Greendale wants an artistic take on its 75th year

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Greendale - Susy Kysely Thompson was in her 30s when she entered and won the village's 50th anniversary art contest.

"It was really an exciting time," said Kysely Thompson, who now, 25 years later, lives in Mukwonago and continues to pursue artwork at her Moonflower Studio.

The piece of art she entered was titled "Greendale Village Serenade," said the Greendale native.

"I was inspired by a rug at my back door," she said. "It was an array of houses."

It was the first contest Kysely Thompson, who calls her style folk or primitive art, ever won. "To be declared the winner of it was really exciting."

That the artwork was so well received by the community was more rewarding still.

"When they announced it was on sale, it was sold out in two weeks," she said. "I still get one call a year asking me if I know where to can find one."

Being a limited edition, there are none to be found. But with the village's 75th anniversary approaching next year, there's a new call to artists, and new artwork.

The Greendale Public Library is hosting the Spirit of 75 Art Contest, which is seeking art that embodies this diamond anniversary's theme: The Spirit of 75: the history of Greendale and the unique qualities of life in the village.

The winning artist will agree to sign and number 300 prints, and the artwork must be original, never published before and done by the person signing the entry form, available online, www.greendalepubliclibrary.org.

Art submitted to the contest will be on display at the library, 5647 Broad St., and the winning artist will receive $500. Second-place winner will receive $200 and third-place, $100. The three winning pieces will be selected by June 22, and announced at an artists' reception June 23.

Library Director Gary Warren Niebuhr said what's different this anniversary is that the contest is not limited to village residents.

He said Greendale was fortunate to have a talented artist like Kysely Thompson as a resident, as he said her winning piece is much loved.

"I see prints of it hanging all over the village still," he said. "They were just darn lucky she lived in the village. We'd love to have another submission from her."

Kysely Thompson won't commit right now, but she has nothing but fondness for the village.

"Greendale is very close to my heart," said the artist who has a page dedicated to the village on her website, www.moonflowerstudio.net. "The way it was built seems to maximize everything that's good about neighborhoods."

At a Glance

WHAT: Contest entries

WHEN: Due 5 p.m. June 8

WHERE: Greendale Public Library

HOW: Send $25 check made out to the Village of Greendale 75th Anniversary with registration form