Hidden River Art Festival
celebrates Wisconsin artists

WITH ITS FOCUS on Wisconsin artists, the Hidden River Art Festival is a favorite event for both local art lovers and visitors to the Milwaukee metro area.

This year, the festival features returning favorites as well as a number of new exhibitors. Eight of the nine 2008 special award winners return, while more than a third of the artists selected for the 2009 festival are new to the event.

Presented by the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, the 2009 festival will be held Sept. 18-20 on the center's grounds. The center is located in Brookfield's Mitchell Park at 19805 W. Capitol Dr., just south of Capitol Dr. between Brookfield and Barker Roads.

The festival features the work of 80 Wisconsin fine artists, specializing in a variety of media from painting, photography, clay and jewelry. And it also gives visitors a chance to tour the interior of the center, where emerging artists and the Milwaukee area's leading private art galleries will be represented.

"Many people associate the Wilson Center with things other than painting and sculpture," notes Laura Aaron Sear, Wilson Center education director. "Whether it's seeing a live performance or participating in an art class, the center encompasses the whole of art and the Hidden River Art Festival completes that circle."

Visitors enter the festival through the Wilson Center. Before touring the tents on the grounds, visitors will be treated to three special exhibits inside the center's theaters and galleries:

• In the imposing Grand Hall of the center, some of the area's finest art galleries will show works from their stable of artists. Staff members will be there to share insights regarding current trends and ways to select fine art for the home.
  
  
• In the Dawes Studio Theater, the Hidden River Emerging Artists Gallery, features an invited showing of emerging local artists, art collectives, and studios. The work of these young artists reflects the wide array of media and contemporary art practices employed by some of the most talented emerging artists in the region.
  
  
• The center's Ploch Art Gallery features an exhibition of photographs by Aron Meudt. She earned a "Best of Show" award at the 2007 festival with her striking photographs documenting the realities of Wisconsin farm life, and her concern over the disappearance of the family farm. The 2007 award included a Ploch Art Gallery show that will be on display Sept. 4-Oct. 28. The artist describes her current body of work as no less personal, capturing memories associated with a dear childhood friend who recently passed away. These evocative, thoughtful images convey Meudt's grieving for a shared past.

Outside the center, tents shelter the booths of the featured artists. The artists were selected by a panel of jurors from 140 applicants. The use of a different group of jurors every year ensures a fresh artistic viewpoint for each edition of the festival.

A centrally located demonstration area provides a gathering place for short demonstrations, discussions and some hands-on opportunities throughout the three-day festival. In addition, hands-on art activities exploring a wide variety of art media are available for kids of all ages.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase on the festival grounds.

The festival is supported by presenting sponsor Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other companies, corporations and individuals. Festival hours are 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $7 at the door and $5 in advance. Children under 12 are free. Advance tickets and information is available by calling 262-781-9520. Or visit www.hiddenriverartfestival.com

Directions to the festival are I-94 to Barker Rd. exit, north on Barker Rd., east on Capitol Dr., then right on Mitchell Park Dr.

Program diversity emphasized
at Sharon Lynne Wilson Center

UPCOMING events at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts illustrate the diversity of the programming. Now in its eighth year, the center is a non-profit cultural arts center that offers performances by regional and touring groups, arts education and an art gallery with changing exhibitions.

See KeyMilwaukee.com's arts and entertainment listings for all September events. Following are some of the fall highlights. Phone 262-781-9520 or visit www.wilson-center.com for tickets or information.

October 2 & 3
Award-winning vocalist Scott Coulter takes a musical journey with Stephen Schwartz, Burt Bacharach, Van Morrison, Duke Ellington, Rascal Flatts, the Great American Songbook and beyond.

October 6 at 6 p.m. and October 7 at 10 a.m.
MOXIE - The 2009 Style Show Benefit. New York-based fashion designer Donna Ricco and Harley-Davidson MotorClothes Creative Director Karen Davidson provide clothing, accessories and the required panache for an evening cocktail party, live auction, and runway show on Oct. 6 and a daytime luncheon, silent auction, and runway show on Oct. 7. For more information, contact Lisa Dietz, 262-373-5029.

October 16
The Paul Silbergleit Quartet infuses an electrifying lineup of guitar, Hammond organ, tenor sax and drums, and creates a powerful, groovin' sound with a mix of swingin' jazz, Latin and funky rhythms.

October 18
Milwaukee Choral Artists, one of only three professional women's choral ensembles in the country, brings its signature lush sound to a distinctive repertory of choral and vocal masterworks.

October 24
Grammy-nominated Jane Monheit turns up the heat with a mix of torch songs, pop standards and jazz.