CRESWELL D'SYLVA | BELL GALLERY
ARTIST STATEMENT 
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My artwork is influenced by my various experiences of travel and study in Australia, Europe, Scandinavia, and a few Asian countries. I also lived for more than 10 years in the following countries: India, Australia, Mexico, and the USA.

After my schooling in Madras, India,  I studied for my Associates in engineering before immigrating to Australia in 1971. My studies architectural drawing at engineering college has given me skills to draw precise geometric forms which I use in my paintings.  In Australia, I studied art at the  East Sydney Technical College in Darlinghurst, New South Wales. While in Sydney, I began to express myself in various art forms like ceramics, painting and photography.

I am very influenced by abstract artists like: Bridget Riley, British Op-Artist, who explored optical illusions in art. Yaacob Agam, Optical & Kinetic artist from Israel. Frank Stella, Victor Vasasely,  Hungarian - French. Architects like Zaha Hadid, Iraqi British architect who designed some of the most modern buildings like the Guangzhour Municipal Government Opera House, the Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Center, Manchester Music Hall etc. Some other architects who I admire are Santiago Calatrava, Spanish architect, sculptor, and artist who also designed the Milwaukee Art Museum, World Trade Center, NY , The Dubai Creek Tour etc. The  Danish architect  Jorn Utzon who designed the Sydney Opera House in Bonnelong Point, Sydney.

I took time off of work to visit  Europe and travelled approximately 36,000 KMS in Scandinavia, Europe, and N. Africa, staying mainly at campsites and youth hostels. I visited the important art galleries and museums and learned about their culture.  I also spent 10 months in Copenhagen studying the Danish language and culture at the University of Copenhagen.
 
My first international solo art exhibition was at the Galerie Gammel Strand, in Copenhagen in 1984. I did participate in several group exhibitions in Copenhagen, Denmark , Sydney, Australia and more recently, juried regional exhibitions in Freeport and Rockford Illinois,  Beloit and  Whitewater art galleries  in Wisconsin.

While living in Mexico for 14 years, I was most impressed with the Oaxaca culture in the state of Oaxaca. Their traditional colorful costumes inspired me. I have borrowed the use of their color combinations from their costumes in my paintings. 

My paintings portray an eclectic  mix of balanced shapes and vibrant colors , all are my original creations and are presented for your visual enjoyment.

Every year the Beloit Art Center participates with twenty four other regional sponsors hosting juried art shows statewide in what is called the Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP). The Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) encourages nonprofessional, student, and emerging artists to create and exhibit their work across Wisconsin.  It is for people who have a serious interest in art and create pieces for the love of art. WRAP originated as an outreach program of UW-Madison but is now administered by the Association of Wisconsin Artists (AWA) and is also associated with the University of Wisconsin Art Department. The Beloit Art Center’s regional show was held in November of 2020. 

WRAP encourages artists at all levels to practice their craft and show their work. In addition to the juried art show, regional exhibits include a workshop day for participating artists and the public in which a guest artist gives a lecture or demonstration followed by an educational critique of the exhibited artwork led by the exhibit judge.  Local award winners get to exhibit their work at the annual State Exhibit and are judged to win state level awards. This year’s WRAP/AWA State Exhibit & Conference started August 12 and runs through September 25. It is being held at the Pyle Center at UW Madison. Local award-winning artists will be recognized and receive their awards at the state conference awards presentation on September 25, at 1:00pm.

Beloit Art Center is proud to announce our local State Award winning artists from the Beloit Art Center’s Regional Show include the following: Tom Murn, Nancy Mayhew, Jacki Prisk, John Hines, and Turner High School student Maura Spain. Tom Murn’s entry “Blackbox2”, a 3D sculpture, was selected for the Shake Rag Alley Award.  Nancy Mayhew was awarded the Francis Kipp Award for Creativity for her mosaic piece titled “Into the Woods".  Jacki Prisk of Edgerton won the Marge Engelman award for her painting titled “Say Their Names”.  John Hines was chosen for the Aron & Ruth Bohrod Award for his painting titled “Time with Dad”.  Turner High School student Maura Spain was selected for the Duck Lake State award for her piece in the STAMP division (Statewide Teen Art Mentoring Program) sponsored by her teacher / mentor Annie Dudgeon.

Once again, this November, the Beloit Art Center will be hosting the Wisconsin Regional Art Program exhibit/workshop for our area. The next show for Beloit WRAP is coming up quickly. For any local artist that may wish to participate, use the online entry form at wiscartists.org . The fee to enter is $30 and should be sent to the Beloit Art Center, 520 E Grand Ave., Beloit, WI 53511. The deadline to enter is Saturday, October 23rd.  ENTRY IS OPEN NOW! Entrants should deliver their art to Beloit Art Center on Friday, October 29th (open 10AM close 5 PM) or on Saturday, October 30th (open 10 AM close 2 PM).
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The opening reception for the Beloit WRAP 2021 will be held on Friday, November 5th from 5 PM to 7 PM. The show is free and open to the public. The WRAP workshop and art pickup is on Saturday, November 27th. The workshop will run from 9 AM until 1 PM.  Art pickup follows until 2 PM.

Congratulations to June artist, Dava Dahlgran CPSA, CPXD, for having a color pencil piece she exhibited at the Beloit Art Center, Night Owl, accepted into the Colored Pencil Society of America 2021 Juried International Exhibit.

This year's exhibit is online because of Covid. To view the exhibit, visit  www.cpsa.org

Main Gallery 
ANITA WILDERMUTH

​Driven by her love for art, Anita Wildermuth became a teacher for 37 years.  Much of that time was spent as the supervisor of Elementary Art for the Beloit School District.  Inspired by her elementary art teacher Laurence Urbscheit and her father, Mrs. Wildermuth earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Elementary education from Luther College, and a Master of Arts in teaching from Rockford College.  One of her accomplishments was making sure every child in the district got to go to the Milwaukee Public Museum and Milwaukee Art Museum before they left the elementary school.  ‘It was the first time many students had been in a museum, or to a large city. Some were so excited they went home and wanted to take their parents back to share what they had seen’, Wildermuth recalls. Another highlight of Anita’s career was being among 50 people invited by the US Government to go to China with the People to People Art Program in 1988 to study the Chinese Art Education Program. She met Art teachers from all over the USA and China.  

Outside of her career, Mrs. Wildermuth has been very active with the Turtle fire Department, where her husband Robert has also been a volunteer for many years.  She is involved in the Beloit Intermediate Women’s club and Altrusa and is a member of the Beloit Art Center, Janesville Art League and the Wisconsin Regional Artists Association.

In September Anita will have a solo art exhibit in the Main Gallery at Beloit Art Center, made up of many of the pieces she has created over her long career as an artist.  The exhibit will feature a variety of mediums, including paintings, photography, jewelry, and fiber art. 

In the Bell Gallery, the Art Center is pleased to feature artwork created by summer Art Camp students, as well as Mosaic Workshop students.  All work in this exhibit is new and created this summer. 

A First Friday Reception will be held on September 3, from 5 - 7 p.m.  and is free and open to the public.  The Beloit Art Center is located at 520 E. Grand Avenue, Beloit, Wisconsin.   Hours are Monday 10am - 2pm; Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5pm and Saturday from 10am - 2pm.  For further information please visit www.beloitartcenter.com

Bell Gallery 
BELOIT ART CENTER STUDENT SHOWCASE

Above: watercolor butterflies. Below: students learned calligraphy, mosaic work, caricatures and acrylic painting during camp, along with pottery including hand building and working on the pottery wheel.  To see more projects stop by the Bell gallery during the month of September. 

Beloit Public Library
MARICLARE SHEIL

In partnership with the Beloit Public Library, the Art Center also installs quarterly exhibits in the library entryway.  From July – September the featured artist is Mariclare Sheil.  A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Mariclare’s paintings, drawings and murals can be found in corporate, public and private collections.  Mariclare is also the lead instructor of the Beloit Art Center Thursday Evening Open Studio Artist Group, which meets from 5:30-8:00pm each week.  Attendance is open to artists working in any medium.  At 6:00pm Mariclare leads a short time of instruction on varied topics.  The rest of the session is for working on projects and casual conversation.  This group has a come when you can, drop-in enrollment and meets on the second floor.
The First Friday Opening Reception on August 6 is from 5pm - 7pm at 520 E. Grand Avenue, Beloit, Wisconsin.  The event is free and open to the public. Both in-house exhibits will be open until August 27.  Gallery hours are Monday 10am - 2pm; Tuesday 10am - 5pm and Saturday from 10am - 2pm.  For more information please visit: www.beloitartcenter.com

The artwork of John Bittner

The Beloit Art Center is pleased to announce the August exhibits.
 
Art has been a huge part of John Bittner’s life from early on. His father was a professional brass musical instrument hand engraver for premier instrument manufacturers across the country. This required artistic talent and creative imagination at the highest level.  John showed the same tendencies at a very young age and so his dad began teaching him drawing techniques. By age ten he was painting in oils. At age fourteen his father introduced him to hand engraving.  He has kept the engraving tradition alive on specialty commissions and historical restorations on a part-time basis for over fifty years.
 
In college, John majored in Broad Field Art. Ceramics, sculpture and oil painting were his favorites.  It is only after retiring seven years ago that John decided to return to painting. “My wife and I don’t like the smell of oil paint or thinner so I thought I would try acrylic paint. I absolutely love it. It enhances my style of bold contrast and vivid color,” John notes. “Most of my work has been influenced by our travels.  I am looking for inspiration every time we go somewhere.”
 
John has been involved in the Wisconsin Regional Artist Program (WRAP) for the last seven years. He is also an active member of the Association of Wisconsin Artists (AWA) and a member of the Beloit Art Center. He has received seventeen state awards, two honorable mentions and seven monetary awards from individual WRAP shows and State Day shows.  John teaches acrylic painting classes through the Community Development division of Blackhawk Technical College, held at the Milton campus, in Milton, Wisconsin.

The Bell Gallery will feature a Tenant Artist Showcase.  Works in the Showcase will include acrylic and oil paintings, charcoal drawings, and pottery pieces. “The Beloit Art Center is proud to house fifteen artists and small business in studio spaces at our Grand Avenue location,” notes board president Gary Dencker.  “In conjunction with the gallery exhibit, we will also be hosting a building Open House during the First Friday Gallery Reception.  You are invited  to explore the building beyond the gallery spaces and talk to artists, board members and volunteers on each level.”

In partnership with the Beloit Public Library, the Art Center also installs quarterly exhibits  in the library entryway.  From July – September the featured artist is Mariclare Sheil.  A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Mariclare’s paintings, drawings and murals can be found in corporate, public and private collections.  Mariclare is also the lead instructor of the Beloit Art Center Thursday Evening Open Studio Artist Group, which meets from 5:30-8:00pm each week.  Attendance is open to artists working in any medium.  At 6:00pm Mariclare leads a short time of instruction on varied topics.  The rest of the session is for working on projects and casual conversation.  This group has a come when you can, drop-in enrollment and meets on the second floor.

The First Friday Opening Reception on August 6 is from 5pm - 7pm at 520 E. Grand Avenue, Beloit, Wisconsin.  The event is free and open to the public.  Both in-house exhibits will be open until August 27.  Gallery hours are Monday 10am - 2pm; Tuesday 10am - 5pm and Saturday from 10am - 2pm.  For more information please visit: www.beloitartcenter.com

Tenant Artwork featured in the Bell Gallery in August.

Beloit Public Library - featuring Mariclare Sheil

Bill Sahagian’s career as a painter began in 1950.  At age 17 he won the Carnegie Institute Award and attended the Art Institute of Chicago on a scholarship.  He also took classes at the American Academy of Arts and  Palette and Chisel Academy, both in Chicago. In addition, he also studied at the Icsei’s Art School in Florence, Italy.   Throughout his career Bill has come to learn what people like by observing their reactions to his paintings.  “They want color, they want the unusual and they want quality work.” he said. “Color is a big issue. It’s what makes people stop to take a second look.”  What inspires him most as an artist is the beauty he finds in nature, especially the bluffs of the Mississippi River, old dirt roads and rural scenes.  His work has won numerous awards and can be found in many corporate, public and private collections in the Midwest.  Originally from Naperville, IL, Bill now lives in Janesville, Wisconsin.

The Bell Gallery will feature the artwork of Beloit native, Isaic Pulliam.  Isaic’s work was first exhibited at the Beloit Art Center when he was an Art student at Beloit Memorial High School and caught the eye of board member Jerry Sveum, “We have been watching Isaic Pulliam develop as an artist through our high school art shows for several years. His innate ability to draw has been obvious to all, and he has won awards in shows in Rockford, Madison and Milwaukee, wherever he has entered. He has finished his first year of college at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) and we are proud to feature him in a solo show of his art. Read his artist statement. View his work. You’re going to love Isaic”.
Isaic explains his work as an exploration of in-depth detail of human figures. “Drawing is something I’ve done since I was a kid.  Included in my exhibit is a drawing called Fractured Emotions.  With this piece I express emotions that many want to push away. Instead, I hope the viewer sees it as motivation to overcome hardship and move on to pursue great endeavors”.

The Beloit Art Center will host a First Friday Opening  Reception on July 2, from 5pm - 7pm at 520 E. Grand Avenue, Beloit, Wisconsin.  The event is free and open to the public. The exhibit will open until July 30.  Gallery hours are Monday 10am - 2pm; Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5pm and Saturday from 10am - 2pm.  For more information please visit: www.beloitartcenter.com

May 27,2021 - Beloit, Wisconsin - Beloit Art Center presents The Apple and The Tree
 
The Beloit Art Center welcomes summer with a mother and daughter exhibit featuring the artwork of Dava Dahlgran CPSA, CPX,  and Emily Weichbrod in June.

Dava is a charter and signature member of the Colored Pencil Society of America and has exhibited extensively across the country in local, national and international juried shows. Her work has been published in books and magazines.

In addition to pure colored pencil work Dava also creates mixed media pieces using colored pencil and metallic leafing. She enjoys working on a variety of surfaces such as raw wood, sanded pastel board, & gesso board in addition to traditional papers. She has used a fool-the-eye style to create images on furniture. Her favorite subjects range from still life to portraits with an eye toward things that gently poke fun at the state of humanity. Everything tells a story.

Over the years Dava has served on the boards of each organization to which she has belonged as a way of giving back. In addition, she has given demonstrations, talks, and artist-in-residencies for schools and juvenile detention facilities.

Dava teaches classes and workshops in many aspects of colored pencil painting. She has been praised for her encouraging, laid back teaching style which places emphasis on her students’ needs and interests. She strives to build on the individual talents and strengths of her students whether they are beginners or more accomplished artists. Many of her students have themselves gone on to have work in juried exhibitions across the country.

Commissions are accepted. “I never forget that it is the eye that creates, not the hand.”

Joining Dava is her daughter, Emily Weichbrod, who lives and works in Monroe, Wisconsin. She is a veterinarian by profession, but an artist the rest of the time.  Predominantly working in colored pencil, she enjoys drawing wildlife, pet portraits and fantasy artwork. Many pieces such as knotwork or zoomorphics also incorporate Celtic designs.

She draws her inspiration from Irish and Celtic music, stories, mythology and sometimes just the world around her. With no formal art education, other than learning at her mother’s elbow, no one has told her what she isn’t supposed to do so she has fun experimenting with different surfaces.

Her favorite surfaces to work on are suede board and shrink plastic. She says working on shrink plastic makes her feel 10 years old again.

The Bell Gallery will be featuring the paintings of Beloit artist Carol Spitznagel.  Carol grew up in Beloit and as a senior at Beloit Memorial High School  received a scholarship to Columbus College of Art and Design.  From there, she worked in marketing and advertising where her art training was put to good use. Spitznagel’s paintings often show people enjoying different aspects of their lives, creating inviting compositions through her use of color and subject matter. Carol has won top awards in the Beloit Art Center Annual Juried Exhibit, as well as state awards through the Wisconsin Regional Artist Program (WRAP).
 
The Beloit Art Center will host a First Friday Opening  Reception on June 4, from 5pm - 7pm at 520 E. Grand Avenue, Beloit, Wisconsin.  The event is free and open to the public. The exhibit will open until June 25.  Gallery hours are Monday 10am - 2pm; Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5pm and Saturday from 10am - 2pm.  for more information please visit: www.beloitartcenter.com