CHECKMATE! Raymond Kaslau's stunning chess set – made from sculpted cardboard – will be part of the upcoming collaborative art exhibit "Origins and Odyssey," which hits the Chippewa Valley Museum through April 8.

In the famous Greek tragedy The Odyssey, readers follow along the journey of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, as he voyages home after the Trojan War. Viewers of the new “Origins and Odyssey” exhibit at the Chippewa Valley Museum take a similar journey – through the progression of local artists as they perfect their forms. 

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We're going to follow their journeys.

Christy Skuban

Guest Gallery Curator

“This is going to be so exciting because I don’t think anything like this has ever been done before,” said Gallery Curator Christy Skuban. “Each artist is going to have a mini retrospect of their work, and they’re going to show a piece from their childhood or when they first started getting into the arts. … From there, they’re going to (showcase) an in-between piece. We’re going to follow their journeys. And then we’ll have a current piece (with) where they’re at with their art.” 

Through April 8, join local artists Patricia Hawkenson, Erin O’Brien, Susan Carew Johnson, Thomas Gardner, Don Gaber, Liz Stingl, Wendy and Kevin Shaefer/Miles, Raymond Kaselau, Jason Anhorn, Tommy Ford, Beth Creekmore, Aubrey Hogan, Bilhenry Walker, Patty Martinson, Gary Barone, Jeff Nelson, Ellen Nelson, Enamel Hands, Tina Sheppard, and Christy Skuban as they showcase their journeys through the artistic process, beginning with their earliest works to their most professional, latest works. 

“Hopefully (the artists will) inspire children,” Skuban said. “They’ll see where some of the artists started out, maybe with crayon drawings or doodling, see how they progressed over the years, stuck with it.” 

On Jan. 27 from 5-8pm, check out the artist reception, featuring vignettes of the artists’ works, as well as pieces (things, items, elements, artwork, etc.) that inspire the artists. 

“I was always inspired by tinker toys and colored blocks,” she said. “I was always playing with those, putting things together, buildings things. I’ve been doing that ever since I can remember, ever since I was a little kid.” 

Throughout February, check out the self-serve art stations throughout the Chippewa Valley Museum, which will encourage folks of all ages to create their own art. Materials for sketching, sculpting, collaging, and more, will be provided. There’s also an “I Spy” scavenger hunt that you can snag from the front desk! 

“We hope these activity stations will appeal to everyone’s inner artist,” said Museum Education Karen Jacobson in a media release. “Families and kids can create and design pieces to take home, or leave here to be added to a temporary display.” 

“We hope these activity stations will appeal to everyone’s inner artist,” remarks Museum Educator, Karen Jacobson. “Families and kids can create and design pieces to take home, or leave here to be added to a temporary display.”  

Check out the exhibit at Chippewa Valley Museum, or learn more at cvmuseum.com.