Our MIssion
LOLA is dedicated to promoting the arts in Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. LOLA will support local artists in fulfilling their artistic potential while also bringing enrichment, arts education and beautification to the people of the area, which contributes to the vitality of the larger community.
Our Story
Land O’ Lakes Area Artisans was created by a group of individuals enthusiastic about all artistic disciplines: painting, music, photography, theater, pottery, woodcarving, writing, jewelry-making, drawing, sculpture, dance and much, much more.
A public survey was conducted regarding interest in developing the arts resources in the Land O' Lakes area. The response was overwhelming that residents desired improved and increased availability to arts education and cultural events. In 2008, a planning committee of enthusiastic artists and community members was formed and LOLA was born.
LOLA had two main goals. The first was to establish non-profit arts programming and bring arts classes of all types and disciplines to patrons of all ages. Community input was a large factor in class development. In the beginning, classes were taught pro bono by area artists. Today, LOLA is able to provide paid teaching opportunities for our diverse faculty of guest artists.
LOLA's second goal was to encourage local artists to organize their efforts and establish a local gallery space to display and sell their work and provide creative economic support to the community. The result was the formation of Artistree Gallery Cooperative, a separate for-profit business with 30+ artist members. Members of this collective were some of the first guest artists and teachers to share their talents with LOLA students.
Today, Artistree Gallery Cooperative rents their gallery space in the LOLA Arts Building, providing LOLA with a welcoming storefront and art-centered environment surrounding our non-profit programming. Many gallery artists also volunteer time at LOLA events and continue to teach classes as part of our non-profit arts programming.
The founders of LOLA are still very involved in what we do today. They are dedicated to making sure these arts and their creators grow and flourish in the Northwoods of Wisconsin and the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Now entering our 10th year, LOLA continues to provide arts and culture opportunities with continued art education, arts demonstrations, exhibits, and other cultural programming.