Wisconsin Rapids Artist Receives First Place in Inaugural Paint Wisconsin Exhibit

Thursday, September 4th, 2025 -- 10:01 AM

(Sirena Mankins, Hub City Times) Central Wisconsin watercolor artist and retired art teacher Connie Henke has claimed first place in the inaugural Paint Wisconsin juried exhibition, a statewide competition celebrating artistic works that capture Wisconsin life.

According to Sirena Mankins with the Hub City Times, Henke, who taught in Wisconsin Rapids schools, received the top honor and $1,000 prize for “Winter’s Last Light,” a watercolor painting depicting a twilight scene inspired by a drive home from Greenwood.

“This award means so much to me, especially knowing it was judged by three highly respected jurors,” Henke said. “As an artist, it’s incredibly validating to have my work recognized in this way; it reminds me why I do what I do and inspires me to keep creating.”

The competition, organized by the Whitewater Arts Alliance, drew artists from across Wisconsin to submit works reflecting “the essence and aesthetics of life in Wisconsin.” Henke’s winning piece captures a moment from a family visit.

“Color motivates my creative energy, as does the interaction of line, shape, texture, light and composition,” Henke explained. “This particular piece captures a moment from our drive home after visiting family in Greenwood. It was twilight on a chilly day, the snow was beginning to melt, and the sunset was simply stunning.”

Henke taught art in the Wisconsin Rapids area for more than 30 years before retiring in 2021, earning recognition as Wisconsin’s Elementary Art Teacher of the Year in 2016.

She was also named Teacher of the Year in 2006. Her students received numerous local and state art awards during her tenure, including a Governor’s Award in 2019.

Since retirement, Henke has focused more intensively on her own artistic practice. “I can dedicate more time to practicing my art and continuing my education; there’s always more to learn and explore,” she said.

The competition honored the late Marilyn Fuerstenberg, a founding member of the Whitewater Arts Alliance whose watercolor career spanned more than 35 years.

Three prominent Wisconsin art figures judged the exhibition: Thomas Jewell, a renowned representational artist; Frank Juárez, publisher of Artdose magazine and editor-in-chief of SchoolArts magazine; and Graeme Reid, Director of Collections and Exhibitions at the Museum of Wisconsin Art.

Henke said she draws inspiration from Wisconsin’s natural beauty. “I’m especially drawn to flowers, landscapes, and fall leaves, subjects found in abundance here in Wisconsin,” she said.

Her work appears in private collections and at Marshfield Clinic locations in Wisconsin Rapids and Weston. She was accepted into the Wisconsin Watercolor Society in 2023.

The exhibition runs through Sept. 10 at the Whitewater Arts Alliance Cultural Arts Center Gallery and Roberta’s Art Gallery on the UW-Whitewater campus. For emerging Wisconsin artists, Henke offers practical advice: “Keep learning, keep creating, and don’t give up. One critique or rejection isn’t the end: enter shows, share your work, and keep going!”

Henke’s work can be viewed at conniehenkefineart.com.

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