T H E F O U N D A T I O N
Starting at our very first Artist Series event in 2012, Everwood has donated half of the pay-what-you-can ticket proceeds to a local Wisconsin school program. In 2016, we created the Aspiring Artists Fund to focus our giving exclusively for arts programs. We believe in supporting the work of remarkable teachers so they can spark wonder and talent in their young aspiring artists.
Since 2012, Everwood has contributed almost
$52,000 to local school programs.
Through Everwood’s Aspiring Artists Fund, arts focused teachers in the six counties surrounding Everwood (Dunn, St. Croix, Polk, Barron, Pierce and Pepin) apply each spring for innovative projects that need financial support. We receive dozens of applications each year that are reviewed by our Board of Directors. At each Artist Series performance, we recognize one or more teachers. The grants have ranged from $250.00 to $1,600.00.
RECIPIENTS
2023
Sara Route – Osceola High School
For a drum circle club
Sarah Nichols – Glenwood City High School
For brushes, paint trays and drawing boards
Joshua Hopper – Boyceville School District
For quint toms and a harmony director
Dianna Krahulec – Prescott Middle School
For instruments and handhelds for an adaptive music class
Angie Laehn – Plum City Middle School
For a gratitude project
Connie Gibson – Colfax High School
For a "Starbooks Café"
Ben Simmerman – Boyceville School District
For choral outfits and other supplies
2022
Derrick Tilus – Elk Mound High School
For a djembe
Nicole Seidler – Knapp Elementary
For mosaic stepping stone supplies
Hyrum Burker – New Richmond Middle School
For flat.io memberships
Kristin Flater – Somerset Middle School
For poetry slam project supplies
Carol Zinter – Somerset Middle School
For novels about the Holocaust
Jonalee Buckel – St. Croix Middle School
For students to write and illustrate their own books
Cora Fox – Plum City Middle School
For students to write and illustrate their own books
Bridget Haugen – New Richmond High School
For plein air painting supplies
2021
Holly Waterman – Clearlake High School
For a digital camera for students to build their electronic portfolios
Lori Pesic – Pepin Area Schools
To replenish her depleted art supplies
Mike Fuller – Meyer Middle School in River Falls
To fund the purchase a custom hybrid cymbal set for his two jazz ensembles.
Cathy Oscarson – Osceola Elementary and Intermediate Schools.
To create a clay studio that would enable her to bring magic to all of her students.
Jamie Palbicki – Somerset High School
To purchase a new digital synthesizer.
Dolly Neby – Roselawn Elementary School in the Chetek Weyerhauser School District
To expand her collection of Orff instruments
2020
Suzanne Vergin – Barron High School
To teach her advanced art students how to paint with alcohol markers on ceramic tiles.
Brenda Johnson – Glenwood City School District
To teach her students to stretch and prepare a canvas from start to finish and paint on canvas with oils.
Olivia Willett – Osceola Middle School
To expand the depth of her choral library with sheet music from diverse composers.
2019
Art Aytay – Osceola High School
To purchase a new bass guitar for the school's jazz band.
Ashley Pritchard – Ellsworth Elementary School
To purchase art materials for their Art Enrichment and
Adaptive Arts Program.
Steph Karno – New Richmond High School
To purchase design resources so her students can create
more advanced presentations. She want them to
see the connection between design and purpose.
Craig Zipperer – Unity High School, Balsam Lake
He wants his students to be able to interact with their
paintings through virtual reality to deepen their
understanding of vocabulary and techniques.
Nicole Blaskowski – Elk Mound School District
Requested 5 digital camera sets to generate more
enthusiasm for the Middle School Art Club
Jessica Fohrenkamm – Hudson High School
To create a biannual magazine so that 9th grade students understand the power of the written word
and what it is like to write for an actual audience
Amanda Ogren – Chetek-Weyerhaeuser High School
To provide a method book for every member of the band
Tina Fern-Denzer – Viking Middle School
To fund publish a copy of students' novels during
National Novel Writing Month
2018
Kim Miller – River Falls High School
To fund the scenic design for their theater production of Newsies
Becky Leland – Spring Valley Schools
To fund the launch of an art metals program
Ben Simmerman – Boyceville School District
To purchase wireless body microphone
Mara Schack – Tainter Elementary School
To purchase music theory kits
Brittany Kamrath – Prescott High School
To purchase African drums
Amanda Arnold – St Croix Central High School
To purchase adaptive musical instruments for special education classroom
Ellyn Schneider – Riverview Middle School
To purchase virtual reality headsets
2017
Grant Ruegnitz – Menomonie High School
To purchase a modified potters wheel that can be raised or lowered for all students to use
Nicole Severson – Baldwin Woodville Area School District
To purchase materials for Ms. Severson’s Storytelling Through Photography project
Peg Medcraft – Osceola School District
To purchase materials for Ms. Medcraft’s art framing project
Christopher Boyd – Amery Intermediate School
To purchase band instruments for students from low-income families
2016 (First year of the Aspiring Artist Fund)
Charis Collins – Oaklawn Elementary School
For the Founding Folks Film Festival
Debbie Bowman – Spring Valley School District
To purchase electronic keyboards in support of Ms. Bowman’s music curriculum
Mary Jones – Glenwood City High School
To purchase supplies in support of Ms. Jones’ art cave project
Morgan Trunkel – Baldwin-Woodville Area School District
To purchase art supplies in support of Ms. Trunkel’s mandala project
Nathan Klinger – School District of Somerset
To purchase equipment for the Somerset Middle School News Team
Taylor Wallace – Elmwood School District
To purchase gathering drums and mallets
Wendy Marek – Turtle Lake School District
To support of Ms. Marek’s pottery and ceramics curriculum
2015
Wisconsin Foundation for School Music
2014
Glenwood City All-School Musical Production
Amery Middle School Anti-Bullying Program
New Richmond High School Music Department
Clayton School District Dance Enrichment Program
2013
Prairie Farm High School Band and Choir Programs
Baldwin-Woodville High School Forensics
West CAP Operation Back-to-school
Knapp Elementary School Reading Room
2012
Glenwood City FFA
Spring Valley High School Theater Program
Boyceville Middle/High School Art Department
“I had the most amazing honor last night of receiving a grant award from the Everwood Farmstead Foundation, which is an amazing organization that values the role of art in the human experience and dedicates itself to raising up aspiring artists. (On top of that, I was able to see the amazing Charlie Parr! Woot!). Such a humbling and generous night! My grant will allow students to become visual storytellers through photography, as well as have their work formally published.
I cannot tell you how crazy excited I am that this project marries my two passions in life--teaching students the power of a story and creating art through photography.
I cannot express my gratitude enough to the Everwood Farmstead Foundation for the gift of this opportunity! Seriously, you must go check out this gorgeous venue—either through seeing live music, attending a retreat, etc. Thank you!" Nicole Severson, Viking Middle School in Woodville, WI
“First, let me just say, thank you! The farmstead is a magical place and I had a great time at the Haley Bonar performance. I am so thankful for people like you and your mission at Everwood. Your generous gift allows me to purchase materials for the mosaic stepping stones. Every 8th grader at Viking Middle School will get the opportunity to create and leave their mark on the school with the project. I am very excited to teach this unit. I will share many pictures and keep you updated on how the project goes. Again, thank you for your support." Morgan Trunkel, Viking Middle School
“What a pleasure to enjoy this beautiful setting at Everwood Farmstead in Glenwood City, WI Saturday night! It was a beautiful drive into the Driftless area of WI. When we arrived I was surprised to see I had front row reserved seats and was elated to be the recipient of an Everwood Aspiring Artist Fund grant for my school. Thank you, Everwood Foundation, for your mission and for supporting the Arts at Turtle Lake School. The Cactus Blossoms were amazing. I can't wait to come back!" Wendy Richison Marek, K-12 Art Teacher in the Turtle Lake School District
“Had a wonderful evening in the beautiful hills of Glenwood City at the Everwood Farmstead. I found out that the Everwood Farmstead Foundation is granting me mini keyboards for SV elementary music students! What an incredible organization. Thanks so much for giving us a wonderful evening, watching a phenomenal performance by the Cactus Blossoms in a beautiful setting. We loved it and hope to get back soon!" Debbie Bowman, K-12 Choir Director in the Spring Valley School District
“My night was pure magic, beginning with learning that next year's Founding Folks Film Fest had been funded by the incredible people at the Everwood Farmstead Foundation, and ending with Delibes' flower duet in a luminous barn. If you've never been to the Farmstead, you must go - posthaste. Thank you, Everwood!" Charis Nordlund Collins, Oaklawn Elementary, Menomonie
“We would like to thank you for your generosity. Recently, your donation made it possible for us to add another throwing wheel to our classroom. We sincerely appreciate the kindness you shared with us." Boyceville Middle / High School Art Department
“We just wanted to say thank you for your very generous donation to our music departments. These funds will help provide more opportunities for our students. Please pass on our sincere gratitude to all those involved in the Everwood Artist Series. Once again, thank you for your thoughtfulness and gratitude toward schools and we wish you the best of luck." Patrick Olson, Prairie Farms Schools
“Thank you for your donation to West CAP on October 13, 2013. Your donation has been applied to the Operation Back to School Program. We served 76 children in the Glenwood City school district and over 447 children signed up to receive supplies in the Dunn County school districts this year. The need is great and donations’ like yours have contributed to the success of the program and is greatly appreciated. Again, our heartfelt thanks." Kristen Curvello, Administrative Coordinator West Cap
“We are overwhelmed with your generosity! With the proceeds you have donated, we will be able to purchase the needed books that will build our leveled reading room. On behalf of the staff and families at Knapp Elementary School…we thank you for your help in building the love reading with our children!" Kristin Humphrey, principal of Knapp Elementary School
“I am the new principal at Glenwood City Middle/High School in Glenwood City, Wisconsin. What an incredible gesture for you to make toward us! We are very appreciative of such a donation to our All-School Musical Production. We are hopeful that we can continue to offer these productions in order to allow our students and community members to exhibit their talents. Thanks again." Patrick Gretzlock, principal of Glenwood City High school
“On behalf of the Administration and the Board of Education of the School District of New Richmond, I would like to thank you for your generous gift for the High School Music Department. We greatly appreciate your interest in our schools and thank you for your generosity in supporting our students." Jeff Moberg, District Administrator