By Jacob Mathias

The fourth installment of CREATE Portage County’s Phantom Gallery parties is set for Sept. 8 at an undisclosed location.

Phantom Gallery Parties use rough, underused, vacant or atypical locations in Portage Co., turning them into art galleries for a one-night show. The upcoming gallery’s theme is “Wild Life” and will exhibit art featuring outdoor and wildlife scenes.

The gallery party will run from 7 to 9 PM on Sept. 8.

“We’re specifically trying to bring in programming that typically happens in urban communities,” said Greg Wright, executive director of CREATE.

The location is a secret until the day before when it will be revealed by CREATE.

“It adds to the excitement…people tend to enjoy the reveal of the location a little bit more when they don’t know where they’re going,” said Wright. “It makes them a little bit more curious about what we’re going to do this time.”

Create has announced the gallery will feature the watercolor art of Jane Barnard. Barnard is a teacher, member of the Wisconsin Watercolor Society, Wisconsin Visual Artists and Wisconsin Plein Air Painters. She has a master’s degree from Marquette University and studied at the Paris-Sorbonne University, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and workshops from master watercolorists.

Barnard teaches at the Clearing in Door County, Dillmans Art Center in Lac du Flambeau and local classes at CREATE’s Idea Center in Stevens Point.

Barnard’s art will be for sale at the event; generating revenue for artists is also a goal of the party, according to Wright.

More artists will be announced in the future.

Wright said this gallery party will act as a kickoff event for the Federal Duck Stamp Contest, held at the Edna Carlsten Art Gallery inside the Noel Fine Arts Center at UWSP. The contest, organized by the U.S. Department of Interior, brings in wildlife artists whose work is displayed for judges. The winner’s artwork will adorn the yearly duck stamp purchased by hunters, collectors and birders.

Fund from stamp sales go toward the creation or expansion of waterfowl and wildlife refuges.

Proceeds generated by CREATE experiences support investments in the arts, culture and creativity in Portage County. In addition to supporting future experiences, these funds support public art initiatives, arts advocacy, place-making efforts, and the IDEA Center.

Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite. Visit www.createportagecounty.org for more information.