Our Mission
" To Enliven the Spirit of our Community and Enrich the lives of All, by Providing Diverse Experiences in the Arts."
Our History
The Plymouth Arts Center was founded in 1993. In 1994, the Center found a new home in the Plymouth Center, where it is located today.
For over 14 years, Plymouth Arts Center has been the premier art destination in Western Sheboygan County. The mission of the Plymouth Arts Center is “to enliven the spirit of the community and enrich the lives of all by providing diverse experiences in the arts.” Gallery 110 North adds a distinctive elegance to the Arts Center’s eclectic facility. Wisconsin Artists are showcased in seven exhibits per year which includes an annual juried and membership show. A wide variety of art classes and educational opportunities are offered such as a “Painting Holiday in Ireland” with artists Kitty Lynne Klich and Bonnita Budysz. Volunteers play a major role in this non-profit membership organization. A host of musical and theatrical performances are presented in an intimate setting for community enjoyment. The facility is available for rent to private parties and provides a memorable backdrop for a special occasion. Visit the Plymouth Arts Center to obtain a beautiful sense of the culture and artistic expression within the community. 520 East Mill Street, P.O. Box 253, Plymouth WI (920) 892-8409.
Funding has come from membership dues, business donations, fundraisers and activities. An endowment fund has been established to give the Plymouth Arts Foundation a solid financial base. The fund will be self sustaining, since only the investment income will be utilized.
The Foundation is under the direction of an elected board of directors, and it supports and encourages all forms of art and related cultural activities such as drama/theatre, music, dance, visual, and education classes.
Board of Directors
Thomas Slater, President |
Paul Sartori, President-elect |
Keith Enstrom,Secretary |
Robert Hoopman |
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Karloy Galstad |
Bernard Nowicki |
Attorney Elizabeth Rich
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William Horsch
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Mally Henne |
Dr. Michael Jacquat Past Board Member |
R.Bruce Grover Past Board Member |
Staff
Donna Hahn Executive Director |
Verla Schneider Administrative Assistant |
Wendy Treppish Administrative Assistant |
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More History...
The idea for the Plymouth Arts Foundation, now known as the Plymouth Arts Center, actually began in a community over 2,000 miles away in Livingston, Montana. Livingston is a community of about 7,000 people and they have an active arts council which operates an art program every Friday evening which is broadcast live on the local radio station. Their arts council is successful and totally volunteer run.
Nancy Smith, who was the Executive Director of the Plymouth Chamber at the time, decided that if the arts council could work in the Livingston, Montana it could work in Plymouth, Wisconsin. She determined that creating an arts group could benefit the community in many ways by improving the quality of life and increasing tourism. Smith sent out 200 postcards to area artists to assess their interest in forming an artist’s guild. Only seven cards were returned however, she continued to pursue the idea. She invited several people including artists, educators, and business people to a meeting at the Plymouth Library in January 1993.
The first year the group was very busy organizing; developing the mission statement, filing articles of incorporation, developing their bylaws, and designing their logo. Public relation efforts included exhibiting at Mill Street Festival, Sheboygan County Fair, and making presentations to local organizations and businesses. Board member and artist, Roger Lahm developed a watercolor print series for a fundraiser.
In 1994 the group’s organizational efforts continued with filing for non-profit status, and again exhibiting at the Sheboygan County Fair. Free ad space was provided by the Plymouth Review to help create awareness. Up to this point the group had looked at five different possible sites for an art gallery and then they were approached by Lee Gentine about taking up residence in The Plymouth Center. (see Plymouth Center history on facilities page.) In December of 1994, Joan Kohn and her Exhibition Committee determined that the first visual art show would be oil paintings by Artist Robert Heuel and proposed that his show would open in Gallery 110 North mid 1995.
In January of 1995 representatives from the three proposed tenants of The Plymouth Center (PAF, Historical Society and Chamber of Commerce) met to discuss how to renovate the building to meet everyone’s needs. PAF held their first general membership meeting which was attended by 60 members. This was the year that PAF became financially independent. Board members wrote and received grants from the Wisconsin Arts Board and State Tourism Department for the grand opening celebration of The Plymouth Center which was held October 1995 and called the Heritage and Arts Festival
In 1996 Plymouth Arts Foundation’s activities expanded to include art classes and a folk concert series. In 1997 the PAF had a full schedule of art classes that were offered in cooperation with Plymouth Community Education, the visual art display had changed eight times offering exhibits of varied media. PAF garnered regional as well as national attention for many of its shows. The PAF coordinated the Family Folk Concert series and supported the formation of a local theater group which presented a play in September 1997.
Plymouth Arts Center has come a long way from the seven cards that were returned in 1992. Today the organization has grown to over 400 members and has hundreds of volunteers. Some of the original founding board members continue to be very active today. Now as we continue to grow, additional resources are needed if we are to fulfill our mission.......to enliven the spirit of our community and to enrich the lives of all by providing diverse experiences in the arts!
