By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Jul 09, 2019 at 7:43 PM

The talent and mystery of the late artist Mary Nohl lives on, this time when Milwaukee Film presents a special event to celebrate her life and work.

"Precession of a Day: The World of Mary Nohl" takes place on on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Oriental Theatre. The event features a unique multimedia experience with a live music performance by Marielle Allschwang & The Visitations paired with film footage from Mary Nohl’s artist-built environment – known by some as "The Witch's House" – on the shores of Lake Michigan.

The event also marks the official release of the album version of "Precession," a deluxe double-LP and hardcover book recorded at the Chair Company in Milwaukee. It will be for sale at the show.

Allschwang spent four years researching, composing and filmmaking, during which she and her band, The Visitations, invoked the creative autonomy, freedom and whimsy that Nohl embodied.

"​‘Precession’ is an offering and a response to the life and work of Mary Nohl," sasaysid Allschwang, who also serves as education manager for Milwaukee Film.

"This project has given me an invaluable opportunity to honor Mary Nohl and her role as a courageously devoted, astoundingly prolific and incredibly skilled artist who participated with her natural surroundings to make a very rare and beautiful place."

The Mary Nohl Art Environment, located in Fox Point, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"Precession" is produced by David Ravel, former artistic director of Alverno Presents. The work was commissioned by Milwaukee Film, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Wisconsin Union Theatre/UW Madison and the Cedar Cultural Center. Additional funding was provided by Mary L. Nohl.

Tickets are on sale now at mkefilm.org/nohl and are $25 for general admission and $20 for Milwaukee Film Members.


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.