Miller Art Museum Hosts “Wax Works: Process & Content” Lecture

“Habitations & Thresholds” encaustic and oil paint on wood by Kristy Deetz.

Members and visitors to the Miller Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay will have the opportunity to learn about encaustic painting techniques —also known as hot wax painting— at a free lecture on Thursday, March 10 titled “Wax Works: Process & Content.”

The lecture complements the museum’s newest exhibit, “Wax Works: Textures, Shapes & Stories in Encaustic and Cold Wax,” opening March 12. This invitational exhibit will feature the work of eight regional painters who explore the use of wax – both cold wax and encaustic – in the 21st century.

“Long Ride Home” encaustic on wooden substrate by Cassandra Raymond.

This artist lecture will feature exhibiting artists Professor Kristy Deetz and student Cassandra (Cassie) Raymond, who will discuss their artwork and that of University of Wisconsin-Green Bay students featured in the exhibition. Kristy and Cassie will also demonstrate encaustic painting techniques, including image transfer which is used on a number of the breadbox pieces that will be exhibited.

Deetz is an Arts and Visual Design professor at the UW-Green Bay. Her encaustic and oil paintings with carved and burned surfaces revise traditional images of drapery and still life and explore how image and process reveal and conceal substance (the body) and spirit.

The lecture is free and will be held in the Friends Room, located on the lower level of the Door County Library in downtown Sturgeon Bay. Doors open at 10am for coffee and conversation with a brief volunteer business meeting and program following. “Wax Works: Textures, Shapes & Stories in Encaustic and Cold Wax” is scheduled to open on Saturday, March 12 and will run through April 18.

The museum is located in the Door County Library, 107 South 4th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay. Hours are Monday 10-8, Tuesday through Saturday 10-5. Closed Sunday. Admission is free; galleries are fully accessible. The museum will be closed from March 9 – 11 for installation of the new exhibit.