FOR VISUAL ARTISTS. Artfluence, a new resource created specifically with Chippewa Valley visual artists in mind, is now up and running online.

After years of conversation, artists and galleries throughout Eau Claire have joined forces to create a ‘one-stop-shop’ website, Artfluence, for all things fine art in the area.

The Artfluence landing page was brought to life by local organizations Decadent Gifts & Gallery, Visit Eau Claire, 2 Roots Art & Wine Gallery, Pablo Center at the Confluence, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Ruth Foster Art Gallery and more.

Together, each brings its own opportunities to encourage active engagement between local artists and the broader community.

Embedded in the website are links to portfolios of current artists in the Valley, contacts to connect with new creatives, calls to artists for galleries, groups and organizations that offer support to local artists and more.

Patricia Hawkenson and Leighton Hahn, two organizers behind Artfluence, formed a committee of artists and art enthusiasts to see the vision of Artfluence through and bring new possibilities to the public’s fingertips. 

The goal is not to change anything about the partnered galleries or organizations, the duo said, rather to further uplift these resources in the area.

“We’re not trying to take away from any of the things that are already happening,” Hawkenson said. “We’re just excited about these things and we’re trying to bring more attention to them.”

Explore the Artfluence website's blogs posts, featured events and more.

Every three months there will be a rotation of featured artists from the Chippewa Valley, with a portfolio of their work displayed on the website.

Hahn said internationally-recognized artists from Eau Claire, including Elizabeth Griggs – also known as Metalsmith Liz – a local jeweler who has presented her works in Milan, Italy, proves that within our own city there has long been a rich display of artists across many disciplines.

Other regional artists in the Artfluence registry include photographer Karen Clark, oil painter Naomi Tiry Salgado and wood turner Garry Rambo.

Visitors to the Artfluence landing page can find a listing of creatives ranging in mediums from blown glass to art therapy. Local businesses such as Half Moon Clay, The Post House, Ambient Inks, Bowers Art and Art Works Plus can also be found on the registry with owner or artist’s name, contact, website links and addresses.

Visit Eau Claire, one of the Artfluence partners, provides resources to inform viewers on art events happening within the Valley including the Sculpture Tour and Color Block of Eau Claire.

“We promote our city to visitors as this arts hub, full of arts and culture and that ‘Midwest indie vibe,’” Demi Mulry, director of marketing for Visit Eau Claire said. “We really value individuality, originality and creativity.”

“To have a resource like this just kind of proves Eau Claire is what we’re saying it is,” Mulry continued.

As Artfluence continues to take shape, Hahn said its committee members intend to create an art festival and work to further educate the community on emerging fine artists in the Chippewa Valley.

View the complete Artfluence webpage – with a rotating list of local art events and galleries on display – online at artfluenceec.com.