Art MidWisconsin
Art MidWisconsin is an award-winning regional collective of visual artists who bring insight, instincts, and experience to the classroom to help beginning and trained artists explore new methods and approaches while advancing their skills as artists.
Town Square is proud to partner with Art MidWisconsin to expand creative opportunities in our community. Together, we offer a variety of art programs and workshops designed for all experience levels—from beginners eager to explore their creativity to seasoned artists looking to sharpen their skills. This partnership allows us to bring high-quality, hands-on art experiences to Green Lake while advancing Town Square’s mission: to enrich the lives of community members, families, and friends by providing cultural, social, recreational, and educational opportunities for people of all ages—all while preserving our treasured historic building.
ART MIDWISCONSIN CLASSES
ART MIDWISCONSIN INSTRUCTORS
Dick Folse
Dick Folse has a Master of Fine Arts from Illinois State University. He is an award-winning painter who has exhibited nationally and internationally and has taught art at three universities.
Anne Gary
As a corporate trainer, Anne has been teaching for over 30 years. As a professional artist, her work has been represented in more than 70 galleries across the country. Her interest in art began at a young age, surrounded by creative family members who encouraged her to explore a wide range of mediums, including pottery, weaving, jewelry making, stained glass, fused glass, acrylics, watercolor, silk painting, pastels, and most recently, mixed media. Creating abstract art allows Anne to work intuitively, harness her imagination, and embrace the creative process without being tied to a specific outcome.
Carolyn Myers
Carolyn Myers has her bachelor’s in art education with a focus in painting. She aspires to educate and grow people’s love for the arts and feel success in making their own mark while also learning practical skills and techniques that can drive them forward in their artist endeavors whether amateur or experienced. Carolyn has taught within the classroom, the community, as well as personal artist sessions. She is also an active artist in her personal studio and local art show opportunities.
Travis Nygard
Dr. Travis Nygard is an award-winning college professor with a PhD in art history and cultural studies from the University of Pittsburgh. He loves teaching about art from around the world and from our own region, often using hands-on techniques to make art more engaging and accessible. He regularly presents original research at conferences and publishes his findings. His scholarly interests are eclectic, ranging from Andy Warhol’s pop art to the murals of the Corn Palace to the financial value of art. He is also an artist himself, who enjoys collage, painting, photography, and mixed-media work.
Eileen Reilly
Eileen Reilly discovered her love of photography the moment she picked up her first camera at age 14. It was in 2005, while living abroad, that Eileen’s interest in photography became a true passion. Immersed in new cultures, she found the camera the best way to capture and share everything she saw. Today, Eileen’s interest is in landscape, abstract and street photography.
Angel Rettler
With a Bachelor of Fine Arts and over a decade of experience, Angel Rettler is a passionate and skilled artist who brings a wealth of knowledge to every class. As the owner and instructor at Artsy Fartsy, a vibrant paint-and-sip studio in Campbellsport, WI, Angel has spent the last 11 years sharing the joy of painting with students of all levels. She has cultivated a welcoming and creative space where students feel empowered to express themselves and discover their artistic abilities. Angel’s approach is warm, patient, and hands-on, ensuring that each participant feels supported and inspired throughout their artistic journey.
CLASS REGISTRATION
Hands on Art: Exploring the Human Form
Dates: July 7 & 9
Time: 9 am - Noon
Instructor: Travis Nygard
Location: MakerSpace
Level: Beginning to Intermediate
Cost: $120
Note: This includes a $25 material fee
Artists have been fascinated by other people since the Stone Age, and in this class, we will use depictions of the human body as a case study. It is for people of all experience levels and combines interactive lectures, hands-on exercises, and art-making. You can expect to see examples of great paintings, drawings, and sculptures, learn how artists have represented the human face in many ways. You will learn how to draw a face with accurate proportions. You will also learn how artists thought about the body in layers from the inside out—from the skeleton, to muscles, to skin, to clothing. We will even consider how artists have used color and layers to depict people in both realistic and wildly unrealistic ways.
The course is geared toward adults, but mature high-school-age students are also welcome to enroll. The course includes some artistic representations of unclothed bodies. No prior knowledge or artistic skill is required to enjoy this class. Art supplies will be provided, including a set of watercolor paints and oil pastels for you to keep.
Acrylics Made Fun
Date: July 13
Time: 9 am - 1 pm
Instructor: Anne Gary
Location: MakerSpace
Level: Beginning to Intermediate
Cost: $75
Note: A supply list will be provided upon registration
Get ready to roll up your sleeves, splash some color around, and have a seriously fun time in this 4-hour acrylic painting class! Whether you’re a total beginner or someone who just hasn’t picked up a brush in a while, this session is all about letting your creativity loose in a relaxed, no-pressure atmosphere. We’ll kick things off with a quick intro to materials (don’t worry—nothing too technical), then dive right into playful demos where you’ll learn cool tricks like blending colors, creating texture, and bringing your painting to life layer by layer. Think of it as part lesson, part creative playground.
As you paint, you’ll get plenty of guidance, tips, and encouragement—plus the freedom to add your own personal twist. There’s time to experiment, make happy little accidents, and discover your own style along the way.
By the end of the class, you’ll walk away with a finished painting you can proudly show off—and maybe even surprise yourself with what you created.
Acrylics Made Fun with an Exploration into Abstract Art
Dates: July 13, 14 & 15
Time: 9 am - 1 pm
Instructor: Anne Gary
Location: MakerSpace
Level: Beginning to Intermediate
Cost: $150
Note: A supply list will be provided upon registration
Get ready to roll up your sleeves, splash some color around, and have a seriously fun time in this 4-hour acrylic painting class! Whether you’re a total beginner or someone who just hasn’t picked up a brush in a while, this session is all about letting your creativity loose in a relaxed, no-pressure atmosphere. We’ll kick things off with a quick intro to materials (don’t worry—nothing too technical), then dive right into playful demos where you’ll learn cool tricks like blending colors, creating texture, and bringing your painting to life layer by layer. Think of it as part lesson, part creative playground.
As you paint, you’ll get plenty of guidance, tips, and encouragement—plus the freedom to add your own personal twist. There’s time to experiment, make happy little accidents, and discover your own style along the way.
By the end of the class, you’ll walk away with a finished painting you can proudly show off—and maybe even surprise yourself with what you created.
Intro to Digital Photography
Date: July 15
Time: 9 am - Noon
Instructor: Eileen Reilly
Location: Studio B
Level: Beginning to Intermediate
Cost: $75
Note: DSLR cameras and Smartphones are welcome
Whether you are picking up a camera for the first time or looking to sharpen your foundational skills, this course offers a welcoming and practical starting point for your photography journey. This 3 hour course us designed for beginners who want to move beyond automatic mode and start taking intentional and compelling photos. Students will learn to navigate their camera’s settings-specifically the exposure triangle: aperture, shutter speed and ISO. The principles of composition will be covered by exploring the rule of thirds, leading lines and framing to build more visually engaging images. There will be a brief overview of lighting, especially natural light. The course will finish with an outdoor shoot, where students will apply everything they have learned into a real-world environment.
Intro to Watercolor
Date: July 21
Time: 9 am - Noon
Instructor: Carolyn Myers
Location: MakerSpace
Level: Beginning to Intermediate
Cost: $75
Note: Paper will be provided for you, however a recommended supply list will be provided upon registration for personal purchase
The wondered if watercolor is for you, but don’t know where to start? Or you have dabbled in watercolor, but it just isn’t making sense? There is a beauty an ease to watercolor when you learn the basics of techniques and materials. In this one session workshop we will do some exploration and experimentation with a variety of materials. We will explore both abstract and landscape exercises and engage in hands on projects. Participants will take home a painting they create as well as techniques to use in their future endeavors.
Intro to Pastels
Date: July 21, 22 & 28
Time: 1 pm - 4 pm
Instructor: Dick Folse
Location: MakerSpace
Level: Beginning to Intermediate
Cost: $150
Note: A supply list will be provided upon registration
Pastel is a beautiful medium that can be made simple with the right materials and approaches. Join an award-winning painter in this 3-session workshop as the instructor reveals secrets about paper selection, pastels, and approaches so that you can create stunning paintings with pastels. The class will look at contemporary and historical art works, explore approaches that align with artists’ facilities and tendencies, and engage in exercises to build confidence in a safe and supportive environment. Sign up today, space is limited!
Intro to Oils
Date: July 22, 23 & 29
Time: 9 am - Noon
Instructor: Angel Rettler
Location: MakerSpace
Level: Beginning to Intermediate
Cost: $170
Note: A supply list will be provided upon registration
Whether you’re embarking on your first creative journey or looking to expand your skills, this overview to oil painting offers the perfect opportunity to explore your artistic potential. In a warm and encouraging environment, you’ll learn about the fundamentals of oil painting—how to mix colors, application techniques while creating your own stunning artwork. Ideal for beginners and those wishing to refresh their skills, this workshop invites you to immerse yourself in the timeless medium of oils and unlock your creative expression. No prior experience required—just a passion to paint!