Eaux Claires: Finding the Locals

Eric Christenson, photos by Lee Butterworth |

Dave Power (on the drums) will be playing with Aero Flynn at Eaux Claires this weekend.
Dave Power (on the drums) will be playing with Aero Flynn at Eaux Claires this weekend.

This weekend’s inaugural Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival (July 17 & 18) will contain a huge display of genre-spanning music and breathtaking art installations from an expanse of renowned artists from all over the world. But let’s keep in mind the impact that local people from the Chippewa Valley have in this huge arts and cultural event. Locals have their fingers in just about every aspect of the festival from local food vendors, volunteers, and assistants; to musicians, installation artists, and production staff. Countless folks involved with the festival have Eau Claire roots, but the following are some of the people who currently live here and are giving one of the year’s biggest local events some Chippewa Valley flavor.

Musicians & Performers

Dave Power – Aero Flynn
Ben Lester – Aero Flynn, S. Carey, The Tallest Man on Earth
Justin Vernon – Bon Iver
Michael Noyce –Bon Iver, Aero Flynn, The Tallest Man on Earth
Sean Carey – S. Carey, Bon Iver
Shane Leonard – Field Report
UWEC Jazz I Ensemble / Alumni – S. Carey
Michael Perry – Narrator, Eaux Claires
Zach Hanson – Drummer, S. Carey, The Tallest Man on Earth
Jeremy Boettcher – Bass, S. Carey
Brian Joseph – Sound Engineer, Bon Iver
Ben Hinz – Dwarfcraft Devices
Davy Sumner – Artist, PiBines 

Art & More

Lori Chilefone – Artist
Eric Lee – Artist
Mark Lone – Illustrator/Artist
David Caradori – Caradori Pottery
Tim Brudnicki –Eau Claire Woodworks
Jamie Kaiser – Artist, Tangled Up in Hue
Erin Roesler – Artist, Tangled Up in Hue
Kevin Szymanski – Artist, Tangled Up in Hue
Lindsay Ulness – Designer, Linyage 
Sarah Hrudka –Designer, Linyage 
Janae Breunig – Designer, Volume One
Serena Wagner – Designer, Volume One
RT Vrieze – Co-Owner at Knorth Studios
Chris Barlett – Co-Owner, Knorth Studios
Michael Brown – Creative Director, Eaux Claires
Max Koehler – Creative Lead, Antic Studios
Ryan Warffuel – Owner, Antic Studios
Jason Jon Anderson – Production Manager, UWEC
Leah Richardson – Arts Administration Intern, UWEC
Cherie Minske – PR/Marketing intern, UWEC
Aaron Ellringer – Kubb Evangelist