Monday, June 21, 2021

Appleton-based mixed-media artist Maria Anholzer has been selected as the 2021 Summer Resident for the Fond du Lac Public Library’s Idea Studio. From July 12 through Aug. 30, she plans to offer a variety of programs, both in person and virtually, to encourage area artists and makers to explore their abilities.

Anholzer is an experienced art educator, currently working as a young artist instructor at the Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek, Wis. She also has interned with the Minnesota Gallery, creates polymer clay earrings for her business Grace Earrings, and has taught clay earring classes at the Art Garage in Green Bay.

“[I] have many experiences teaching students of all abilities and students with disabilities as well,” she said. “I enjoy experimenting in all art forms and I am always ready to try something new.”
In her role as a Summer Resident for the Idea Studio, Anholzer plans to offer weekly office hours via Zoom to connect with artists.

“I would also love to have a weekly ‘art night’ when artists would join Zoom and share what they are working on. I think many artists find inspiration and motivation when they talk to others,” she said. “An art night would be a great way to create virtual participation of artists from all over the state.”

She also is planning two in-person programs during the summer in an outdoor setting to ensure COVID safety is observed. Details of the Summer Residency will be released soon.

Joshua Cowles, the Library Technology Coordinator for the Fond du Lac Public Library who also leads the Idea Studio, explained that her vision for the 2021 Summer Residency was exciting to himself as well as those who helped select Anholzer from the field of applicants.

“Reviewers found her work technically inspiring, her participation ideas compelling, and her teaching experience very valuable, as did we here at Idea Studio,” he said.

As a part of her summer residency, Anholzer plans to create a large mixed-media piece for the Fond du Lac Public Library about “universal memories,” and plans to seek the help of the public as she seeks inspiration for this work. The completed project will be donated to the library at the end of the summer.

For her work in the residency program, Anholzer will earn a stipend of $750 and will receive up to $500 in reimbursed expenses for materials. The residency program is funded by the Seefeld Endowment Fund, which was started in 1992 to support special library programs and initiatives.

For more information about the Idea Studio, visit fdlpl.org/ideastudio.