3D Alley Art Is Here!
Downtown Waupaca
Happening Now: While Main Street is getting a facelift, we’re giving the back door entrances of Downtown businesses a little 3D glitz! Take a stroll or drive through the Waupaca Downtown alleys and the Riverview area to see if you can find all the 3D art!
Our Journey: During the winter of 2021, artists statewide submitted more than 100 pieces of 3D art for consideration in our 3D Alley Art project. From that pool of amazing Wisconsin & Minnesota artists, our community-based jury selected 11 artists to fill Waupaca with 25 whimsical, fun, and joyful pieces of 3D art. Learn more about our artists below. Many take commissions!
Find the 3D Alley Art!
Vehicle traffic is one way in the alley between Badger & Granite streets. Enter at Badger Street.
On foot, all 3D murals can be viewed as part of your Downtown shopping & dining experience. A walking tour of the 3D Alley Art takes about one hour.
Meet Our Amazing 3D Alley Artists!
Booras
After a career as a graphic artist, cartoonist and illustrator, Booras retired to his home town of Oshkosh. He paints in watercolors, acrylics and oils. He has drawn many commissioned portraits of pets and people. Another creative avenue for Booras is music, appearing around town as a solo keyboardist, singer/songwriter. He is also active in local community theater.
You can find Booras’ 3D Alley Art on the back of Waupaca Thrift Store (#22), Lucky Tree (#16), Sew and Sew (#8), & Fireside Apartments (#20). He lives in Oshkosh.
Valerie Courtney
Valerie is an art director with 15+ years of experience mainly in the gift and stationery industry.
As an idea generator and lifelong learner with a collaborative spirit, she believes there's fun to be had in solving problems and loves working with talented artists around the world. Make sure to ask her about the time she designed bikinis for dogs! Check out her website!
You can find Valerie’s 3D Alley art on the back of Adventure Outfitters (#12), Weasels (#23), and the Woodpile Foundation (#25). She lives in Minneapolis, MN.
Dort De Wild
I was the Waupaca Middle School Teacher for 31 years and retired 6 years ago. Since then I have been doing art in ceramics and acrylic painting. Last summer I was commissioned to do a mural for Waypoint Financial located on the Badger Street side.
You can find Dort’s 3D Alley Art on the side of Agape Help Center (#17) and the back of Blue Angel Hair Salon and New 2 You (#7). She lives in Waupaca.
Ria Di Salvo
This is a strange thing for me to do! I don’t talk about myself very much! I come from a large family originally from Milwaukee, and in 1967 my parents moved up to Stevens Point. In the photo you see me and my twin, and my father. (Guess which one I am!) When I say large I mean large by today’s standard. There were 11 of us in a small ranch style home. Somehow it worked until my sisters and I aged enough to move out. Six girls first, then the three boys. Chaos and fights yes, but love was always a constant!
I have always been an artist. I did not aspire I just was. Even when we were young we had crayons and paper. Mother made sure to enable us to be creative early on! I looked at the world and said why not and I can try to do. It was only later in life that I had any doubts because of outside forces, ie schools and other people that did not see what I saw and what I was trying to create. I grew in my experiences to see what I liked and what I did not. I have learned to be more open minded about what “ART” is. It is funny that I felt more rigid when I was young, what I thought was acceptable. There are many ways for everyone to show their way of seeing the world and it is a thrill to go with an open heart and open mind!
I draw Inspiration from observing my world and wanting to share it with everyone through art. Sometimes I am successful and sometimes I am not. But, it does not stop me from continuing to strive for more new experiences and new ways to be express them! I have had opportunities to try many technics through drawing and painting, photography, jewelry designing, ceramics, graphic designing, stained glass and other crafts, like pressed flower creations.
I will always be up for trying new things. As I have aged I realize life is way too short, and if you feel passionate about something to just go for it!
You can find Ria’s 3D Alley Art on the back of Stratton Drugs (#13). She lives in Amherst.
Bruce Doscher
Bruce Doscher is an Creative Director / Art Director / Illustrator / Artist / Dad. Originally from Long Island, New York, he's lived and worked in New York City, San Francisco, and Auckland, New Zealand. He now resides in Waupaca and works remotely. His work in Waupaca is bright, arresting, and has a whimsical sense of humor. More of his work can be found at brucedoscher.com
You can see his 3D Alley Art on the side of Stange’s (#4 & 5), behind Antiques on Main (#6), and behind Tre of Life (#18). He lives in Waupaca.
Stephon Kiba Freeman
My name is Stephon Kiba Freeman, creator and owner of Kiba Freeman Art, LLC.
Over the last seven years or so, I have primarily created landscapes and scenery spray paint art. While the paint is wet, I am able to utilize layering, masking, and reductive techniques to produce unique effects. Since the birth of my daughter in 2018, my spray paintings have become a bit more whimsical in nature; pulling from how I imagine she views the world around her.
My recent work is still made mostly with spray paint; however, I have started to incorporate paint marker, water based spray paint, and the use of some stencils. Using my hands, palette knives, magazine paper, and other found objects are other ways I have been able manipulate the wet paint. I have to cycle between working quickly and being patient because spray paint dries fast, but stays sticky too long to use a stencil or marker right away. It is because of my understanding of this balance that I am able to produce work that captivates the viewer.
Even with the slight change in my recent work, my objective remains the same: to allow the viewer to visit the places I mentally create as a form of escape. Welcome to my worlds: I hope you enjoy your stay. Go to Stephon’s website to see more of his work.
You can find Stephon’s 3D Alley Art on the back of Aquamos Coffee Collaborative (#24), and a sewer grate in Rotary Riverview Park (#21)! He lives in Steven’s Point.
Sam Hanson
Sam is an illustrator, eco-friendly screen printer, and an occasional muralist! Her work plays with easy going and bright minimalism with a sense of humor. Sam is a foodie, people person and observational doodler. She also has a background in sketch and improv comedy which always seems to peek it's head into her work. Her prints and hand screen printed goodies can be found on samhansondoodle.com, Etsy, Instagram or in person at markets throughout the Midwest.
You can find Sam’s 3D Alley Art on the side of Agape Help Center (#19). She lives in Milwaukee.
Pamela Knutson
I am Pamela Knutson, a local artist who began painting while stationed in Germany with my husband who was U.S.A.F. I have always been artistic so when shopping for art to decorate our new home I decided to paint my own art because the prices were so high.
I currently engage in many types of art, across several mediums. Painting acrylics, and oils. Incorporating fibers into painting, stained glasswork, jewelry, wood burning, faux finishing, up cycling, repurposing items, 3 murals to date —including one at the local VFW, and Parfreville Church in the children’s classroom — and some large commissioned works at Trinity Lutheran Church Waupaca one of which is displayed in the gathering area just outside the sanctuary our Luther’s Rose symbol. Most recently I have become a picker finding treasures in many unusual places some to incorporate in my art and some for resale at Chez Posh, LLC. Waupaca, WI.
As a booth renter at Chez Posh, LLC. Waupaca, WI. I wanted to create a cohesive piece across the entire building. The Sew and Sew piece is just a fun little accent. I am very happy to be a part of this 3D Alley Art Project.
Thank you to all the Waupaca Community Arts Board for their work on the project and special thanks to Mary Phair for her help. I also commend the local businesses that have supported this effort to help beautify our community, and of course our participating artists who are giving there time and expertise to the project. A big thanks for choosing me to participate in such a worthwhile experience.
You can find Pamela’s 3D Alley Art behind Chez Posh (#14 & 15), and Sew and Sew (#9). She lives in Waupaca.
Ashley Megal
A bit about my work…
My goal as an artist is to bring happiness, color and an awareness of nature and its magical properties into people’s lives through my imaginative drawings. My process is very intuitive, using colored pencil and archival ink to achieve a detailed and organic flow to each piece (they are not pre-sketched).
Nature, especially trees, has always been a part of my life in some way and thus a part of my work for as long as I can remember. There is a connection between myself and trees that I continue to explore and hope to share with others. I hope you enjoy every drop of my creations.
Cheers! ~ Under the ashTree – artwork by Ashley Megal
You can find Ashley’s 3D Alley Art behind Little Fat Gretchens (#10), Bookcellar & Sew and Sew (#11), and Synergy Homecare of Waupaca. (#3). She lives in Amherst.
Kris Morse
I am a contemporary nature artist. Our family resides within a few miles of the beautiful Kettle Moraine State Forest. This wonderful, wooded Wisconsin area is also where I grew up, and has offered me years of endless inspiration!
My designs are painted in acrylic, a medium creating a fast dry time which results in a quicker end time for my art piece. This is wonderful, as I tend to lack patience, always anxious to see the finished piece. My works have evolved over the years, but it seems my love for creating bird life is what my paintings most often reflect.
My works are currently displayed throughout the U.S. – in private collections, coffee houses, breweries, wineries, and corporate buildings. In 2014, 2015 & 2016, I was honored to be commissioned to create the signature art piece for the Blind Match World Championship, sailing those years from Sheboygan.
I have designed and painted many indoor and outdoor murals, the largest of those being a design depicting historic Manitowoc on the side of the Artist Lofts apartments there. Other local examples include the pelican and lakefront mural, and bike path inspired works outside of RCS Empowers in Sheboygan; the Harley inspired mural at Fat Cow in Sheboygan Falls; and a now a Waupaca 3D Alley Art piece featuring a Sandhill Crane. You can reach Kris at www.instagram.com/krissykdesign
You can see Kris’ 3D Alley Art behind Panache. (#2) She lives in Cascade, WI.
Laura Reynolds
Laura Reynolds is a retired physical therapist who loves to be creative. She enjoys pottery, printmaking and weaving.
You can see Laura’s 3D Alley Art on the side of Office Outfitters. (#1) She lives in Waupaca.
Antiques on Main
A huge thank you to Mona Thoreson, owner of Antiques on Main, who offered her back room as a supply and staging area for our artists. Her generosity made it so easy for us to share supplies between our artists over the course of several months, saving us a lot of money and making life much easier for everyone involved in the project! Mona, you’re the absolute best!
Teamwork Rocks!
Our Community Partners
Thank you to these amazing Waupaca organizations for helping us make the 3D Alley Art project a reality:
Robert Forseth — Rural Access to Justice
And all the Downtown businesses who said, “Yes!” when we asked if they wanted 3D Alley Art on their buildings!