Explore An American Masterpiece

“Birds Park,” 1972, pastel on paper, by Dale Keipers from the collection of Randy Zahn.

Among the grandest, most astonishing, and original visions in American art are the large-scale works of artist-environment builders. In the hands of these artists, patches of wasteland have become transcendent kingdoms; intimate interiors are forays into fantasy; homes and yards are simultaneously museum and masterpiece.

The John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI has been honored with a prestigious “American Masterpieces” grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. This grant fosters a relationship between audiences and the organizations and individuals who care for these existing but fragile artist-environments. An exhibition at the Arts Center features works of art by fourteen American artist-environment builders and is on view through the end of 2008. A series of events at six Wisconsin art environments is planned for the spring and summer of 2008 to bring local and regional audiences together in celebration of the American masters in our midst.

On Saturday, July 12, the Arts Center and the Peninsula Art School in Fish Creek invite art enthusiasts to discover and celebrate “Birds Park,” an art environment created by Albert Zahn in Baileys Harbor. Because Birds Park is now a private residence, the July 12 events will take place at the Peninsula Art School, located on County F in Fish Creek.

The school will welcome visitors at 4 pm, followed by presentations by the Arts Center’s Senior Curator of Exhibitions and Collections Leslie Umberger and the owner of Birds Park Robert McCullough. From 4 – 6 pm there will be a silent auction for a limited number of exclusive tours of Birds Park on Sunday, July 13. Guests are welcome to stay for a wine and cheese reception from 5:30 – 7 pm. The evening will conclude with a house tour of Orren and Marilyn Bradley’s wonderful art collection featuring Albert Zahn’s work.

Additional tours of the Bradley home are available on Sunday, July 13, at 11 am and 1 pm. Availability is limited to twenty people each for all three tours of the Bradley’s home; sign-up begins at 4 pm on July 12 at the Peninsula Art School and is on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information visit http://www.jmkac.org/masterpieces, call the John Michael Kohler Arts Center at 920.458.6144, or the Peninsula Art School at 920.868.3455.