Star Journal Staff

The School of the Arts Legacy Program will be held Sept. 26-29 in Rhinelander and at the UWSP Treehaven campus in Tomahawk. This is the third year for the art retreat, a collaboration between ArtStart and the Rhinelander District Library. The event kicks off with the 32nd Annual Northern National Art Competition opening reception at Nicolet College. A variety of art classes, including protest poetry and ecoprinting, will be held daily at Treehaven. A complete list of class offerings is at artstartrhinelander.org, where registration is also available. Classes are $60 each.

School of the Arts (SOA) was founded by Robert E. Gard in 1964 by hosting 50 students and six writing instructors in the Northwoods. He received the first large grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in rural communities for the SOA. Gard’s project was structured on his core beliefs of helping people grow as artists in a supportive environment, exploring the power of individual expression through the arts, and brining the resources of the University of Wisconsin to the citizens of the state. The SOA ran for 50 years before being canceled and then rekindled by ArtStart and the Rhinelander District Library two years later.

New this year is Project North in downtown Rhinelander Sept. 26-28. The event will feature artist demonstrations, interactive art installations, and an art walk. Project North will also feature live music and sustainability education and is a production of the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce, WXPR Public Radio, ArtStart and Nicolet College.

More than 15 bands will be performing live music on four stages downtown Rhinelander. Additionally, an eco-village with sustainability speakers, products and vendors; sustainable food trucks and a craft beer wagon; unique art installations and experiences throughout Brown, Davenport and King Streets and a children’s activity tent sponsored by the GFWC Rhinelander Woman’s Club.

Project North tickets can be purchased for one, two or three days. ArtStart School of the Arts Legacy Program participants receive discounted tickets to Project North. For more information visit www.projectnorth.org.