MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Colorful creations take center stage as two Northeast Wisconsin communities present projects in street art.
People can expect new displays in Marinette and Menominee, Michigan this summer.
Inside a Marinette studio, artist John H. Nemec, Jr. is working on his latest creation, a five-foot-long metal walleye.
“Here’s the idea, right here. It’s just anatomically correct, but I tweaked the colors.”
Kim Brooks, Downtown Marinette Action Group, tells FOX 11 the giant fish bench is part of the latest round of street art in the city.
“We’ve been working very hard the last three years to raise the bar on public art in the community.”
Across the river in Michigan, people are using the Menominee North Pier Lighthouse as inspiration for a project there.
Patterned after the city’s beloved beacon, local artists created 23 wooden lighthouses.
Becky McGuire tells FOX 11 the Menominee Area Art Council’s Lighthouse Art Challenge kicked off last week.
“This is a fundraiser. This is to raise money for the scholarship programs for the Menominee Area Arts Council, but also our purpose is to support artists. And so we decided that we will have a silent auction. Auction these off, and also our artwork, 50 percent going to the artist and 50 percent going to the arts council scholarship programs.”
From prints to paintings, McGuire says there are many ways to depict the lighthouse, but she says she’s partial to the wooden tower on the street corner.
“I think they’re great. Each one, there’s something for everyone.”
Back in Marinette, construction continues on the walleye benches. Six pieces are scheduled to hit the streets in the coming weeks.
Brooks says the delivery will complement other projects throughout the city, like giant flower pots which line the streets downtown.
“Our goal is to make art a part of the conversation in our community. Beautifying the community. We want the folks who are passing through to stay a little longer while they’re here.”
There’s still more public artwork planned for this summer.
Some projects include several permanent fish statues in Menominee and other sculptures at Menekaunee Harbor Park in Marinette.
