In Brookfield, the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts hosts its annual Hidden River Art Festival. Underneath huge white tents, the event features the outstanding fine art of 80 Wisconsin artists. Inside these grand tents, individual artists will use “mini-galleries” to invite visitors to ask specific questions about their works of art.
Several well-known Milwaukee names appear in this year’s festival. Photographer Larry D’Attilio offers an extraordinary perspective on the Far East through prints that illuminate Vietnam. Karin Haas combines detailed floral motifs with soft colors in her compelling prints on paper. Recent Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) graduate Emily Siegel Belknap displays serene collage landscapes, while another MIAD graduate, award-winning Katie Musolff, demonstrates her gift for oil portraiture.
Emerging artists will exhibit work in the Dawes Studio Theater, with selected participants giving gallery tours and talks at regularly scheduled intervals throughout the weekend. This exhibition will showcase Shane Walsh’s haunting underwater shipwrecks brushed with sea blue and green oils alongside printmaker Sarah Jane Harper’s portrayals of familiar objects that incorporate the theme of home. And in the Ploch Art Gallery, 2007 “Best in Show” winner Aron Meudt displays photographs that evoke memories of a childhood friend who recently passed away.
In addition to intriguing artwork, the 2009 Hidden River Art Festival also tempts attendees with food from restaurants such as North Shore Bistro and Haute Taco. The popular activities center, a silent auction to benefit the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center’s arts education program, and an opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice Award also enliven these three days. The festival, which runs Sept. 18 (5 to 7 p.m.), Sept. 19 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sept. 20 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.), costs $5 in advance and $7 at the door (free for children 12 and under).
In Wauwatosa, the Westside Artwalk continues promoting “The Art of Living” with a two-day event on Sept. 18 (5 to 9 p.m.) and Sept. 19 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). This free outdoor event hosts numerous guest artists and musical performances. One featured artist is Adam Ithier, as the Underwood Gallery showcases his pen and ink drawings in “Doodles on Steroids” (through Oct. 14).
AirTran Airways is currently presenting an exciting opportunity for aspiring artists. The airline is sponsoring a “Milwaukee Route Map” competition for local artists to create works based on AirTran’s flight service map, with 10 winners to be exhibited at the Milwaukee Art Museum. To meet the deadline of Monday, Oct. 5, the completed work must be submitted in person to Cramer-Krasselt at 246 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee. For more details and information, contact Michael Marino at MMarino@c-k.com.
*/?>
