The Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra is partnering with local artist Mark Brueggeman to present an original oil painting titled, “Promenade,” for auction between now and April 20.

Inspired by Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” performed by the CWSO in 2006, Brueggeman successfully authored an “Artist-Community Collaboration” grant to the Wisconsin Arts Board.That funding provided the opportunity for Brueggeman to create a series of paintings to accompany each movement of the orchestral work with the exception of “Promenade.”

Working with 50 students from Jefferson Elementary School in Stevens Point, the artist coached them to create paintings of their own imagination for that movement. Those paintings were on display in Sentry Theater during the April 22 & 23, 2006 concerts. All of the paintings from the 2006 project have been acquired.

The CWSO again performed “Pictures at an Exhibition” on Feb. 17 and 18, and Brueggeman completed his own version of “Promenade” on stage during the performances. Digital images of the original paintings were provided by the artist for projection on the walls of the theater at the concerts.

The brilliantly colorful and vibrant oil painting is on display at the Smith Scarabocchio Art Museum, 800 Main Street in Stevens Point until April 20. Bids beginning at $750 are accepted until that time.

The artist will present the winner with the painting at the April 2018 concerts. Proceeds from the painting will be divided with the CWSO, benefiting the operations of the orchestra. The CWSO is indebted to Brueggeman for this collaboration.

Brueggeman received his undergraduate degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in drawing and painting, with his graduate work in drawing and fiber sculpture completed at the Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. On faculty at UW-Stevens Point from 1974-1987 in the Department of Art and Design, Brueggeman returned as adjunct faculty from 2001-2015. He has been owner of Atelier Vermeil Studio 2 since 1985, working in printmaking, painting, drawing, and stained glass with “occasional forays into bronze casting.”

Bids for “Promenade,” beginning at $750 are accepted by e-mail to [email protected], by telephone: 715-345-7726, or by direct mail: CWSO, P.O. Box 65, Stevens Point, WI  54481. Current bids will be posted at cwso.org/news and on the CWSO Facebook page.