In the heart of Milwaukee, amidst the bustling streets and vibrant culture, resides an artist whose creations transcend the ordinary. Meet Janet Adventure Sather, an abstract sculptor whose medium of choice is as unique as her vision: conductive light fiber optic stranded sugar. With it, she crafts 2- and 3-dimensional sculptures that not only captivate the eye but also reflect the aura of their subjects in mesmerizing ways.
At her gallery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Janet invites visitors into a world where art and light intertwine to evoke emotions and provoke thought. Each sculpture she creates is a testament to her journey—an odyssey that began later in life, spurred by a divine calling and a newfound passion. Janet’s path to becoming an artist was anything but conventional. With a career spanning business, teaching, philanthropy, and even mastering the culinary arts as a private chef, she thought her artistic talents were limited. However, a nudge from the divine led her to explore the realms of kitchen chemistry, where she discovered the transformative properties of conductive light fiber optic stranded sugar.
Now, at 57 years young, Janet is living her dream, channeling her inner creativity into sculptures that defy convention. Her process is as unique as her medium, allowing her to not only craft visually stunning pieces but also to perceive the unseen—auras. Through her sculptures, she translates these ethereal energies into tangible forms, each as individual and complex as the person it represents.
Each of Janet Sather’s projects tells a story, bringing light and energy into physical form. Her sculptures are more than just objects—they are experiences, reflections of the unseen world around us.
One of her standout creations is a project she fondly calls “The Twins.” This project presented a unique challenge: capturing the auras of a pair of four-year-old identical twins. “The Twins” explores the fascinating bond between siblings who began life as one cell and then split into two. Janet’s sculptures show this unity and individuality in equal measure.
The process started with one piece, representing their shared origin. Using her signature conductive light fiber optic stranded sugar, she crafted forms that seem to pulse with life. The sculptures glow with bright, electrically charged light, reflecting the vibrant energy of the twins’ auras. Though identical in many ways, each sculpture also carries subtle differences, symbolizing their unique personalities.
“It was a particularly fun project for me,” Janet says. “Their auras are incredibly bright and appear almost electrically charged—exactly what you’d expect from young, energetic twins.”
Creating “The Twins” involved not just artistic skill but also a deep sense of empathy. Janet sees her work as more than just a craft—it’s a way to understand and translate the unique energy each subject brings into the world.
But not all of Janet’s sculptures come from joyful beginnings. Some emerge from stories of pain and healing. One such project is “Bryce’s Crossing.” This two-piece series captures the journey of a young man named Bryce, who tragically took his own life. The first sculpture in the series reflects his inner turmoil—a chaotic swirl of dark and light, mirroring the struggles he faced.
“That piece felt heavy,” Janet recalls. “I could feel the weight of his pain in every strand of sugar I worked with.”
However, something remarkable happened just hours after completing the first sculpture. Janet felt compelled to create a second piece. Using the same materials and process, she crafted “Bryce’s Crossing (II).” This second sculpture took on a completely different energy—it radiated light and seemed to show Bryce’s spirit finding peace.
“It was clear that his spirit had crossed into the light,” Janet explains. “The transformation from one sculpture to the next was undeniable. I didn’t plan it—it just happened. It felt like I was witnessing something profound.”
For Janet, “Bryce’s Crossing” represents the duality of human experience—the darkness we sometimes face and the possibility of finding light and peace beyond it. The project also holds a special place in her heart as a reminder of art’s power to heal.
Working with conductive light fiber optic stranded sugar is not a conventional choice, but for Janet, it’s the perfect medium. It allows her to capture the ephemeral quality of auras and transform them into something tangible. Each piece shimmers and glows, creating a sense of wonder for those who see it in person.
“The material itself is part of the magic,” she says. “It’s fragile, yet resilient. It can bend and twist, just like human emotions and energy.”
Janet’s work goes beyond traditional sculpture. She combines her background in kitchen chemistry, spirituality, and a deep curiosity about human energy to create something truly unique. Her sculptures serve as both art pieces and spiritual reflections, capturing the unseen connections between people.
“Each sculpture is an adventure,” Janet says with a smile. “Whether it’s capturing the bright energy of twins or the journey of a soul finding peace, I see my work as a way to bring light into the world—literally and figuratively.”
Janet Adventure Sather’s gallery in Milwaukee is a place where visitors can experience these adventures for themselves. Her work invites people to think beyond the physical and explore the unseen energies that surround us all.
