Artist Spotlight

The last of our artist bios for Illuminate is posted below. Carol Knitter will be working on her installation in conjunction with Sue Pezanoski Browne.


Carol Knitter is a freelance graphic artist and illustrator. She also conducts hands-on workshops for kids and adults on everything from silkscreening to making sushi. Carol holds a BFA in Painting & Drawing and Visual Communications, as well as a degree in Occupational Therapy, from UW Milwaukee. She has worked as a photographer and ad agency art director. Carol has recently added carpentry and stereographic photography to her ever-expanding list of interests and know-how.

Artist Spotlight

One more artist bio for the upcoming RAA exhibition, Illuminate...

Jon Brown is a traditional and Flash animator. He graduated from Vancouver Film School in 2006 and found gainful employment in television production doing layout, prop design, animation, storyboards, and digital clean-up for Studio B Productions in Vancouver, BC. He has done freelance animation for a variety of independent production companies as well as television commercials, web animation, logo design, caricatures, and advertising campaigns.

He is now a Resident Artist at Redline Gallery in Milwaukee where he is working on a new animated short and teaching stop-motion and 2D animation to kids.

Pen Light, Jon T. Brown

More of Jon's work can be found at: jontbrown.blogspot.com

Illuminate - Paticipating Artists' Bios

Artist Bios for RAA's upcoming exhibition, Illuminate...


Tom Galbraith

An accomplished glass artist who works with neon and other luminous gases, Tom will exhibit several of his innovative signature works in the “Illuminate” exhibition. Having studied scientific glass blowing and the kinetic and luminous properties of various gases, Tom’s work is quite different than what is generally expected of neon art work. Existing somewhere along the boundaries between art and science, these pieces have an energetic sense of experiment, motion and drama.

Tom Galbraith

Ximena Soza

Ximena Soza was born in Chile in 1975, a country that was deeply troubled by the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet at the time. The experience has marked her as a person; she is now a teacher, writer and artist, whose work is always committed to social justice. Ximena has participated in several collective exhibits, showing her work in different medias, such as stone carving, metal work and weaving. In Milwaukee she has installed many Ofrendas for Day of the Dead at WPCA, UWM and Latino Arts. She also participated in the show Emergent Latinos in Milwaukee and In Borders, an exhibit about immigration into the United States, held at UW Oshkosh. Ximena has worked as a performing artist with different theater companies, and has also been awarded with
several international literary prizes for her fiction and poetry. She is currently a teacher in MPS and a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.


Sue Pezanoski Browne

Sue Pezanoski Browne is a local artist, and an art educator. She currently works as an art specialist at La Escuela Fratney, a part of the Milwaukee Public School system. Her art often involves community-based collaborations with other artists and students, in the creation of culturally responsive mixed media pieces. Sue has an extensive background in museum education, and holds undergraduate degrees in both Art History and Philosophy, as well as a Certification in Art Education. She is currently completing her MS in Art Education at UW Milwaukee.


Robert E. Koch

Robert has been a Riverwest area resident and businessman for many years. He has operated a sheet metal business and currently runs a property rental business in the neighborhood. His long time interests in art and science have brought him to the project on display in the exhibition, an installation that combines image and word in an exploration of the properties and influences of light.


Cristian Muñoz

Cristian Muñoz' artistic career started when he was still a teenager. During the years of the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet in his native country Chile, Cristian supported the student movement and the political struggle of that time. His political murals are now a part of several compilations on mural art. As a student Cristian used his art for making videos and documentaries, and has participated successfully in several short film festivals. One of his films is in the collection of The Historical National Museum in Chile. During his years in Santiago, Cristian was a teaching assistant at Universidad Arcis in several subjects, and participated in many collective exhibits. Since his arrival in Milwaukee in 2007, Cristian has been part of the show Emergent Latinos in Milwaukee at WPCA and many installations for Day of the Dead at UWM, WPCA, Latino Arts and The Milwaukee Art Museum.




(Carol Knitter, Jon T Brown, still to come.)

enLIGHTened

This upcoming exhibition revolves around the theme of 'light'. Selected artists will receive installation and production assistance from UWM's Visual Arts Living and Learning Community, under the direction of Raoul Deal and RAA's Gallery Committee.

The artists chosen for their installation work to be featured in RAA's Illuminate exhibition are:

Jon T. Brown
Robert E. Koch
Tom Galbraith
Ximena Soza
Cristian Muñoz
and
Sue Pezanoski Browne and Carol Knitter


More information on our artists, and this interactive exhibition will be coming very soon! Please check back for updates.

We're Making It!

Recently, Producer Adam Carr of 88Nine Radio Milwaukee started a series about art in Milwaukee. What do you know, our dear friend, RAA member, curator, and artist made the list! Evelyn Patricia Terry was interviewed in her new gallery, The Terry McCormick Gallery: Contemporary Fine and Folk Art. You can hear the entire interview here, and as a bonus, RAA member Shana Goetsch happens to be exhibiting in Evelyn's gallery also. She had a few good words to say about her own art, working with Evelyn, and the RAA. (This is the second interview snip) A good showing for our active members, congrats on 'Making Milwaukee' a creative place!

(p.s. I know the irony of posting this myself, but you do what you have to, if no one else is around to make the post. -sg)

Call for Artists Proposals (one week!)

The deadline is fast approaching for proposals for our upcoming Light-themed exhibition. Installation artists welcome! Please consider applying or encouraging artists/art students that you know to do so. As stated on the form, completed proposals can be sent to the Jazz Gallery address, or sent electronically to riverwestart@gmail.com.

A Year In Review

Recently, the RAA held its Annual Members Meeting. This is a chance to elect board members, check out the climate of art in Riverwest, and get together to talk with fellow artists. The juried exhibition, The Thin Line was up for viewing in the gallery as well.

I won't bore you with some of the details of the meeting (being that said 'details' were mostly about the building itself, and I always tune out when that happens, sorry). But I will say that every committee gave a brief report on their status. Grants have been applied for, so that we can possibly hire a part-time staff member next year.

The gallery committee has been working hard to bring quality and diversity to our Riverwest neighborhood. Last year, the RAA hosted 10 exhibitions in its space, The Jazz Gallery. The shows were changing just about every month, sometimes with only a week in-between, to get a new exhibit ready for the public. For an all-volunteer, non-profit organization, that boils down to a pretty serious amount of art that we handled. And, to attain much of this art, we put out free calls for local artists/art, for several of our shows last year. Additionally, we have some really great shows coming up, and an intriguing new partnership with UWM students and Raoul Deal...

The programming committee will most likely still partner with other local organizations to continue bringing free art activities to children and families. Last summer, The RAA partnered with COA, and Skyline Music Festival, as well as RW24. We also made art with the many children attending The Summer of Peace Festival. We would like to continue in the direction of partnership, and possibly add new venues to our summer, community programming list.

Of course, the bottom line, as with all meetings, is that the RAA needs more support. We need more funding, and we always need volunteers...to be on committees, work with children or community programming, to gallery-sit, and a variety of other activities, such as building repairs. So if you are handy with tools (your hands or your brains), we could use you, and would be so glad to get the help.

Please consider donating just one afternoon of your time to the Riverwest Artists Association. Or, if you seek a deeper involvement in the arts in your local community, please consider joining the Board of Directors, the gallery committee, the programming committee, or the building committee...all could use your help.

Other than that, we talked, and laughed and looked at some really excellent art at the Jazz Gallery...we're the RAA, and this is where we live!

The Jazz Gallery, RAA Community Art Center is located at 926 East Center Street, in the heart of Riverwest, Milwaukee.

The Thin Line (between love and hate) Opening

Artist Gary Niebuhr and Board Member Darlene Hagopian

The magic happens once again.  Thanks to the many talented artists for putting themselves on the line (so to speak) by contributing to the depth and breath of this show.  The many visitors to the Jazz Gallery for the Thin Line opening on February 13th (including some V-day dates, I suspect) were not disappointed.  Thanks also go out to the dedicated RAA volunteers for collectively curating another excellent show!  Love is in the air.

Cut paper work by Aries Tjhin in foreground

A few more examples of art in the exhibit:

Shana R. Goetsch

Deer Hart (Dear Heart) - Warm

Watercolor, transfer, found object, collage

Kari Couture

Just Between You and I

Mixed media on plywood

Artists' Call

The Thin Line

A thematic exhibition that explores the infamous line between love and hate. 

-All works must explore this theme. 

-This exhibition is open to anyone. 

-Works in all media are encouraged. 2D, 3D and time based works can be submitted. (Artists must supply their own equipment for showing time based works.)

-Works must be gallery ready, i.e. able to be hung or otherwise displayed by our volunteer staff. 

-All works must be dropped off at The Jazz Gallery, 926 E. Center St. in Riverwest. 

-Drop off your work either Thursday, February 4, 5-8PM, or Saturday, February 6, 12-5PM       

-Jurying will be on Sunday, February 7  (all artists will be notified soon afterwards) 

-The exhibition will run February 13 – March 11, 2010. 

The Riverwest Artists Association will take a 25% commission on any works sold. 

The Riverwest Artists Association reserves the right to exclude any work from the exhibit for any reason. 

info@riverwestart.org 

RAA Upcoming Exhibit-Hobby Fun For Everyone!

Come and get it, November 14 - December 16, 2009
RAA's The Jazz Gallery hosts
Hobby Fun For Everyone!
...and we really mean it.

(click the image below for more detailed information)

Our Pick of Pics-30 Years of Dialogue

ETA: We closed this show early, because it was getting in the way of our furnace guys. We really needed that furnace, so we did whatever they wanted. Also, we didn't want to ruin the artwork. Hope you saw the show, otherwise, here's your only option...

Because this exhibit premiered on ArtWalk, and I was gone most of those two days doing my own art thing, this may very well be the shabbiest "Our Pick of Pics" that I ever put out. I'll still try to amuse y'all though. 30 Years of Dialogue is our Annual All Members Show, with 30 artists participating in a variety of media. As you can see, I somehow didn't manage to catch a crowd.

Here is some of the work you will see at this exhibit...

It's still up until Saturday, November 7th...

We are open Thursdays, 5-8p and Saturdays, 12-5p...

Randomly, here is a photo of my dad looking at the exhibit during ArtWalk...

Unfortunately, on Gallery Night, we closed the building very early because of lack of people...

However, before we closed, John and I took pictures of each other, in order to simulate the art-viewing experience for those of you at home. Here's me...

And here's John. Yes, we are dorks. What of it?...

30 Years of Dialogue...

Please catch us for the next show, which opens on November 14th!

Remembering Elizabeth Birr

Sadly, we recently lost one of our own...the young, talented, and vibrant Elizabeth Birr.


We hope that your soul is soaring to new heights...

You are missed.


ETA: A memorial for Liz has been started on the side of The Jazz Gallery on Weil Street. Please feel free to stop by and light a candle in her honor.

HOBBY FUN FOR EVERYONE! call for artists

Have some ideas that break the boundaries between art and craft? Then click on this call!

We are looking for an intelligent mind, a sense of humor, and a free and willing spirit (also, some craft glue). Your due date is November 7th, so get out your trinkets and join us in the fun!

ArtWalk 2009 Info

Here's your information...

...and with approximately 30 artists participating in 30 Years of Dialogue, the Annual Members Show, this event can't be beat! Would you like to read more?


Riverwest Artists Association’s ArtWalk 2009 marks the 30th Anniversary of Wisconsin's oldest and largest walking art tour. Conceived in 1979 in collaboration with the Milwaukee Art Museum as a way to introduce the public to the way artists live and work, ArtWalk gave birth to the Riverwest Artists Association.

On Saturday & Sunday, October 3rd & 4th from 12 noon to 5 pm, artists open their homes, studios, galleries and businesses, inviting the public to see how artists live and work. There is also an Art Party at the Art*Bar October 3 from 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM.

Riverwest Artists Association’s ArtWalk 2009 features over 65 established and emerging visual artists at 22 sites throughout Riverwest including the RAA Annual Membership Show, 30 Years of Dialogue, at the Jazz Gallery. Sue Pezanoski Browne will be doing a Make and Take Musical Instruments workshop and a Sound Garden Folk Art Installation and Sharon Giesfeldt Van Ruiswyk will be doing Make and Take Origami workshop at the Jazz Gallery. Limited Edition ArtWalk 2009 T-shirts, designed by artist Sharon Giesfeldt Van Ruiswyk to celebrate our 30th anniversary, are available in both men’s and women’s styles for only $10 at the Jazz Gallery and the Art*Bar.

TO PARTICIPATE
For just $3 for adults or $2 for seniors, students and children, patrons get a button and map good for the whole weekend. Buttons and maps will be available at the following sites during ArtWalk weekend: Art*Bar (722 E Burleigh); Riverwest Food Co-op (733 E Clarke); and the Jazz Gallery (926 E Center St).

ABOUT RIVERWEST ARTISTS ASSOCIATION (RAA)
As an all-volunteer organization dedicated to supporting artists and connecting artists with the community, we are proud to produce Wisconsin’s largest and longest-running neighborhood art tour. Thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers, members and friends in the community, RAA’s signature event, ArtWalk, opens the work spaces and the art work of neighborhood artists to the community.

Get Ready For ArtWalk 2009

ArtWalk is coming, Saturday and Sunday, October 3-4, 2009, 12-5pm!

To get you warmed up, these are photos taken at one of the outdoor sites from last year's ArtWalk.

Organized by the Riverwest Neighborhood Association, the Art in the Alleys Project (2008) garnered much attention from our RAA artists and members, as well as the local government. (The event/issue was later included in a local debate about graffiti, murals and public art in Milwaukee.) Participants shared their spaces, time and artistic talents, all for the sake of safer public alleyways, and a more beautiful environment for all of the people living in our Riverwest neighborhood. It was a grassroots effort with ART as the main force! For more information on the Art in the Alleys Project (2008) please visit the website here. More ArtWalk fun and helpful information is coming...keep your eyes peeled.

Chris Christie and Vanessa Andrews

Artist Tia Richardson

Artist Shana R. Goetsch

Artist Juliet Jaeger, in front of one of her murals

Maureen M. Kane

Juliet Jaeger

Brian McGinnis

Kara Mulrooney and Kristopher Pollard

Shana R. Goetsch

Jessica Laub

Our Pick of Pics+Video - Center Street Daze 2009!

The festival started out with the fun of the annual Cart Race. (Carts must be pushed or pulled by human means)

Aw. The agony of defeat...

Only the best dad ever...

Yes, he's pulling the 'Fart Cart' for the youngest of entrants...

This one was an interesting, bulky, choice...

Later, out in the crowd, the tiniest of kids was riding the tiniest of bikes...

Everyone was having fun with their families...

And people were very busy filling the giant chalk art piano keys, outside The Jazz Gallery!...

This lovely lady said we 'made her day'...

More awesome dads were on the scene...

This joker was our human edition of 'The Exquisite Corpse' chalk activity...

Cool...

So what was the RAA Board up to on Center Street Daze, you might ask?
WELL, we were all over the place.

Darryl and Mark pushed our cart in the race, and Darlene filmed the event...

Sue was on the roof with the neighbors, getting a bird's eye view...

Julie was in the kitchen helping me prepare the food...

After the Cart Race, Sharon was inside The Jazz Gallery, doing a make-and-take book demo with the kids...

Maureen was working hard on the chalk art outside the gallery...

And I was organizing/supervising/participating in the chalk art, giant piano keyboard, with Sue all day long...

I also shot this video of the finished product...

Love it!