runs from April 3 to April 27, 2025, Thursday through Sunday from 12-4 p.m., at the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main St., Whitewater. The Arts Alliance will celebrate with a closing reception on Saturday, April 26, from 12 pm-3 pm with refreshments, music, and an awards presentation to recognize the students’ efforts.
Kim Adams, Whitewater Arts Alliance Gallery Director, shared, “This exhibition brings our community together and highlights student talent. It has become the most attended annual event at the WAA, with nearly 150 community members and students at last year’s event.”
Come check out the students’ work and join us for a fun day of community and art. It’s a great way to celebrate kindness and creativity as part of the Be Kind Whitewater initiative.
WAA thanks the sponsor of this event: Leif E. Knudsen, CPA, S.C.
2nd Annual WMS Mattress Fundraiser for Washington DC & New York trips in 2025 and 2026
Whitewater High School’s FBLA students recently traveled to Green Bay for the State Leadership Conference and brought home some impressive achievements!
Our students made the most of their trip, combining competition with valuable learning experiences. They enjoyed tours of the iconic Lambeau Field, explored a few local Green Bay businesses, and visited the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
But the real excitement was in the competition! We are thrilled to announce the following outstanding results:
- Ameera Lin impressed the judges with her poise and communication skills, earning a top 12 placement in Introduction to Public Speaking.
- The creative trio of Zoe Zei, Maggie Maas, and Maddie Morton showcased their storytelling and technical talents, securing 7th place in Digital Video Production.
- Lilian Navejas-Ortiz demonstrated her strong foundation in business, achieving 7th place in Human Resource Management.
- And a special congratulations to Atreya Wilson, who earned 1st place in Entrepreneurship! Atreya’s innovation and dedication have earned her the honor of representing Whitewater Unified School District at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California this summer!
We are incredibly proud of all our students for their hard work, professionalism, and spirit of excellence. Way to go, Whippets!
Article and Photos Submitted by Baron West
Whitewater High School FBLA Advisor
bwest@wwusd.org
According to a press release from the City of Whitewater Fire/EMS Department [WFD], at approximately 6:26 a.m. on 04/06/2025, they were alerted to a barn fire at 8731 N. Lima Center Road, Town of Lima, Rock County. The property is approximately 6.5 miles southwest of the fire station in an area that does not have hydrants.
The legacy dairy barn, which was being used for livestock shelter and hay storage, was completely engulfed in flames upon the first firefighters’ arrival. Due to the amount of hay in the building, approximately 100,000 gallons of water was needed to fully extinguish the fire. WFD indicates that the barn and its contents are a total loss. Some of the cattle, sheep and goats in the barn at the time of the fire were able to escape, but due to the collapse of the building it is unknown how many livestock were lost.
Investigation is ongoing, but the fire was not deemed to be suspicious. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians.
WFD thanked the following departments for their assistance: Whitewater Fire/EMS would like to thank our mutual aid partners for their assistance: Lauderdale-LaGrange, Darien, City of Delavan, Town of Delavan, Palmyra, Troy Center, Rome, Sullivan, Johnson Creek, Lakeside, Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, Elkhorn, East Troy, Janesville, and Lake Mills.
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives (WUL).
Christine Hayes is a WUL Hometown Hero nominated by Fairhaven’s Brian Robinson “For bringing joy and music to Fairhaven with the Drumming Program, and for raising funds to purchase drums so that Fairhaven can start to hold community drumming sessions in the future, thus enriching the lives of residents and the community.”
Brian said, “Christine brings incredible energy and passion to her volunteer work at Fairhaven, and has recently started bringing in university students to engage with and enrich our residents’ lives. The future is bright to expand this to everyone in our community and we couldn’t thank Christine enough for all she does for us here at Fairhaven.”
WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.
Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com
Obituaries
Sally A. Schutte, age 73, of Whitewater, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2026, while at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater. Sally was born on November 6, 1952, to Roy and Elsie (Rohloff) Haas. Sally married William Schutte in the spring of 2003. Sally grew up on the family farm in the Town of Hebron and graduated from Jefferson High School. She dedicated nearly her entire career to Fort HealthCare, where her hard work and versatility shone through various roles. Over the years, she served in housekeeping and medical records, Center for Dermatology. Sally … Read more
Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. He was born April 4, 1985, to Keith W. Schoenke and Kathleen Schoenke in Fort Atkinson, WI. He grew up and graduated from Whitewater High School in 2003. Zach worked various jobs over the years but was currently working at Cracker Barrel in Janesville. He was a big Packers Fan and liked to play fantasy football. He enjoyed reading, cooking, and watching horror shows. Zach fiercely loved his son, Lincoln, his sisters, Cami and Cary, his mom and stepdad, and his aunt Robin. He will be dearly … Read more
Carla Winn, 82, died September 5, 2026. Funeral Service will be at 12:00 PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026, at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218, followed by a burial at 2:00 PM at White Chapel Memorial Garden 1806 N Oliver Ave. Carla is preceded in death by her parents, Vivian Dwight and Wilma Lois Krehbiel; and sister, Jennifer Krehbiel. She is survived by husband, Stephen; daughter, Ashley (Clint) Gagel, of Overland Park; siblings, Paul (Kay) Krehbiel, of Socorro, NM, Lynn (Bill) Oetting, of Wichita, Ellen (John) Querner, of Wichita, Teresa Woodson, of Lawrence, KS, … Read more
Susan Miller Celebration of Life There will be a gathering of friends and acquaintances at Susan’s Farm Store to celebrate Susan’s life on Saturday, September 19th from 2-5 p.m. at N6623 Lake Lorraine Rd., Delavan, Wisconsin
Our loving mother, JoAnn E Harrop, age 95, passed away on September 11, 2026. Our sorrow is deep, but we are filled with gratitude for the many years we had with her. Even as her mind was failing, she remained strong and appreciative of all who cared for her. JoAnn was born on January 13, 1931, daughter to Fred Braun and Evelyn Braun {Storck). She was raised in Whitewater, Wisconsin by her grandparents, Otto and Edith Storck. She attended Whitewater High School and helped at the Storck tavern where she met her husband Earl C. Harrop. They married on November … Read more
Russell O. Johnson “Russ,” 88, passed away on September 4, 2026 in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Russell was born on July 12, 1938, in Janesville, Wisconsin. Russ grew up in Janesville, and after high school he joined the Air Force on May 1, 1958, serving as an aircraft mechanic until June 12, 1962. He then worked at Parker Pen in Janesville for a time, where he met his future wife, Avis. After marrying Avis Mason in April 1964, Russ worked for Gillman Manufacturing for a time, then began a career at Dana until its closing in 1980. In 1981, Russ started working … Read more
Marcia Zingg, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at the age of 75. Marcia will be remembered for her unwavering love, remarkable strength, generous spirit, and lifelong devotion to her family. She shared 40 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Jeffrey Zingg, who considered her not only his wife but also his best friend, business partner, and the love of his life. Together, Marcia and Jeffrey built a successful life rooted in perseverance, hard work, laughter, and love. As entrepreneurs in Whitewater, Wisconsin, they owned and managed new car franchises and … Read more
Amanda Jean Hunter was born to Ralph and Malinda (Thomas) Hunter of Whitewater, Wisconsin, on October 6, 1976. She passed away on August 4, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived with her family. Amanda passed peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by her loved ones. Amanda was a kind-hearted free spirit with an unmistakable hippie warmth. Generosity, spontaneity, a quick wit, a macabre sense of humor, and an open heart were traits that she embraced. She was a tireless champion of those in need, an innate characteristic that became among the best of her qualities. She proved to be a … Read more
Ellen Eichmiller, 82, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Ellen was born on September 10, 1943, in Monroe, Wisconsin, to Chester “Guy” and Irene (née Holmen) Steig. She married the love of her life, Paul Eichmiller, on December 7, 1963, and together they made their home in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Ellen spent much of her working life as a secretary at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where she formed many lasting friendships and memories. Ellen cherished her family and friends and treasured the time she spent with those closest to her. She was known for her love of … Read more
Janet Quinn, age 71, of Jefferson passed away on Thursday, August 20th. Janet was born on December 22nd, 1954 in St. Joseph, MI to Robert Mounsey and Edith Christison Mounsey. She was a granddaughter to Herbert Bragg Mounsey, Charlotte Mounsey, and Ester Christison West. She married Michael Durden in 1979 and later married Eury Quinn Jr. (J.R.) in 1988. Janet grew up in Benton Harbor, MI, and subsequently lived in New York and Arkansas before moving to Wisconsin in 2016. She was a dedicated caregiver to her disabled Mother, and worked as a custodian for various employers over the years. … Read more
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