Our Story
Marquette-Atwood Neighborhood Art Walk
The Marquette-Atwood Art Walk is not a formal organization, but instead a group of well-organized artists hosting an amazing outdoor art show nestled around homes in their neighborhood. To participate, the artist must reside within the boundaries of our neighborhood. Once that is established, they may invite and host artist friends and family to participate at their location. Sometimes, as with road construction and traffic, the artist may set up at a neighbor’s home within the show’s boundaries. We all agree that it is better to relocate than to skip a year.
Although our participants are diverse in age, experience, time dedication, they are all talented artists who look forward to sharing their work. Some have done more shows than they can count, whereas others may only have enough inventory to do one show per year. First time participants are welcomed and supported for their bravery. Show participation fees are kept as low as possible to maximize participation. A vast variety of art and media are represented from wearable to 2D to 3D sculptures. Every year there is something new!
All participation fees support advertising for the show. Each artist and guest artist contributes equally. Fees pay for signs, printing, printed ads, and website. There are no business sponsors. Digital graphics, canvasing and posting are all provided by volunteers. Each participant extends marketing reach to their own networks of family, friends, coworkers, and community.
Somehow it always works out to have wonderful assortment of artists each year. Mixed in with returning artists are guests and new arrivals to the neighborhood. Potters cannot resist signing up as it is ever so convenient to set up at home for once. Of course, after doing a few shows, all artists welcome the ease of working and selling from home. To date, the only artists to have participated every year are our founders, Jenny Blasen and Gloria Van Dixhorn.
When potter Jenny Blasen moved into the neighborhood in 2010, she recognized the potential for a self-guided studio tour. She purchased pink signs and launched the Marquette-Neighborhood Art Walk with another ceramicist, Gloria Van Dixhorn. Their marketing expanded in 2013 with the launch of our Facebook page and first poster by Michael Lemberger. The event rapidly become a beloved springtime tradition until the first and only cancellation in 2020. Although Jenny and Gloria continue as participating artists, they passed leadership to Debbie Olin. Debbie used the 2020 pause, along with generous financial donations from the artists, to build this website and launch our Instagram page. When Art Walk returned in 2021 as an outdoor art show, Madison was ready to bust out and enjoy art on that wonderful spring day. With the event growing each year, 2024 is supported by artist Debbie Olin, artist Helen Klebesadel, and marketer Cheryl McCollum.
