Washburn Cultural Center

04/17/2026

Our two April exhibitions are now up at the Cultural Center.

Courtney Fishback’s ‘Curious Ethereals: Part Deux’ contains 14 painted collage works that explore “what it feels like to live in a world that often seems unreal—a kind of clown world where nothing quite makes sense, yet everything continues on.” A closing reception for ‘Curious Ethereals’ will be held on Thursday, April 30, from 5pm–7pm.

We are also screening on-demand ‘This Is Who I Am,’ a short film about Indigenous language and identity presented at the Cultural Center by its executive producer Niigaani-animikiiwinini Kalvin Hartwig. ‘This Is Who I Am’ is presented through funding from the Apostle Islands Area Fund of the South Shore Community Fund and exhibited with support from the Washburn Heritage Association.

Our galleries are open this week and next week Thursdays–Sundays, 11am–4pm.

04/07/2026

Join us this Thursday, April 9, beginning at 7pm, for a public screening, reception, and panel discussion for the short film 'This Is Who I Am' (2017), presented by producer Niigaani-animikiiwinini Kalvin Hartwig (Ojibwe, Bear Clan, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians). Light refreshments will be provided.

In 'This is Who I Am,' a young Anishinaabe woman in the Big City feels lost about her identity. She wonders what her ancestors would do, and after a short series of events, she knows what she must do.

Thursday Evening's Program
- 7pm: Introduction by Niigaani-animikiiwinini Kalvin Hartwig
- 7:15pm: Public screening of 'This Is Who I Am'
- 7:30pm: Panel discussion/Q&A with film creators

This program and April's exhibition are presented through funding from the Apostle Islands Area Fund of the South Shore Community Fund and exhibited with support from the Washburn Heritage Association.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1626943065180325/

01/29/2026

Join MICHAEL LAUGHING FOX CHARETTE (Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), renowned Ojibwe educator, musician, storyteller, and visual artist, for a hands-on dreamcatcher workshop. During this family- and community-focused program, participants of all ages will learn about Ojibwe dreamcatchers, build their own, and be invited to contribute to a community hoop.

This FREE, PUBLIC workshop is provided by the Washburn Cultural Center with support from the Boreal Waters Community Foundation. It is intended to be accessible for school-aged children but will provide a welcoming space for participants of ALL AGES, from ALL COMMUNITIES, to build dreamcatcher hoops with family members and alongside neighbors.

We ask that interested individuals and groups PRE-REGISTER so that we can anticipate and guarantee materials to have on-hand. Walk-in attendance may also be available as supplies allow, but cannot be guaranteed. Even so, all are welcome to listen to the introductory sessions and observe!

LEARN MORE & PRE-REGISTER:
washburnculturalcenter.com/dreamcatcher-02072026

01/23/2026

The Washburn Cultural Center building, including the Washburn Area Museum and Hedgehog Treasure Shop, will be closed today (Friday, January 23).

When these days become cold, please ensure yourselves, our neighbors, and all of our community members remain warm, safe, and welcomed.

12/22/2025

The Washburn Cultural Center is proud to announce a Call for Proposals for Indigenous visual artists; artist/cultural collectives, groups, or organizations; or curators for an exhibition in our first floor gallery space(s) for April 2026.

The proposed exhibition is intended to serve as a one- or two-gallery showcase for currently active/practicing artist(s), maker(s), and creative(s) whose work reflects a connection to the Chequamegon Bay, or the Upper Midwest or Lake Superior region more broadly, and engages the regions’ cultural histories, traditions of making, and/or contemporarily relevant topics, concerns, or perspectives.

For the full CFP, evaluation criteria, and online submission form, follow this link: https://www.washburnculturalcenter.com/cfp-april26

Tag or share this post with an Indigenous artist whose artwork you'd like to see on exhibit at the Washburn Cultural Center this April!

Photo by Aubree Herrick on Unsplash

12/12/2025

Curious about life drawing? Looking for a creative refuge from the cold? Join us this Saturday (December 13) from 11am–12:30pm for an informal life drawing demonstration!

As part of the exhibition 'Drawn Together: A Community of Life Drawing,' the Monday Night Life Drawing Group is hosting a demonstration with a clothed model in the Central Avenue Gallery.

These demonstrations are open to the public. Guests are welcome to browse the exhibition, observe artists as they draw, and ask questions about process to artists and the model. Anyone interested in joining the drawing is encouraged to participate—equipment and basic supplies are provided.

This month, our December exhibitions 'The Creative Power Collection,' presented by Arts For All Wisconsin, and 'Drawn Together' are on view in our galleries Thursdays–Sundays, 11am–4pm. The final Life Drawing Demonstration for 'Drawn Together' will be held next Saturday, December 20, from 11am–12:30pm.

12/06/2025

It was so wonderful to have Arts for All Wisconsin’s Executive Director Christina Martin-Wright at the opening reception for their award-winning Creative Power exhibition and connecting with the WCC community!

We’re so grateful to be able to share their incredible work with the Chequamegon Bay area and hope it inspires artists in our community to submit work to the Creative Power open call — you have until February 14th!

Learn more about Creative Power through this link https://www.artsforallwi.org/creative-power
and stop by to check out the exhibition through January 18th!

12/04/2025

Join us TONIGHT (Thursday, December 4) from 5pm–7pm for the Opening Reception for our two December exhibitions: The Creative Power Collection, Arts for All Wisconsin’s exhibition of thirty works of award-winning visual art that travels to community spaces throughout Wisconsin; and Drawn Together: A Community of Life Drawing, featuring sketches, studies, and completed works by artists of Washburn’s Monday Night Life Drawing Group.

Drawn Together will also host three Life Drawing Demonstrations with a clothed model in the galleries on Saturdays, December 6, 13, and 20, from 11am to 12:30pm. These demonstrations are open to the public. Observers are welcome, and anyone interested in joining the drawing is encouraged to participate.

Arts for All Wisconsin’s Creative Power program provides public recognition of the artistic talents and contributions of children and adults with disabilities across Wisconsin. Creative Power begins with an annual Call for Art by children and adults with disabilities for the Creative Power Showcase. Judges select prize-winning pieces from the showcase, honoring creativity, originality, and craftsmanship. Each year, ten award-winning pieces join the Creative Power Collection.

The Creative Power Collection and Drawn Together are now on view in our galleries Thursdays–Sundays, 11am–4pm, through the end of December (Drawn Together) or mid-January (Creative Power Collection).

11/14/2025

Join us TONIGHT (Fri., Nov. 14) from 5pm–7pm, for the Artists Reception of WOODLAND – GICHIGAMI, a group exhibition highlighting Indigenous creators and promoting Indigenous art, history, music, and culture. This month’s exhibition fills both galleries with paintings, quilts, three-dimensional dreamcatchers, birchbark medallions, photography, pyrography, wood carvings, and mixed media works by twelve Indigenous artists.

WOODLAND – GICHIGAMI is organized by Michael LaughingFox Charette and is made possible with support from the Boreal Waters Community Foundation. WOODLAND – GICHIGAMI is on view through November 29 in the Cultural Center’s Art Galleries Thursdays–Sundays from 11am–4pm.

11/07/2025

WOODLAND - GICHIGAMI
Now showing through November 29th

Organized by , “Woodland - Gichigami (Lake Superior)” is a new exhibition promoting indigenous art, history, music, and culture and inspiring future generations to use their cultural gifts in practical application.

Join us for the reception on Friday, November 14th from 5-7 pm.

This exhibition has been made possible thanks to the generous support of

10/16/2025

Organizing artist Michael Laughing Fox Charette invites artists to showcase work in “Woodland - Gichigami (Lake Superior)” -- an exhibition promoting Indigenous art, history, music, and culture and inspiring future generations to use their cultural gifts in practical application.

This November 2025 exhibition is taking place at the Washburn Cultural Center and has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the Boreal Waters Community Foundation.

For more information on how to enter your work, visit https://www.washburnculturalcenter.com/for-artists

10/15/2025

Lost in the Woods Improv is back at the Cultural Center TOMORROW evening (Thurs., Oct. 16) at 5:30pm, as part of CBAC’s The Gathering! Start your evening off with unscripted, art-adjacent comedy from these talented local players!

THE GATHERING, CBAC’s annual members show, is on view this month Thursdays–Sundays from 11am–4pm.

Missed 'The Gathering' art reception last week? It's ok! Come see it Thursday (10/16) with some amazing local improv at 5:30pm!

🎭🎨🎭🎨🎭🎨🎭🎨