The energy was high, the artwork was stunning, and the community came out in full force—the Opening Reception of the 2025 Wisconsin Craft Members Biennial Exhibition was nothing short of extraordinary. Held on March 7 at the beautiful Plymouth Arts Center, the evening was a joyful celebration of artistry, connection, and craft.
From heartfelt speeches to spontaneous reunions and new introductions, the event reflected the very best of Wisconsin Craft’s mission: to uplift artists who design and create by hand, and to foster a vibrant, connected creative community.
A Night to Remember
Our members took to social media to share their excitement and gratitude:
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@melkolstadart wrote: “YAYYYY! I had a fabulous time... It was a huge honor to have been selected to be part of the exhibit! Here I am with my collage – it’s part of my Forest Floor collection!”
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@sarahvandersee, who received an Honorable Mention, shared: “I had a wonderful time meeting other artists and art enthusiasts... I’d recommend stopping by, it’s a very nice selection of work!”
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@baenenboxes, this year’s First Place winner, said: “Beyond honored to have received first place... I was inspired by the level of craft and art in the exhibit.”
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@katie.hogan reflected on the bigger picture: “Having my work juried into the Biennial is wonderful, but it’s also about the connections, experience, and being in community.”
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@jarpin_printmaker, our Third Place winner, expressed: “Shocked and excited to have received third place... This was printed at @ap3mke in Milwaukee.”
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@neilstickel added: “I was honored to have a piece in this amazing exhibition… many thanks to Wisconsin Craft and the Plymouth Arts Center for hosting!”
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@betsy_david_pottery summed it up simply: “I feel grateful to be surrounded by such beautiful and talented people.”
Recognizing Excellence
We were proud to present the following 2025 Biennial Awards:
First Place: Jeff Baenen
Second Place: Pat Kroth
Third Place: Jay Arpin
These artists represent the wide range of skill, media, and vision that make up the heart of Wisconsin Craft.
A Community Effort
This event wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and leadership of the Wisconsin Craft Biennial Committee, the Plymouth Arts Center volunteers, and the exceptional guidance of Kate Marotz, Wisconsin Craft President, and Jean Wells, Emeritus President. A very special thank you goes to Joan Kennedy, our Biennial Committee Chairperson, whose tireless work brought the exhibition to life.
As we reflect on a successful opening night, we’re reminded that events like this are built on the energy of our members, supporters, and the broader creative community.
See It For Yourself
The 2025 Wisconsin Craft Biennial Exhibition will be on view through April 25, 2025 at the Plymouth Arts Center in Plymouth, WI. If you haven’t seen it yet, we encourage you to stop by and witness the remarkable range of work our members have created.
Stay tuned—over the coming weeks, we’ll be highlighting more artwork, sharing stories from our artists, and celebrating the continued success of this truly special exhibition.
Thank you for being part of it all.
