Today's Pick: "Repair, Reuse, Make Do"
Artist(s): Liese Pfeifer
Materials: Steel, fused glass, and paint
Location on Main Street: Corner in front of Acker builders, Endres Plaza
In their own words – Artist’s Inspiration: "I had the opportunity to be on the board of Schumacher Farm Park for several years, so I know well the story of Marcella Schumacher and her hopes of educating the public on the humble rural life in the 1920-30’s. Recently I have worked at the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection at UW-Madison, where I was immersed in how textiles tell stories. The story of feed sacks used for clothing is the subject of my barn.
Many know of the colorful patterns feed and food companies put on their storage bags. What I discovered in my research was that two things helped to bring this about. In 1857 Gibbs designed and built the first sewing machine that created a chain stitch; one where you pull one thread and the entire seam unravels. Also in the late part of the 19th century, our old growth forests were cut. Feed companies that used to store corn in barrels started to switch to heavy cloth bags.
My barn replicates the designs used on various feed sacks. This era gave us many sayings such as: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
You're invited!
Artist(s): Liese Pfeifer
Materials: Steel, fused glass, and paint
Location on Main Street: Corner in front of Acker builders, Endres Plaza
In their own words – Artist’s Inspiration: "I had the opportunity to be on the board of Schumacher Farm Park for several years, so I know well the story of Marcella Schumacher and her hopes of educating the public on the humble rural life in the 1920-30’s. Recently I have worked at the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection at UW-Madison, where I was immersed in how textiles tell stories. The story of feed sacks used for clothing is the subject of my barn.
Many know of the colorful patterns feed and food companies put on their storage bags. What I discovered in my research was that two things helped to bring this about. In 1857 Gibbs designed and built the first sewing machine that created a chain stitch; one where you pull one thread and the entire seam unravels. Also in the late part of the 19th century, our old growth forests were cut. Feed companies that used to store corn in barrels started to switch to heavy cloth bags.
My barn replicates the designs used on various feed sacks. This era gave us many sayings such as: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
You're invited!
Join us for an afternoon full of Wisconsin tradition as we auction off 15 unique steel barns from the 2016 Barns on Main Waunakee Public Art Project! Stop by on Sunday, September 18 during Wauktoberfest to take a one of a kind piece of Wisconsin art home with you!
This project brought together 15 artists, all from Waunakee, who created what Wisconsin meant to them on a 27" steel barn donated by Endres Manufacturing Co. The barns have been on display along Main St. in Waunakee since June, but now it's time they find a permanent home.
All proceeds from the auction will benefit local charities. This year the recipients of proceeds from the project are: Endres Manfacturing Co. Foundation, Schumacher Farm Park, and the Waunakee Creative Economy Initiative.
Stay tuned as we will feature a couple of barns each week leading up to the auction on September 18. Keep an eye out for the next installment of Barn of the Day. For more information on Barns on Main and to see photos of all 15 pieces of art, visit www.waunakee.com/barnsonmain. For photos, click on the "2016 Barns Auction" tab on the left side of the page.
Hope to see you at the auction!
This project brought together 15 artists, all from Waunakee, who created what Wisconsin meant to them on a 27" steel barn donated by Endres Manufacturing Co. The barns have been on display along Main St. in Waunakee since June, but now it's time they find a permanent home.
All proceeds from the auction will benefit local charities. This year the recipients of proceeds from the project are: Endres Manfacturing Co. Foundation, Schumacher Farm Park, and the Waunakee Creative Economy Initiative.
Stay tuned as we will feature a couple of barns each week leading up to the auction on September 18. Keep an eye out for the next installment of Barn of the Day. For more information on Barns on Main and to see photos of all 15 pieces of art, visit www.waunakee.com/barnsonmain. For photos, click on the "2016 Barns Auction" tab on the left side of the page.
Hope to see you at the auction!