Feature image: Great Lakes Invitational Art Fair, Kewaunee, Wisconsin. Textile installation by Andrea Myers, drawings by Nancy Lu Rosenheim, and inflatable sculpture by Claire Ashley. Photo: Artdose magazine.
Frank Juárez
In May, I came across the inaugural Great Lakes Invitational Art Fair (GLIAF) via social media. An art fair in Wisconsin, let alone in Kewaunee? Who was organizing this event, why Kewaunee, and where will it. be held? To make things a bit more interesting, this wasn’t the only art fair in Wisconsin that would happen in June. In early June, the inaugural Door County Contemporary (DCC) took place at the Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek, Wisconsin.
On my way home from DCC, I took the scenic route, which led me to Kewaunee. I stopped by the Lakehaven Hall to sneak a peek inside. Lakehaven Hall was built in 1924 for the Hamachek Machine Company using cream city brick, giving the hall its distinctive and characteristic yellow color. The building served as Hamachek Machine Company’s carpenters’ shop until the company closed its doors in 2002 (1). Today, it is a space that supports cultural and community events.
For me, art fairs and Wisconsin did not seem to go together. This isn’t something that we experience in our neck of the woods, which sparked my curiosity even more. I have always been drawn to first-time projects and events that bring the [art] community together. These two art fairs are prime examples.
The weekend of June 28th, the inaugural Great Lakes Invitational Art Fair took place in downtown Kewaunee, Wisconsin. The event was conceptualized and organized by artist Christian Rieben. The art fair featured 19 artists from across the U.S. They were Claire Ashley (IL), Kristopher Benedict (PA), Capucine Bourcart (NY), Daniel Derwelis (TN), Matthew Groves (IL), Sam Gulliver (MI), Rachel Hellerich (CT), Katie Jost (IL), Andrea Myers (OH), Joseph Noderer (PA), Leah Patgorski (PA), Cole Pierce (IL), Ryan Richey (IN), Christian Rieben (WI), Nancy Lu Rosenheim (IL), Laura Von Rosk (NY), Millee Tibbs (MI), Shane Walsh (WI), and Caleb Weintraub (IN).
The space was transformed into a visual delight and immersive experience. Artists exhibited drawings, photography, paintings, sculptures, mixed-media works, and large installations. Wooden pallets functioned as portable walls for artists to install their 2-dimensional works. In speaking with Rieben, I asked how the idea came to be to use wooden pallets. He replied, “I had to be creative.” Using this readily available material was the perfect decision to juxtapose the feel of Lakehaven Hall with contemporary art. The inclusion of large-scale installations was perfect in setting the tone of the art fair. Anything large-scale isn’t something that I associate with when it comes to art in Wisconsin. Primarily due to available gallery spaces and studios. But when you are presented with a space like Lakehaven Hall, the ceiling is the limit. The two pieces, in particular, were Andrea Myers‘s textile installation that hung from one of the rafters and Claire Ashley‘s inflatable sculptures positioned on opposite sides of the hall.
GLIAF presented a great range of art that drew attention from attendees, such as Caleb Weintraub‘s paintings, which reminded me of the texture and vibrant colors of cake frosting, Rachel Hellreich‘s use of geometric patterns creating meditative moments that evoked a sense of tranquility and balance, and Matthew Groves‘s ceramic sculptures on top of a mantle which appear to greet the viewer.
“Going into the fair, one objective I had was that the artists would leave the fair happy with the experience. Based on what they have since told me, that happily did work out – they enjoyed seeing their work in that fantastic setting, meeting the fair attendees, and most of all, the camaraderie with fellow artists.”– Christian Rieben, artist and organizer.
Artists were engaged with attendees, works were sold, and the opportunity to network was evident. Organizing an event like this is ambitious. According to Rieben, about 500 were in attendance. Granted, there are expenses to recoup. I have found that success is often measured by what happens afterwards. We are living in a time where we are managing our money a bit more tightly. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There is expressed interest in another iteration of GLIAF from artists and the community. I believe there is support out there.
Recently, I spoke with a local artist who shows in various art events about what draws her to participate. For her, she is happy to break even; however, what is more important is networking and marketing. Her livelihood has been the connections and commissions that happen afterwards.
Rieben single-handedly organized the art fair. The hardest part has been successfully executed – an idea becoming reality. I would have liked to see another type of programming embedded into this experience. I have said this before, artists are the cultural makers, the dreamers, and the doers.
What will he do differently? What type of support and resources are needed? What outcomes would he like to see? How can we help?
If both art fairs continue in 2026, perhaps a collaboration can occur amongst the organizers. I sure hope they do.
Work Cited
1 Lakehaven Hall. Lakehaven. (n.d.). http://www.lakehavenhall.com/about-us.html
Frank Juárez is an award-winning art educator, curator, arts writer, and arts advocate based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Known for his commitment to elevating contemporary art and supporting Wisconsin artists, Juárez has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including the Midwest Artist Studios Project and the 365 Artists 365 Days Project. In addition to his roles as publisher of Artdose magazine and editor-in-chief of SchoolArts magazine, Juárez has curated exhibitions and juried art shows throughout the Midwest. His dedication to art education and advocacy has earned him numerous accolades, making him a pivotal figure in Wisconsin’s art community.