Now Hanging: Spring Gallery Night
Where to find art, both on and off the radar
Paper Boat Milwaukee
"Mikey" by Micaela O'Herlihy
This Friday and Saturday, Milwaukeeans will visit local galleries in search of free booze and snacks, a trendy crowd, and, maybe, a work of art or two. Although, not every gallery participating in this spring's Gallery Night has a listing in the official brochure or a green flag hanging out front. That stuff costs money, and a lot of Milwaukee’s galleries don’t have any to spare.
Example: Riverwest Artists Association’s The Furnace Show isn’t just an exhibit—it’s a fundraising auction so the RAA can buy a furnace for its new space, The Jazz Gallery. Another space with money trouble is the soon-to-close Paper Boat Boutique & Gallery, which opens its final show, Bullies, this Friday. The show features the works of Micaela O'Herlihy, who worked as director of photography on Handmade Nation, Faythe Levine’s documentary about the indie crafts movement. Pick up some of those indie crafts for a bargain before Paper Boat closes for good. While in Bay View this Friday, head over to Fasten for the opening of Bad Winter, featuring Christopher Macdonald’s graphic novel-style drawings, which express just how much winter sucks.
Not everything is a bummer this Gallery Night. Check out Hot Pop’s show, Dwella Vs. Ella, which pairs local illustrator Dwellephant with a 6-year-old girl for a delightful, colorful show. In addition to this happy tête-à-tête, Dwellaphant and co-author Justin Shady will be on hand to sign copies of their book, Missing The Boat. Another artistic face-off takes place at the nearby Cedar Gallery (326 North Water Street), where the works of Luckystar Studio’s Bridgett Griffith Evans and Gene Evans each occupy a different floor, and the pair's final collaborative piece, “Warholian Death Blow,” will be unveiled. Final? Okay, maybe that’s still a bummer.
Chin up, art fans. The Coalition Of Photographic Arts is opening its nine-day annual members exhibit Friday night at the P.H. Dye House (320 E. Buffalo St.). More than 80 photographers from around the Midwest are exhibiting, so there has to be something for everyone, right? And here’s more good news: There’s still time to catch Night Work at the Armoury Gallery, which highlights the works of a few Milwaukee art instructors.
Finally, visit the Walker’s Point Center For The Arts to see Artists Of Pilsen, which features the works of eight Chicago artists plus individual exhibits by the show’s curators, Gabriel Villa and René Hugo Arceo. Pilsen is an ethnically rich and creatively vibrant neighborhood on Chicago’s lower west side, not unlike Milwaukee’s own Walker’s Point. Ethnic diversity and a strong arts community? Now that is something to be happy about.
