2022: The Highlights

With the second half of the fiscal year came the return of in-person activities, both familiar and new, at the Museum. These are among the notable moments, beyond the exhibitions, that brought us together again as a community in celebration of each other and art.

February

IN-PERSON EVENTS

On-site, in-person events returned to the Museum.

Contemporary Galleries Refresh

Three of the contemporary galleries were changed as part of the Museum’s most significant retelling of the contemporary art story in seven years. Abstract Expressionist works by artists such as Hans Hofmann, Angelo Ippolito, and Joan Mitchell were added to the contemporary galleries.

March

STAFF RETURN

Museum staff working off-site returned to campus.

STUDIO OPENS

Kohl’s Art Studio reopened onsite with hands-on art making for kids of all ages.

COFFEE IS SERVED

Discourse: Coffee Workshop started a residency in the Museum Café, specializing in experimental craft drinks and art-inspired beverages created to expand the traditional coffee experience.

April

ART IN BLOOM BLOOMS BACK

The popular community event and celebration of spring Art in Bloom returned April 7–10 after two years to fill the galleries with art-inspired floral creations by top regional designers.

Free Day For All

Bader Philanthropies hosted a Free Day at the Museum on April 28 in honor of Dr. Alfred Bader, a chemist, philanthropist, and passionate supporter of the Milwaukee Art Museum, on the anniversary of his birth.

Spotlight Sessions

The Museum introduced its new Spotlight Sessions series with “Nobody’s Watching” by Klassik. The Milwaukee musician performed his original composition in response to Untitled Anxious Audience by Rashid Johnson. Through the video series, artists share their unique perspectives on their own or another’s work.

May BLOCK PARTY

The “On Site: Derrick Adams”: Block Party, inspired by the exhibition On Site: Derrick Adams: Our Time Together, celebrated everyday Black life and leisure in Milwaukee. The entire community was invited to the lakeside party on May 21 to enjoy art, yoga, high tea, spades, line dancing, music, food, and more provided by local Black-owned businesses.

July

THE STREETS OF PARIS

The Streets of Paris celebration, held in conjunction with the Always New: The Posters of Jules Chéret exhibition, celebrated global Frenchspeaking cultures alongside the city’s Bastille Days festival. The four-day event, July 14–17, featured music, dance performances, gallery tours, art making, a beer garden, and a film screening of Myth of a Colorblind France in partnership with Milwaukee Film’s Black Lens.

June

WOMAN OF INFLUENCE

Marcelle Polednik, PhD, Donna and Donald Baumgartner Director, was honored with a Milwaukee Business Journal Women of Influence Award for her significant contributions to the arts and our community.

A Bittersweet Retirement

After 22 years with the Museum, Brigid Globensky, Barbara Brown Lee Senior Director of Education and Programs, retired.

A Monumental Return

After more than a year of planning, Carousel Merge 2, an early draped canvas painting the artist Sam Gilliam made in 1971, was reinstalled in the contemporary galleries.