10 Wisconsin artists to check out at Art Fair on the Square

A good few of those artists, though, hail from right here in the Badger State. So, if you’re looking for some Wisconsin flavor, here are 10 artists whose booths you may consider checking out.

Hailing from Green Bay, and this year’s featured artist, is Frederic at Booth 414. On Frederic’s website, he writes that the inspiration for his colorful and almost psychedelic pieces comes from “emotion felt through music, human form injustices and the people I meet.” Born in Haiti, Frederic is mostly self-taught, but also has been mentored by fellow Haitian artists.

He custom-mixes most of his acrylic colors to create “the desired depth and vibrant synergy” within each piece. According to his website, Frederic says that in his work he breaks up objects with refraction lines, allowing a dispersion of light. He categorizes his work as eclectic with a “bit of surrealistic cubism.”

Luke is from Madison and often can be found at the Dane County Farmers’ Market. On their website, Luke writes that they are queer illustrator and political activist, describing personal work that ranges from whimsically dark illustrations of fearless girls “adventuring precarious unknowns with their larger-than-life-size animal companions” to comics that help explain state politics.

The artist has a studio on Baldwin Street and is expected to be found this weekend at Booth 172.

Foote is from Waunakee and part of Art Fair on the Square’s “Emerge” block, which fair organizers said is a section designed to remove barriers and bring new talent to the event. At Booth E14, Foote’s portraits can be found depicting feminine characters. The characters pose in various ways up against a neutral background. In one painting on Foote’s website, a woman with flowers in her hair that’s in up a bun appears to somberly look down.

Strobel, of Middleton, is a jewelry designer who sells many of his pieces at his Middleton business, John/Christine Designs. According to the designer’s website, Strobel has been creating jewelry for more than 40 years. He’s largely self-taught, with his passion for rocks having started at an early age.

Family trips out west and an uncle who was a geologist were major inspirations for the designer, whose creations range from “organic and sensual, to bold and geometric,” according to his website. Find him at Booth 435.

Germain is a glass artist from Somerset who can be found this weekend at Booth 558. There, Germain is set to showcase both his functional and sculptural glass designs, which according to his website are inspired by water quality issues. To Germain, glass is a “perfect medium to represent water, allowing him to capture a moment in time like a structural photograph.” He makes everything from drinkware to bag vases to feathers.

Wolf, of Wolf Leathers in Hartford, will have her wares at Booth 136. Wolf, according to the Wolf Leathers website, sources all of her leather from within the United States — from sellers who have environmentally friendly leather treating practices. Wolf then handmakes leather goods and embellishes them with vibrant and colorful stitching, as well as bright zippers and other fun touches.

From Silver Cliff, Bossenbroek is slated to showcase his wildlife photography at Booth 645. The wildlife photographer is also a biologist and fisherman. A lot of the pieces on his website depict either dreamy landscapes or closeups of various animals. Many of his photos also include some type of body of water. Bossenbroek writes on his website that he spends his days researching when and where to find wildlife “in hopes of photographing their beauty and sharing it with you.”

Tebo, of Madison Dawn Studios in Milwaukee, is expected to feature her prints at Booth 160. According to her website, she makes all of her creations by hand and is “dedicated to finding the most ecological way” to make her art. Tebo also upcycles her art materials and grows plants that she then makes into her own biodegradable ink. Her prints depict portraits of strong feminine figures. She also sells her own handmade paper and bookmarks with the word “Ope!” on them.

This Cambridge artist creates artwork with wood. She’ll be at Booth 143. A couple of pieces on Stevens’ artist website depict an abstract and almost Picasso-like landscape with various radiant colors, as well as a portrait of a woman with the same cubist style.

Anderson, of Markesan, is a ceramic sculptor who will feature her pieces at Booth 172. According to Anderson’s website, her pieces are inspired by nature. She fell in love with clay after making her first pinch pot in a high school art class, Anderson writes. Since then, she has devoted her life to learning the ways in which clay moves. Much of her pottery is reminiscent of flowers blooming from a root.