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

Giving Gallery: Community in Process

Our community. Our stories. Our unlimited potential.

This is the story of a community renewed. It’s about the people who stand up, dust off, tune in and engage every day to make sure that everyone gets a chance at a brighter future. It’s a visual reminder of where we’ve been and where we’re going. When we unite, we create possibilities for others and ourselves. Please join us. We hope you like the art. We hope you learn something new. We hope you’re inspired to help us continue the story together.

                     NML Foundation Giving Gallery Giving Gallery Video

Chipstone Foundation – The Dave Project

Currently on View at the Milwaukee Art Museum

Through collaboration with the Chipstone Foundation curatorial staff, Jon Prown, Executive Director/Chief Curator and Sarah Carter, Curator/Director of Research Milwaukee-based visual artist Mutope J. Johnson, helps to re-imagine the history of African-American material culture and design history. As part of the reinstallation of the Milwaukee Art Museum, which opened to the public on November 24, 2015. 

David Drake, also known as “Dave the Potter” was a highly talented and historically significant ceramic artisan (ca.1800-1870s). Dave’s story and craftsmanship inspired The Dave Project Gallery, which celebrates the lives and work of historic African-American artisans and makers.

The Chipstone Foundation curatorial staff states; “Milwaukee-based artist Mutope J. Johnson created the eight paintings featured in The Dave Project Gallery. Each image is based on careful research and Johnson’s own creative response to the objects. His paintings enrich the stories we are able to tell about these artisans by visualizing the worlds these objects once inhabited.” Chipstone Foundation Milwaukee Art Museum

The Dave Project • Series of eight paintings • Watercolor on Paper

Justified Art • Overture Center Gallery #1

Madison, Wisconsin – March 10, thru May 31, 2015

Opening Reception: Friday, May 1st | 6-8pm during Gallery Night

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JustifiedAngerDiscussion

Justified Art! is a platform for visual artists to participate in the conversation inspired by "Justified Anger", a Cap Times essay by Rev. Alex Gee detailing his personal experience with racial profiling and discrimination as an African American living in the Madison area. 

Featured painting: Mikal Pruitt, Bronzeville Poet Series • Oil on canvas • 36"H x 60"W

UWM Peck School of the Arts • Spring MA/MFA Exhibition #1

March 7 thru 28, 2014

Opening Reception: Friday, March 7th | 5-7pm

Gallery Talk: Tuesday, March 11th | 4pm

Website:
http://jjohnsoncre8tive.wix.com/bronzeville-series

M.A. Degree: Chadwick | Neil Subel | Janelle Vanderkelen

M.F.A. Degree: Mutope J. Johnson | Matthew Warren Lee | Julie Rogers

 ©2014 The Bronzeville Poets Series

The Bronzeville Poets Series | Blanche Brown • Oil on Canvas • 36"H x 60"W

The Bronzeville Poets Series | Eric Jefferson • Oil on Canvas • 36"H x 60"W

The Bronzeville Poets Series | Carmen Mugaria • Oil on Canvas • 36"H x 60"W

The Bronzeville Poets Series | Jeff Winke • Oil on Canvas • 36"H x 60"W

The Bronzeville Poets Series | Mikal Pruitt • Oil on Canvas • 36"H x 60"W

The Bronzeville Poets Series | Tiffany Miller • Oil on Canvas • 36"H x 60"W

Occasional Art Speak

Once in a while more or less you'll receive some Occasional Art Speak, regarding art related musings and exhibitions. Since I don't own a soapbox don't look for me to stand on one. However, don't stand too close... I will be spittin'.

Featured Bronzeville Article: Cultural Conservation- The History of Bronzeville– By Mutope j. johnson

Milwaukee Art Museum - 30 Americans

30 Americans is a dynamic exploration of contemporary American art. Paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, video, and more made by African-American artists since 1970 raise questions of what it means to be a contemporary artist and an African-American today. Whether addressing issues of race, gender, sexuality, politics, or history—or seemingly remaining silent about them—these works offer powerful interpretations of cultural identity and artistic legacy.

In conjunction with 30 Americans, the Museum presents Wisconsin 30, a parallel exhibition featuring paintings, photographs, prints, drawings, and sculpture by thirty Wisconsin African-American artists. This intergenerational exhibition presents a complementary overview of the themes of race and identity explored in 30 Americans, with a focused lens on Wisconsin.

Featured artist include: David Anderson, Marlon Banks, Reginald Baylor, Trenton Baylor, Brad Anthony Bernard, Blanche Brown, Tyanna Buie, Larry Chatman, Portia Cobb, Jamal Currie, Paul Davis, Anwar Floyd-Pruitt, Mikal Floyd-Pruitt, Vedale Hill, Sonji Hunt, Mutope j. johnson, Sharon Kerry-Harlon, Richard O. Lewis, Christopher McIntyre, Ras ‘Ammar Nsoroma, Charly Palmer, Sherman Pitts, Leslie Smith, Evelyn Patricia Terry, Babette Wainwright, Della Wells, Iverson White, and George Williams Jr.

Wisconsin 30 is organized by the Museum, in coordination with Sande Robinson, president, Milwaukee Art Museum’s African-American Art Alliance, and Lynne Shumow, curator of education, Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University.

Bronzeville Poet Series - Blanche Brown

http://mam.org/30-americans/wisconsin-30.php