Wisconsin Northwest Heritage Passage announces grant recipients for area art teachers

SPOONER — The Wisconsin Northwest Heritage Passage (WNHP) is excited to reveal the successful recipients of its grant program designed specifically for art teachers in northwest Wisconsin. As a nonprofit 501©3 arts advocacy organization, WNHP has awarded four grants, each totaling $500, to area art teachers for the upcoming fall 2024 semester.

The primary objective of this grant initiative is to provide additional supplies to art teachers in northwest Wisconsin who work with students from kindergarten through 12th grade. By supplementing their existing art budgets, WNHP aims to enhance the overall art education experience and support the visual arts within the region.

The deserving recipients of these grants are as follows:

Josh De Villers from Birchwood High SchoolKristin Korbel from Rice Lake High SchoolAmanda Buck from Spooner Middle SchoolAnnette Sellner from Spooner Elementary

In addition to the grant program, WNHP hosts an engaging initiative that showcases student artists at its Arts In Hand Gallery. Selected students have the opportunity to exhibit their work, complete with an opening reception for family, friends and the community. Through this program, WNHP aims to broaden students’ perspectives, emphasizing that art extends beyond the confines of the classroom. These receptions occur annually during the spring season.

Established in 1999, the Wisconsin Northwest Heritage Passage remains committed to celebrating and highlighting the artisan handmade products of northwest Wisconsin. Our mission is twofold: to educate the public about the invaluable contributions of the creative community to the region’s quality of life and to foster growth within the area’s vibrant creative industry.