galleries - october 2008

IN A CITY that houses an internationally known art museum, it's only natural that private galleries abound. Visitors find distinctive galleries in every part of the Milwaukee area and surrounding counties. During October, downtown Milwaukee galleries celebrate the quarterly Gallery Night & Day Oct. 17-18, providing an opportunity to view new exhibits and to talk with artists and gallery owners.

Here are a few excellent stops whenever you are in an artistic mood:

PICTURE PERFECT GALLERY and VP GALLERY, both at 320 E. Buffalo St., are conveniently located in the same complex. Visit both Historic Third Ward galleries. Picture Perfect, open seven days a week, provides over 400 works of art to choose from. VP Gallery, dedicated to the art of photography, is Wisconsin's only Master Dealer of The LIFE Picture Collection.

Also in the Historic Third Ward, Tory Folliard Gallery, 233 N. Milwaukee St., unveils Open Lands: A Survey of Contrmporary Lanscape Paintings, on Gallery Night, Oct. 17. The exhibit includes more than a dozen of the MidwestÕs most celebrated landscape painters working today.

Further north in the East Town area, MILWAUKEE STREET GALLERY at 717 N. Milwaukee St. offers fine art from private and corporate collections for sale, a truly "green" concept. Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat. or by appointment.

At MORNING GLORY GALLERY in the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St., view original, contemporary fine crafts in ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, photography, sculpture, wood and mixed media by members of the Wisconsin Designer Crafts Council. Open 12-6 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and during evening performances in Uihlein Hall.

LANDMARKS GALLERY showcases "Legendary Wisconsin Artists" through the month of October. The exhibited works of more than 20 artists also are for sale. Included are Guido Brink, Richard Mouw, John Wile, Robert Von Neumann, J.R. Hampel, Robert Johansen, Pryce Evans, Karl Priebe, Morley Hicks and others. Conveniently located just west of downtown at 231 N. 76th St., the staff here also is known for expertise in appraisals and restoration. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Phone 414-453-1620 or 800-352-8892 for more information.

To the north of Milwaukee, Historic Cedarburg also is a center for art. At Cedar Creek Settlement, LEAP OF FAITH and CEDAR CREEK POTTERY are great stops. At the corner of Bridge St. and Washington Ave., ALL THAT PIZZAZZ stocks creative gift ideas for every occasion.

Also, mark your calendar for the ARTS WEEKEND STUDIO TOUR, Oct. 10-12, and featuring over 50 local artists located in Cedarburg, Grafton, Mequon, Thiensville, Port Washington and West Bend. Visit www.cedarburgartistsguild.com for more information.