Reading time: 10 minutes Last Updated: 10/08/25

Three years ago Jocelyn Kline owner of Orange Kitten Yarns and plein art painter, Tina Duemler came together creatively and thus began the first Monroe Art Walk . Tina has exhibited her oil paintings in galleries from her home state of Colorado and across Wisconsin.  Jocelyn store features all things yarn, and fiber arts supplies and recently opened Bäckeri Kline a shop within their shop serving up fresh with muffins, breads, granola bars, cookies.  Jordan Nordby, Executive Director, Main Street Monroe in an interview praised the two Art Walk volunteers and their commitment to the local artist. "They know that Monroe and Green County is really an area that fosters and even nurtures artistic spirit. They wanted to celebrate visual artists and their wonderful works," said Nordby.  And how local is local? Jordan say that 60% of the artists participating this year are from Monroe.  While the rest are from around Green County: New Glarus, Juda, and Brodhead.  Kline and Duemler's pairing, artist and business is what the Monroe Art Walk is all about. This year 20 artists will be paired with 20 businesses in downtown Monroe. 

This year's featured artists were selected by a juried committee of community artists.  A call every spring goes out to artists groups seeking submissions from the region. 

How were artists chosen to pair up with downtown businesses? Jocelyn and Tina together with a volunteer committee sort through each prospective business and accepted artist, looking for a synergistic pairing. "We want to showcase the artists and the businesses. It's quite fun when people realize synergy that maybe would not immediately be obvious, but then when the artist is set up you can feel it," says Jordan.

One of the unique features of the Art Walk for artists is the People's Choice Award. Often times art is not something approachable for folks, the award was a way to connect the community more intimately with the artists, their work and the medium of expression. "We want people to be thinking about each artist and what speaks to them. One of the great things with this event is meeting each artist and hearing about their process. There is also a lot of variety with mediums and so that lends itself to looking at art and creativity as a whole," says Nordby.

Looking for a fun Fall alternative to weekend crowds at corn mazes and apple picking?

The Monroe Art Walk has been growing in popularity with families according to Nordby. "Northern Illinois seems to know about all that Monroe has to offer. We get a lot of visitors and return visitors, especially for events like this," says Nordby. This year's artists work in a variety of mediums from painting and pottery to jewelry, photography and fiber arts.

IF YOU GO

Ample rainfall Wisconsin has been spotty at best this September but it seems the leaves are finally turning colors across the region now so enjoy your day trip to Monroe through the rolling verdant hillside.  Find a complimentary Monroe Art Walk Map here. Below is a brief summary of some of this year's featured artists: