Town Square Photography Group

Bracketing & Focus Stacking with Ken Martin

August 3 | 6:30 - 8:30 pm | Studio B

Join the Town Square Photography Group for a special presentation by Kenneth J. Martin of Ken Martin Photography. A past president and current Executive Board Member of the Wisconsin Professional Photographers Association (WPPA), Ken will share techniques for bracketing and focus stacking, including how to capture, process, and blend images, as well as how to take your camera out of Auto or Program mode to create more advanced photographs.

Please bring paper and a pencil if you'd like to take notes during the presentation. Afterward, attendees are invited to share up to 10 photos on a flash drive for group discussion and feedback. Whether you're new to photography or an experienced photographer looking to expand your skills, this is a great opportunity to learn, connect, and grow. Guests are welcome, so bring a friend!

Follow the Town Square Photography Facebook Group to learn more.

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.

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.

Glass Art Workshop

with Susan Melgaard

Date: Saturday, July 11
Time: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: MakerSpace
Ages: 13 and up
Capacity: 5–15 participants

Join artist Susan Melgaard for a fun and creative fused glass workshop where you’ll design and create your own unique glass pieces. This hands-on class is perfect for beginners and experienced makers alike—Susan will provide guidance, ideas, and support as you bring your vision to life.

Project Options:

• Option 1: Candle Holders / Cups
  Create beautiful and whimsical glass pieces that can be used for candles, jewelry, hair accessories, or other small items. They also make great gifts! Make 2 or 4.

• Option 2: Sun Catchers / Display Pieces
  Design stunning glass pieces to display on a table, bookcase, wall, or window. (Make one of each, two of the same, or two of each design) Choose your style:

  • Four Seasons Trees

  • Flower Meadows

Pricing

• $50 for 2 pieces

• $80 for 4 pieces

Additional Details

All materials, tools, instruction, and creative guidance are included in the cost

• Please wear closed-toe shoes for safety

• Glass pieces will be fired twice at Susan’s studio; finished items will be ready in 1–2 weeks

• If you need your pieces sooner, please note this at registration and we will do our best to accommodate

Participants may choose either date or attend both, and select one project per session.

Prices in registration include a 3.5% transactional fee.

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.

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.

Glass Art Workshop

with Susan Melgaard

Date: Saturday, June 27
Time: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: MakerSpace
Ages: 13 and up
Capacity: 5–15 participants

Join artist Susan Melgaard for a fun and creative fused glass workshop where you’ll design and create your own unique glass pieces. This hands-on class is perfect for beginners and experienced makers alike—Susan will provide guidance, ideas, and support as you bring your vision to life.

Project Options:

• Option 1: Candle Holders / Cups
  Create beautiful and whimsical glass pieces that can be used for candles, jewelry, hair accessories, or other small items. They also make great gifts! Make 2 or 4.

• Option 2: Sun Catchers / Display Pieces
  Design stunning glass pieces to display on a table, bookcase, wall, or window. (Make one of each, two of the same, or two of each design) Choose your style:

  • Four Seasons Trees

  • Flower Meadows

Pricing

• $50 for 2 pieces

• $80 for 4 pieces

Additional Details

All materials, tools, instruction, and creative guidance are included in the cost

• Please wear closed-toe shoes for safety

• Glass pieces will be fired twice at Susan’s studio; finished items will be ready in 1–2 weeks

• If you need your pieces sooner, please note this at registration and we will do our best to accommodate

Participants may choose either date or attend both, and select one project per session.

Prices in registration include a 3.5% transactional fee.

Town Square Photography Group

Macro and Close-Up Photography

June 1 | 6:30 pm | Studio B

Join Town Square Photographers for an evening focused on macro and close-up photography. This month’s program will explore techniques for photographing flowers, plants, insects, and other small subjects, including tips on lenses, accessories, camera settings, and composition.

Photographer Bob Haase will lead a short presentation before the group heads to Don Zaiki’s nearby garden to photograph the beautiful flowers in bloom.

Participants are encouraged to bring their camera, lenses, and a few recent photos to share with the group. Whether you’re experienced in photography or just getting started, this welcoming gathering is a great opportunity to learn, connect, and explore creativity with fellow photographers.

Town Square Photographers meetings are open to the public and welcome anyone with an interest in photography.

Follow the Town Square Photography Facebook Group to learn more.

Green Lake Plein Air Festival

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Downtown Green Lake & Local Parks
Green Lake, Wisconsin

The Green Lake Plein Air Festival invites artists to spend the day painting outdoors throughout downtown Green Lake and its scenic parks. From historic buildings and charming storefronts to gardens, restaurants, and stunning lake views, this event celebrates the beauty and character of our community through art created on location.

Hosted as part of the 2026 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference, the festival will bring visitors from across the region to Green Lake. Conference attendees and community members alike are encouraged to watch artists at work and enjoy an evening exhibition and public sale of completed paintings.

About the Festival

Plein air painting—meaning “in the open air”—is the practice of creating artwork outdoors, directly inspired by the landscape and natural light. Artists will spend the day painting throughout designated areas of Green Lake, capturing the energy, color, and spirit of the town in real time.

This is a non-juried event open to artists of all skill levels and media, including oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, casein, and gouache.

Event Highlights

• All-day plein air painting throughout Green Lake

• Public exhibition and sale of artwork

• No commission on artist sales

• Four cash awards, including Best of Show ($500)

• Off the easel sales opportunities with visitors and conference attendees

• Artist raffle

Festival Judge

Trina May Smith will serve as the judge for the 2026 Green Lake Plein Air Festival.

Trina May Smith grew up in Missoula, Montana, where the surrounding landscape left a lasting impression that continues to shape her paintings. She earned her BFA in Painting from the University of Washington in Seattle and her MFA in 2D Studio Art from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Trina has exhibited widely in solo and group shows across the United States, including Brooklyn, Chicago, Washington, DC, and Seattle. Her work has been shown at galleries such as Tory Folliard, Abel Contemporary, and Portrait Society Galleries in Wisconsin, as well as institutions including the Wright Museum of Art in Beloit, Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, and the Maine College of the Arts. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Painting at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh.

Schedule at a Glance

• Check-in & Canvas Stamping:
  9:00 am – 12:00 pm
  Town Square Community Center Lobby

• Painting Time:
  9:00 am – 4:00 pm (within designated boundaries)

• Exhibition & Public Sale:
  5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
  Heidel House Hotel Lobby (653 Illinois Ave, Green Lake, WI 54941)

• Awards Announced:
  5:45 pm

• Artwork Removal:
  By 6:30 pm

Registration

• Registration Fee: $30

• Late Registration (after April 1): $40

• Registration is online only and includes participation in all festival activities.

• All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Participating artists

Alicia Armstrong | Kathy Bradley | Nicole Conner | Elissa Ewald | Dick Folse | GG | Jane George | Katie Hogan | Peggy Hope | Judy Fleming Coss | Sarah McGowan | Brenda Mulvey | Carolyn Myers | Joanne Norton | Eileen Reilly | Dylan Prosen | Erin Quick-Laughlin | Donna Recker | Linda Reinholtz | Margaret Robinson | Geri Schrab | Caron Sisko

Presented By

Art MidWisconsin, Community Economic Development Associates, and Town Square Community Center

Artists are encouraged to read the full prospectus before registering.

Register to Participate

Full artist guidelines and requirements are outlined in the event prospectus.

Join us at Town Square for a Lobby Artist Reception celebrating the work of local artist and illustrator Tom Schultz, featured in the April Lobby Artist Gallery.

Schultz’s detailed paintings highlight the beauty and diversity of birds, capturing intimate moments in nature with careful attention to light, texture, and form. His work reflects a lifelong passion for the natural world and invites viewers to slow down and appreciate its subtle details.

Event Details

• Date: Friday, April 10

• Time: 5 - 7 pm

• Location: Town Square Community Center
  492 Hill Street, Green Lake, WI

• Cost: Free and open to the public

The April Lobby Artist Gallery is on display throughout the month during regular business hours.

All are welcome to attend this casual, celebratory evening honoring local art and community.

Green Lake High School Choir - Musical Theater Performance

Tuesday, April 7, 2026
8:45 - 9:30 am
Ballroom
Free to attend

Town Square is excited to host a special morning performance by the Green Lake High School Choir, directed by Ashley Kuglin.

Students will present a musical theater showcase featuring songs from well-known Broadway productions including Mamma Mia, Hamilton, Chess, Wicked, and more. This lively performance highlights the talent and energy of Green Lake’s student performers while bringing the community together through music.

The performance will last approximately 45 minutes and is open to the public. Everyone in the community is encouraged to attend and support these talented local students.

Guests are welcome to arrive early and enjoy coffee and light breakfast items beginning at 7:30 AM before the performance begins.

Town Square Photography Group

Topic Coming Soon

March 2 | 6:30 pm | Studio B

We are urging members to come and help us plan out the rest of meetings and activities for 2026. What do you want for programs and activities? We want your input.

Please try and make this meeting because it will determine what we are going to do for the rest of 2026. We are tentatively planning having our regularly scheduled meetings on the first Monday of every month, and also putting together on location shoots at various times and locations during the month. Our first one is scheduled on February 21, at Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac from 2:00 – 4:00pm. We will be meeting at Frazier Point in Lakeside Park to photograph ducks in flight, and other related things. There are usually quite a few ducks there that are coming and going, providing a lot of action. After the shoot we plan to meet for pizza and socializing at the Pizza Ranch in Fond du Lac.

Other potential shoots include photographing Warblers at High Cliff State Park in Sherwood. Warblers gather here on their migration north and provide a lot of photo opportunities. A trip to Heckrodt Wetland Reserve in Menasha to photograph birds and wildlife. In May there are usually a few fawns to photograph. Another shoot may be to a tour of the state capital in Madison. This would include a guided tour of the capital. Another shoot will probably be to Pardeeville to photograph the Loons that gather there on their way up north. Some of the best opportunities to photograph these beautiful birds. We will discuss these outings at the monthly meeting before the shoot. The rest of our activities will be decided during our March meeting.

Remember to bring up to 10 images of the shoot in Fond du Lac, or other things you have been photographing recently. Bring a friend and introduce them to Town Square Photographers.

These meetings are open for anyone interested in photography, so please stop in and check out Town Square Photographers. A great way to meet other photographers and learn more about photography.

Join us at Town Square for a special Lobby Artist Reception celebrating the work of Wisconsin-based painter Dick Folse, MFA, whose landscapes are featured in the February Lobby Artist Gallery.

Folse’s paintings are inspired by prairie landscapes in the Green Lake area, capturing sweeping skies, shifting seasons, and the quiet presence of land. His work balances abstraction and representation, offering a reflective sense of place shaped by light, weather, and time.

The evening will also include a Birthday Bingo celebration, along with desserts and drinks.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, February 21

• Time: 5:30 pm

• Location: Town Square Community Center
  492 Hill Street, Green Lake, WI

• Cost: Free and open to the public

The February Lobby Artist Gallery is on display throughout the month during regular business hours.

All are welcome to attend this casual, celebratory evening honoring local art and community.

Town Square Photography Group

Lighting and Exposure

Feb 2 | 6:30 pm | Studio B

The February program will be on lighting, and we will be talking about the use of available light and how to shape light with reflectors, the use of flash on camera and off camera, and how to compensate for bad lighting situations. We will also talk about the ability to “see light” in away that can help you know when and how to make adjustments.

Everyone is invited to bring 10 images on a jump drive of their recent photography experiences to share with the group. The Town Square Photographers is a group of photographers with varied skills and experience working together to share information and learn how to get the most out of their cameras. This includes the use of cell phones and all the different kinds of cameras from point and shoot, to the most advanced digital and mirrorless models. If you are an avid photographer or just like taking pictures of your family or pets, please join us at one of our monthly meetings held the first Monday of every month at 6:30pm. Meetings are held in the Town Square building in Green Lake.

Share your work! Bring up to 10 photos on a flash drive (USB or USB-C) to share with the group.

Town Square Photography Group

Color Balance

Jan 5 | 6:30 pm | Studio B

In January will be discussing color balance and how to adjust for different lighting situations. This might include the various setting available on today’s cameras to adjust for different lighting situations such as the winter snow “blues”, fluorescent lighting, and other situations that might require setting the camera for the correct color temperature. We will also talk about correcting color in post-production, adjusting your computer monitor for correct color, and simple ways to know if the color is correct.

Everyone is invited to bring 10 images on a jump drive of their recent photography experiences to share with the group. The Town Square Photographers is a group of photographers with varied skills and experience working together to share information and learn how to get the most out of their cameras. This includes the use of cell phones and all the different kinds of cameras from point and shoot, to the most advanced digital and mirrorless models. If you are an avid photographer or just like taking pictures of your family or pets, please join us at one of our monthly meetings held the first Monday of every month at 6:30pm. Meetings are held in the Town Square building in Green Lake.

Share your work! Bring up to 10 photos on a flash drive (USB or USB-C) to share with the group.

Town Square Photography Group

Back to the Basics: Exposure Triangle

Dec 1 | 6:30 pm | Studio B

We will be getting back to the basics of photography by talking about the Exposure Triangle and all the elements that go into getting the correct exposure. Along with this we will be talking about how to handle difficult exposure problems such as shooting in low light, capturing detail in backlit situations, dealing with grain in high ISO situations, and other things that go into capturing the correct exposure.

Everyone is invited to bring 10 images on a jump drive of their recent photography experiences to share with the group. The Town Square Photographers is a group of photographers with varied skills and experience working together to share information and learn how to get the most out of their cameras. This includes the use of cell phones and all the different kinds of cameras from point and shoot, to the most advanced digital and mirrorless models. If you are an avid photographer or just like taking pictures of your family or pets, please join us at one of our monthly meetings held the first Monday of every month at 6:30pm. Meetings are held in the Town Square building in Green Lake.

Share your work! Bring up to 10 photos on a flash drive (USB or USB-C) to share with the group.

Unplug & Unwind

Pop Up Happy Hour featuring Erin Krebs

Kick off the holiday season at Town Square with an evening of smooth jazz, festive cheer, and great company. The Jury Room Bar will be dressed in its holiday best as we welcome the sensational Erin Krebs, one of Wisconsin’s most celebrated jazz vocalists, accompanied by pianist Paul Sucherman.

From sultry jazz to soulful blues, Erin lights up every stage with her powerhouse voice and magnetic energy. A recipient of multiple Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Awards—including Jazz Artist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year—Erin’s talent and passion make her performances unforgettable.

Join us for this special Pop-Up Happy Hour to sip, relax, and soak in the sounds of live music in the cozy, holiday-decked ambiance of The Jury Room Bar.

No tickets or registration required—just come, unwind, and enjoy the evening.

Town Square Photography Group

Camera Settings & Photo Share

Nov 3 | 6:30 pm | Studio B

Photo Sharing and Learn About 1-2 Camera Settings

Join us in Studio B on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 6:30pm.

Share your work! Bring up to 10 photos on a flash drive (USB or USB-C) to share with the group.

We will also cover 1-2 camera settings and learn how these settings can differ from one make/model of camera to another, so bring your cameras.

Old Fashioned Funny
Comedy Show

Friday, October 24 | Doors Open at 6 pm | Show at 7:30 pm

Town Square Community Center, Green Lake, WI

Three comedians, one stage, and a night of laughter stronger than your grandpa’s cocktail pour.

Headliner Charlie Kojis brings sharp Midwest wit straight out of Madison, joined by Johnny Beehner, whose clever storytelling has landed him on national stages, and your host Joanie Scannell, mixing punchlines with Wisconsin charm.

It’s comedy served neat—with a twist.

Think Midwest nice… but with punchlines.

🥃 Because nothing says Friday night in Wisconsin like laughing until you almost spill your Old Fashioned.

Tickets:

• $18 Online Pre-sale

• $20 Day of Show (if available – don’t wait, we expect another sellout!)

The Lineup:

🎤 Johnny Beehner – Comedian

Johnny's silly, likable style of clean comedy has been pleasuring audiences for years! He’s been seen on the Late Show with David Letterman, heard on the Bob and Tom show, and smelled on … Nevermind.  With a background in improvisational theater and over 20 years on the circuit, his show is one not to miss!

Join us at Town Square for an evening of comedy and good company.

Town Square Photography Group

Camera Settings & Photo Share

Oct 6 | 6:30 pm | Studio B

Photo Sharing and Learn About 1-2 Camera Settings

Join us in Studio B on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 6:30pm.

Share your work! Bring up to 10 photos on a flash drive (USB or USB-C) to share with the group.

We will also cover 1-2 camera settings and learn how these settings can differ from one make/model of camera to another, so bring your cameras.

Town Square Photography Group

Fall Color Photography

Sep 8 | 6:30 pm | Club Room

Bob Haase will present a program on Fall Color Photography. We are fast approaching the most colorful part of the year, brought on by the changing of the foliage. Most people just drive by and look at the fall colors, but getting out of your vehicle and getting a closer look, can bring a different look. Using the colors of the leaves, reflecting in the water, for a beautiful scenic, or combining that color with some fall mushrooms. Waterfalls and fall colors work together to bring out some beautiful photo opportunities. We will discuss why the leaves turn, when they will turn, where to go to find fall colors, and photo techniques to capture the fall colors.

Join the Town Square Photograph Group at Town Square. Each month will feature a topic of discussion. Follow the Town Square Photography Facebook Group to learn more.

Let's start off the new year with an In-Person Meeting!! Come to the Club Room at Town Square starting at 6pm. PhotoShare and General Discussion at 6:30pm. Bring your photos on a flash drive or printouts. We will discuss upcoming meeting topics and field trip ideas. The Club Room is on the North side of Town Square on the Terrace. The entrance is accessible and handicapped parking is available.

CANCELED:

Color Theory for Painters

When: Monday - Friday, September 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 9 am - Noon (15 Hours)
Cost: $300
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Instructor: Dick Folse

Color Theory for Painters offers strategies and approaches for painters who want to explore making artwork with “color-formed” space and wish to harness their intuition about color in a guided manner. Many paintings may be colorful, but in these paintings, value not color directs visual perceptions. This workshop will help artists make art “in color” where the pictorial space is structured and defined using color. Participants will grasp a theoretical underpinning of color-formed space and expression, gain a sense of the historical evolution of color in art, develop the ability to know when a work is “in color”, and work toward achieving color-formed space and expression in their paintings. Each of the five sessions will include a review of painters in history that evolved the use of color in new ways followed by participants making examples of paintings in response to assigned color problems. This workshop is a great opportunity for practicing artists to better understand the role of color in painting.

Note: A supply list will be provided upon registration.
Registration prices include a 3.5% card transaction fee.

Art Lab

Fridays | 2 - 3pm | MakerSpace

June 27 - August 15

Get your creative juices flowing!

• Sketch your next invention

• Paint a picture of your pet

• OR, whatever comes to mind!

Available to use:

Crayons, markers, pastels, colored paper, watercolor, popsicle sticks, and much more!

Open to All Ages (under 12 must be accompanied by a guardian)

Drop in - No Advance Registration Required

$5 per person

Sculpture I

When: Thursdays & Fridays, August 7, 8, 14, 15, 9 am – Noon (12 Hours)
Cost: $170
Level: Beginning to Intermediate
Instructor: Ralph Benedict Polasky

Discover the basics of 3-dimensional art in our Intro to Sculpture workshop. This hands-on class will explore foundational techniques using clay, wood and found objects, as well as reviewing the works of notable sculptors. Learn how to shape, mold and assemble creative forms while developing your artistic vision.

Note: A supply list will be provided upon registration.
Registration prices include a 3.5% card transaction fee.