Great Escape: Get Behind the Arts Tour Showcases Local Artisans

Community residents will get the chance to see the process behind the art when a new art event begins this weekend in artist studios in Racine and Kenosha.

"get bEHIND the aRTS" is the first of what organizers hope will be an annual event when artists open the doors to their studios and allow the public into the very spaces where they create.

The tour is scheduled for Sat., April 2 from 11 am to 5 pm at various locations.

"Other communities do events like this," said mixed media artist Maureen Fritchen. "It's a great way to get more visibility for the artists and create a cultural tourism aspect to the area as well."

Fritchen is one of the organizers and is displaying her work at the 16th Street Studios at 16th and Racine streets.

Terry Evans and her husband, Hardy, sold their home when they retired and moved into an apartment. Neither one wanted to part with any of their stuff so they bought a warehouse and work next to a mix of antique RVs, an antique truck, old radios and the materials Terry uses to create her Bricolage pieces.

"That means  any work of art that was made from a diverse range of available things," she said via email. "That's me, a Bricoleur, or, a jack-of-all-trades artist."

Terry and Hardy are not usually open to the public, but they wanted to participate in "get bEHIND the aRTS" and allow other artists to exhibit their work there, too, for this special occasion.

"We want to support arts in our community," Terry said. "This will be a fun stop."

If You Go:

Special Preview: Fri., April 1 6 to 10 pm
Where: 202 5th Street, Racine
What: Participating artists are each displaying one piece of art to give tour goers a taste of what they can expect. Maps will be distributed.
Cost: A suggested donation of $5 is appreciated 

Tour: Sat., April 2 11 am to 5 pm at various locations throughout Racine and Kenosha. Click here for a map.