Hello Art City readers,
The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design has stepped forward to take a unique leadership position in asking questions about art and the art community. The school is also daring to do what it encourages its students to do all of the time -- fail.
The incredibly ambitious "New Exchanges" show achieved a great deal and failed in some important ways, too. Here's my own take on the show. In the spirit of the dialogue MIAD is trying to foster, I hope you'll share you own thoughts.
Also this week at Art City, I took a look at the new designs for a sleek hotel at Potawatomi. Can a crisp, modern tower fit into the industrial feel of the Menomonee Valley? Here's a peek at my Sunday column.
In other local news, the wonderful Sarah Luther will be part of Present Music's "Around 30" event and concert Saturday evening, a night to celebrate the best and brightest young artists in our community. To get you warmed up, Art City contributor Jessica Steeber visited her studio and posed some questions for our latest edition of Art City Asks.
Local painters Reggie Baylor and Shelby Keefe made announcements this week. Baylor, who is known for transforming his iconic paintings into lots of formats, including coloring books and T-shirts, has a new smart phone app. And Keefe has committed to painting the area's performing arts groups in a painting-a-day challenge.
For a bit of news beyond Wisconsin, the Priztker Prize went to a Chinese architect for the first time, Occupy Wall Street is taking on the art world again, the Ghent Altarpiece is getting up close and personal and the Dot Wars are heating up.
Next week, I'll review the FIX Development, a new, "radically green" building in Walker's Point, among other things.
If you are looking for art to experience this weekend, I'd recommend "Sleeping Inside Our Bodies" at UWM, "Forward" at the Charles Allis, the "New Exchanges" exhibit, which closes after Saturday, and the "Around 30" concert.
Have a great weekend,
Mary Louise Schumacher
Milwaukee Sketch Club is a group of artists who enjoy sketching and painting of models with an occasional artist demo or critique