Dream Into Being - with Joslyn Villalpando

Dream Into Being - with Joslyn Villalpando

Summer is here in Door County, which means the galleries are open and filled with new pieces to explore, we were so thrilled to join in on the fun with our newest muse, Joslyn Villalpando! Joslyn, an artist, curator and educator, runs Woodwalk Gallery in Egg Harbor Wisconsin, along with her lovely family. 

Currently, the gallery showcases nearly 100 rising and experienced artists and creators. Plus, Woodwalk doubles as a special event venue and scenic oasis just a skip off highway 42 in Door County.




Joslyn outside the gallery wearing the cotton plaid top and skirt



A view of Woodwalk Gallery along with pieces from KEEPER


Upon walking into the gallery we are immediately immersed in a feast of artistic expression, from textiles to paintings, to pottery to jewelry. The curation at Woodwalk is truly like no other. Housed in a sun-filled early 1900s dairy barn that exudes creativity, we walked the grounds with Joslyn to hear more about how she came to own Woodwalk and her own creative journey here on the peninsula. 




Joslyn wears the Tilda Skirt and Organic Cotton Tee 



KEEPER: Can you tell us a little bit about your origin story, and how you wound up opening a gallery here in Door County? 


Joslyn: I met my husband in Chicago and very early in our relationship, he brought me to Door County, where he grew up. I was sooo enchanted! A few years later in 2015, we decided to get married in Door County and I was so excited to find this beautiful little spot, Woodwalk Gallery. I was an art teacher at the time so it was just the most perfect venue to invite all of our favorite people to. 
 We went back to Chicago, but I couldn't stop thinking about Woodwalk! It was like this little desire that lived in the back of my heart and I found myself dreaming about what it would be like to own it and run it. We had our first baby in 2018 and after we brought her for a visit to Woodwalk, that little desire expanded exponentially. Watching Jojo play in the gardens, I had such a clear vision of living in the farmhouse with our growing family, running the gallery next door. 
 After expressing our interest to the owners at the time, we talked back and forth for a few years and in July of 2022, we became the new keeper of this venue, the land, and the home! A DREAM come true.

 


The sun-filled barn at Woodwalk 




Joslyn wears the Cream Jumpsuit 

 

KEEPER: Has living in Door County changed your creative process, how so?

Joslyn: Woodwalk allows for the most beautiful culmination of all the ways I love to practice creativity: curating work from 90 incredible artists, getting to be part of the weddings that happen here, teaching art-making workshops, and continuing to make my own work in the off-season. Living in Door County is so inspiring to me and I feel like I'm constantly learning and meeting creatives who push my thinking. We’re surrounded by artists, galleries and other creative spaces, chefs, craftspeople, designers, master gardeners, bakers, performers, and a multitude of other makers and movers. There is inspiration everywhere. 


The Woodwalk Gallery Entrance


KEEPER
: Can you tell us more about the workshops you do at Woodwalk, how that started and what you love about them?

Joslyn: I started a workshop business around 2016 in Chicago called J.Villa Workshop where I'd go to various venues; cafés, bars, cocktail lounges, boutiques, and shops to teach workshops for groups of adults. I taught weaving, macramé, embroidery, watercolor, and block printing. When we got to Woodwalk, I was SO excited to bring my workshops to my own space. I love creating an entire experience around my 2-3 hour workshops so there is always food & drink that pairs with what we are making. I love everything about these workshops- planning them, involving locals to provide the food and drink, and bringing people together to do something with our hands. I LOVE teaching. 


Joslyn with her own handmade weaving


Joslyn wears the cotton plaid top and skirt from KEEPER


 
KEEPER: Any favorite spots to hang out/feel inspired on the peninsula? 

Joslyn: I love visiting the Peninsula School of Art, whether for their curated exhibitions, family or adult workshop nights. I especially love the artist-in-residence culminating exhibits to see these emerging artists and their creative process. 
 Being outside has been such a gift here. We came here as quite the amatuers when it came to gardening and tending to this land! But I have been loving all that there is to learn from people who know so much about caring for our earth. Any chance to be outside is so invigorating for me. A jump in the lake, bike ride through the parks, cross country skiing, gardening...it's all just so reviving to me. 



Art Filled Woodwalk Gallery Views

 

KEEPER: Any advice for fellow creatives?  

Joslyn: Do all of the things! Go to the openings, concerts, performances, restaurants. Summers are so crazy here and we can easily work, take care of ourselves and our families, and forget about all of the creative opportunities here. Put things in your calendar and make sure to take advantage and soak up the multitude of incredible experiences here. 
On another note, give yourself lots of grace as your creative practices shift and change. Having a young family has pulled me from my own art-making, but I am also very aware that I am so invested and motivated by Woodwalk and all that is happening here. I was beating myself up a bit for not having a more regular art-making practice, but that's just not where I am  in this season of life. And that's ok. 




Joslyn at her loom, wearing the Vintage Nine Patch Jacket


KEEPER: Any big projects or happenings you're excited about in the coming year whether personal or professional? 

Joslyn: I have been having so much fun coming up with different experiences that bring people to Woodwalk. We have a series of creative dinner gatherings here this summer called A Fare Gathering and I've been having so much fun planning all the elements of each one. I love the off-season time for all of this planning and thinking and learning. I already can't wait for what we have in store next season! 


 

Thank you so much Joslyn for sitting down with us and allowing us to spend a few hours in the beauty that is Woodwalk Gallery. 

To learn more about Joslyn and Woodwalk visit their website.  

Shop The Edit: A curation of Joslyns favorite pieces from KEEPER



SINCE OUR STORE OPENED IN THE SUMMER OF 2023, OUR KEEPER'S MUSE SERIES HAS FEATURED CREATIVE WOMEN FROM UP AND DOWN THE PENINSULA. THE GOAL OF THIS SERIES IS TO CELEBRATE WOMEN IN DOOR COUNTY WHO ARE EVOLVING THROUGH A PROCESS OF CREATIVE DISCOVERY. LET THEIR UNIQUE AND EMPOWERED PERSPECTIVES INSPIRE US TO APPROACH LIFE WITH CURIOSITY AND OPTIMISM. 

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