Artist Talks

 2026 Artist Talks - The Why and, maybe the Why Not?

Frederic Arts will again present a series of three Artist Talks that we hope will help all of understand each other better; Not just how we work but why we choose to create. (after all, why not?) These will be relatively short sessions but we hope open windows into the speakers’ world told with plenty of visuals.

Each talk will be held at the Frederic Art Center, begin at 7PM and last 45-60 minutes plus time for questions.

Come, learn and enjoy!

Thursday, November 12 - Michael Whiteside

Michael Whiteside Jr. is a dynamic contemporary artist, fabricator, and antiquarian whose work is rooted in the culture and identity of Northern Wisconsin. Operating through multiple creative mediums, his practice bridges the tension between rugged midwestern individualism and the collective reality of shared memory and nostalgia.

Described as a “fabricator of many things," Michael works across diverse physical mediums. He blends Fine Art, Folk Art, Historical Americana, and Vintage Artifacts. His process relies heavily on “picking” across the North Woods area, sourcing objects that carry embedded histories. The rural geography, dense pine forests, and harsh seasonal transitions of Northern Wisconsin serve as both his setting and his inspiration. His work channels a regional identity built on resourcefulness, solitary labor, and outdoor endurance.

While the act of seeking out isolated outbuildings and restoring forgotten objects highlights a highly individualistic, self-reliant artistic drive, his ultimate focus is on “collective nostalgic tendencies.” He uses salvaged or forgotten pieces of our past to tap into a broader, shared social consciousness.

Michael studied at The College of Visual Arts in Saint Paul, MN before apprenticing under a Master Sculptor for several years, while also participating in multiple group shows and solo exhibitions throughout the Twin Cities area. Several commissioned pieces reside in private collections in the US and England. Through his projects, Michael transforms solitary regional items and motifs into conversational catalysts, showing that personal histories are inextricably bound to a community’s collective reality.

Thursday, September 10 - Carol Adleman

Carol Adleman of Luck works with both collage and cyanotype and often combines them into works on fabric and paper. She has worked in her home studio for over 25 years and previously lived in a suburb of Mpls. She is always interested in trying new ways to express herself in art as she explores the variety of sources around her. Influences in her work include Hans Hoffman, Sean Scully and Richard Diebenkorn.  Over the years her work has been shown in juried shows around the country and is now shown in two local galleries, One 10 Gallery in Frederic and ArtZ in Amery.

If you can’t make the Artist Talk, you can see Carol’s work Friday 10 - 3 and she will be on hand of you have questions. It’s at the Art Center, 310 Lake Ave S, Frederic, WI