Cedarburg Bog is theme of art exhibit

“Seasons of Change at the Cedarburg Bog: Paintings by Jeff Kunkel” will be shown at the Cedarburg Cultural Center from April 21 through June 4.

An opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 21.

The exhibit of 25 oil paintings was created through a collaboration between the Friends of the Cedarburg Bog and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Field Station.

The exhibit was created en plein air by Kunkel in 2022 at the Cedarburg Bog.

  Kunkel was the first artist to paint onsite at the bog through a newly created artist-in-residence program.

A UWM alumni, he is a Waukesha County native who grew up hunting and trapping in places like the Cedarburg Bog, so his published writings and exhibited paintings reflect an affinity and love for Wisconsin landscapes.

He studied drawing and painting at the California College of the Arts, and his works are characterized by strong composition, bits of unexpected color and vigorous brushstrokes.

Kunkel, who is also a retired United Methodist pastor, now lives in Oakland, Calif.

The completed paintings at the center feature ash frames handmade by Jim Reinartz, president of Friends of the Cedarburg Bog.

Kunkel will donate proceeds from paintings sold during the exhibit to the Friends of the Cedarburg Bog.

Works by members of the Wisconsin Watercolor Society will also be on display at the center.

  The center at W62 N546 Washington Ave. is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.