About the Water's Edge Artists

The efforts on this project began in the autumn of 2006 during a discussion between Jim Kettler (Executive Director of the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership), Norma Bishop (Executive Director of the Wisconsin Maritime Mueseum) and Bonnita Budysz (a local professional artist). A shared vision emerged when the three spoke of an admirable effort in California by the Oak Group - painters that work together to protect and save coastal lands. Norma was familiar with the group and Bonnita had painted several times with various members.  Since Bonnita had a recent exhibit at the Rahr-West Art Museum showcasing preservation of Wisconsin Farmland, the three of them became excited about the possibility of exhibiting paintings of rivers, lakes and streams in a similar venue.  They wondered how they could best connect our communities with a far reaching conservation effort.  

From this meeting, LNRP hosted a gathering with a number of painters who share a method called plein air (literally, painting in the open air).  Plein air painters paint from life using all of their senses to capture the light and colors particular to a place.  The artists committed to continue their paintings with organized gatherings called paint-outs at strategic locations in the lakeshore basin.  Jim told the group that he saw the LNRP acting as an umbrella for like-minded individuals that care deeply for the special places  and waterways of northeastern Wisconsin.

The stewardship ethic that was discussed with the plein air artists took further form in a seminar co-hosted with the Woodland Dunes Nature Center in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.  The event was part of the We All Live On The Water Seminar Series.  Four panelists gave thier perspectives of how their painting, poetry, writing, and storytelling impact the way they see and care for the world around them.

In Spring of 2008, the group formally organized as the Water’s Edge Artists, developed a logo, and created the following mission statement: