Washburn Cultural Center

10/08/2026

Join us TONIGHT (Thursday, October 8) from 5pm–7pm, for the Opening Reception for Chequamegon Bay Arts Council - CBAC’s annual members show, THE GATHERING. Featuring over 100 recent works by more than 50 area artists, this year’s GATHERING is not to be missed!

Tonight’s reception includes short remarks and prize announcements by this year’s judge, Joan Slack of Wild Blue Gallery (Bayfield, Wis.), and light refreshments will be served. Come chat with local artists, see their new work, and celebrate the beginning of the autumn season this evening!

THE GATHERING is open 11am–4pm Thursdays–Sundays, through October 29 in the Cultural Center Art Galleries.

09/02/2026

For our morning crowd, join us tomorrow evening (Thursday, September 3) for the Opening Reception of PERFECTLY IMPERFECT: Just Like Family, featuring work by Jerry Lehman and Noah Parsonage!

Join us THIS THURSDAY, September 3, from 5pm–7pm for the Opening Reception for PERFECTLY IMPERFECT: JUST LIKE FAMILY. This immersive installation exhibits tableaus of Jerry Lehman's (.legmann) popular and eccentric Cousins series of stuffed creations made from upcycled fabrics and fibers accompanied by Noah Parsonage's () paintings of colorful, curious, and strikingly familiar painted caricatures!

Lehman will also host CREATE-A-COUSIN WORKSHOP, a free, family-friendly, drop-in workshop in the Cultural Center's Galleries on Saturday, September 19 from 11am–4pm (the second Saturday of Art Escape weekend), where guests will be able to make their own Cousins from provided materials and establish their Cousins' backstories in small tableaus.

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT, presented with support from a Chequamegon Bay Arts Council () Mini-Grant supported by Norvado (), will be on view in the Cultural Center's Art Galleries Thursdays–Mondays, 11am–4pm, September 3–25.

09/02/2026

Join us THIS THURSDAY, September 3, from 5pm–7pm for the Opening Reception for PERFECTLY IMPERFECT: JUST LIKE FAMILY. This immersive installation exhibits tableaus of Jerry Lehman's (.legmann) popular and eccentric Cousins series of stuffed creations made from upcycled fabrics and fibers accompanied by Noah Parsonage's () paintings of colorful, curious, and strikingly familiar painted caricatures!

Lehman will also host CREATE-A-COUSIN WORKSHOP, a free, family-friendly, drop-in workshop in the Cultural Center's Galleries on Saturday, September 19 from 11am–4pm (the second Saturday of Art Escape weekend), where guests will be able to make their own Cousins from provided materials and establish their Cousins' backstories in small tableaus.

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT, presented with support from a Chequamegon Bay Arts Council () Mini-Grant supported by Norvado (), will be on view in the Cultural Center's Art Galleries Thursdays–Mondays, 11am–4pm, September 3–25.

08/06/2026

Join us THIS EVENING (Thursday, August 6) from 5pm–7pm for the Opening Reception for our August exhibition and participating artists. The BACKWOODS ARTISTS return to the Cultural Center this month with watercolor and mixed media paintings (many of which were created or initiated at the Cultural Center), ceramics, and turned woodwork by 20 local artists! Light refreshments will be provided.

BACKWOODS ARTISTS is open to view in the Cultural Center Art Galleries Thursdays–Mondays, 11am–4pm from Thursday, August 6, to Friday, August 28.

This year’s BACKWOODS ARTISTS exhibition is presented with sponsorship from NORTHERN STATE BANK.

07/24/2026

Happy Brownstone Days, current and returning Washburnites and visitors! As you're out and about these next few days, stop in to cool down at the Washburn Cultural Center!

This is the final weekend to see July's two solo exhibitions by local artists: PATTI CORNING's collection of precise watercolor botanicals and studies, FLORA, FAUNA & FEATHERS; and MATI PALM-LEIS's exhibition of recent work of the Chequamegon Bay's landscapes, RETURNING. Both exhibitions close next Friday, July 31.

Friday and Saturday, the Washburn Cultural Center Art Galleries, Hedgehog Treasure Shop, and Washburn Area Museum are all welcoming Washburn's local and returning visitors into the building 11am–4pm. The Cultural Center Art Galleries and The Hedgehog Treasure Shop will both be open Sunday 11am–4pm.

BROWNSTONE DAYS 2026 is here!

We invite our community, friends, and visitors to join us for a fun-filled weekend in Washburn, July 24–26! With events and activities for all ages, it’s a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, celebrate our community, and make special memories together.

Add a BIG THANK you to our GENERAL SPONSORS:

Old National Bank
Blue Water Realty
GreenBranch Dental
Northern State Bank
Norvado
Big Lake Organics
NorthLakes Community Clinic

And our INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY SPONSORS:
Kiddiwink Kids - kids crafts
Overland Agency - American Family Insurance - face painting
Hansen's IGA - Washburn - corn donation
Visions First Realty - Accoustic Relapse live music
Vinyl Vault Record Store @ Washburn Cultural Center - The Olderguys live music

Also, a special thank you to all the volunteers dedicating their time and making this a great weekend for all!

Stay safe, look out for one another, and enjoy everything Brownstone Days has to offer. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Happy Brownstone Days, Washburn! ❤️

06/30/2026

Some preview photos of works by Patti Corning () and Mati Palm-Leis () installed in our galleries. Both artists’ solo shows open this Thursday, July 2, so start your long holiday weekend off at the Opening Reception from 5pm–7pm celebrating these talented painters!

PATTI CORNING: FLORA, FAUNA & FEATHERS and MATI PALM-LEIS: RETURNING are on view this Thursday through July 31, Thursdays–Mondays, 11am–4pm.

The Washburn Cultural Center Art Galleries, Hedgehog Treasure Shop, and Washburn Area Museum will all maintain their regular hours Friday–Sunday, July 3–5.

06/26/2026

Join us for an Opening Reception next Thursday, July 2, from 5pm–7pm to celebrate solo exhibitions from Patti Corning and Mati Palm-Leis! The new month ushers in recent work by these two highly regarded local artists.

PATTI CORNING: FLORA, FAUNA & FEATHERS (Central Avenue Gallery) demonstrates the watercolorist's inquisitiveness and steady hand in nearly forty carefully and innovatively composed botanicals and studies.

MATI PALM-LEIS: RETURNING (Grand Hall Gallery) exhibits the painter's large-scale, semi-abstract landscapes and observations of everyday intersections and transitions in his third solo show at the Cultural Center.

FLORA, FAUNA & FEATHERS and RETURNING will both be on view July 2–31, Thursdays–Mondays, 11am–4pm. Gallery Hours during the upcoming holiday weekend will be announced shortly.

06/20/2026

📣 It’s already the final days of this year’s VARIATIONS: FIBER ART exhibition, which closes next Friday, June 26!

While you’re out during one of the many events in Washburn or the Chequamegon Bay this weekend, stop by the Cultural Center to see the fifth series of VARIATIONS, featuring over 60 varied works by artists utilizing fiber materials and techniques!

View VARIATIONS Thursdays–Mondays, 11am–4pm. VARIATIONS is presented with support from a CBAC Mini-Grant, supported by Norvado.

06/03/2026

A quick preview 📸 of VARIATIONS: FIBER ART! Tomorrow evening's Opening Reception for VARIATIONS (Thursday, June 4, 5pm–7pm) marks its return to the galleries this month! Join artists and community members over light refreshments to celebrate VARIATIONS' fifth series and its 60+ artworks created utilizing various fibers and fiber techniques. VARIATIONS runs June 4–26 and is presented with partial support through a CBAC Mini-Grant, sponsored by Norvado.

The Cultural Center Art Gallery's summer hours also begin June 4, expanding to Thursdays–Mondays, 11am–4pm.

05/05/2026

Join us THIS EVENING (Tues., May 5) from 5pm–7pm for the public reception for students exhibiting in this year’s School District of Washburn Student Art Show! Families, friends, and the community are welcome to celebrate these emerging artists and browse the works they have created this academic year.

The annual Student Art Show is open through Thursday, May 28. Gallery Hours: Thursday–Sunday, 11am–4pm.

You’re Invited: 2026 Washburn School District Art Show!

Join us in celebrating the incredible creativity of our students!

📅 When: May 2–May 28
🎉 Reception: May 5 from 5–7 PM
📍 Where: Washburn Cultural Center
👩‍🎨 Who: Elementary, Middle & High School Art Students

Our annual art show gives students the chance to showcase their work in a real gallery setting, just like professional artists! It’s a wonderful opportunity for families, community members, and visitors to experience the talent and creativity of our students.

This event also serves as our main annual fundraiser. Proceeds from student artwork sales are split 50/50 between the students and our Art Booster program, helping fund future art opportunities like supplies, guest artists, and special events.

Come support our young artists, find a meaningful piece of art, and celebrate the power of creativity in our community!