Rhinelander Mayor Chris Frederickson has been making art for a long time.
“I painted and painted and painted,” he says. “I painted quite a bit, but I’m self-taught.”
His latest piece features a long dock stretching out into the Wisconsin River. At the end of it, two empty chairs overlook the water.
“It has to do with that little bit of peace that people who are on the river understand,” he explains. “Yet at the same time, it evokes the idea of a catalyst for relationships.”
Frederickson’s piece is one of three mayoral art works commissioned for the River City Mayors Art Auction.
Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg and Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza also painted pieces.
They are all being auctioned by PBS Wisconsin to raise money for local arts organizations.
The mayor whose art garners the biggest bid gets to choose where to donate all of the money raised during the auction.
Should Frederickson win, that money would support the Rhinelander Community Foundation’s Hodag Park Project.
“I like the arts, I like music, I like poetry,” he says. “So I can’t wait to see the park come alive with those things.”
Bidding on the art ends November 27 on Shop Small Saturday.
Until then, Mayor Frederickson’s painting is being displayed at ArtStart.
