If winter’s gray skies and dormant grass have you pining for more life and color, don’t fret. You can find plenty in Milwaukee’s art galleries. Winter Gallery Night MKE on Jan. 16-17 provides the perfect time to hop from spot to spot and take in local creativity.
Over 50 galleries in the Third Ward, Walker’s Point and beyond are participating this weekend, with opening receptions, artist talks, live music and more. Here are just a few of the can’t-miss exhibitions that landed on our radar.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
“its own pristine devices”
PORTRAIT SOCIETY GALLERY
Milwaukee artist Lois Bielefield captured natural landscapes growing in the nights in the spaces created by highways and interchanges in their photo series. Bushes and grasses glow under the moonlight – or streetlights? – revealing worlds full of life. Sculptures made of straw, leaves and other plant material by Chicago-based artist Marzena Ziejka complement the photographs with further appreciation of overlooked nature. Both artists will talk on Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. (Closes Feb. 28)
“The Circle That Unites Us,” “We May Be Soft”
MILWAUKEE INSTITUTE OF ART & DESIGN
At MIAD’s Frederick Layton Gallery, “The Circle That Unites Us” is all about the beauty of geometry. Curated by Nina Ghanbarzadeh, the exhibition brings together a range of unique interpretations on age-old patterns and shapes. Featured artists include Ghanbarzadeh, David Najib Kasir, Sharmistha Ray and more. (Closes March 6)
“We May Be Soft” at the Brooks Stevens Gallery pairs fiber works from regional and national artists that span the breadth of the medium from functional to narrative to abstract. Featured artists include acclaimed Wisconsin artists Della Wells, Rosemary Ollison and Michelle Grabner. (Closes March 6)
“Great Lakes Modernism: New Works by Reginald Baylor”
LILY PAD WEST
Prolific local artist Reginald Baylor is known for his exuberant pop-art-inspired work with vivid colors, striking lines and detailed narratives. Newly represented by Lily Pad West, he presents six new paintings representing contemporary Midwestern stories and identities. (Closes March 1)
“Collective Exhibition”
VAR GALLERY
Once a year, Var Gallery in Walker’s Point gathers the recent works of its emerging and established artists for a wide-ranging, no-bars-held showcase. Pieces run the gamut from abstract and narrative paintings to interactive sculpture to multimedia installations. The 18 artists include Melissa Dorn, Dave Watkins, Reid Sancken and many more. (Closes Jan. 24)
“Chroma: Color & Abstraction”
TORY FOLLIARD GALLERY
This group exhibition acts as a kaleidoscope of color beaming many shapes and textures – abstract squares, glitched-out terrains and blocky still lifes. Each work has its own distinct palette with its own set of mysteries. Featured artists include Marion Coffey, Derrick Buisch, Rodger Bechtold and more. (Closes Feb. 14)
“Julia Bradfish: Artist in Residence”
SAINT KATE – THE ARTS HOTEL
Abstract oil painter and recent UWM graduate Julia Bradfish creates playful landscapes with stretchy, bouncy dimension and loads of energy – toying with the balance between control and chaos. Her studio inside the hotel will be open to visitors, and she plans for her conversations to influence her new work created during the residency. (Residency ends in August)
