Wondering/Wandering at OS Projects in downtown Racine, Wisconsin

Written by Frank Juarez

Yesterday I spent the afternoon visiting OS Projects, Racine Art Museum, and visiting the studio of Diane Levesque. It felt great to be out-n-about for a few hours with an intinerary that would minimize distractions.

My first visit to OS Projects was about a year ago, which I happen to see the mixed media works and polymer clay sculptures by Racine-based Diane Levesque. This visit led to connecting with her on Instagram after the exhibition and a year later a studio visit. If you have not visited the gallery, I would recommend that you do.

OS Projects, 601 6th Street, Racine, Wisconsin. Photo by Artdose Magazine.

OS Projects is a contemporary art gallery in downtown Racine, which features visual artists in solo and small group exhibits. The gallery’s primary focus is on artists living and working from Chicago to Milwaukee. The building that houses OS Projects was designed by the award-winning Milwaukee firm, Johnsen Schmaling Architects, and in 2020 received an Honor Award from AIA Wisconsin for overall architectural design excellence.

Since mid-March, life took an unexpected turn into the unknown from all facets of art, exhibitions, and events. Most galleries transitioned their arts programming into virtual online experiences whilst some took a break to reassess on how to tackle this new reality. As galleries continue to move forward in whichever direction best compliments their programming and safety for others, OS Projects opened its doors to the community of Racine with its two-person exhibition titled, “Wondering/Wandering”. This exhibition featured new work by Kristen Bartel and Mary Bergs.

When I saw this exhibition promoted online I knew that I had to see it. Both Bergs and Bartel were featured in Artdose Magazine Vol 25 and 26, respectively. I found myself a bit surprised by what I saw, in a good way. I made an immediate connection to Bartel’s use of photographs and paint and Bergs’s collages all of which address the landscape from their own perspectives. Perhaps this can lead into an Artdose Talks w/ Artdose Magazine. Hmmmmmmmm.

“Wondering/Wandering” ends October 17, 2020

Wondering/Wandering at OS Projects. Photo by Artdose Magazine.

Kristen Bartel, Place Contigent, 2020, inkjet print and acrylic on paper, 23.75 x 48.25 inches. Photo by Artdose Magazine.

Mary Bergs, Re-Collection, 2020, 20 postcard collages, 31 x 29 inches.
Photo by Artdose Magazine.

If you go:

OS Projects

601 6th Street, Racine, Wisconsin 53403

Hours: Saturdays, 12 – 5pm and by appointment

Masks are required.

Read about OS Projects in our current issue of Artdose Magazine Vol 29. Written by Rachel Hausmann Schall.

Published by Artdose Magazine

Founded in 2013, Artdose Magazine LLC is an independent print and digital art magazine committed to connecting and supporting the visual arts in the Midwest. Published by Frank Juárez, the magazine is premised on the belief that we all share common goals of introducing, engaging, and offering diverse art experiences. Artdose Magazine LLC appears in print as a bi-annual art magazine, through a weekly art e-newsletter and on Instagram and Facebook. About Frank Juárez Frank Juárez is an award winning art educator, artist, publisher, art coach, and former gallery director living and working in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.. Organizing local and regional art exhibitions, community art events, facilitating presentations, supporting artists through professional development workshops, use of social media and networking has placed him in the forefront of advancing and promoting local artists and attracting regional and national artists to collaborate, network and exhibit in Wisconsin. View more posts