In April, VIVA Gallery in Viroqua welcomes John Craig of Soldiers Grove as guest artist. Craig is the winner of the 2013 People’s Choice Award at the Driftless Area Art Festival, an award underwritten by VIVA Gallery. His rare ability to combine art and humor won the hearts and votes of attendees at last fall’s festival, especially his latest exhibit of photo collages, ‘Lost Treasures from the Heart of the Driftless.’

Craig’s unique artwork, with its story-telling flair, has appeared in magazines and books, in advertising and in corporate brochures, on billboards and record album covers, even on pinball machines and watch faces. In all of his work, he experiments with “found color,” using bits of color and texture from materials found in candy wrappers, matchbooks, postcards, game boards, posters, magazines—in fact, anything printed.

Meet John and see his colorful and brilliantly creative collages at VIVA’s First Thursday reception on April 3 from 5 to 7 p.m..  The gallery is located at 217 South Main Street in Viroqua. For more information about this and future First Thursday events, contact the gallery at 608-637-6918 or info@vivagallery.net. John’s artwork will be on display at the gallery throughout the month of April, as will the work of all VIVA member artists.

The gallery’s First Thursday reception will be followed by a 7 p.m. dinner next door at Rooted Spoon Kitchen Table. Email rootedspoon@gmail.com or call 608-637-2223 to make reservations. The Rooted Spoon cash bar will be open during the reception.