CREATE Portage County fosters creativity, connection, and collaboration

Local non-profit helps local artists realize their visions

The chapel at Saint Joseph’s Convent has been transformed into a performance and gathering space.

By Brent Frankenhoff

A part of the Portage County arts and entertainment scene for more than two decades, CREATE Portage County has been a driving force behind a number of activities in and around Stevens Point, including work in Amherst.

Among the group’s more visible local projects is a mural on the side of the DS Ale Amherst Mart — the former Falcon One Stop — that was painted and completed in the summer of 2021. Featuring a quote from Malala Yousafzai, “When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful,” the mural was one of 13 sponsored by CREATE’s “Paint the County!” program. The imagery was designed and painted by Erin LaBonte and David Carpenter of Manitowoc and, in addition to CREATE’s involvement in the process, the project was a portion of a partnership with the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission and Arts Midwest.

After moving between a few locations in Stevens Point, CREATE acquired permanent quarters in the former Saint Joseph’s Convent at 1300 Maria Street in 2025 and began converting the facility into usable event and maker spaces, partnering with Farmshed, a local food cooperative, to best utilize and share the more than 26,000 square feet of space.

That process, which presents some unique challenges due to the building’s historic significance, requires additional funding, and CREATE Co-Founder and current Treasurer William Schierl told the Spirit, “We need to complete raising money for our Capital Campaign for the build out of the new space and to provide value-added programming to the community that supports our mission. This will accelerate creativity, connection, and collaboration to advance vibrant and welcoming communities.”

Part of the founding Board in 2004 — when the group was known as the Arts Alliance of Portage County (it rebranded as CREATE Portage County in 2016) — and President of the Board for 19 years, Schierl said that funding is, “always top of mind, but beyond that, we’re working to involve good people who see the mission of CREATE as valuable and will be part of the process. Now, being in a permanent home, we have so many opportunities to engage and support the community in new ways that were not available before … the sky is the limit!”

Schierl added that “the organization and its space has something to offer everyone from children’s activities to entrepreneurial support and creative adventures.”

Those activities and adventures at the CENTER’s new space include independent film showings, poetry readings, vintage computer exhibitions, gaming nights, maker events, dances, concerts, and entrepreneur and artist meetups.

Outside of the Stevens Point location, CREATE’s presence can be seen and heard in many of the new murals, sculptures, and other art that’s been added to the Portage County area over the past few years as well as various concerts in Stevens Point and other Portage County communities. Beyond guidance, the group supports many of these projects with equipment rentals including computers, cameras, printers, projection equipment, and more. While everyone can rent equipment and space from CREATE, members of the organization also receive discounts on rentals.

For more information and a schedule of upcoming events, visit the group’s website at createportagecounty.org.