RACINE — There are two things to know about Saturday’s open house at the 16th Street Studios in the Racine Arts and Business Center:

• The resident artists are excited to welcome the public to tour their studios.
• You can find a little bit of summer inside the expansive space.

That instant shot of summertime is thanks to Sarah Andersen, who fills her bright, sun-filled third-floor studio with her colorful acrylic paintings.

The retired art teacher, who taught at Forest Park elementary School in Kenosha, loves working in a space with 70-some artists.

“There’s so much energy, and everyone is so happy to be here,” she said. “I call this my happy place.”

Her work is influenced by nature.

“I’m a big-time gardener, and the environment is really important,” she said. “When I’m working here, I’m in a summer garden all winter long. People can stop in here and escape from the cares of the world for a while.”

She’s always loved painting — “you can do anything with paint” — and is hoping “for a good turnout on Saturday. Each of the artists here has their own style and way of looking at the world. It’s a good thing, and we need good things.”

Since the beginning

Susan Sorenson, who also works on the third floor, has been showing her paintings at the open house since 1986, when she was a guest artist.

She’s been in her own studio since 2004.

“I’ve always done art,” said Sorenson, who’s been drawing and painting since childhood. “It’s a different way of looking at life, and all artists create their own reality.”

She does a lot of collage work, which requires “composition, improvisation, rhythm and problem solving.”

The 16th Street Studios, she said, “is a great community of artists. I’ve met so many friends in this space over the years.”

Ceramic artist

While Sorenson is a longtime resident artist in the studios, Nate Hunter is somewhat of a new kid on the block.

The ceramic artist moved to the building about two years ago — and he’s already in his second space, now on the first floor.

“I needed a bigger space here,” he said, walking around the expansive studio No. 1470.

The Kenosha artist, who does his art full time, describes his work as “functional and sculptural ceramics.”

Hunter started working in ceramics in 2001.

“I took a class at UW-Parkside and fell in love with it on the first day,” he said.

A big part of his work is making pottery pet bowls.

“I started that in January, after buying the business,” he said. “It’s wholesale. I sell the bowls to stores all over the country.”

During Saturday’s event, he’ll be selling “overstocks and seconds, with good deals on pet bowls here in the studio,” along with his ceramic art, too.

The best part of his new space … besides all the space? He was a door “leading to my own loading dock. I  can drive right up and unload items.”

The open house, he added, “is such a fun event, with lots of food and artwork all over. It brings people into our building and shows that we really do have n art scene here.”

Keep on pushing

Robert Mayer, who does ceramics in his second-floor studio, enjoys “sharing ideas here with other artists. I like the team aspect, which helps with the creative process. We critique each other’s works and feed off that. It makes you a better artist.”

Mayer, who was an art teacher and then a landscape architect for 38 years, is always “challenging myself to do something different. I try to do work that takes me out of my comfort zone.”

The open house “is a great way to get people here. A lot of people who live in Racine don’t even know this place exists, but it’s really a great building and a great community of artists.”

The year of the metal

When you walk into Rebecca Bissi’s studio, you never know what you’ll encounter.

The retired fashion designer started off painting florals — which she still does — and also creates 3D works by pounding carpenter nails or stainless steel bolts into a canvas and adding Swarovski crystals.

“I don’t look at this as a sales event,” Rebecca Bissi said of the open house. “It’s just a really nice way to welcome people to come and see a working art studio.”

Bissi works out of a 1,200-square-foot fourth floor studio that offers ample space — and light — for her large-scale works.

This year, she’s been working in metals.

“CM Routing Co., next door here, had these little metal cubes in their garbage,” she said. “I went over and talked to them and bought some to incorporate into these new pieces.”

The metal works, and the Swarovski crystals, take on different looks depending on the lighting.

“It’s a fresh take on this whole concept,” Bissi said.

She’s been working on items for the holiday open house since June and designed her studio space around the pieces for a cohesive look.

As for 2024? She’ll be busy “working on room dividers and black-and-white flowers.”

‘A great space’

Kenosha artist Missy Isely-Poltrock has worked at the building for four years and loves “the history of this building.”

Her artwork includes abstract collages that often feature images of angels.

“I think there are all kinds of signs of angels in the world,” she explained, “and I like to bring them to people’s attention.”

One of her latest projects includes adding Pennoyer Park sea glass to her angel pieces.

“I have a great love for Lake Michigan,” said Isely-Poltrock, who says working on art “is a sanity issue for me. I get things out of my system that way. Sanity is one of my main reasons for loving art.”

As for the historic building itself, Isely-Poltrock even likes the smell of the place, which has housed various businesses for more than 150 years.

“I just love this space,” she said. “It’s got that ‘old building’ smell, and I love the energy of the place and all the people here. I hope people come on Saturday and wander around, going into different studios.

Other stops

Also in the 16th Street Studios:

• Draw Joseph in Suite 1204 is an art figure drawing studio. Tuesday Night Open Draw, is 6 to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday. There is also a monthly portrait session from 1 to 3:30 the second Sunday of each month. Sessions are open to the public and are free. Art supplies are provided.
• Madam D’s, Suite 2390, is a store featuring vintage jewelry, vintage and boutique clothing and accessories. 
• The Old Book Corner, Suite 2343, features a large variety of fine bindings, poetry, vintage and classic children’s, Wisconsin history, Civil War history, general history, Scottish and Celtic, classic novels, biography and books on theology and worlds religion.
• Dale’s Upstairs Gallery, Suite 4612W, buys and sells vintage art, antiques and artifacts.

——————-

What: 27th anniversary open house and holiday art market

Where: 16th Street Studios in the Racine Arts and Business Center, 1405 16th St.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2

Admission: Free

Details: More than70 artists who have studios in the 550,000-square-foot mixed use industrial building open their spaces to the public. Visitors can meet with the artists and purchase paintings, drawings, collage, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, photographs and more. 

Food: Chit and Chaat will be serving Italian and Pakistani food, including sweets, in the building’s second floor café, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Also on Saturday: The “Spirit of Racine Entrepreneurs Exhibit,” also at the Racine Business Center, hosts an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. The exhibit features Racine memorabilia, including an original toy Mitchell wagon, a candy-making machine from the Racine Confectioner’s Machinery Co., the original Nelson Dime Store sign, political posters and an old pinball machine, all made in the building. Donations of old Racine memorabilia are always welcome.

Getting there: Free parking is available on the street and in the east and west lots. Visitors should enter the building on its north side at either of its two entrances, identified by canopies carrying the avenue numbers, 1405 and 1515. Greeters will provide maps and directions to elevators and stairways.

About the building: The Racine Arts and Business Center bills itself as “the oldest business incubator in the United States.” The brick complex was constructed around 1865. In 1995, artists began occupying space in studios that boast exposed brick and beams and large windows.

More information: facebook.com/16thstreetstudios

• The resident artists are excited to welcome the public to tour their studios.
• You can find a little bit of summer inside the expansive space.

That instant shot of summertime is thanks to Sarah Andersen, who fills her bright, sun-filled third-floor studio with her colorful acrylic paintings.

The retired art teacher, who taught at Forest Park elementary School in Kenosha, loves working in a space with 70-some artists.

“There’s so much energy, and everyone is so happy to be here,” she said. “I call this my happy place.”

Her work is influenced by nature.

“I’m a big-time gardener, and the environment is really important,” she said. “When I’m working here, I’m in a summer garden all winter long. People can stop in here and escape from the cares of the world for a while.”

She’s always loved painting — “you can do anything with paint” — and is hoping “for a good turnout on Saturday. Each of the artists here has their own style and way of looking at the world. It’s a good thing, and we need good things.”

Since the beginning

Susan Sorenson, who also works on the third floor, has been showing her paintings at the open house since 1986, when she was a guest artist.

She’s been in her own studio since 2004.

“I’ve always done art,” said Sorenson, who’s been drawing and painting since childhood. “It’s a different way of looking at life, and all artists create their own reality.”

She does a lot of collage work, which requires “composition, improvisation, rhythm and problem solving.”

The 16th Street Studios, she said, “is a great community of artists. I’ve met so many friends in this space over the years.”

Ceramic artist

While Sorenson is a longtime resident artist in the studios, Nate Hunter is somewhat of a new kid on the block.

The ceramic artist moved to the building about two years ago — and he’s already in his second space, now on the first floor.

“I needed a bigger space here,” he said, walking around the expansive studio No. 1470.

The Kenosha artist, who does his art full time, describes his work as “functional and sculptural ceramics.”

Hunter started working in ceramics in 2001.

“I took a class at UW-Parkside and fell in love with it on the first day,” he said.

A big part of his work is making pottery pet bowls.

“I started that in January, after buying the business,” he said. “It’s wholesale. I sell the bowls to stores all over the country.”

During Saturday’s event, he’ll be selling “overstocks and seconds, with good deals on pet bowls here in the studio,” along with his ceramic art, too.

The best part of his new space … besides all the space? He has a door “leading to my own loading dock. I can drive right up and unload items.”

The open house, he added, “is such a fun event, with lots of food and artwork all over. It brings people into our building and shows that we really do have an art scene here.”

Keep on pushing

Robert Mayer, who does ceramics in his second-floor studio, enjoys “sharing ideas here with other artists. I like the team aspect, which helps with the creative process. We critique each other’s works and feed off that. It makes you a better artist.”

Mayer, who was an art teacher and then a landscape architect for 38 years, is always “challenging myself to do something different. I try to do work that takes me out of my comfort zone.”

The open house “is a great way to get people here. A lot of people who live in Racine don’t even know this place exists, but it’s really a great building and a great community of artists.”

The year of the metal

When you walk into Rebecca Bissi’s studio, you never know what you’ll encounter.

The retired fashion designer started off painting florals — which she still does — and also creates 3D works by pounding carpenter nails or stainless steel bolts into a canvas and adding Swarovski crystals.

“I don’t look at this as a sales event,” Rebecca Bissi said of the open house. “It’s just a really nice way to welcome people to come and see a working art studio.”

Bissi works out of a 1,200-square-foot fourth floor studio that offers ample space — and light — for her large-scale works.

This year, she’s been working in metals.

“CM Routing Co., next door here, had these little metal cubes in their garbage,” she said. “I went over and talked to them and bought some to incorporate into these new pieces.”

The metal works, and the Swarovski crystals, take on different looks depending on the lighting.

“It’s a fresh take on this whole concept,” Bissi said.

She’s been working on items for the holiday open house since June and designed her studio space around the pieces for a cohesive look.

As for 2024? She’ll be busy “working on room dividers and black-and-white flowers.”

‘A great space’

Kenosha artist Missy Isely-Poltrock has worked at the building for four years and loves “the history of this building.”

Her artwork includes abstract collages that often feature images of angels.

“I think there are all kinds of signs of angels in the world,” she explained, “and I like to bring them to people’s attention.”

One of her latest projects includes adding Pennoyer Park sea glass to her angel pieces.

“I have a great love for Lake Michigan,” said Isely-Poltrock, who says working on art “is a sanity issue for me. I get things out of my system that way. Sanity is one of my main reasons for loving art.”

As for the historic building itself, Isely-Poltrock even likes the smell of the place, which has housed various businesses for more than 150 years.

“I just love this space,” she said. “It’s got that ‘old building’ smell, and I love the energy of the place and all the people here. I hope people come on Saturday and wander around, going into different studios.

Other stops

Also in the 16th Street Studios:

• Draw Joseph in Suite 1204 is an art figure drawing studio. Tuesday Night Open Draw, is 6 to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday. There is also a monthly portrait session from 1 to 3:30 the second Sunday of each month. Sessions are open to the public and are free. Art supplies are provided.
• Madam D’s, Suite 2390, is a store featuring vintage jewelry, vintage and boutique clothing and accessories.
• The Old Book Corner, Suite 2343, features a large variety of fine bindings, poetry, vintage and classic children’s, Wisconsin history, Civil War history, general history, Scottish and Celtic, classic novels, biography and books on theology and worlds religion.
• Dale’s Upstairs Gallery, Suite 4612W, buys and sells vintage art, antiques and artifacts.