Art in the Wind

Barbara Meyer of the Twin Cities is an award winning kitemaker who’s been invited to kite festivals throughout the world and is a go-to instructor at kite retreats for serious makers. A early member of the Minnesota Kite Society, she is past president of the American Kitefliers Association and vice president of the international Kite Federation in Weifang, China. Her mate, Alex, joins her in painting the sky.

Craig Wilson of Cambridge combines his love of kites and photography. Building his own kites, some 20 feet wide, he authored two books of stunning aerial kite images and was featured in numerous publications. See his work on his Facebook page and flickr account. Inspired by overseas kite trips, Craig created Madison’s Kites on Ice festival, bringing in kiters from around the world who lit up the sky over the city for several years.

Ed Grys of Madison has been making and flying kites for over 60 years. He is a key leader of the Wisconsin Kitefliers Club and past director of the Midwest Region of the American Kitefliers Association. Ed is a sought after flier with beautiful kites resulting in a kite calendar packed with weekend kite flies and workshops. Watch for one of his prancing horses if the wind is right.

Paul Fieber from Fitchburg has been making and flying kites and banners for 25 years. He is a member of the Wisconsin Kiters club and the American Kitefliers Association. He’s traveled extensively to kite events and was inspired to design and create single line kites. He served as chair of the AKA’s Kite Art Committee and teaches at kite retreats. A perfect day is bringing the kite smile to kids who just built and flown their first kite.

Ray Blum is a local Fitchburg kiteflier. He has been flying kites for the past 20 years, and his kites can often be seen flying in Fitchburg’s McKee Farms Park. He has a number of beautiful show kites that are 10’-14’ wide with long, colorful 100’ tails. If the wind is low, watch for his giant bubbles!

David & Catherine Piotrowski from Milwaukee have been flying kites and for 15 years. They are members of the Wisconsin Kiters Club and the American Kitefliers Association. They’ve traveled extensively throughout the kite world making many friends at festivals and amassing a great kite collection including several inflatable figures. Catherine creates unique and colorful banners adding to her impressive ground display.

LeAnn & Dennis Lauer from Kaukauna, WI have been flying kites for over 20 years. Members of the Wisconsin Kiters Club and the American Kitefliers Association, they’ve traveled to kite festivals around the country including many Midwest gatherings. Their unique Zoo critters fly as “line laundry” on a large lifter kite resulting in many kite smiles from kids. They made the “largest family” in the above waddle of penguins!

Bob & Maribeth Klopke are retired teachers from Gresham, WI and have been flying beautiful kites at festivals throughout the Midwest. Long standing members of the Wisconsin Kiters Club, Bob is a regular at the Upper-Midwest area U-Make kite retreat learning techniques from kiters around the globe. (u-make.org) Watch for his colorful lifter, dragon and astronauts and other surprises from his kite bag.