The Alexander House is a center for art and history in our community. The current exhibition features Jody Beighley and Doug Witz.
By Melissa Kaye
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (WFHR, WIRI) – The Alexander House in Port Edwards is currently featuring artists Jody Beighley and Doug Witz. The house is a combination art gallery and historical museum. The art displays change throughout the year, featuring artists from all across the state.
The current exhibit showcases “The Small Town Landscape by Jody Beighley”. Jody is from Plover, Wisconsin and is a colored pencil artist. Her beautifully rendered and framed drawings depict homes and landscaping in the streets of small towns. “The Miniature World of Doug Witz” includes clever sculptures in a wide array of settings, including one of the artist himself. Doug is from West Bend, Wisconsin. This art exhibit will continue through November 19th.
The Alexander House was built in 1934. The home hasn’t changed much with only slight remodeling to make the house handicap accessible and to meet state standards. The historical museum emphasizes local lumbering and papermaking exhibits. You can see these displays in the bedrooms upstairs. The art gallery located on the main level, features the current exhibits. The gallery areas contain furniture in keeping with the colonial style architecture. Visitors can view the art displays in comfort and at their leisure.
The home was purchased in 1990 by the Alexander Charitable Foundation. It opened in the spring of 1991 for their first art show. The Alexander House has had over 94-thousand guests with over 230 art exhibits to date. The home is available for use, free of charge, to non-profit groups that meet on a regular basis. A recently remodeled meeting room in the lower level has adjustable lighting and audio visual equipment available to accommodate a variety of presentations and meetings. Meals can be served, but not cooked in the home.
The next art display will be a solo art exhibition by William Karberg of Port Edwards. William does two and three dimensional work. The exhibit will open on November 22nd with an opening reception from 5 to 8 PM and you’ll be able to meet the artist. It will continue through January 7th, 2025. The Alexander House is located at 1131 Wisconsin River Drive in Port Edwards. They are regularly open to the public on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 1 to 4 PM.
