The only thing more restoring than a crisp autumnal stroll is when that stroll leads directly into an art gallery. Thankfully, Fall Gallery Night MKE is upon us, opening the doors to Milwaukee’s art purveyors and displayers who fill their walls with interesting work and good conversation.
Nearly 60 galleries in the Third Ward, Walker’s Point, East Town and beyond are participating this weekend with opening receptions, artist talks, live music and more. We picked just a few of the can’t-miss exhibitions during this art-filled event.
Celebrate this year’s winners of the Betty Awards!
“Bernard Gilardi: Renew”
PORTRAIT SOCIETY GALLERY, WALKER’S POINT
Having moved this September to a ground-floor space in Walker’s Point, Portrait Society Gallery breaks in its new digs with an acclaimed outsider artist. Unknown during his lifetime, Milwaukeean Bernard Gilardi painted over 400 works of playfully bizarre, sometimes grotesque figures with a winking humor that calls out of the absurdities of his time – and perhaps ours, too. Although his art has attracted famous collectors Maurizio Cattelan and David Byrne, this is his first Wisconsin show in 15 years. (Closes Nov. 13)
“Celeste Contreras: Nocturnal Sunshine”
GROVE GALLERY, WALKER’S POINT
Printmaking is Celeste Contreras’ primary method of storytelling. The Xicana-Indigenous artist carves singular scenes through woodcut or composes them with her collection of handcrafted linocut stamps. The exhibition’s oxymoronic title refers to the creativity that shines brightest at night, as well as the black-and-white contrast of a woodcut print and its ink-covered woodblock. (Closes Oct. 24)
“Charles Munch: Seeking a Way”
TORY FOLLIARD GALLERY, THIRD WARD
With clean lines and solid colors, Driftless Area painter Charles Munch deals in a simplicity that leaves a deep impression. Scenes of nature entangling with humanity suggest a harmony that’s always on the brink becoming discordant. And evoked through deep saturation, that connection is deep-seated and vital. The exhibition is contrasted with the works of Arizona artist Robert D. Cocke, whose landscapes are detailed and Hieronymus Bosch-like in composition. (Closes Nov. 29)
“Niki Johnson: Embody Democracy”
ARTS @ LARGE, WALKER’S POINT
As part of her residency at Arts @ Large, collage artist Niki Johnson is building upon her Pillars of Democracy large-scale portraits – assembled with contributions from other local artists and nearly 70 volunteers – by returning to the community again. Ahead of election session, visitors to the exhibition’s opening can help dye fabric and add to a paper collage while Johnson records and edits conversations with one central question: “What do you value most in our democracy?” (Closes January)
“Out There”
KIM STORAGE GALLERY, THIRD WARD
What do you see when you look out your window? What’s right in front of you, as you sit in a room or stroll along the river? Artists Hector Acuna and Andy Pazcos both take this direct observational approach to their art. Illinoisan Pazcos depicts the underground and asphalt of Chicago’s urban landscape, while Milwaukeean Acuna paints en plein air to capture riverfront scenes and passing clouds. (Closes Nov. 7)
“Permeable Skin”
VAR GALLERY, WALKER’S POINT
In the 12th edition of Plum Blossom Initiative’s Bridge Work program, which gives three new art school graduates 10 months to expand their practice and develop professionally, fragility is the focus. Isaac Shea Levin uses photography and ceramic sculpture to interrogate the exploitation of Black bodies, Ellery Pascual creates vessels of complex emotions that arise from societal constraints through painting and ceramics, and Marta Tereziya employs warm hues in her paintings and sculpture to explore the tension in displacement and an unseverable connection to the natural world. (Closes Nov. 24)
True Skool Alumni Show
TRUE SKOOL, AROUND TOWN
Artists who found their voice in the hip-hop youth nonprofit, such as Domonique Whitehurst and Mahala Sy, are returning to their roots for this group alumni show. Along with exhibiting new and old work, they’ll participate in a live cipher backed by DJs and auction off art to support True Skool’s programming. (Friday only)
