Ryan Ward
Ryan Ward is a producer for the “Wisconsin Life” project and can rest easy after he finally found the perfect jar of homemade dill pickles at the farmer’s market in Madison. … just like his Grandma Shirley use to make!
Latest Contributed Stories
October 31, 2023
Musician captivates cross-cultural understanding through community non-profit Flutes at Dawn
For Kiran Vedula music has always been a way for him to meet people, to have confidence in himself and to help people have joy. Vedula is a musician, producer ...
October 30, 2023
Equine sanctuary gives horses a home
One day Erin Kelly Groth, executive director of Amazing Grace Equine Sanctuary, was on her way to work when she saw two horses outside in the middle of winter. “I ...
October 28, 2023
Artist finds purpose through pottery
For Shandra Bjyrd, pottery is her purpose. It’s more than an art form, it’s a big part of her identity and it’s a therapeutic practice. She’s been a potter for ...
October 17, 2023
Freedom artist brings nature to life with metal and scraps
Artist David Groenjes treats his work as one giant puzzle. “I'll dump pieces out all over the floor and on my tables and everything,” says Groenjes. “I'll take pieces and ...
October 4, 2023
Portrait artist blends realism and beauty
Philip Salamone is a classical portrait artist, learning the craft at both UW-Madison and Grand Central Atelier in New York City. In 2010 he returned to Madison, and in an ...
October 2, 2023
Milwaukee artist blends scientific curiosity and environmental passion in captivating TikToks about the Great Lakes
Among TikTok's captivating content creators, Geo Rutherford stands out. With a blend of artistic creativity, scientific curiosity, and a passion for environmental conservation, Rutheford’s TikTok presence draws a dedicated following ...
December 28, 2022
Outdoorsman brings shades of color to natural spaces
The outdoors is painted in beautiful colors that change with the seasons and beckon for people to explore it. Christopher Kilgour has always loved spending his time outdoors, “Even as ...
December 13, 2022
Burro racer climbs hills and valleys with his 700lb. partner
If you ever find yourself strolling through Vernon County, you’ll find a landscape packed full of twisty and curvy roads. Roger Pedretti, and his longtime running partner Samaritan, have been ...
November 1, 2022
Local Wisconsin group is helping spread the Gospel of Bees
If you ever stroll past Redeemer Lutheran Church in downtown Milwaukee, you can’t help but feel an atmosphere swarming with activity. But it’s not the congregation inside that’s drawing attention. ...
November 1, 2022
Eau Claire runner journeys across every street in the city
A little over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Alex Rongstad had an idea for a project. Could he run every street in the city of Eau Claire before the ...
October 10, 2022
Photographer capturing life in Milwaukee bit by bit
For photographer Josh Arter, art can seem two-dimensional. Arter uses a device called a Game Boy Camera to take photos. It’s an attachment that was released in 1998 and fits ...
October 10, 2022
Muralist breaks stigmas attached to career artist
For artist Jenie Gao, art and storytelling started at a young age. “My earliest memory of wanting to be an artist was from when I was three years old,” said ...
October 4, 2022
Madison artist creates street art despite challenges
Artist Liubov Szwako was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico. Several years ago, he immigrated to Wisconsin and began to build his portfolio around the city of Madison. “I ...
September 29, 2022
Wisconsin club soars to new heights
The Lodi Radio Controlled Club is a group of volunteer model aircraft club members dedicated to providing a quality, family-oriented environment for the enjoyment and educational aspects of flying radio-controlled ...
September 22, 2022
Chippewa Falls man helps give back by giving new life to old bicycles
Many times in life things start out of necessity. Chippewa Falls native Mike Van Dusseldorf began fixing bicycles in his garage because of just that. “My wife and I had some ...
September 20, 2022
Self-taught macramé artist creates works inspired by her community
Maly Vang learned how to make macrame by watching tutorial videos on YouTube. She was working a traditional 9 to 5 job and felt stagnant in her work. “I discovered ...
September 15, 2022
Sole man: the art and culture behind being a Sneakerhead
Ian Matthews started restoring sneakers when he was in high school. It was a skill that started out of necessity. "It all started when I wanted to learn how to ...
September 13, 2022
Artist & UW-Madison professor bugs out with her art
Jennifer Angus is an artist and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. But instead of using a brush or canvas to display her art. Angus incorporates items that are a ...
December 23, 2021
Wisconsin Native Conquers the Seven Summits After MS Diagnosis
Lori Schneider has climbed each of the Seven Summits, the highest mountains of each of the seven continents, an incredible feat for anyone to accomplish. "My love of mountains came ...
November 18, 2021
Artist Fatima Laster Stripping Away Perceptions of Art
Artist Fatima Laster’s work is full of layers. She uses paints and canvases to form abstract pieces of art. "My art is usually absence of form, so that falls in ...
October 28, 2021
Award Winning Circus Dogs and the Lifelong Love Behind Them
Sharon Page’s love for dogs started at a young age. As she describes growing up, Sharon can’t help but laugh when discussing her love for dogs, “My first word had ...
October 21, 2021
Wisconsin Artist Brushes Against Perfection
Wisconsin artist Kelly Meredith has spent the last 35 years of her life brushing against perfection. Meredith paints realistic historical murals, and to date has completed close to 128 across ...
October 7, 2021
Dollmaker Sews Kindness and Awareness Through Dolls
Amy Jandrisevits believes everyone has something in life that they're good at and it's our obligation as people to use that something to make the world a better place. "We ...
October 7, 2021
Yo-Yo Champ Spins Tricks Around the World
Mark Hayward was first introduced to a yo-yo on Christmas morning. “I first got a yo-yo in my stocking for Christmas when I was in high school,” says Hayward. “I've ...
June 17, 2020
Grandmother’s Food
For a lot of people, thinking of the food we ate as children brings fond memories. Smelling certain aromas coming from a kitchen can act as a sort of time ...
May 30, 2020
Artist Honors Healthcare Works with Milwaukee Mural
Milwaukee and Chicago artist Mauricio Ramirez first started painting large murals as a teenager. In April, he was inspired by local healthcare workers to paint a new mural on Milwaukee’s ...
May 23, 2020
One Final Jump for “Jump Around Wisconsin”
After weeks of helping distract and entertain people during the COVID-19 pandemic, the “Jump Around Wisconsin” movement held its last official statewide gathering. Saturday, May 23rd at 3:00 PM, radio ...
May 19, 2020
Love Finds a Way with Zoom Wedding
Even in a global pandemic, love finds away. With the help of his parents, Kiran Vedula planned a romantic proposal to girlfriend Karlies Kelley during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not knowing ...
May 2, 2020
Rapper Gets Creative with Dr. Seuss
Milwaukee rapper and filmmaker Wes Tank came up with a creative way to combine his talents and entertain families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking books by Dr. Seuss and rapping ...
April 25, 2020
Driveway Dancing
Madison resident Dave Fujara drew an “X” on his driveway asking people walking by to dance while standing on it. “It’s a great way to keep the blood flowing, keep ...
April 18, 2020
Honk for Air Hugs!
Best friends Patricia Jacobson and Melisa Arndt from Wyocena wanted to find a way to help spread some positive vibes during the COVID-19 pandemic. They came up with the idea ...
April 11, 2020
Cellist Performs at the Top of Historical Granary
Unable to perform live due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cello player Hans Christian engineered a different way to perform. He hoisted his cello 25 feet up inside the historic 118-year-old ...
April 4, 2020
Viking Karaoke Challenge Connects Students and Faculty
Beth Waldron, a music teacher at Viking Elementary School in Holmen, came up with a fun way to connect with students and faculty while school is closed during the COVID-19 ...
March 28, 2020
“Jump Around” Social Distance Style
It's hard to be social with your friends and neighbors while staying home, but one Wisconsin neighborhood came together to put their own twist on a Wisconsin Badgers tradition. Two ...
December 12, 2019
Young Women Learn Building Trades In Week-Long Camp Run by Madison Carpenter
When Sandy Thistle was growing up, there was one thing for sure she knew she wanted to do. Not hate her job. “What I saw were a whole lot of ...
December 12, 2019
Chetek Barber Makes Lasting Impact
For the last 60 years, the people of Chetek have depended on two things. Good fishing and Harry Bossany. During that time, Bossany owned and operated Bossany’s Barbershop, located just ...
September 30, 2019
LEGOs Are Building Blocks of West Bend Couple’s Relationship
Eric and Emily Krans are unofficial LEGO Master Builders. They create amazing structures from small, colorful plastic bricks. Turns out, these bricks are also the building blocks of their relationship. ...
July 15, 2019
Milwaukee DJ Gives Back to Her Community, Inspires Young Women
Since she was a teenager, hip-hop has been a huge part of Nelly Vigil’s life. “So in high school, I was going through a rough time, and hip-hop was the ...
July 11, 2019
Eau Claire Violinist’s Musical Journey
Music is considered by some to be the universal language. A language Rose Vincent has been in tune with for most of her life. "I was 12 years old and ...
March 28, 2019
Seamstress Uses Her Skill to Mend Broken Hearts
Sewing has always been an important part of Kelly Kowaleski’s life. “I love sewing. I've loved it since I first started. It's my outlet. It's my passion,” Kowaleski said. Sewing ...
December 26, 2018
Accordion Is All In The Family
Lifelong musician Ruth Marty still remembers the first song she learned to play. Her father taught her on accordion. “He was the one that had a little schwyzeröergeli, which is ...
October 20, 2018
Wauwatosa Hobbyist Lives Life in the Fast Lane
Gene Wenzel loves loud noises. “It's just a cool feeling. And I like loud noises. Especially when it's coming from a hot rod car or something,” Wenzel said. Wenzel is ...
January 5, 2018
Youth Group Drumline Helps Kids Find Their Own Beat
The Black Star Drumline likes to start things off with a bang. “It's entertainment for a lot of people,” Banks said. “People want to get an event started off with ...
December 15, 2017
Photographer Uses Lens To Share International Stories
Saiyna Bashir was born in a small town in Pakistan. While visiting with her aunt one day she discovered a still camera. “So I took that camera and I just ...
November 24, 2016
High School Pep Band Turns Game Nights Into Rock Concerts
Walk into the gym at Burlington High School during a basketball game and you might think you’ve walked into a rock concert by mistake. Orange Crush is not your traditional ...
October 13, 2016
Past Meets the Future with Wisconsin Steampunk
You may have seen someone wearing goggles, a corset, and a bustle in a local parade. Mixing the Victorian age with technology and industry, steampunk has taken off in recent ...
September 22, 2016
Video Arcade Game Collector Aims For Museums
Bradley Czech is a child of the 80s. And if you walk down to the basement of his Green Bay home, you’ll quickly find out that he never grew up. ...
September 22, 2016
UW-Whitewater Has A Very Successful Wheelchair Athletics Program
Laura Vacek was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in her right femur when she was only seven years old. The sometimes fatal disease is a rare form of bone cancer that ...
November 12, 2015
Cosplayer Designs, Builds and Wears Star Wars-Themed Costumes
In a garage far, far away, Zach Wagner is building something out of this universe. Follow him as he brings his passion for Star Wars to life as part of ...
October 8, 2015
Comic Book Artist Brings Super Heroes To Life
An artist with a serious case of hero worship. Well, super hero worship. Jeff Butler has spent most of his life drawing and reading comic books. Now he’s come full ...
March 18, 2015
Roller Derby: The Toughest Women on Four Wheels
Flat-track roller derby has become a phenomenon in recent years. Invented in the 1920s, it has evolved into a predominately female sport drawing women from a variety of backgrounds. For ...
November 25, 2014
Neenah Man Creates Instruments Out Of Cigar Boxes
For most of his adult life Bruce Lee Rose has been making traditional string instruments at his home in Neenah. A serious accident to his right hand, however, changed his ...
July 8, 2014