HAPPILY ENTANGLED. The longtime downtown Eau Claire arts shop, Tangled Up in Hue, threw a shindig for its 14th year celebration. Part of that shindig included local artist Steve Bateman who also lit up a special art installation.

Friday, Feb. 10, was a special one for the staff of Tangled Up in Hue (505 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire). Downtown Eau Claire's longtime arts and crafts shop, whose owners find themselves not just established, but entangled in the Chippewa Valley’s artist community, hit a big milestone this year.

With the store’s 14-year anniversary on Feb. 7, co-owners Jamie Kyser and Erin Klaus saw no better way to celebrate than a special collaboration with local artist and long-time friend, Steve Bateman.

“It’s so great to have Steve back coming full circle for our anniversary too,” Kyser said. “Because he was our first featured artist when we opened.”

Customers, family, and friends were impressed with Bateman’s “Fish and Wildlife” showing out for sale on the store’s feature wall: A school of colorful metallic fish swirled alongside a stoic eagle, made from a variety of upcycled materials.

“The fact is we are all individuals of the same community,” Bateman said in his artist’s statement that night. “If we see beyond our own uniqueness … we will find meaning in the fact that whenever we expire we were part of consciousness well lived.”

Being artisans themselves, Kyser and Klaus find joy in realizing this also describes the 14-year legacy built by Tangled Up in Hue. While the majority of in-store products are their own, the business currently sponsors 175 local artists, working with them and other downtown shops to support communal development.

The duo is also responsible for contributing to Sculpture Tour Eau Claire, and the creation of the artist market that runs alongside Eau Claire’s farmers market. 

“We knew a lot of people like us in the artist community that had always been looking for opportunities,” Klaus said. “Once we started telling people about our business, we welcomed them right away.”

In reality, their anniversary represents something far bigger than just a celebration for the business; It’s the celebration of art, and the growth of a network bringing vibrant hues to the local community.

Keep updated with everything Tangled up in Hue by visiting its website or following them on Facebook and Instagram. See a photoset from the event, here.