FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
http://insitemilwaukee.org/
http://insitemilwaukee.org/fond
Images of art, plus artist biographies, statements, and contact information available upon request
ART TRANSFORMS TWENTY BLOCKS OF FOND DU LAC AVENUE
(May 7th, 2013) IN:SITE, an art organization fostering temporary public art, with major support from the City of Milwaukee Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation, will open a yearlong art initiative June 29th along Fond du Lac Avenue in Milwaukee, from 17th to 37th Street. “Art on Fond du Lac” is IN:SITE’s most cohesive installation. It will make this prominent artery more attractive, act as a catalyst for neighborhood development, increase transportation safety, and create cooperation between community partners.
There will be three kinds of enhancements, indicated on the attached map.
The numbered purple stars reference:
1) and 4) “Life in Retrospect” by Laci Coppins documents stories with photographs on the fencing at Sherman Park Senior Living Center and Curative Rehabilitation Center.
2) “Life is Free” and “Exchange Gallery” at Sherman Park Community Association. Outside, Robert Byrd is painting the exterior of the building with bold patterns. Inside, Erin Dorbin is developing a neighborhood time exchange that will also be a gallery for both of their fashion lines, as well as art by area artists.
3) A Milwaukee first will be the painting of an entire intersection under a bleak railway overpass. Reginald Baylor designed “A Common Denominator.” The Milwaukee Department of Public Works has played a major role in making this project possible.
5) Adding to other urban agriculture initiatives in the area, in “The Green Urban Flow Space” George Jones is building a functional sculpture self-sufficient organic greenhouse using recycled materials.
6) and 7) Paul Peck will mount “Biopoesis,” colorful sculptural forms that refer to vines, roots, branches, and the human form, in the rafters of the Fondy Farmers Market and high on the wall across the street at the Milwaukee Mall.
8) Annushka Peck references the history of Johnsons Park as an Underground Railroad stop in “Looking to a Place Beyond.” Six quilt-patterned house-nests will be arranged in the form of the Big Dipper constellation to serve as a metaphor for the past and invite people to gather and build for the future.
The blue dots on the map are “The Color within Shines Bright.” Teams of volunteers from the area will be helping Chelsea Wait paint patterns on and inside windows at multiple sites along Fond du Lac Avenue. (IN:SITE is in the process of gaining property owner permission. Not all the buildings indicated on the current map will be enhanced.)
The red triangles on the map indicate the five chain-link fences where Joseph R. Reeves, with help from Elise Thomm, will be using bright flagging tape to wrap in quotes from Mattiebelle Woods. Woods, Milwaukee’s “first lady of the black press,” died at the age of 102 in 2005.
IN:SITE has three events planned for the opening weekend.
–On Saturday, June 29th, Wild Space Dance Company is working with youths from North Division Boys & Girls Club and the student dance company Swag Prep for performances at 1:00 and 2:00 at the Fondy Farmers Market, 2200 W. Fond du Lac Avenue. See dance and pick out fresh produce!
–After the Fondy Farmers Market closes at 3:00, Johnsons Park Neighborhood Association will help IN:SITE host “Art in the Park” from 3:00-6:00 at 1919 W. Fond du Lac Avenue. This event for families will feature at 3:30 the “Out To Lunch–the Fresh Food Variety Show” celebrating the urban garden movement by Milwaukee Public Theatre, a sneak peek at the play “A Midnight Cry: The Underground Railroad to Freedom” from First Stage, and a 5:00 percussion and dance program arranged by lead artist George Jones.
–11:00-5:00 on Sunday, June 30th, the Fondy Farmers Market hosts the first Neighborhood Art Fair. Art from four neighborhood areas across Milwaukee will showcase over 100 vendors and provide a place for communication between artists, neighbors, and communities. There will be food trucks from neighborhood restaurants and activities for children. Find more information at http://mkeneighborhoodartfair.com
The numbered green squares on the map refer to tour stops. Geoff Grohowski researched sixteen locations about significant people, places, and buildings along Fond du Lac. Opening weekend IN:SITE will be leading walking tours, and tour information will also be mounted by June 29th on IN:SITE and Historic Milwaukee Inc.’s websites for self-guided tours.
IN:SITE thanks the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County for the tremendous support it has received for “Art on Fond du Lac.” The list of sponsors and hosts below indicates how backing for this project has come from the entire community.
SPONSORS
City of Milwaukee Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation
Marketplace Business Improvement District #32
Fondy Food Center
Gorman & Company
Milwaukee County
Seaway Bank and Trust Company
Columbia Savings & Loan Association
Creative Alliance Milwaukee
SITE HOSTS
Sherman Park Senior Living Center
Sherman Park Community Association
Milwaukee County Transit System
Staples Brothers Paint & Hardware Store
City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works
ABC Liquor
TJ Auto
Milwaukee Community Service Corps
Curative Care Network, Inc.
Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee
Fondy Farmers Market
Milwaukee Mall
Best Price Furniture
Johnson Park Lofts
Milwaukee County Parks
MATERIALS AND IN-KIND SPONSORS from Milwaukee Businesses
Reginald Baylor donated his design
Bliffert Lumber and Fuel
Berntsen International, Inc.
Empire Level Manufacturing Corporation
General Finishes
Jonco Industries
First Stage
Milwaukee Public Theatre
Wild Space Dance Company
Historic Milwaukee, Inc.
Capuchin Apartments
Felmers Chaney Correctional Center
Milwaukee Community Service Corps
Safe & Sound
Urban DeVersion
Donnelly Chiropractic
Subway
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
Alverno College intern Jean Smith and volunteers
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design intern Elise Thom
m
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning interns Andrew Carlson and Pa Phouala Vang
IN:SITE advisors Sara Daleiden and Karin Wolf
NJ Unaka from ReThink Factory
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
On a side note, we still have space available for Artists on June 30. Information is available on the website: www.MKENeighborhoodArtFair.com
Jeffrey Percival
President
Percival Enterprises
aka: Percy the Potter
