Art Forward: Sputnikfest Returns!

The following article was written by Rahr-West Art Museum Staff for the Art Forward series. 

 

Just as a piece of the Russian Sputnik IV spacecraft returned to Earth in 1962, Sputnikfestreturned to Manitowoc last Saturday after taking a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We had it all! There were favorites like live music from Bazooka Joe, costume contests, the Alien Drop raffle, and visits by members of the 501st Legion. Former RWAM Board President/current RWAM Foundation Board Member Amy Fricke Weigel and Museum Director Greg Vadney co-chairs of Sputnikfest made a few changes in the constellation of Manitowoc’s favorite festival.

Many people might not know, but this community festival is a fundraiser for the Rahr-West Art Museum, supporting operations, collections management, education, and special projects.  This year we developed relationships with sponsors.  Fricke Weigel and Vadney were thrilled to have Bank First on board as astronomical presenting sponsor for the event.  Without sponsorships the event would have been a black hole. Thank you to all our out-of-this-world sponsors:Community First Credit Union, Fricke Printing Service, Manitowoc: A Wellbilt Brand, Americollect, Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport, Cher-Make Authentic Sausage, Dental Park, KWikTrip, Shoreline Hometown Credit Union, The Tim and Ann Salutz Family, Pozorski Hauling & Recycling, Orthopedics & Sports Medicine BayCare Clinic, Central Bark, Culvers, Meijer, Fox’s Piggly Wiggly, Pilotsmith, SS Badger, Strand Adventures, and What the Lock.

Given the Rahr-West Art Museum had construction activities planned for this summer and fall,the footprint of the event had to change.  Almost all the activities took place across the universe of 8th Street on Park Street and in the St. Francis Parish Office Parking lot, conveniently located across the crash site from the Museum.

This year Fricke Weigel and Vadney added a whole new component to the day: a 5K Run/Walk that took participants past public artworks in Manitowoc with the finish line being right over the Sputnik Crash site!  Seventy people participated (about twenty were in costume!) and Fricke Wiegel reported that feedback was very positive. “A lot of people said they lived here in townand they saw whole different areas of Manitowoc [and the cosmos],” she stated. The 5K Art Run/Walk, spectacularly organized by running enthusiast and friend of the museum Sara Kinsella, was sponsored by Community First Credit Union and Fricke Printing Service with additional support from Anton & Michelle Doneff, Custom Health Pharmacy, Festival Foods, Hamann Construction Company, Meijer, Nash, Spindler, Grimstad & McCracken, Shipbuilders Credit Union, and TA Motorsports.

We joined forces with the Lakeshore Artists Guild and ArtSlam to provide a richer art experience for attendees.  Cheryl Mahowald, President of the Lakeshore Artist Guild, was particularly pleased with the turnout on the terrestrial grounds for the hands-on art projects. A “drop in and draw” activity was particularly good at engaging kids and adults together with parents taking the time to sit down and make art with their kids.  A former Ms. Space Debris served as model.  ArtSlam also featured Cosmic Kids Creation Stations with tie-dye and rocket-building, a living statue, and Live Painting with artist Lucas Bagemehl.

ArtSlam will continue at the Museum in the form of an exhibit through October 17, 2021. Twenty-one artists participated in the artist challenge and their works that all relate to the prompt “Space.” They will be on exhibit at the Rahr-West Art Museum beginning with a reception this Friday, September 17, 2021 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

Another new event this year was an evening performance by “Let Me Be Frank Productions” of the comedy Sputnik Manitowoc. This hilarious group created a musical and laughter-filled performance centered on the 1962 crash on 8th Street. The addition of these professional entertainers “took the night to a [cosmic] new level,” says Vadney.

All in all, Sputnikfest 2021 was a successful mission with galaxies of visitors enjoying the festivities and learning about a unique and interesting event from our history.  In addition, there was ample support from ground control: including police, fire, building and grounds, parks, and streets departments.  If you are interested in helping and blasting off next year, get on our volunteer list by contacting us at rahrwest@manitowoc.org.