1st Place: Eau Claire Regional Arts Center
2nd Place: Tangled Up in Hue
3rd Place: Foster Gallery (UWEC)

I know people who ready calculus books for fun that still appreciate a good piece of music, or a particular painting that reminds them of something beautiful. Lucky for us the Valley is chock full of art galleries, led in blazing, old school marquee glory by the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center. With local and national displays, live theater, comedy and music, ECRAC really delivers the total package. Just down the street, Tangled Up in Hue came on the scene with a cooperative goulash from dozens of locally grown artists, monthly showings, and perhaps the best use one could find for a space formerly devoted to eating pizza. The UWEC Foster Gallery is located in the ever-sharp Haas Fine Arts Center. It’s a good place to stroll through and remember that us regular folks can bop around and enjoy fine art as well as anyone. – Aryn Widule