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Summer got off to a rousing start in June as the
weather finally kicked in and the people are in the mood
for some of what brew city is famous for. Festivals! We
got river splashing, Jazz in the parks, not to mention all
the neighborhood and ethnic fests. For those not lucky
enough to make it to these events, I've presented here a
little photo log of the places I've been. One of my
favorites is Locust Fest. True, it was the debut of the
Funky Art World Gallery on Locust Street, but as far as
fun and festing you can't beat that good old party nature
us Riverwest folks can bring.
Locust Street festival was off the chain. Lots of bands,
food, art, and beer. The weather was solid--I couldn't
have asked for a better day. Juneteenth celebration
followed right behind that with bands, food, art, and
beer. And if you get the hint that's the way we roll in
the summer in Milwaukee, let's say it one more time: Food,
Bands and Beer. With Summerfest, Bastille Days, an army of
church festivals and carnivals all packed into the next
two months, we should change our name to party city. And
let us not forget the outdoor markets and yard sales where
you can find some unique art and bargains too. For
example, the Riverwest Garden Market sports bands, food
and art, but not beer (see photo).
Guerilla Gallery Actually, the summer arts fest kind of
kicked off in May with Guerrilla Gallery Art on the move
(see photo). GG had it's most successful show yet in May
hosted by four Brady Street locations: Grava Gallery,
Brewed Awakenings, Cempazuchi Restaurant and One Famous
Smoke Shop. Kelly Mink is the curator. The show featured
the works of twenty-two local photographic artists,
highlighted by the sculptures of Mark Winter.
Guerrilla Gallery's aim is to showcase the works of
particularly strong "emerging" artists who may
not have had the opportunity to exhibit yet in the area's
more established galleries. The art-man is down for that.
Mathew Christian, business director for GG, pointed out
that the show became the first "Brady Street Art
Walk" and was supported in part by donations from
various businesses, Including Info Magazine,
Vinifera, Brady Street Futons, and one little car shop on
N. Green Bay Rd. I can tell you personally that the Brady
Street event was the bomb. If this is the way Guerrilla
Gallery swings, they should have many more successful
exhibits in the future. Guerrilla Gallery expects to host
another photography show at 735 N. Water St. as part of a
larger show sponsored by Catalyst Gallery on the next
Gallery night, July 26.
Off the Gallery Night Map: As a sign art in Milwaukee is
starting to move up in popularity new galleries are
emerging in the most unlikely places. On June 28-29,
Milwaukee designer-decorator Gracie Valentine of The
Possibilities Are Endless company opened her Brewers Hill
home, at 1948 N. 2nd St., for gallery shows, with her
primary focus being African American artists. Gracie, who
was liquidating her furnishings in a bid to move out of
Milwaukee, noticed that her huge home would make a perfect
place to host a gallery showing.
Gracie now plans on sticking around Milwaukee long enough
to become a fixture in the city for local artists to show
and sell their work. This month, she has planned an
"off the map" gallery night show July 26,
starting in the evening at 5 p.m. and will host shows a
the 2nd St. home periodically from there on
out.
While interviewing Gracie, I could not help notice the
extra flavor and design she added to her own home. She
says she has been doing interior design for years. Not a
bad talent to posses. I'm sure every one would love to
have a well-planned and designed home. She has decorated
homes throughout the city and surrounding suburbs. Adding
another talent to her credentials is clothing design. She
likes to keep her prices reasonable and designs to her
clients taste. At this time I got my eyes on
Gracie-designed leather pants and a jacket.
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To update you on what Marina Lee Beginning Dreams
Forever, 833 E. Burleigh St., is doing since last month's
column. Marina has a dream within the dream she's living,
and that is to create and enable Milwaukee to become more
friendly to public art. Just a reminder to those who don't
know: That passion got her into trouble a few years back,
when she painted a police call box outside her studio,
covering the gang graffiti that was all over it. The
police didn't take kindly to the modified call box.
Lee feels people who cannot afford art should still be
able to enjoy it. And that is the point behind her desire
to see more public art. Right now public art jobs are
scarce and hard to get, but she keeps trying. She has some
public art pieces, one of which is the Cass Street Park
exhibit on the Lower East Side. Marina has a variety of
upcoming shows scheduled, from Madison to St Louis to
Kansas City. It's going to be a busy summer of art for
Lee. At this time it looks like she might get to do a call
box or two. I peeped three standing in the corner of her
studio waiting for that Lee touch.
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This is funky art world and I am the funky art-man
Eddie Davis. Stay cool, have fun and buy some art.
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