Arts Coming Together - Opening Windows - May 20, 2001 LEADER-TELEGRAM
ACT2 MENOMONIE·SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019·
– First appeared in the Entertainment section of the EauClaire LEADER-TELEGRAM on May 20, 2001
Organizers of a new school for the arts in Menomonie hope to spark its students and expose them to the joy of creativity. By Jessica Mortwedt (Leader-Telegram staff)
Menomonie – a building tha
t during the early 20th century housed servants who worked at the historic Wilson Place will serve as a school for aspiring artists beginning Monday, June 4 (2001). Workers are finishing renovations that will transform the former Anna Rommelmeyer house, at 107 Wilson Court, into The School of the Arts. The building is the perfect location for an art school, said Juliana Schmidt, President of Arts Coming Together, a consortium of artists, arts organizations, and advocates who work cooperatively to support local artists and to instill in children a life-long involvement in the arts. There should be plenty of inspiration for art in the backyard of The School of the Arts, as it overlooks the scenic Red Cedar River. A second survey in 2000 determined what kinds of classes potential students would like to take. The school which is open to anyone with an interest in the arts, initially will emphasize the visual arts, offering classes this summer in watercolor, woodcarving, rosemaling, cartooning and beginning drawing. There will be an emphasis on music too, with piano and voice classes also being offered. Betty Verdon, who is certified to teach students from kindergarten through 12th grade, will teach watercolor classes at the school. Verdon hopes her students will gain an appreciation for Menomonie’s history and an ability to paint with watercolors.
“Kids don’t realize the wealth we have here,” she said. Verdon hopes to bring her classes outside and around town so they will be able to learn some history and create interesting art.
“It’s always better to be outdoors so you can use all the senses,” she said. But Bill Norton, an art teacher at Menomonie High School, said the new program may create more competition between other after-school programs.
“It’s very hard to get kids to volunteer for anything outside of school,” he said. The School of the Arts isn’t competing with art classes offered in local schools, Schmidt said. “It is complementing them.
“This is for everyone,” she said. “We are giving them a creative outlet.”
Classes will cost between $50 and $90, depending on how many weeks they run. The building for The School of the Arts was donated by the Dotseth family, which also owns Wilson Place. Right now, Schmidt is trying to decide how each room will be used. There are limits because the house is handicapped-accessible only from the back door. Schmidt envisions the living room being use as a gallery and main classroom. Upstairs rooms may be used for offices or music practice rooms The kitchen will continue to be used as a kitchen. No students have been registered for classes yet, Schmidt said. But anyone interested will have the chance to register during an open house from 7 to 9 p.m. One reason Schmidt thinks The School of the Arts is important is the amount of talent in the Menomonie area.
“I want to give back,” she said. “I was born and raised in the town and there was nothing to do. If there weren’t public radio I would have lost my mind. The Pictures:
Juliana Schmidt, left, and Betty Verdon stood outside the building that will house The School of the Arts in Menomonie. Schmidt is the President of Arts Coming Together (ACT) and has been instrumental in starting the program. Verdon will teach watercolor classes at the school
Wilson Place Museum is the view from an upstairs window at The School of the Arts.
