School of the Arts at Rhinelander

Summer might feel far away, but organizers of School of the Arts Rhinelander are already looking ahead to this July's programming. 

The 51st year of the program will offer five days of art workshops at a Rhinelander middle school. 

Director Lynn Tarnoff says registration is open for more than 50 courses.

Each summer Rhinelander gets hit with what amounts to an explosion of creativity: School of the Arts Rhinelander sets up camp for five days in a local middle school, and holds a slew of art classes for adults.  2013 marked the program's 50th anniversary.

Even though more than half of the 150 students enrolled in School of the Arts are newcomers, it’s not hard to spot the longtime attendees.  They’re wearing nametags with colored ribbons to indicate their veteran status. Lee Densmore sports a tag marking 15 years.  He’s here for a poetry class.

School of the Arts Rhinelander is still underway; it wraps up on Wednesday.  The five-day art school for adults takes place at the James Williams middle school, where the cafeteria and dozens of classrooms undergo a big changeover – practically overnight.  School of the Arts Facilities Manager Beth Bloom says it’s not an easy task.  She hires a team of 9 high school students to help with the shuffle. 

It’s almost the time of year for School of the Arts Rhinelander.  That’s when the University of Wisconsin Madison Continuing Studies sets up a five-day art school for adults in a Rhinelander middle school. 

Director Lynn Tarnoff says she and staff are getting ready to haul at least one van full of supplies from Madison. 

“Actually make that two vans.  And one of them’s been upgraded to a pick up truck with a car top carrier.”

It's the golden anniversary year for School of the Arts at Rhinelander and special events are planned. The school runs this year from Saturday, July 20 through Wednesday, July 24 at James Williams Middle School in Rhinelander.

Director Lynn Tarnoff says the 50th anniversary has a number of events..