Paul Goderstad of Green Bay, Wis., creates a plein air painting near the Popple River in Florence, Wis. He will host a plein air event — creating art outdoors — at the Pine and Popple rivers Thursday as part of the Call of the Wild Rivers Art Show. (Submitted photo)

FLORENCE, Wis. — A number of “plein air” artists and students will head to area rivers Thursday as part of the first Call of the Wild Rivers Art Show, celebrating 60 years since the state Legislature established the Wisconsin “wild rivers” system.

Plein air is the practice of creating art outdoors, directly from nature.

“I wanted to give back to the area. It started as a one-day event but has grown. It’s one of the very few plein air events in the state,” said Dennis Nelson of Green Bay, one of the organizers.

They have partnered with students from University of Wisconsin in Madison and UW-Green Bay as part of the UW Flow Project, which pairs undergraduate student artists in the UW system with water professionals from across the state to create art inspired by water.

Two plein air painting sessions are planned Thursday.

One will be along the Pine and Popple rivers in Florence County. Artist can check in from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Keyes Peak Lodge in Florence, Wis. Maps are available through dnr.wi.gov and at Keyes Peak Lodge or the Wild Rivers Interpretive Center in Florence. Artist Paul Goderstad will lead this event.

Another event, hosted by Larry Seiler, will be on the Peshtigo River in Goodman County Park in Athelstane, Wis., in Marinette County.

Nelson said other artists will be on hand at the events, including himself, Amy Eliason, Margaret Gerhard, Jennifer Larrabee, Barb Zipperer, Scott Zoelick, George Porter and Stephen Wysocki.

“Most of them would encourage artists who want to learn. Most are experienced art educators,” Nelson said.

Artists’ works will be on display from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday near Keyes Peak Lodge. Prizes will be awarded at 4:30 p.m. for four pieces selected — first place, $1,000; second, $500; third, $250; and honorable mentions, $100. There is a charge to enter the exhibition.

The Call of the Wild Rivers Sponsor Appreciation program and awards dinner takes place Friday. The reception will start at 5 and dinner at 6:30 p.m., with several keynote speakers expected. Daniel Larson, a documentary filmmaker from the Green Bay area, will be presented with an environmental award. Cost of the dinner is $40.

Nelson, who has a family camp in Goodman, Wis., believes drawing attention to the natural features of the region could provide an important boost to tourism.

Artists will set up from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Keyes Peak. Their artworks will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to noon Sunday. The public is encouraged to mingle with the artists, and view or purchase their paintings. Local variety musician Jim Counter will provide music from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

Nelson started out in art at UW-Green Bay but switched to pre-law and worked for 40 years in investigations. About three years ago, while working in gaming regulations, he got lonely for the Wild Rivers and started to paint again.

For plein air artists “the best thing that can happen is to have someone come up and buy it off the easel,” Nelson said.

For more on the event, go to the group’s website at https://www.wildriversartllc.com/. For inquiries or an exhibitor application, email to WildRiversArt@gmail.com or call 920-530-2003.

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Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.