<![CDATA[Inspiration Studios - Blog]]>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:54:03 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Artful Lives]]>Mon, 07 Sep 2020 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.inspirationstudiosgallery.com/blog/the-house-of-bernarda-alba
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The House of Bernarda Alba

3/22/2018
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What a delight it has been to debut my directorial skills with the Village Playhouse production of THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA! 
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My cast is amazing! 
Our set looks amazing! 
Our costumes are coming along beautifully. 

I could not be more proud of the work we have put into this production. 

I can hardly wait to hear the responses from the audience. 

It's gonna be a great show!
-Erico
]]><![CDATA[FOUR YEARS!!!]]>Fri, 02 Mar 2018 15:18:17 GMThttps://www.inspirationstudiosgallery.com/blog/four-yearsPicture
Four years... FOUR YEARS! 

​I can hardly believe that it's been four years since the Grand Opening of Inspiration Studios... on a white, snow-covered March 1 of 2014.  So many amazing people came out to celebrate the opening and to partake in art-making activities, musical performances, theatre performance and improv.... and FOOD!  The generosity of people is sometimes overwhelming! 

I was captivated by the fun being created in the basement rehearsal space... by Riverwest artists, Jessica Laub and Renne Bebeau, and by Angie Zimmerman of Sheboygan... as children got their hands (and sometimes faces!) wet with paint and henna tattoes.  It was fun!

I recall being moved to tears by the musical talents of Candace Decker and Phil Smith.  I remember smiling through the Village Playhouse performance of THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE.  Sam McClain played a little Gospel music on our very temporary electronic keyboard.  (We received a donated grand piano shortly after!)  The Iberian Spanish Dancers provided live flamenco dances that thrilled the audience.  Alexis Fielek led the crowd, along with 6 members of the Village Playhouse, in a variety of improv theatre games... which had us in stitches.  And Donna Kummer, musical director extraordinaire, closed out our celebration with a 20-piece jazz band, playing amazing music, some of which accompanied vocals by Bill Jackson.

Art teacher, Becky Trochinski, provided the graphics for the announcement of the Grand Opening. 

Thom Ertl's exhibition of his assemblage art filled the gallery completely... and was such an inspiration for future artists who now saw the potential that I envisioned for the space.   

The physical changes to the venue have been substantial and significant.  With the help of so many volunteers, and especially my assistant, Casey (Jones) Paszkiewicz, we've still got some improvements to make to ensure that audiences have the best possible experience when they come view art exhibits, theatre performances, or concerts.  But we've come a LONG, LONG way.

At first, I was worried I would have to seek artists to exhibit in the gallery space.  Initially, that was the case.  I found artists at craft fairs who had never had a gallery exhibit.  I sought artists in Milwaukee and Sheboygan....and eventually names were forwarded to me.  So I had exhibitors from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia.....and most recently, an artist from Guatemala!  Please browse the pages under the ART tab to see all the talent that has exhibited on the gallery walls.  And now, the calendar for the next year gets filled by the time the current year has begun!  I no longer have to seek artists; they are seeking the intimace of Inspiration Studios as an ideal space for their solo or group exhibits.  It warms my heart... but it's a lot to keep up with.

We have painting parties now!  And they are SO MUCH FUN!  Again, take a look at all the photos under the PHOTO GALLERIES tab.

And the second floor has now become a place to house my personal artwork, as well as writing studios for Christi Craig and Pam Parker and Always-A-Better-You counseling services of Scott Thomas.

And I'm directing my first play with the Village Playhouse next month.  THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA opens April 6...and I've got an amazingly talented cast who were so excited about being able to perform a play by a Spanish playwright (in English, of course!) with an ALL-FEMALE cast!  I'm beyong pleased with their progress as a cast and the life they are putting into the words of Federico Garcia-Lorca.  So many of my former Spanish students are waiting anxiously for this production to open.  So am I. 

With the many triumphs, there hve been and will continue to be many challenges, but we still strive for the best.  And West Allis has been very welcoming, excited to see what we've brought to the city.  

Thanks for FOUR great years, everyone.  Here's looking forward to many, many MORE!

Whoever said that retirement might not be in my best interest?  Whew!  

Erico
]]><![CDATA[February 2017]]>Thu, 09 Feb 2017 01:57:26 GMThttps://www.inspirationstudiosgallery.com/blog/february-2017Hard to believe that March 1 will mark THREE years that Inspiration Studios has been open!  It has been an amazing ride so far.  So many talented artists have graced the walls with their creations.  So many amazing theatre productions have been presented to incredible audiences.  It has been a blessing to be able to enjoy bringing the arts to the heart of West Allis.

Great support is always important.  I've had that.  
Casey Paszkiewicz is a godsend--although I give her a hard time most of the time.
Scott Engel has taken photos of receptions, recitals, exhibit openings, and even theatre productions.  

I look forward to so much more.
Life is good.

Erico
]]><![CDATA[September 2016]]>Mon, 12 Sep 2016 18:17:47 GMThttps://www.inspirationstudiosgallery.com/blog/september-2016It's been ages since I've posted on here.  Life events have a way of taking over.

The past year has been filled with amazing art exhibits and theatre productions and concerts....even a flamenco dance concert last fall.  

More and more people are learning about Inspiration Studios, thanks to the wonderful press we've received and to the quality of work exhibited, both on stage and on the walls.

Challenges with owning an older building continue to require some spending and fundraising, but I've not been cast into the street yet, so I must be doing something right.

The main stage is occupied mostly by theatre productions presented by the Village Playhouse.  Please view their website for information abou their upcoming productions as part of this year's SEASON OF WOMEN.  

Katherine Beeson's Cream City Theatre (The IIceman Cometh, Same Time Next Year) and Deanna Strasse's Off-Book Players (All About Parker, New York) are making a permanent mark on our stage.

Musical performances have also increased on the main stage.  Bands are finding that the intimate setting is great for cabaret-style performances.  Mas Soul, Old Earth, and American Idol Finalist Steve Beguhn have graced the stage with wonderful shows.  I hope to bring more.

The second floor of the building now houses Dynamic Youth Syndicate, a service-oriented youth group setting their own direction under the guidance of WAWM's Jenny Statza and Leah Cornelius.  They've already made a great dent in the overall appearance of the second floor space and the outside.

Christi Craig has converted one of the rooms into The Writing Lab.  It will be fun to see how that develops as a part of our re-imaging of Inspiration Studios as an "arts center," something that the city officials wanted all along.  

My hope for Inspiration Studios is that it continue to be a source of inspiration for the community, for artists, for students, for theatre goers... potential writers and actors.  Even though the work is rough at times, it still feels like the right thing to have in my back pocket.

Erico   
]]><![CDATA[Summer Ends/Autumn Begins...]]>Wed, 14 Oct 2015 10:33:26 GMThttps://www.inspirationstudiosgallery.com/blog/summer-endsautumn-beginsIt was definitely a productive summer at Inspiration Studios.

The Village Playhouse produced a very successful 30th One Act Festival and a near sold out production of Midsummer Night's Dream.  The set was spectacular and the production exceeded some expectations.

Several new artists were able to exhibit their art in the gallery, experiencing some great receptions and sales.  
Roberto Carlos Rosado del Valle brought his talents from Puerto Rico with a colorful exhibit entitled "Closing In: Exposing The Details" which captured the memories and spirit of play and games of childhood.  Three painting parties were held under Roberto's tutelage, letting participants learn to enjoy art as a means of relaxing and enjoying the company of friends and new acquaintances.

Jack Long liquid sculpture photography was an amazing exhibit.  Capturing 1/10,000 second photographic images of water explosions....it was an incredibly beautiful show.

Siempre Flamenco performed for a sold out crowd during the Fire & Dance Concert on September 26.  It was a night to remember!

Sadly, the Village Playhouse lost one of its own in September.  We will miss your wit and your technical skills, Jerry Proffitt.  Thanks for all you did to promote theatre in southeastern Wisconsin.

​-Erico]]><![CDATA[March Madness...indeed!]]>Wed, 25 Mar 2015 18:51:43 GMThttps://www.inspirationstudiosgallery.com/blog/march-madnessindeedThere is so much to be thankful for... in terms of the direction that Inspiration Studios is taking.  So much interest has been generated by outside agencies and community representatives that it is becoming more and more difficult to keep up with a calendar that can accommodate all that's taking place:   
  • managing rehearsal schedules of one, two or three plays at a time
  • scheduling audition dates that won't conflict with rehearsal dates
  • meeting with potential exhibitors for future art exhibits
  • planning artist installations and receptions for upcoming exhibits
  • allowing for time and use by the resident I.S performing groups:  Village Playhouse and Skai Performing Academy
  • scheduling events by community organizations such as the Young Non-profit Professionals Network
  • allowing time for set construction that doesn't interfere with the many events already listed  

Add to that list, the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the building, such as:
  • acquiring PADDED seats for audience comfort.... all of which I'm trying to reupholster (with the help of Kevin Batcher)
  • acquiring VERY COOL shelves (hand-made to my specifications by Marshall Crick) that will allow for displaying of sale items and smaller 3D artwork
  • craeating a mosaic mural on the walls in the foyer adjacent to the bathrooms (YES, it's gonna happen, with the help of several artists!)

It's crazy-busy!  But it's GOOD and crazy!  
I wonder if I'll survive all the excitement....
-Erico]]><![CDATA[2015...arrived with a vengence!]]>Wed, 28 Jan 2015 17:22:19 GMThttps://www.inspirationstudiosgallery.com/blog/2015arrived-with-a-vengenceJanuary rehearsals are well under way for a variety of new shows and exhibits coming up at Inspiration Studios.  There has been a whirlwind of activity at the theatre.  Village Playhouse is rehearsing THREE shows at the same time:  


A Comedy in 3 Acts, written by VPW's very own Tom Zuehlke, will be presented the first week of February at Inspiration Studios and then travel to Baraboo for the AACTFEST Theatre Competition in mid-February.
All In The Timing, a series of 3 one-act comedies is being directed by the West Allis City Comptroller, Mark Wyss, and will run for three weekends in February at I.S. 
Rapunzel, our traveling children's show under the direction of JudyLee Tarbox, is adding finishing touches to set design and will be presented in March 21-22 at Inspiration Studios.  
"shutters/dead ends/lens/pens"--a collaborative exhibit by photographer William Zuback and writer/educator David Press also has a performance component, requiring evening rehearsals for the various receptions, Jan 31, Feb 1, and Feb 17, complete with staging of a multi-media presentation.  
The Skai Vocal Band rehearses regularly on Saturdays to prepare for their many performances throughout Southeastern Wisconsin.

And much more is in the works...

Inspiration Studios signage is being created by students from the West Allis/West Milwaukee School District.  We hope to have it up and lit soon.
Moon Over Buffalo auditions take place Feb 18-19 for the April production.
Inspiration Studios Painting Pary is being planned for February 26 at Urban Joe's Cafe, with the help of Diane Ulezelski of the West Allis/West Milwaukee School District.  Participants will be able to paint a still life painting or an abstract piece, under the guidance of two teaching artists.  It will be fun!
The Recovering Pessimist, an original play by Marianne Helms & Ralph Monganelli of Sheboygan, will hold auditions in early March for the debut production in May at Inspiration Studios.  The play awakens awareness of how perceptions and attitudes can alter our sense of reality.  Midge is coming...to her own funeral...and she's a hoot!  This show is up for anyone's taking to help fund their mental health clinics and programs.  I.S. gets to produce it FIRST!

And finally, the West Allis NOW is adding an Arts & Entertainment Page (very exciting) and I have been asked to write the contents of the page (even MORE exciting!)  This is exciting...and challenging...but it should help to promote the arts in and around West Allis.  

January has been a busy month!  And the weather has cooperated greatly.

Erico]]><![CDATA[Busy times ahead...]]>Tue, 04 Nov 2014 16:27:57 GMThttps://www.inspirationstudiosgallery.com/blog/busy-times-aheadPicture
The Rotary Club of West Allis held a great social gathering at I.S. on Thursday, Oct 30.  It was a delight to meet so many of the people who have helped to shape West Allis through their professional and charitable work.  Mayor Dan Devine made a special appearance and was able to speak of the great developments in West Allis... one of which is Inspiration Studios! 

Electrical work is being completed to add much needed lighting to the outside of the building... now that the skies are dark earlier and earlier... to highlight the beautiful banners that advertise what I.S. is promoting in the community.  

Today the American Girl exhibit goes into the gallery:  Meet Allison--An American Girl.  It has already drawn the attention of Milwaukee Magazine who wrote an article about the exhibit in their November edition.

And this is tech week for THE ICEMAN COMETH, the debut production of the Cream City Theatre, directed by Katherine Beesom which opens this Friday for a two-weekend run.  A cast of 19 characters will perform this staged reading... hopefully to a sold-out crowd.

Connections made with local community organizations and individuals are helping to draw more and more attention to this venue...and to the possibility of collaborations that will help foster the arts in West Allis.  I'm looking forward to bringing theatre projects from other states and planning art events with or at local restaurants/cafes. (Joe already wants a painting party at Urban Joe's!  "The sooner, the better!" he said.)  
 
And reservation requests continue to filter in from local theatre groups that would like to use the space for their own specific projects.  It can be a juggling act trying to fit it all in, but it's certainly worth the effort.  I'm not a fan of the cold weather, but winter looks promising right about now.  -Erico
]]><![CDATA[Fall is here!]]>Wed, 15 Oct 2014 10:37:56 GMThttps://www.inspirationstudiosgallery.com/blog/fall-is-hereIt was an eventful summer.  Several exhibits.  Several planning sessions and portfolio reviews.  And a full year of art and theatre events planned for 2014-2015.

Letizia Perez, from Monterrey Mexico, had a very successful art exhibit....her first in the US!  She had several receptions, sold plenty of art, and was thrilled with the exposure she received.  A set of four paintings will travel to England to adorn the kitchen walls of friends of mine who just happened to be in town during the exhibit opening.    

On September 23, I met with Diane Ulezelski, coordinator of Art & Music for the West Allis/West Milwaukee School District.  It was a GREAT meeting!  We brainstormed ways in which the school district and Inspiration Studios could collaborate on some projects to provide access to the arts for area students who don't get enough of that opportunity in the schools.  Today, Oct 15, I'll be meeting with art students who will work on designs for permanent signage for Inspiration Studios.  This will be a business project for these six students who will then create their designs, pitch their proposals to me within a couple of weeks and allow me time for making a selection of the winning design.  Our hope is to have a Project Lead The Way class come up with a way of creating the chosen design and determining the best way to hang and light it.  Hopefully it will then be created by the Industrial Ed students.  This is very exciting!

We also planned a joint art exhibit that will feature the staff of the WA/WM school district.  All staff will receive a Call For Art for an exhibit that will hang during the month of June, just in time for West Allis A La Carte.  This will definitely bring about more exposure within West Allis.

That same night, a very successful recital was held by Sound Check Studios, featuring 15 new singers and instrumentalists, many of who performed for the first time in front of a live audience.  Michael James coordinated the event which filled the space.  Audiences were treated to colorful performances and look forward to the next round of recitals which will be planned for TWO nights in spring--we are sure we'll need two nights!  

Hanging in the gallery is RESTING PLACES, a collaborative exhibit of photographs by Mary Wagner of West Bend and my own paintings that respond to Mary's photographs.  It was a fun collaboration, culminating in a photo book of the exhibit which is available for purchase at the studio and also on Amazon.com and Kindle.  

In full production mode is The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, which opens in just two days.  We've finally learned how to hang banners and have ordered several colorful banners that will broadcast the many art forms that Inspiration Studios can host.  Thanks to Derek Jacobs and Thom Zuehlke, these banners will truly bring awareness to the community of what this lovely building is all about.  
Yesterday, October 14, was a great work day.  Most of the bushes from the front of the building were removed, thanks to Jamie Taylor, my fixit guy.  And several people stopped in to see the space, including the mailman and two residents who were thrilled to see that this beautiful building was finally being used for something colorful and productive.  The Jekyll & Hyde banner caught their eye!  One of these individuals was a retired teacher with whom I had worked at South Division many years ago.  She was so excited to see this in her neighborhood and plans to attend many of our upcoming functions, along with her coffee club, many of whom also worked with me.  

Later this month, the West Allis Rotary Club will host a social event at Inspiration Studios for their members.  That will be fun!

I don't necessarily like the shift in weather, but it's been a good beginning to fall so far!   -Erico
]]><![CDATA[August notes...]]>Fri, 29 Aug 2014 19:19:44 GMThttps://www.inspirationstudiosgallery.com/blog/august-notesAugust has come and gone.  The Village Playhouse had a very successful run of their 29th Annual Original One Act Play Festival--Part II.  Seven great scripts were produced with minimal sets creative costuming...and led to a great cast party at my home---hot tub included!  If you haven't seen the photos yet, be sure to view them on the VPW page within this website.

A very successful art exhibit by Sandra Dempsy and John Kowalcyk brought awareness of Inspiration Studios to many.  Sandra certainly knows how to throw an exciting reception.  Visitors from far and near (including Mexico) came to see tSandra's first exhibit and supported her efforts by purchasing a great deal of art.

This summer also opened the door for several exciting artists who will exhibit during  the upcoming months.  I met Letizia Perez from Mexico, whose art will adorn the gallery walls beginning with a reception on September 5 and another one on September 20.  Her artwork is from Monterrey, Mexico!  And I am thrilled to add some international flavor to the exhibits housed at Inspiration Studios.

The Village Playhouse will have an exhibit during December in conjunction with the very first community theatre presentation of A Charlie Brown Christmas.  Members of VPW will exhibit their paintings, drawings, poems, photography...during the VIllage Playhouse Holiday Exhibit.  

Kevin Batcher, a West Allis native and self-taught artist, was brought to the studio by his amazing wife, Traci, to pursue his very first exhibition.  After hearing his stories of sleepless nights and perusing his story-rich art, our encounter led to a commitment for March 2015...and Kevin literally danced on the stage, singing "One singular sensation...every little step he makes....!"  He's eccentric...he's crazy... he's true to himself and to others...and holds back nothing!  And his art reflects all of that.  I look forward to a budding collaboration....and friendship.]]>