Time period: 1979 – present

Submitted by: Marcia Wollschlager

Char ter Beest Kudla is an ambassador for the arts and for the community she calls home, Baraboo. She came to Baraboo in 1979 to teach home economics at the Middle School. After a few years of teaching, she made a life changing decision to follow her passion for art and creativity. She took up willow basket weaving, which lead to writing her first book “Willow Baskets”. She went on to choose a new path in art work by designing fabric handbags to sell at art fairs. Her studio “Helen’s Daughters Handbags” has produced over 60,000 handbags which are worn around the world.

Char had an idea in the early ‘90’s to create a local and regional event to help other artists to have success in selling their artworks by having and open studio art tour. Visitors could visit artists where they work. They began the state’s oldest rural art tour, “The Fall Art Tour” which has brought thousands of visitors to our community. Char founded another art event to bring artists, artisans and the purveyors of good foods to Baraboo in the month of December. The Very Merry Holiday Fair is now in its 11 th year and is held just before Christmas, snow or shine. She also conceived the idea of “Cool Boo” held in January, a wintertime art event held in studios and local businesses.

Char is a charter member of the “Threaded Stream Fiber Arts Trail” and helped bring that event to Baraboo. Char joined the Sauk County Art Association in the 1980’s, helping them create the summer fine art fair held on the courthouse square. She served on the SCAA board as its president. The art fair is now known as ArtJune.