In Focus: Crosslake Art Club Puts On 40th Annual Art Show

At the Crosslake Art Show, held each year by the Crosslake Art Club, people can find art across many different mediums, from painting and pottery to even woodworking. And all of it is handmade by local artists.

“Today is our 40th annual art show,” said Eileen Kusleth, the club’s president. “This is kind of a big deal that everybody works towards during the whole year. It’s a club, so we’re meeting monthly and lots of times we’re doing more. But when it gets to the summer, we get very focused on how to pull off a really good art show.”

The art club welcomes artists of all experience levels.

“We formed so that we could find each other,” explained Kulseth. “We could talk like artists together. It could be an environment where people would be able to come and just be around art and get slowly introduced to creating [for] themselves.”

For members of the club, having their art on display and up for sale gives them the gratification to continue pursuing their passions.

“I’m working today with a young woman who, it’s her first time in the art show, and it’s wonderful to see her excitement at selling a piece of work that, you know, it’s the first time she sold something.” said Crosslake Art Club member Diane Runberg. “So it’s great for that reason, but also for the rest of us artists who have painted a while and still know that people appreciate our work.”

And the club doesn’t just provide artists the ability to show off their art—it also lets them build a community as well.

“Many artists, they’re not working with other artists,” added club member Betty Ravnik. “Sometimes they get together and they paint together, but in reality, you’re by yourself. And to have that outlet of other artists is something you just don’t get from your other friends.”