In May VIVA Gallery in Viroqua welcomes watercolor artist Pete Sandker as guest artist.  Pete’s beautiful paintings reflect his inspiration from his life in southwestern Wisconsin and also time spent in Maine.   The mix of Wisconsin woods and the nautical themes of Maine are evident in his works. 

“I have spent a lot of time trying not to be an artist, but I have found that I can’t escape it,” Sandker said.

Sandker, who currently lives in Madison, grew up in southwest Wisconsin on a goat farm.  Growing up, he spent all of his time with family milking goats and living simply, only making a trip to town once every two weeks.  Almost all the time in his formative early years was spent outdoors and in the woods with his brothers.   This love of the wild and woods continues to this day and informs and inspires his paintings.  Pete is a self-taught artist whose work has been shown at several galleries in Portland, Maine.  His current work is also being shown at the Artist Annex in Mineral Point, WI and Flow Art Space in Minneapolis. 

The gallery’s First Thursday event will again be followed by a dinner next door at Rooted Spoon Kitchen Table.  A set menu of local, seasonal foods, inspired by the artist’s work, will be offered for $21.00.  Please make reservations by calling 608-627-2223 or emailing rootedspoon@gmail.com.

Meet Sandker and view his work at VIVA’s First Thursday reception on May 3 from 5 - 7 pm.  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.  You may see Pete Sandker’s work at the gallery throughout the month of May, as well as the work of 17 member artists from our area.