WOW Studio/Gallery

08/24/2026

Don't miss a night of fantastic music at WOW Monday, tonight!

08/14/2026

Music Monday @ WOW ART Studio + Gallery: musical guest Roger Pitts, AWARD-WINNING SONGWRITER / VIRTUOSO GUITARIST from Kansas City, Monday, August 17th, 6- 8 p.m. Join us for live music, refreshments, and ART.
https://youtu.be/_hcN2OXosvk?si=GNlqhyuYO4Z4-nA4

07/30/2026

“Sticks and Stones” Exhibition August 1st - 31st
By Steve McHugh

Drawing inspiration from daily walks along the serene beaches of Madeline Island, I have collected found objects- driftwood, stones, beach glass, and other simple elements from the shore. I then returned to the studio, carefully composing and photographing these items. These works reveal the delicate relationships and silent conversations between these natural forms, inviting viewers to see the universe hidden within the ordinary.

I’ve transitioned from creating polished advertising images for Fortune 500 clients for 3+ decades to dedicate myself to this meditative process and bring a fresh and thoughtful perspective to the intersection of nature and art. Each image captures a moment of stillness and reflection, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the beauty found in everyday materials.

“Sticks and Stones” images are available matted and framed, or matted and measure 12”x12”, and enlargements are available by request. Images are printed on 100% cotton paper, giclee printed, and framed in a solid wood frame.

07/30/2026

YOU'RE INVITED to the Gallery in the Woods
LIVE MUSIC MONDAY 6-8 pm, August 3rd
with Maureen Muldoon & Steve Law
Tuesday 1 pm - 5 pm
Wednesday - Saturday 10-5 pm
Open Sunday noon - 3 pm

07/25/2026

YOU'RE INVITED to the Gallery in the Woods, WOW ART Studio + Gallery on Madeline Island. Join us for music, art, beverages and community. Check out the new photography display, "Sticks and Stones"
LIVE MUSIC MONDAY 6-8 pm, July 27th
with John Nielsen & Steve Law
Open Monday noon - 8 pm
Tuesday - Saturday 10-5 pm
Sunday Noon -3pm

07/22/2026

Sharing new painting by contemporary Madeline island artist, Steve McHugh. "Rocky Life" is a mixed-media painting on canvas measuring 60" x 48" and is available at the gallery.

Send a message to learn more

07/19/2026

Here's the calendar for the week of July 20th.
Music Monday Night featuring Maureen Muldoon and Steve Law at WOW ART Studio + Gallery on Madeline Island from 6-8pm. Hope to see you there.

07/11/2026

Our schedule for the week of July 13th, 2026

06/29/2026

“Dedicated to the ones we have loved.”

Through these sculptures, I aim to convey the complex emotional landscape of life and love. Passion, represented by the element of fire, burns within all of us, yet few escape unscathed by its intensity. These hearts bear visible scars, age lines, bandages, patched areas, and even holes that suggest the loss of loved ones. They reflect how we carry our emotional histories openly on the surface, shaped by the wounds and healing that define human connection. After a year of losing eight friends, I feel I have to express my deep loss visually.

My series of heart sculptures emerges from a deeply personal and reflective place, inspired by a range of life experiences that have left indelible marks on my own heart. The loss of close friends, the intertwined emotions of love and loss, and the recognition that relationships shape us in profound, lasting ways all fuel this work. Additionally, I sought to find a more constructive and meaningful use of gunpowder—traditionally associated with war—to imbue these sculptures with passion and transformation rather than destruction.

The hearts themselves are crafted from high-fire porcelain clay, chosen for its strength and luminous whiteness. Each piece begins with hand-formed shapes, which are carefully fired and glazed. The final layer comes from a unique and intensive firing process involving gunpowder and wood, applied individually to each sculpture. This method presented a steep learning curve over three years, requiring me to understand the nuances of porcelain as the hardest and whitest clay, experiment with drawing on curved forms, and master the complexities of wood- and gunpowder-firing to create lasting surface effects. I also addressed the practical challenge of designing pedestals and wall hanging systems to support the work’s display. Evidence of loss, pain, scars of past life experiences, and the once “pure” forms are defective and abused.

This series is a natural extension of my ongoing artistic vision and philosophy. For decades, I have been dedicated to creating beautiful objects and paintings, heart-themed paintings for years, and these sculptures represent a physical embodiment of those earlier explorations. They express my “job” as an artist—to translate emotion and experience into tangible, visual form. Each piece has my thumbprint in red emblazoned on the bottom of the hearts.

Show runs concurrently at WOW ART Studio + Gallery and at La Pointe Center for Art Gallery on Madeline Island.