Student Comments

What past School of the Arts at Rhinelander participants say about their experience:

I love every minute – from setting up to tearing down. I wouldn’t miss this week for anything short of my own memorial service! (Torrey Youngstrum, Rhinelander WI)
I hadn’t been to SOA for a number of years. It was great to be back. (Mary Pradt, Brooklyn NY)
SOA is a great escape…a chance to leave the helter-skelter norm and pursue our heart’s desires with kindred spirits. I always hate to see it end. It means back to reality all too soon. (Kathy Lundy, Waukesha WI)
A wonderful chance to expand my horizons beyond my everyday. (Jim Huhn, North Oaks MN)
SOA has opened up new possibilities for me at this time in my life – having been newly retired. I leave here each year (this is my 3r year) believing anything is possible! (Diana Schuette, Spencer WI)
In only 2 years, the SOA has become a “family affair”- with me, my son and my husband all taking classes! Thank you, thank you, thank you! (Katy Berman, Des Plaines IL)
My first impression on walking into the school was of an air of excitement and cheerfulness, and most importantly, acceptance. I say that because I did not believe I had enough talent to be attending SOA. I was wrong! I was encouraged and never felt uncomfortable in my classes. Instructors were supportive and good teachers. I had fun, I learned, and felt a kinship with my fellow students. Thank you for providing a place to feel so good about oneself! (Norma Whisenant, Platteville WI)
"This was my first experience with the School of the Arts and I definitely plan to come back! Great learning experiences, helpful and caring instructors. The hardest part will be going back to the real world. I'd rather stay here!" (Emily Comstock, Sun Prarie, WI)
"I want to come here every year of my life from now on. I got a wonderful sense of renewal plus I learned so much. It was a beautiful experience, the instructors were wonderful, the people were very nice and I learned so much. I will be back next year." (Barbara Check, Oconomowoc, WI)
"I appreciate the opportunity offered by SOA to continue to grow, develop my potential and enrich my life." (Rose Schuenemann, Argonne, WI)
"I have enjoyed this intense week of creativity in a cross-curricular, multi-generational environment. Such a unique community of artists." (Barbara Miller, Evansville, WI)
"I just retired last year. This was the first year I was able to participate. I'm sold on the School of the Arts and I'm already looking forward to next year." (Barbara Vogel, Rhinelander, WI) "It was such a powerful week! I felt like I was on fire with creativity. What a week of inspiration!" (Janice Kaat, Sheboygan Falls, WI)
"My only true vacation during the year. I love being with other focused artists." (Jerold Belland, Racine, WI)
"The school is so well administered, has such a welcoming presence, instructors I've had are so fine, choices so wide-ranging, it's hard to think of improvements. Keep up the fine work! One of the great joys is the strength and courage received from all those who come here." (Eunice Wagner, Lake Mills, WI)
"This had been a perfect experience as I crossed the threshold into retirement." (John W. Biggs, Rhinelander, WI)
"Since this is my first experience at SOA, I had high expectations and I was very excited to learn new skills in photography. SOA achieved my expectations and went way beyond. I would definitely attend SOA next year and every year after that." (Lori Larson, Rhinelander, WI)
"I had the opportunity to learn about something I’ve always wanted to know more about in a casual atmosphere with an excellent instructor. I loved it!" (Jeff Elmer, Kaukauna, WI )
"First time participant...Enjoyed the experience and was impressed with the quality and organization." (Beverly Engstrom , Rhinelander, WI)
"Friendly, well organized learning experience for my wife and I during our annual summer trek to Wisconsin." (Bill Hotzfeld, Sun City, FL)
"I really improved my skills as a writer." (Jason M. Kolodzyk, West Allis, WI )
"Very relaxing, but stimulating atmosphere. Love the student to student interaction. I feel like I have made so many friends. The instructors are very supportive and will help in any way. You can tell that they enjoy this week as much as we do. They gave us extra time especially after class. I cannot wait until next year. Thanks for having this wonderful opportunity!" (Mary Bruskewitz, Middleton, WI)
"This has been one of the most enjoyable and satisfying educational experiences of my life." (Kathleen Magnuson, Eveleth, MN)
"I found everyone to be very friendly, especially the staff. The staff went out of their way to accommodate students. It was a positive experience." (Donna Gager, Brookfield, WI)
"Great vacation for my soul. Thank you." (Althea Schaepe, Merrill, WI) "Great program. Real mind expanding. Meeting others with varied experience is just great." (John Reinhardt, Madison, WI) "The non-competitive environment encourages experimentation and writing from the heart." (Scott Zesch, Art, TX)
"It is a super-charged week and I hate to leave when it is over. It's helped me alot." (J.K. Sheboygan Falls, WI)
"Excellent organization each year I've attended. You encourage artists and their ideas." (M.H. Holland, MI)
"It was another great week of learning and having fun. I don't want to go home yet!" (M.K. Madison, WI) "I am totally satisfied. This has been a wonderful experience, a way to nourish my soul. The whole week has been exciting and enriching." (T.K. Winona, MN)
"I've only attended this year and was very pleased with everything!" (J.J. Port Edwards, WI)
"I took two classes and both were fun as well as informative. I also enjoyed the evening programs." (M.S. Des Plaines, IL)
"I am going home inspired, energized and enthused!" (M.R. Milwaukee, WI) "Excellent overall experience." (P.H. Marshfield, WI)
"I absolutely loved it! The atmosphere and activities were so stimulating and rewarding." (P.L. Tampa, FL) "Wonderful! To learn simply for the sake of learning and exploring was so satisfying." (T.S. Green Bay, WI) "SOA makes it fun to go back to school again!" (M.H. Waunakee, WI)
"The wonderful thing I have discovered about School of the Arts, is that it benefits more people than just those who attend. I think the experience is so rich that it makes us better people, thus having a ripple effect on those who's lives we touch when we return home" (J.D. Oshkosh, WI)
"During my week at school of Arts, I immersed myself in the creative process, learning new things and reviving old skills. With no previous experience in darkroom photography, I found it thrilling to take a picture, develop the film and actually produce a black and white print. I am sure that I can take this excitement back to my students in the fall, as we explore the new darkroom at the high school together. " (T.K. Winona, MN)
"The class was large and dynamic, ideas and techniques flowed freely from the instructor Jerold Apps, and a delightful synergy formed between students who shared experiences, histories and problems together. A successful week full of new ideas; infusing my muse with renewed vigor." (C.M., Rhinelander, WI)