Area Spotlights: Alfred Art to Wear

Meet some of our partners in the area who can help make your visit to APT even more magical. This week we're visiting Alfred Art to Wear, a Spring Green staple, home to local, custom-crafted goods, including hand-made knits and fiber arts made with skill and passion. Read on to find out more in this week's spotlight!

Alfred Art to Wear
159 N Lexington Street, Spring Green, WI 53588
(608) 239-5974 | www.alfredarttowear.com

Tell us a little about what Alfred Art to Wear offers!
Alfred Art to Wear is two destinations. First, my working studio as a fiber artist where demonstrations of my craft are always available. The second is a fine craft gallery offering my original knits and silk accessories, art quilts, functional wood work, jewelry, traditional basket weaving, and hand-bound books.

What is the history of your business? When was it established, and where did you get the idea?
I moved my studio into Spring Green in 2001. I joined 2 other artists where we had an informal co-op sharing one large space. Five years later I moved into a single space in the same building on South Albany St. In 2017, I moved to a new location on N. Lexington St. that gave me extra space. I now have one large area for my studio and another large area that has become the fine craft gallery.

What will customers enjoy most about your shop?
The bespoke offerings of my one of kind knits surprise and please most of my visitors. The custom making of a piece of clothing was once common and now seldom found. And in the Village of Spring Green surprises some. The delivery of an originally designed, artfully made, and properly fitted piece brings great joy for years.

Why is your business a good fit specifically for people visiting APT or Spring Green?
Spring Green has a strong and diverse Arts and Crafts presence within its lively retail offerings. I am the only one offering ready to wear and custom knit garments. With my Gallery I'm the only shop exclusively offering the work of 11 Spring Green area artists. I've been told by visitors that I "contribute to a well rounded Arts environment in Spring Green".

The patrons of APT have a good understanding of "The Arts". They can see another type of performance that has a different result from what they will experience from your stages. Where APT is about the "words", Alfred Art to Wear is about the tactile and visual experience of texture and color.

How did you come up with the name?
Alfred is my middle name. My sister, who studied marketing, suggested I label with Alfred as it's an easy name to remember and it has strength. Art to Wear was a common label for hand made clothing in the 1970's when I started studying my craft. Art to Wear was also a category for many fine art and craft shows. The four words went well together and sound good together

Anything else before we go?
Thank you to those who have visited my shop. I look forward to meeting many more of you.