Photo credit: Wisconsin State Fair
State Fair attendees have a chance to see a variety of art exhibits on the grounds, including photography, textiles, quilts, poster art and more.
The Wisconsin State Fair returns to Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis for its 2019 run from August 1-11. Dreaming of cream puffs? Looking forward to that can't-miss concert? Interested in the visual arts events at the fair? The Shepherd Express Wisconsin State Fair Guide has you covered! This special section is brought to you by the State Fair.
Aside from music and agriculture, the Wisconsin State Fair has many attractions for fair goers during its 11-day run. Sometimes wandering the grounds is the best way to discover all the Fair has to offer. Here's a guide to some of the visual arts events and displays you can expect in 2019.
Cow-Temporary Art Walk
Back for its second year, the “Cow-Temporary Art Walk” features a mix of traditional creations with new artworks in the Fair’s outdoor gallery. Pieces are made of steel, wood, plant matter and traditional art materials and vie to earn a special ribbon. Visitors can pick up a punch card at the Young People’s Art Exhibit located in the lobby of the Exposition Center.
Aisle of Brilliance: Autism, Art, and Animals
They go by the names of Cactus Cat, Pig Pig and Charlie the Roller-Skating Cheetah. These and many other imaginative and illustrative animals will be on display in the lobby of the Exposition Center from Aug. 1-4. All work was created by students ages 8-18 enrolled in the Islands of Brilliance, a Milwaukee nonprofit working to enrich the lives of children and young adults living with autism.
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Plein Air at State Fair
Photo credit: Wisconsin State Fair
On Monday, Aug. 5 and Tuesday, Aug. 6, see how artists capture the State Fair on canvas. Plus, on Tuesday, stop by Exploratory Park where all artists will be creating their quick paint, a mini masterpiece in under three hours. Starting Tuesday afternoon, artwork will be available for purchase at the Plein Air Art Gallery located in the lobby of the Exposition Center.
State Fair Poster Contest
James Steeno's watercolor highlighting SpinCity took top prize in the 2019 Fairtastic Poster Art Competition.
Milwaukee artist and gallery owner James Steeno took the top prize in the Fair’s 2019 poster contest. He based his images of SpinCity—the amusement ride and game area—on his own experiences at the Fair.
“The inspiration for the poster illustration originates from our yearly family visits to the Wisconsin State Fair, and my daughter and my love of fair rides,” Steeno says. “Every year we find ourselves on the swings; the ones that spin around, lift you off the ground and let centrifugal force pull you out over the crowds of fair goers about 20-30 feet above the pavement.”
Steeno began working on his award-winning watercolor illustration this past January. “The image of the swings stood out among all the others, it had the most color, motion, and personal meaning with my daughter as a focal point; it intuitively seemed to be the one to go with,” he says.
Research for the poster design included visiting the Fair for over 15 years. For some extra inspiration, Steeno says, “It helps to get a little cream puff on your nose every summer.”
The lure of winning another art competition drew the Milwaukee artist to the Fair’s poster contest. “I won a grand champion ribbon several years ago from a colored pencil drawing of our pet rabbits and was hooked on entering art competitions,” he says, adding, “winning a top prize is as much fun as the swing ride, an experience driven adventure.”
Read more of our coverage of the Wisconsin State Fair and enter to win a pair of tickets here.
