The “Connecting Communities”program is an extension of JMKAC that seeks to create access to the arts for Sheboygan neighborhoods. When the city planned to renovate General King Park’s existing shelter, it redesigned the pathways to incorporate stamped images and oral history text into an artistic pattern that uses 60 new sidewalk squares. These pathways lead from the four corners of the park to a central meeting point and become a concrete canvas for original artwork.
Wallace collaborated with another Texan, oral historian Norma Cant , Ph.D., to collect the narratives and manage the conceptual design. Now, all community members are invited to participate in pouring and imprinting the walkways at the “Stamp the Sidewalks” event Sept. 8-18.
A grand celebration takes place at the park Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Because new sidewalks were necessary to begin with, this collaborative endeavor has created public art for minimal cost. That said, this effort between artists, Sheboygan city planners, the JMKAC and the community will continue into next year, as budget cuts have prevented the work from being completed all at once. The project offers multiple opportunities to share a special story about Sheboygan: Visit JMKAC’s ARTcafe or The ARTery, or send a local or personal history by e-mail to participate@jmkac.org to get involved.
On the streets and sidewalks of Milwaukee, The League of Milwaukee Artists and Wisconsin Visual Artists host the third annual “Milwaukee Plein Air Painting Competition” from Sept. 10-19. About 100 regional and local artists have applied to participate, and the competitors will fill the Downtown area. Admirers can watch artists at their easels for an entire week before enjoying a silent auction (noon to 8 p.m.) and reception and awards event (5 to 9 p.m.) on Friday, Sept. 18, as well as open sales on Sept. 19. Thirty percent of the proceeds will benefit Artists Working in Education Inc. (AWE). AWE invites families and children to its Truck Studio in Pere Marquette Park on Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon, to create their own plein air expressions.
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