Wauwatosa Husband and Wife Team to Hold Art Show in Whitewater

Wauwatosa couple Julia Collins and Ron Zdroik will exhibit their art at the Whitewater Arts Alliance’s Cultural Arts Center, 402 West Main Street, from April 1 to April 24, 2016. The show, "ART X 2," will be free and open to the public each Thursday through Sunday between the hours of noon and 5 p.m. from April 1 to April 24. Visitors can meet Ron and Julia at a free opening reception at the CAC on Sunday, April 3 from noon to 5 p.m.

Ron Zdroik’s work was exhibited at the CAC in 2013, and Ron and Julia have both created art for the Whitewater Arts Alliance Public Arts Project for several years.

Julia Collins will feature her paintings, drawings, glass and pastels. She retired from the graphic arts industry in 1989 where her job included silk-screen printing, layout, and designs for trade show exhibits. Among her list of accomplishment are two “awards of honor,” two “awards of excellence,” one “best of show,” and a blue ribbon received at the age of five from the Lake County Fair in Illinois for a finger painting of a little girl looking at some hapless beast in circus cage. She continues to pursue her artistic endeavors simply for the challenge and satisfaction it provides her.

Julia said, “Circumstances at the work-place encouraged my decision to retire quite early in my career. Otherwise, as you read this article, I would be roughly 92 years old. On the outside chance that I might one day celebrate a 92nd birthday, I would hope to still be engaged in what I love and seem to be best suited for…which is artwork. Hopefully I manage to create something beautiful, thought-provoking or just plain fun for other people to enjoy.”

Ron Zdroik will feature his woodturnings, including wood with metal, airbrush and piercing. Following school he started his own small graphic design company. For 20 years as owner/operator he designed, illustrated and produced logos, brochures and advertising literature. He created trade show displays, built scale models, designed homes, drew antique cars, Harley Davidson motorcycles and consumer products by the thousands. In 2002, Ryan, Kromholz & Manion asked him to join their patent law firm in Brookfield, WI, where he wears many hats, but his primary function is interpreting and illustrating inventions to be submitted for patent applications. In the past he has been involved in countless artistic pursuits including, but not limited to airbrush painting, making custom furniture, photography,
pen and ink drawings, and scratchboard.

Ron said, “Currently my focus is mostly wood turning. I design and create vases and bowls incorporating my knowledge of metalworking, airbrush painting, decorative piercing and wood bending.”

Whitewater Arts Alliance President Linda Long is delighted to welcome this dynamic duo to the CAC. She said, “We are so pleased to have Ron return with some of his work, as it was quite popular with our visitors. And we are even more pleased to feature Julia's work as well this time. She is an amazing talent who creates with bold color and whimsy. I hope everyone gets a chance to come see this wonderful show by two gifted artists.”

Whitewater’s Cultural Arts Center is located on 402 West Main Street in the historic White building near the Birge Fountain. Parking is behind the building, with an elevator available from the parking lot entrance. Parking is also available on side streets.

The mission of the Whitewater Arts Alliance is to promote the visual and performing arts through an alliance of artists, individuals, educational resources, and organizations to promote creativity and diversity that will serve to educate and enrich the lives of the residents of the Whitewater community and surrounding areas.