A live experience blending film, poetry with archival footage and live music.
Driven by hope and pursued by fate, a young woman braves a wild ocean in the mid-19th century for the promise of a new life.
Inspired by the historic wave of emigration from the Winterswijk region of the Netherlands in the mid-19th century, the poetic short film From Wenters to Wisconsin tells the universal story of a young woman who leaves her home and hearth behind in the mid-1800s. Traveling across land and tempestuous seas in pursuit of prosperity, she balances between the hardships she left behind and an uncertain new life in the American Midwest. Through her eyes, we witness the struggles she has put in her past and the hope for a prosperous future that lies ahead. The film’s premiere was celebrated with a unique tour of the United States. This live experience blends film and poetry with archival footage, historical letters, and quotes from Dutch immigrants, all accompanied by live music. The tour visited prominent museums, universities, and historical sites that remain inextricably linked to the history of Dutch pioneers in states such as Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.
Accompanying the film is an interdisciplinary lesson plan that brings together history and media communication. Moreover, From Wenters to Wisconsin marks a technical milestone: it is the first film in which filmmaker Udo Prinsen weaves AI techniques together with digital animation, compositing, and editing. As a result, the film is not merely a narrative in terms of content; the innovative filmmaking technique itself also serves as a timely starting point for dialogue.
Many of Prinsen’s productions often originate from musical inspiration; he has collaborated with artists such as Eric Vloeimans, Martin Fondse, and Dominic Seldis. The soundtrack for From Wenters to Wisconsin was composed and produced specifically for this project by American trombonist, composer, and educator Ryan Keberle. Keberle has collaborated with such greats as David Bowie, Maria Schneider, and Alicia Keys. His music forms the emotional heartbeat of the film and uniquely enhances the cinematic journey.
For all of the above programs, with the exception of Music Mosaics, the admission cost is $6 for adults, $4 for those under age 18 or age 65+. Music Mosaics, which raises funds for music scholarships, is $10 for adults and $6 for those under age 18 or age 65+.
Parking – Monday through Thursday
A permit is required to park in university lots and on Prince Street north of Main Street during events that take place Monday – Thursday. Parking is permitted without a permit from 5 p.m. Fridays to 11:00 p.m. Sundays.
The closest lots are Lots 1 and 2. To purchase a permit, visit uww.aimsparking.com and follow these steps:
- Select: Purchase UW-W Special Event Permits
- Agree to Terms of Service
- Select Event Type: CENTER OF THE ARTS
- Select the event you are attending
- Select Permit Type: EVENT GUEST
- Dates will automatically fill in
- Click Add Vehicle
- Enter license plate, make, model and color vehicle; Click ADD
- Follow the remaining prompts to complete registration process
NOTE: Your license plate is your permit; be sure to enter the plate information correctly to avoid tickets. Plates not entered correctly are subject to $5 tickets. Do not park in stalls with any type of sign. If you need to change your plate, call 262-472-1011 during business hours Mon-Fri 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Visit the College of Arts and Communication website to explore our full list of events. Reserve your spot for upcoming ticketed shows or enjoy our enriching non-ticketed events for free. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to engage with creativity and culture – join us and let the arts ignite your imagination!
