Since 2006, IN:SITE has introduced many temporary public art installations in Milwaukee, and currently, the organization is in the process of transforming the Park East Corridor. The City of Milwaukee Arts Board initiated the project -- which includes 11 installations spanning over 16 blocks -- and provided a stipend for the artists.
"It was progressive for Milwaukee to remove part of a freeway, and it is progressive for the City of Milwaukee to invest in artists to dovetail with the Department of City Development," says Pegi Christiansen, IN:SITE chair and site manager. "Milwaukee is starting to put itself on the map as a place for temporary public art."
Some of the installations will be on display during Gallery Night and Day, July 24-25, and the grand opening of the project is scheduled for Aug. 23-30.
All of the involved artists are local, including Chris Bach and Cat Pham, Ted Brusubardis, Kasia Drake, Paul Druecke, Armando Gallegos, Gary John Gresl, Sarah Luther, Molly Noyes and Natalie LeRoy, Mary Osmundsen and Maria Bolivar, and Annushka Peck.
This weekend during Gallery Night and Day, people can view Bach and Pham’s five "Frames" that allow viewers to look through and see moments of interest throughout the corridor.
Peck's "cede:" focuses on mapping and features a billboard map on Water Street with cutout elements attached across the street at the Laacke & Joys boathouse, 1463 N. Water St.
Druecke's "Guide" showcases a banner on the outside of Sydney HiH, 300 W. Juneau Ave., and appropriates the names of Milwaukee landmarks.
Brusubardis' "Landscapes," a sound and video project, will be projected on either side of Water Street at the North end of the The Park East Flatiron beginning this Friday and Saturday night -- and every Friday and Saturday night through Aug. 29 -- from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
On July 25, "Uniting the Fence" will be viewable from 1 to 5 p.m. at the corner of Water and Knapp Streets.
Plus, at 7:50 p.m., in an empty lot between Lyon and Ogden on Jefferson Street, Luther will present a free "Sunset Theater" show called "Let Me Entertain You" accompanied by a live string ensemble. Door open at 7:30 p.m. and refreshments will be available.
"This is a must-see phenomena," says Luther.
"Sunset Theater" is a rain-or-shine event that will be repeated Friday, Aug. 28 from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m.
Beginning Aug. 8, there will be tours of the Park East every Saturday afternoon from noon to 12:45 and from 1 to 1:45 p.m., with additional tours during the week of Aug. 23-30. The tours start at Sydney HiH.
The end-of-August grand opening will include Gallegos' "Desire, Luxury, Showmanship" on top of the Time Warner Cable warehouse on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Knapp Street; Osmundsen and Bolivar's "Water Source" at the Knapp Street Bridge House and more.
"The cooperation between the county and city is almost unprecedented," says Christiansen. "Art is bringing the city and county together!"
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.