LOCAL ARTIST AND HISTORIAN ADOLPH VANDERTIE TO RECEIVE GUBERNATORIAL COMMENDATION AT UPCOMING 95TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
GREEN BAY, WI, May 22, 2006 — Adolph Vandertie turns 95 years old this Thursday on what promises to be a momentous occasion marked by tribute, accolades, and an extraordinary commendation from the Governor’s office presented by Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmidt. The private celebration is being hosted by Jim Rivett, Paul Meinke, and local design firm, Arketype, at the Ashwaubenon Historical Society, May 25, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Nearing the centennial milestone is cause enough for anyone to earn a special celebration, but Vandertie’s longstanding contributions to preserving a unique folk art form have garnered him this special celebration, along with national prominence and the forthcoming recognition from Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle.
The gubernatorial commendation will recognize Vandertie’s “unique contribution as an artist, author, historian, advocate, and storyteller toward the culture of the Great State of Wisconsin.”
Crowned the “Grand Duke of the Hobos” by the national hobo community, Vandertie has created and amassed over 4,000 rare and beautiful pieces of tramp and hobo art. Parts of his collection are housed at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and with the Ashwaubenon Historical Society.
Vandertie was born and raised in the Green Bay area. He learned to whittle as a young boy by studying the craft as it was practiced in the hobo jungles where he spent much of his time during the Depression years.
Hobo and tramp art forms are entirely self-taught expressions, uniquely born of a wandering, independent spirit. Hobos whittle. Tramps carve. Both create objects from discarded items and found materials, recycling them into picture frames, jewelry boxes, functional furniture, and objects of whimsy.
Vandertie’s skillful whittling throughout his life, coupled with an ardent desire to preserve the vanishing art form resulted in his vast collection of artifacts. His lifelong artistic mission is the subject of a full-length documentary film currently under production by Arketype. The film’s anticipated release date is November 2006.
Arketype, Inc., delivers strategic marketing advantages to leaders of consumer and business-to-business brands, creating impossible-to-ignore design and advertising solutions. The national award-winning firm, established in 1992 and based in Green Bay, provides clients with diverse capabilities, from annual report design and integrated ad campaigns, to Website development, multimedia production, and original textile design. Arketype is led by co-principals Paul Meinke and Jim Rivett.
©2005 Arketype Inc
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