5pts Art Gallery & Studios – This is America

5 Points Art Gallery & Studios’ 4th art show, is a consciously curated group exhibition coinciding with the United States’ Independence Day with visual artworks by 17 artists from traditionally overlooked vantage points, responding to the patriotism and nationalism the holiday was constructed to imbue.

This Is America is meant to both corroborate and challenge the notion of Americanism, citizenship and belonging, racial representation, historical and cultural influence, religious freedom, national and global amnesty, and pride in iconography associated with the red, white and blue, stars and stripes. With a breadth of work reflecting upon current and historical concepts and lived experiences, viewers are posed to find commonality or grapple with divergent perspectives tied to their nationalistic, political, and racial identities.

This Is America exhibiting artists are Wisconsin-based, national, and international and works are equally diverse, including but not limited to paintings, drawings, collages, textiles/fiber art, mixed media compositions, photography, audio visual, sculptures, and conceptual installations.

Featured Artists are: Alain Cabrera (Havana, Cuba), Charly Palmer (Atlanta, GA), David Najib Kasir (Milwaukee, WI), Della Wells (Milwaukee, WI), Erik Salgado (Chicago, IL), Evelyn Patricia Terry (Milwaukee, WI), Fatima Laster (Milwaukee, WI), George Williams Jr. (Beloit, WI), Kierston Ghaznavi (Milwaukee, WI), Marvin Tate (Chicago, IL), Mutope J. Johnson (Milwaukee, WI), Portia Cobb (Milwaukee, WI), Rhonda Gatlin-Hayes (Milwaukee, WI), Ruthie Joy (Milwaukee, WI), Sonji Hunt (Milwaukee, WI), Spencer Hutchinson (Chicago, IL), and Xavier Lightfoot (Milwaukee, WI).

1 of 3 Featured paintings: A Soldier's Tale • Acrylic on canvas • 30"H x 24"W

Juneteenth Day, Commemorative Poster • 16Wx20H

Var West Gallery – The Influencer Exhibition

 The exhibit delivers a multitude of disciplines, objects and aesthetics, as well as artistic backgrounds, histories, and identities. With so many prominent artistic voices in one room, MKE Influencers validates the robust and diverse art scene that stretches beyond the southeastern Wisconsin region.

Exhibiting artists are Reggie Baylor, Brent Budsberg, Ray Chi, Kyoung Ae Cho, Santiago Cucullu, Michael Davidson, Melissa Dorn, Paul Druecke, Richard Galling, Nina Ghanbarzadeh, Michelle Grabner, Jon Horvath, Niki Johnson, Mutope J. Johnson, Frank Juarez, David Najib Kasir, Greg Klassen, kathryn e. martin, Colin Matthes, Shane McAdams, Shana McCaw, Kevin Miyazaki, Joseph Mougel, Keith Nelson, Stacey Williams Ng, Rosemary Ollison, Will Pergl, Nirmal Raja, Tia Richardson, John Riepenhoff, Jill Sebastian, Ariana Vaeth, Leslie Vansen, Shane Walsh, Della Wells, Chris Willey, Jason S. Yi, and Rina Yoon.

You Wanna Steal My Blues Huh, John Lee Hooker • Acrylic on Illustration board • 24"H x 20"W