“Thinking Outside the Box” Public Art Auction raises $4,295
2011 Project Features Lanterns

Saturday’s 6th annual public art project auction raised $4,295 for programming for the Whitewater Arts Alliance, and featured boxes created by a diverse group of talented individuals, from girl scouts in the first grade to professionally-trained artists.   Bidding on all 49 cubes ranged from $40 to $380, with the top bid going to “Turtle Box” by Barbara Grant.
 
Barbara Grant, the artist who created “Turtle Box” shared her thoughts behind her cube.  She said, “Because I happened to be working on my ‘Straddle the Turtle’ artwork series at the time of this project, I decided to include turtles on my cube.  The image of the turtle along with human footprints reminds me to slow down.  I added the labyrinth design, which is also a means to decelerate and reflect when one follows the path of this maze.  The checkerboards provide an invitation to play - yet another opportunity for leisure! The plexi-glass panels allow light to shine through, and the two cut-outs facilitate handling.”  
 
Grant and the other artists each used the basic theme, “Thinking Outside the Box,” to create their cubes.  Some painted their boxes, while others utilized toys, football helmets, carriages, branches and more.
 
“Whitewater has a truly creative community.  From the youngest in our city to those professionally schooled, our artists have proven once again that they rise to a challenge,” said Roni Telfer, president of the Whitewater Arts Alliance.
 
Telfer also announced the 2011 public arts project featuring lanterns, and asked people in the community to vote on the wording of next year’s theme. Voters can choose either Illumin-Art, An Illumination Celebration, Light Up Your Life in Whitewater, or Bright Ideas. Or they can offer their own theme suggestions.  Ballots are available at the Cultural Arts Center or can be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by October 25.    
 
Artists of all ages and experiences are invited to pick up the lantern form at GMA Printing.  The cost of the form is $25.  The forms are available now, giving artists plenty of time for creative ideas.  Anyone interested in sponsoring an artist may contact Roni Telfer at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Sponsorship is $50 with $25 paid to the Whitewater Arts Alliance for the form and $25 to the artist for supplies.  All of the lanterns must be completed and returned by May 9, 2011 to be included in the light pole display.  
 
A special note of appreciation goes to Jerry Stauffacher for building all the lantern forms.   Thanks also go to Geoff Hale at Home Lumber who has indicated that solar lights for the lanterns are available to artists for $12.  
 
Each of the last six years the WAA has selected a theme, and local artists and enthusiasts have created lively interpretations on the basic forms to be hung on Main Street throughout the summer and auctioned off in September.  This year’s products were produced by professional and amateur artists, school children from pre-school to high school, UW-W students, community members, families, business owners … all with creative ideas to share.  The art pieces ranged from colorful interpretations of famous artists’ works, to variations on the human eye, to flowers, to monsters and to a unique use of a vintage baby carriage.  
 
Calendars that feature photos of most of this year's cubes are also available to purchase.  They are for sale for $20 at the Cultural Arts Center and at Commercial Bank.  Proceeds go the Whitewater Arts Alliance programming budget.  A special thanks to Grace Saalsaa for developing the calendar.  Roni Telfer thanked the SweetSpot Coffee Shoppe for partnering with the Alliance to provide a delicious display of tasty treats, which included cupcakes featuring cube decorations.  She also thanked John Mack, who built the original box structures; the City of Whitewater staff who continue to provide great support in hanging the projects each year; and all of the artists and sponsors who make the public art project possible.  
 
The mission of the Whitewater Arts Alliance is to promote the visual and performing arts through an alliance of artists, individuals, educational resources, and organizations to promote creativity and diversity that will serve to educate and enrich the lives of the residents of the Whitewater community and surrounding areas.