by Jan Christensen
MIAD faculty member and Riverwest resident Jennifer Geigel Mikulay is making a mark in the public art scene.
She teaches an Art in Public Places sculpture class at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in the Third Ward. Recently her class completed a project in partnership with the Friends of the Hank Aaron State Trail (HAST). MIAD students Dana Bach, Emily Belknap, Colin Dickson, Katrina Motley and Bridget Quinn were selected by a jury to create temporary artwork along the new educational HAST trail that runs along the Menomonee River.
The works will be on view throughout the summer along two sections of the trail, near 13th and Canal and 23rd and Canal Streets.
The works that will be on display include: Untitled, by Emily Belknap and Bridget Quinn a bicycle fitted with a mechanical bird whose wings flap when a rider or viewer moves the pedals on the bike.
Birds by Dana Bach colorful, oversized birds set in the trees along the river.
Native Shoots, by Colin Dickson a series of spikes fabricated from recycled coffee bean sacks filled with earth and native grass seeds, which are sprouting under the daily care of the artist.
March On, by Katrina Motley a series of mural panels depicting an anti-housing segregation march. In the near future the mural will be insalled under the viaduct on which that march occurred.
Art in Flux Coming Aug. 5
Where you gonna go to make woodcut prints in the street with a steamroller? Its gotta be Riverwest.
Thats just one of the things that will be going on at Art in Flux, the first annual fundraiser to benefit the academic programs of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. Its scheduled for Saturday, August 5, 5- 10 p.m., rain or shine at Flux Design, 811 E. Vienna Ave.
In addition to the large, woodcut steamroller prints, there will be sculpture created live onsite, a time-based media show by some 25 fine artists. A silent auction, fine food (cash bar), music and dancing will round out the night.
Tickets are $25 and available at http://www.miad.edu/content/blogcategory/1/413/ or at the door. For info call MIAD at 414-276-7889.
Riverwest Currents online edition – July, 2006