SUMMER THROUGH THE LENS. To preserve the delicate moments in our lives, I initiated an artist book (pictured above) with my grandfather. As part of this ongoing project, I will send him photographs of Eau Claire, to which he responds with sketches based on his life experiences.

My passion for storytelling and visual media isn't solely my own. The urge to write, create, and share has been passed down through generations, from creative individuals like my grandfather, Karl.

To preserve these delicate — often unshared — moments, I initiated an artist book. It would serve as an open-ended space where my grandfather and I could exchange our creative works with one another.

I regularly collect photos of everyday scenes — my favorite snapshots often include bright and fresh produce from the downtown farmers market in Phoenix Park or enjoying live music at various venues, restaurants, and bars in the area.

As part of our ongoing collaborative project, I will send my grandfather photographs, to which he responds with complementary sketches based on his life experiences.

To my surprise (though as an artist, I should have seen this coming) Karl interpreted the casual assignment in his own way — creating a series of evolving still-life sketches of his garden in Minnesota.

These sketches acted as a time-stamp for the garden’s transformation over a summer — where initial buds and blooms culminated to a bountiful end-of-year harvest.

This exchange of images and sketches will continue for another summer this year, and for as long as he will share these glimmers with me. I look forward to the new bucket-list I have created for places to dance, play under the sun, and new restaurants to savor, throughout the area (with the help of the contents inside this year's Best Of Summer issue) — where I’ll surely bring my camera along for the ride.

Upon receiving the art book for the summer season, I anticipate new floral depictions from Karl’s garden, and more reasons to cherish my grandfather's ability to document life through the arts.

I hope you savor this issue of Volume One, as we celebrate the best of summer in the Chippewa Valley. Immerse yourself in the spirit of this beloved season as you browse through the stories online!

Evelyn Nelson (center) pictured with her grandparents — Mary (left) and Karl (right) Shapansky — in downtown Eau Claire. (Submitted photo)