In the beginning of June, I wrote about how summer was in full swing even though it had technically not started. Now, in October I’m hanging on to it like the beautiful summer-like weather. Our pieces for Cheese, Glorious Cheese — this year’s summer theme — are still on display throughout downtown. A celebration of all things Wisconsin, especially in the summer, our goal with this year’s theme was that you would find something new to appreciate with each new glance and that they would transport you — to happy memories, excite you with thoughts of plans and a bit of pride for all the glorious things about Wisconsin and what is right in front of you.
Like most things, the time has gone too quickly and the now that we are down to our final weeks with the pieces out, I’m that much more grateful for all the work and time people volunteered to bring it to life. It started by finding a company outside of Green Bay that specializes in fiberglass pieces. Coincidentally, this company makes several products for cheese companies in Wisconsin and, specifically, this area of the state. While they had not made a cheese wedge before, they were up to the challenge! A sample was shipped to us in December 2021. The rest were picked up on a freezing cold day in February thanks to a volunteer’s truck and trailer. That followed by sending out a call to artists.
From eager high school seniors to tattoo artists up for a challenge and professional artists, we are fortunate to live in a community that is filled with so many talented people. Each artist submitted proposals on what their wedge would be. Inspiration for the pieces includes childhood memories of being up north with grandparents, artwork that could only be done by one of Monroe’s own, or explosions of wildflowers in a field. It is truly amazing to me that so much depth could come from fiberglass shaped like a cheese wedge. They are all full of nuance and expression and details to capture and appreciate. Artistic styles run the gamut. There is one that was created, then digitized, printed, and installed by local business Paw Prints. Another was painted solely with spray (oil) paints (compared to acrylic). For another, sponsored by Bartel’s & Co and created by Rebecca Jablonski, we had to receive permission from University of Wisconsin’s Athletics Licensing Department. Behind the scenes photos from artists included wedges taking over dining and living rooms. Some couldn’t even fit through front doors and were painted outside as the weather cooperated. Each artist had approximately six weeks to complete it. From there, they were turned over to Bartel’s Sandblasting and Restoration.
We were fortunate enough to discover Bartel’s Sandblasting and Restoration in 2019 through one of the artists. Like then, Bartel’s sealed all of the wedges this year, insuring they will hold up indefinitely. Once they were sealed, volunteers devised and installed weighted bases. As you might have noticed, the bases were sealed to look like traditional cheese crates. Wedges were stored in the same volunteer’s trailer for a time. But bit by bit, it all came together.
And so, with all of that, it seems more than fair to hang on to everything about this summer — especially Cheese, Glorious Cheese — just a bit longer than the actual season. The pieces will be out until November 4th. Just long enough to hopefully take another look or two and reflect on all the memories made this summer, (newfound) pride in the areas shown, and appreciate the dedication of dozens of people who made it possible. In keeping with the theme, it is almost perfectly Wisconsin to stretch all that summer goodness as long as possible.
— Jordan Nordby is the executive director for Main Street Monroe. He can be reached at MonroeMainStreet@tds.net. Complete details on Main Street Monroe and its efforts can be found at mainstreetmonroe.org.
