Community ArtShare

T. B. Scott Library’s Community ArtShare program originated in 2006 with a $10,000 grant from the Mead Witter Foundation, Inc. with which secure display cases, easels, and other items were procured that have enabled the library to become a place for local artists and collectors to display their creations and hobbies. Displays featuring one or more artists or collectors are featured each month on an ongoing basis.

Precious Pet Portraits by Peggy McDowell

March – April 2024

Beyond Books Community ArtShare Exhibit presents: Precious Pet Portraits by Peggy McDowell. These one-of-a-kind masterpieces will be on display March-April in the historic Carnegie Wing of the T. B. Scott Free Library.

Peggy has been a resident of Tomahawk for 25 years and has two grown children. She graduated from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (originally Milwaukee School of the Arts) after transferring from Layton School of Art in Milwaukee which closed her junior year. She discovered her new-found family of misfits at art school and has been creating art ever since. After graduating, Peggy did whatever art jobs that came along including custom painted needlepoint canvases.

Throughout the years, Peggy has enjoyed dabbling in various kinds of art before finding her niche in pet portraits. These distinctive pieces of art are created as collage drawings which include scrap book papers, ink, and Prismacolor pencils. Peggy will be displaying digital prints of the originals which were all commissioned for specific families.

Currently Peggy has done over 500 pet portraits and hundreds of other works including illustrating a dozen different books. She has bicycle art at Tomahawk’s Coaster Cycle Works and greeting cards at the Knot Haus. Peggy has also created an original tarot deck called, “Breaking the Rules Tarot.” She loves doing tarot readings from her deck for parties and at the annual Tomahawk’s Mother’s Day weekend wine walk.

Peggy opened her art studio in the old surplus storefront when she moved to Tomahawk. She named it Jester Studio because jesters were the only ones that could tell the truth to the king and not get beheaded. It is where she creates her artwork and all the things that are awaiting “new homes.” Peggy can also be found on Facebook at Jester Studio and Jester Studio Pet Portraits.

Past Exhibits

2024

  • The Beauty of Fabric: Wall Quilts & Vintage Ties – Peter & Dian Ritter

2023

  • It’s all about perspective! – Chase Davis
  • Fish Out of Water – Arnie Plamann
  • Treasured Book Boxes – St. John School 5th and 6th graders
  • Homemade Art – Local Homeschooled Children
  • Wait, that’s LEGO too? – Tim and Dawn Dunbar
  • Tena’s Kitchen Collectables – Tena Gnewuch
  • Into the Fold: Origami – Troy Hanson

2022

  • Baskets Galore and More by Cindy Leskey
  • Merrill Memorabilia – Leidiger Brewing Company
  • Wait, That’s LEGO? – Tim & Dawn Dunbar
  • Fins and Feathers of the Northwoods – Bill Pittman
  • Rocks, Canvas, and Coasters, Oh My! – Tom Lambrecht

2020

  • MAPS High School Seniors Students’ Art Exhibit
  • Conversations with God artwork by Ann M. Jaroski

2019

  • Borzoi: The Hounds of Russia from the Private Collection of Resolute Farms
  • Nautical Instruments from the Private Collection of Carl Weinert
  • MAPS High School Seniors Students’ Art Exhibit
  • Working Warriors: Military Life Beyond Combat – provided courtesy of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum

2018

  • Buttons: Advent, Christmas, Bingo and More! from the Private Collection of Kathleen Marquardt
  • “Wire & Found Object” Sculptures by David Jones
  • Photography of Tom Algire
  • For the Love of Snoopy: Private Collection
  • MAPS High School Seniors Students’ Art Exhibit
  • Pocket Watches: Robbie Johnson

2017

  • Breyer Model Horses: Esther Trostle
  • Wisconsin Remembers Traveling Exhibit
  • Origami Creations: Troy Hanson
  • Universal Creations: Xoché Heller
  • Mini Art Fair: Local Artists
  • MAPS High School Senior Students’ Art Exhibit
  • Portraits of Personalities: David L. Sladky

T.B. Scott Free Library
106 West First Street
Merrill, WI 54452

Telephone (715) 536 - 7191

Monday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Tuesday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Wednesday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday: Closed

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