Arts on the Square Schedule
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Saturday, Aug. 16
Rain or Shine!
FREE — Thanks to many generous donors and sponsors!!
The Art.
Waupaca Juried Fine Arts & Craft Show
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
City Square
Artisans and craftsmen from around the state are converging on Waupaca to showcase and sell their art. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover a truly unique piece of Wisconsin art for your home or as a fashion accessory. Many of our artisans also take commissions!
Awards will be given out to artists at the show for:
Best of Show
Patty Vaux Award
Four Awards of Excellence
Meet our 2025 Juried Fine Art Show Judge—Matt Lawniczak
Mathew Lawniczak is a Waupaca-based artist and art educator with a strong commitment to arts education and community engagement. He holds a degree in Art Education from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (2010), where he specialized in ceramics and sculpture. His artistic practice has also included work in photorealism and portraiture, showcasing his attention to detail and craftsmanship.
Since 2011, Mathew has taught art to students in Pre-K through 6th grade at the Waupaca Learning Center, helping young artists build creative confidence and foundational skills. He has served as Co-Chair of the Waupaca Fine Arts Festival Art Show since 2018 and has been a board member of the Waupaca Public Library Exhibit Room since 2015. These roles reflect his dedication to supporting and showcasing the visual arts in the Waupaca community.
With a background that bridges hands-on artistic practice, arts education, and community leadership, Mathew offers a balanced, thoughtful, and inclusive perspective to the jurying process—one that values both technical proficiency and creative vision. With more than a decade of experience as an educator, working artist, and arts advocate, Mathew brings depth and integrity to his role as a juror for the19th Annual Arts on the Square.
Art Show Map
Kids’ Art Camp Gallery
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Gallery in the Workshop Tent Area
During Arts on the Square, families can view the art pieces created by the students of the ARTicipation Week Kids’ Art Camp.
Sponsored by the Waupaca Community Arts Hub, Friends of Waupaca Community Arts Board, RH Liquidators, Agape and Community Donors! Thank you!!
The Music.
Main Stage
Saturday, Aug. 16
Performances 9:15 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
East Fulton Street, next to Waupaca Public Library
Aber Suzuki Center Students
9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
The Aber Suzuki Center is a division of the College of Fine Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The program has a 54-year history of music education for children and adults in Central Wisconsin and beyond.
ASC serves 230 students in Stevens Point and over 80 students in the Chain Exploration Center in Waupaca. In July, the Center sponsors the American Suzuki Institute, which draws hundreds of students and teachers from around the globe. Instruments offered include bass, cello, flute, guitar, harp, piano, viola, violin and voice.
Tom Pease
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Tom Pease has an infectious sense of fun and community building. With movement, sign language, humor, and joy, he creates concerts that leave audiences laughing and singing. He’s performed full time since 1982, often giving more than 200 performances per year.
He’s also a frequent presenter at early childhood and environmental conferences, keynoting and leading breakout sessions that explore the role of music in shaping our lives and the world we live in. Tom connects and inspires with every show he does.
Matt Blake & The Real Deal
11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Matt Blake, an American folk singer hailing from Appleton, Wisconsin, found his musical calling through a unique journey. Working as a stagehand at Nashville’s iconic Ryman Auditorium connected him with his musical heroes, inspiring his passion for songwriting. Transitioning from selling merchandise to opening for luminaries like Lucinda Williams marked a pivotal moment in his career. His debut album, ‘All the Dirt in Town,’ produced by Doug Pettibone, set the stage for his latest release, ‘Cheaper to Fly,’ in 2024. Matt is joined by The Real Deal, a band comprised of the talented Lohrenz brothers: Richard, Bruce, and Kevin.
Jeremiah Jams Band
1:45 - 3 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Jeremiah Jams Band is an electrifying Indie Groove Rock group making waves across Wisconsin with their high-energy live performances. At the heart of JJB are the husband-and-wife songwriting duo, Jeremiah and Emily Jams. Emily brings her exceptional multi-instrumental talent and captivating vocals, while Jeremiah delivers powerful guitar riffs and a dynamic stage presence that truly resonates. With an outstanding rhythm section rounding out the lineup, Jeremiah Jams Band promises an unforgettable night of rock and roll. The groove is calling; will you join them?
Jazz Stage
Saturday, Aug. 16
Performances 12 - 4 p.m.
Union Street Emporium— 110 E. Union St., Waupaca
A Joyful Little Band
12:00 - 1:45 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
A Joyful Little Band brings the flavor of New Orleans to Central Wisconsin. Drawing inspiration from The Great American Songbook and traditional New Orleans-style jazz, listeners will be drawn into their energetic, authentic music, and charming stage presence.
While A Joyful Little Band started as a four-member family band, they have since added clarinetist Jenni Yang and trumpeter Larry Glenzer. Now, with authentic instrumentation, the band is bringing traditional jazz to life for audiences in Wisconsin. Listeners will enjoy classics like Ain’t Misbehavin’', Stormy Weather, and Sunny Side of the Street, along with more obscure tunes pulled from vintage collections and recordings.
Toes will surely be tapping as A Joyful Little Band brings their jazzy style to the stage.
Kate Voss & The Hot Sauce
2 - 4 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Hailing from the Emerald City, Kate Voss got her start in the club scene in Seattle playing with a variety of groups on piano. When her jazz studies were nearing an end, her musical interests could not be pinned down to a single genre, her teacher assigned her the title of “dilettante”. Luckily for us all, that only inspired Kate to further explore other avenues for making music and ultimately brought her to form Kate Voss & The Hot Sauce which encompasses all the genres she loves. A true variety band, this act pulls from her varied background of jazz, blues, pop, country, western-swing, oldies, Americana and rockabilly. As a full-time musician, Voss has cultivated a stage presence that charms and delights folks and a voice that “Nails the authenticity of the era” with tunes from Brenda Lee to Nancy Sinatra and Patsy Cline to Ray Charles. Kate has been awarded Vocalist of the Year and Ensemble of the Year from Earshot Magazine and after her move to Wisconsin in 2021, was nominated for several; WAMI awards including Female Vocalist of the Year, Instrumentalist of the Year and Free Reed Player of the Year. As leader of this band, Kate sings lead vocals, plays the Ukelele Bass, and occasionally plays melodica while staying true to her one rule in the band: Kate says, “We only play songs I love.”
City Square Bandstand Area
Saturday, Aug. 16
Performances 9:00 a.m. - 4 p.m.
City Square Bandstand
Vibhas Kendzia
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Vibhas Kendzia performs Native American music on a Native American flute. Listen for him during the festival. In addition to performing in City Square, he will be strolling through the grounds while he plays!
We need lots of smiling volunteers to make Arts on the Square flow smoothly for our community. We would love it if you would consider volunteering.
This is a fun way to meet people in the community, have a good time, and see first-hand how your donation is being used in the community.
Please sign up for a 2-hour time slot by clicking on the button below. Consider inviting a friend to be with you. The more the merrier! Thank you!
The Workshops
Look for all Workshops & Demonstrations in and around the Workshop Tent, behind the Waupaca Public Library
String Spinners
9 - 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Come to the String Spinner Workshop. All ages can participate in an art make-and-take project. Using cardboard, paper, and markers, design your own spinner. Thread string through the center and watch the colors spin. You'll have a blast with Workshop Facilitator Michelle Sharp!
Face Painting with Carl Mann
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Free!
Carl will be “demonstrating” brushstroke, saturation, application, and technique by actively face painting volunteers. If there are any questions during workshop, he’ll be happy to answer.
Screen Printing with Ben Achten!
11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Once again, we will be screen printing in downtown Waupaca under the big Workshop Tent with Ben Achten. We will print on fabrics with people who love to create art. Some of the provided items include canvas tote bags, muslin kitchen towels, a few t-shirts will be provided, and you can take them home with you! Feel free to bring your own t-shirts, bandannas, fabric flags, etc. that you would like to print on. Smooth surfaces work the best! This year's designs are yet to be determined.
Ben was raised in a family that passionately supports the Arts, he learned to screen print in high school art class and further refined some of the techniques and processes with help from some artistic friends like Ryan Thompson and Dylan Marks. Through the years, he has continued to create prints for volleyball t-shirts, work shirts and other fun things with friends and family. Working with the Arts Board, he has facilitated some fun screen-printing sessions. Ben loves to expose people to the process and get their hands full of ink, their hearts full of joy, and their minds touched with wonder. Come Join Us!
Soap Carving
1 - 2 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Have some good, clean fun! Learn to take a bar of soap, using simple tools, to create a 3D sculpture.
Instruction by members of Waupaca Area Woodcarvers.
All-Day Family Fun
In the Workshop Tent Area
Penny Spinners
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Spinning into creativity! Making colorful penny spinners with Art Ferris Wheel designs and watch the art come to life in motion!
Rice-filled Owls!
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
The Pieceful Hands Quilt Guild members will be offering a hand-sewing workshop. Stop by and try out your hand at creating these cute little rice filled owls.
The Pieceful Hands Quilt Guild will have kits ready to make Owls! These stuffed little creatures will require some hand stitching, gluing and pinning.
Alcohol Ink Washer Necklaces & Bracelets
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Paint using alcohol ink on metal washers, tie with cord to make colorful jewelry.
Demonstrations
In front of the Workshop Tent
Demos at various times between 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Glass Blowing
Brady Looker — Central Wisconsin
20-minute Demos
Each demo starts 20 minutes AFTER THE HOUR
Come watch Waupaca’s own! Brady will be demonstrating glassblowing/lampworking with a bench torch. He will make glass pendants by fusing metals onto the glass and maneuvering the glass by gravity and blowing. Pendants are available for purchase.
A self-taught glassblower, Brady has been practicing his craft for almost 10 years and freely sharing his expertise with the community. Check out his Instagram by clicking his name above!
Blacksmithing
Luke Schwiesow — Waupaca
Each demo starts 20 minutes BEFORE THE HOUR
Using portable hand tools, a blacksmith demonstration will run throughout the day, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Various basic techniques and objects will be forged, allowing spectators to observe and ask questions regarding the forging process.
Luke has been practicing blacksmithing since 2006, and took over the large carriage-wrights forge at W. J. Doran Co. back in 2008. While helping Wally Doran, Luke worked up to forging 5 hours a day, Monday through Saturday while attending college. After completing college, Luke interned at the Driftless Folk School and took knife making with instructor and board member Robert Schulz. Luke later attended Fox Valley Tech to receive an associate degree as Weld Technician in 2018, and worked other metal fabricating jobs before returning to W. J. Doran Co to take over once Wally retired.
Woodcarving
Waupaca Area Woodcarvers - Central Wisconsin
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Watch as the Waupaca Area Woodcarvers transform a piece of wood into a simple dog!
Bring your wood carving questions to ask them. Always a popular destination at the festival!
Landscape Painting
Ben Nendza — Waupaca
12 - 1 p.m.
Ben Nendza will be doing a live demonstration from 12-1 pm of a landscape featuring gorgeous pine trees and a night sky. This will feature a glow effect. Ben will provide paints and brushes if any viewer would like to join him.
Please bring your own canvas, preferably 16x20 in size. There will be a few mixed media papers available free to early participants. Come join in the fun!
Benjamin Nendza is a local Artist specializing in fantasy and glow art. Bens work, even the most traditional, often contains a fantastic element embracing the strange and/or paranormal. He has recently self published his own adult coloring book "A Glimpse of Horror," his art has been featured on Albums, teeshirts, murals, event flyers, comic books and video games.
Ben has traveled all over the midwest with his art, whether it be vending or demonstrating. For more of his work look up "Ben's Dark Art" on social media platforms.
Sand Sculptures
Bob Lechtenberg — Hartland, WI
40-minute Demos
Demo Times: 10-10:40 a.m., 11-11:40 a.m., 12:30-1:10 p.m., 1:30-2:10 p.m.
Learn how to take your days at the beach to a whole new level! Bob will be demonstrating a variety of topics related to sand sculptures ranging all the way from how to start, through to a finished product with some additional tips and tricks that will correlate to snow sculptures in winter as well.
Since 2017, Bob is a 3-time United States Snow Sculpting National Champion with his team Sculptora Borealis and appeared in the Disney+ Holiday Movie Best in Snow with Kermit the Frog. Bob also started competing in the Great Lakes Sand Sculpting events in 2023, including the Wisconsin Sand Sculpting Festival in Manitowoc.
Dance Stage
Look for the Dance Stage behind the Waupaca Public Library
Cardio Drumming
10 - 10:45 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Cardio drumming has found its way into many members lives! At the Senior Center our group ranges from age 50 to 90+ and we have on average 50 members per class attend twice a week!
We offer drumming in the community as well, in all age groups. We have recently drummed with Waupaca Learning Center, Waupaca Middle School, CaHoots, Park Vista and many more!
Waupaca Dance Team
11 - 11:45 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
The award-winning WAUPACA HIGH SCHOOL DANCE TEAM will be performing multiple sideline dance and our hip hop routine. We are also looking forward to inviting kids from the audience to come and dance with us!
We are a varsity team that practice from July through February. We practice every day and perform at football and basketball games. Our favorite part of the season we when we compete! This past year we took 3rd in jazz and defended our 2024 Pom state championship title and won!
Cloud Nine Fire Dancers
12 - 12:30 p.m.
Demo- 1 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 17
Established in 2023 in Waupaca, WI by Madeline Murphy, the Cloud Nine Fire Show has brought the art of flow to life through dazzling displays of fire, LED and circus acts. Cloud Nine is Wisconsin’s premier entertainment troupe of talented performers and instructors, each specializing in unique flow props, dynamic disciplines, and is committed to upholding high safety standards for every event. Cloud Nine’s captivating shows offer a stage for local artists to shine, captivating audiences of all ages. Through Cloud Nine’s signature weekly class at the Waupaca Recreation Center, “Hoop! There it is!”, they inspire kids and adults to discover the flow state and connect deeper with the community and self.
Cloud Nine will host an interactive Flow Arts Workshop with Hula-Hoops, Silk fans, and Sunwheel starting at 1 p.m. following the Flow Performance on main stage. Experience a fun way to move, learn tricks with hoops, and explore the vast world of Flow Arts with Cloud Nine! There is no cost to participate in this workshop, however donations are accepted.
Information Booth Has It All!
7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Interactive
The Arts on the Square Information Booth opens at 7 a.m.! Stop by to say “hello” and to ask for information or directions. If we don’t have the answer, we’ll make something up! Come early and get a jump on the crowds!
While you’re there, buy a 2025 Event Poster!!
Radio 99.1 & 96.3 On-Site & Live!
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Interactive
Waupaca Radio FM96.3 is a community radio station operated by the City of Waupaca playing World Class Music and local information.
99.1 WAUP is operated by Waupaca Area Community Radio playing a better variety of music and seeks to connect community members to one another and the world by exploring cultural diversity through arts and public affairs programming and cultural events.
Both stations, with Josh Werner & Mark Gerlach, will jointly broadcast live at Arts on the Square to promote the event and bring the event to individuals who are unable to attend.
The Good Stuff
Food Trucks!
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
From traditional Wisconsin fair food to more exotic and healthy options, we have your hungry belly covered! Come hungry. Leave happy!
Benny Bakes: Artisanal Woodfired Pizza!
Diablo’s: Mexican Corn, Tacos, Burritos
Wisco Eatery LLC: Sandwiches, Jerk Chicken, and more
Hmong Eggrolls: Eggrolls & more.
Stevie’s UWSP Food Truck: Diverse menu with vegetarian options
Java Jive: Coffee & Pastries
Moo’s Ice Cream: Ice Cream
Beer & Beverages
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Bring your ID to the Beer & Wine Tent entrance, and our friendly bartenders will welcome you with open arms!
Looking for non-alcoholic options? We have you covered throughout the grounds. Hydration in August is a must! Drinks for everyone, no matter the age!
2025 Arts on the Square Poster
Designed by Waupaca Artist Davette Leonard, the 2025 AOTS poster reflects this year’s Art Ferris Wheel Community Art Project and the essence of the Arts on the Square Festival! Posters available for purchase at the Info Booth during the festival— $10 each.
Posters available in advance at Northern Home, 119 N. Main St. Waupaca, WI 54981
Thank you for your generous support of Arts on the Square:
Title Sponsor:
Primary Sponsors:
Thrivent
Friends of the Waupaca Community Arts Board
The Kempfert Foundation
Waupaca Community Foundation
Office Outfitters/Bill Zimmerman
Dan Osman
Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region
