galleries - june 2013

THE MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM, with its iconic Calatrava addition that has become the official symbol of the city, this month opens a special exhibition that is being seen for the first time in the Midwest.

30 Americans, drawn from the Rubell Collection of Contemporary Art in Miami, showcases works by many of the most important African American artists of the last three decades and has been seen only at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Va., and the Corcoran Gallery in Washington D.C.

Continuing through Sept. 8, the provocative exhibition showcases various kinds of contemporary art, including paintings, drawings, photography, videos, sculptures and mixed-media installations.

This year the museum also celebrates its first 125 years with exhibitions drawn from archives, photos, models, videos and brochures dating back to the establishment of the Layton Art Gallery in 1888.

The growing reputation of the museum also has increased the visibility of private art galleries throughout the metro area.

On the east side of downtown Milwaukee, the DAVID BARNETT GALLERY, 1024 E. State St. (at Prospect Ave.) currently is showing Blast From The Past: Celebrating 46 Years of Art. It’s composed of artwork representing each year since the gallery was opened.

Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward also houses many of the city’s private galleries. Opening June 6 at the TORY FOLLIARD GALLERY, 233 N. Milwaukee St., is an exhibition featuring portraits by Jeffrey Ripple, new paintings by Terrence Coffman and watercolors by Gladys Nilsson. The KATIE GINGRASS GALLERY recently moved a block west of its longtime location to 207 E. Buffalo. Currently showing at the new location is “In Bloom,” featuring floral work by Patricia Procopio, Pat Hidson, Laura Easey-Jones, Jean Crane, David Schaefer and others.

If you have artwork showing signs of age, LANDMARKS GALLERY at 231 N. 76th St. has a an excellent restoration studio specializing in the cleaning and repair of paintings, frames and art objects.

Galleries beckon north of Milwaukee

If you’re traveling beyond Milwaukee or stopping in Cedarburg for Strawberry Festival June 22-23, be sure to stop in Cedarburg. THE PINK LLAMA GALLERY (www.thepinkllama.com) has an address in the center of the historic city (W62 N580 Washington Ave.) but is entered through the rear porch. CEDAR CREEK POTTERY, LA DIVA and LEAP OF FAITH in the Cedar Creek Settlement offer unique pottery, jewelry and artwork from Wisconsin and throughout the world.

Farther north in Port Washington on Lake Michigan, visit BLUE HERON ARTISAN’S GALLERY, 102 E. Pier St. Located in a 1929 fire station, the gallery features more than 25 artists. “Swept Away” opens with a reception from 5-7 p.m. May 31 and continues through June 30. According to owner Bette Langford, the exhibition is inspired by “what takes your mind to a faraway peaceful place – dreams, thoughts, daydreaming, a book, a vacation? What drives you to create and how do you get there?”