You might not recognize the name of Steven Wipfli, but you’ve almost certainly seen his artwork around town.
Wipfli, 73, is the designer of the “Love Your Neighbor” yard signs planted throughout area neighborhoods as part of the Neighbor to Neighbor project presented by St. Michael’s in the Hills Episcopal Church.
Steven Wipfli, who works primarily in paper collage, is one of more than 100 artists showcasing their work at The University of Toledo’s 32nd annual Art on the Mall on Sunday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Centennial Mall on the University’s Main Campus.
“The Neighbor to Neighbor initiative created events and materials to bring people together, to learn from each other and to promote understanding,” he said. “Nearly 3,000 signs were distributed throughout the community, with many of them remaining, acknowledging their enduring message.”
Wipfli, who works primarily in paper collage, is one of more than 100 artists showcasing their work at The University of Toledo’s 32nd annual Art on the Mall on Sunday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Centennial Mall on the University’s Main Campus.
Artwork at the free, public event will include acrylic, glass, oil, mixed media, metals, photography, wood, watercolors, textiles, fibers, basketry and jewelry, all of which will be available for viewing and purchase with either cash or credit card directly at an artist’s booth.
Complimentary parking is available in lots 1N, 1S, 2, 10 and 13. A golf cart shuttle service will be available at each entrance of the art show to transport guests with their packages to and from their vehicles.
Steven Wipfli is the designer of the “Love Your Neighbor” yard signs planted throughout area neighborhoods as part of the Neighbor to Neighbor project presented by St. Michael’s in the Hills Episcopal Church.
Wipfli said he has exhibited his work at Art on the Mall about a half-dozen times and his family has attended the show nearly every year.
“It’s our neighborhood show. We live in Ottawa Hills, so friends, neighbors and parents of former students stop by,” said Wipfli, who taught in UToledo’s Department of Music from 1985 through ’88 as director of choral activities, as well as vocal music and visual art in area public schools.
“It’s like a block party. Plus, I’ve had consistently good sales at UToledo. The show is well-organized, attentive to artists’ needs and always with great communication.”
His journey as an artist began in high school, where an art teacher took notice of his artistic skills, and then as a teacher himself. As an art educator, he taught classes in graphic design, darkroom photography, digital photography, junior high art and Advanced Placement Portfolio Development.
“While I taught art, I always made art professionally and worked as a freelance graphic designer,” Wipfli said. “As a teacher I could use those personal experiences to better understand the creative process, develop empathy for students’ challenges and understand more deeply the techniques of producing art.”
His inspiration for working in paper collage came from his experience with quilting, he said.
“I became familiar with the contemporary quilting world about 20 years ago. I was attracted to the bold color and pattern of fabric, the hard-edged, geometric design and the ‘upcycling’ of found materials,” Wipfli said. “I translated the quilting process to paper
Wipfli’s inspiration for working in paper collage came from his experience with quilting.
collage. I love the tactile experience of working with all kinds of papers. I collect papers from all over the world. The variety and origins of my papers add to the reward of creating.”
“Steven’s vibrant collage work brings a unique warmth and energy to Art on the Mall,” said Ansley Abrams-Frederick, director of alumni programming at UToledo. “His eye-catching use of color and texture draws people in and leaves a lasting impression on both visitors and fellow artists.”
Now retired, Wipfli said he volunteers with Read for Literacy as an English as a Second Language tutor, helping adult learners work on their reading, writing and speaking skills. He also is quite busy with his art.
“I believe that it’s important to have some goals in retirement. Making art has been that goal for me,” he said. “It gives me purpose, the work keeps me energized and active and I can control its intensity. I can take breaks, step aside for minutes or days and enjoy being a retired person.”
