SWAN Day MKE 2018: "Women and Nature: Nourishing Our Roots" A Celebration & Exhibition of Milwaukee Women Artists

Dive into the creative energy of Milwaukee women artists! Milwaukeeans celebrate the power and diversity of women’s creativity at SWAN Day MKE 2018: “Women and Nature: Nourishing Our Roots,” an art exhibition at the Urban Ecology Center – Menomonee Valley. Over one-hundred artists, spoken word, dance and more will be featured as part of the 11th Annual International Support Women Artists Now Day.

Exhibition: Runs March 24th – May 31st, 2018 at Urban Ecology Center – Menomonee Valley

OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday, March 24th 11am-3pm FREE & Open to the public

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” ― Audre Lorde

Over one-hundred women-identified artists of all ages, disciplines and levels of artistic experience residing in Milwaukee and surrounding areas were invited to participate in an informal, non-juried celebration and exhibition. Now in its third year, SWAN Day MKE participants move “beyond the swan,” exploring a broader theme of women’s artistic & spiritual connections to nature, and how these roots nourish one’s work, activism and daily living. The response to this year’s theme has been outstanding, and we are delighted to welcome dozens of new artists from a diverse range of artistic backgrounds, ages, cultures, and mediums. Women from Alverno College, Mount Mary University, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, Escuela Verde, L.U.N.A arts collective, Materials Studio & Gallery, as well as individual practices around the Milwaukee area are coming together for what promises to be an amazing celebration of the diverse and beautiful community of women and arts here in Milwaukee.

New for 2018! We are so excited to be hosting our third year at a new venue: the Urban Ecology Center Menomonee Valley Branch. Each year SWAN Day MKE also supports a cause related to our theme, and this year we are inviting people to support our host, the Urban Ecology Center. An environmental community center with three locations in Milwaukee, the UEC works to connect people to nature right in their neighborhood. With your support, the UEC can connect even more folks in our communities to the nourishing power of nature displayed in the SWAN Day MKE exhibition and its arts programming as a whole.
OPENING RECEPTION ACTIVITIES
OPENING RECEPTION REMARKS & PERFORMANCES feature an Opening Libation with Venice Williams of Alice’s Garden honoring women and the environment, classical Indian dance performances by Cyenthia Vijayakumar, storytelling with ExFabula’s Monica Thomas, poetry by Linetta Davis, artist collective L.U.N.A. (Latinas Unidas en Las Artes) will be discussing access, opportunity and the need of Latinx run in gallery spaces in MKE, Mount Mary Student Art Therapy Association will speak about their group installation, and a closing blessing with Alexandra Jenkins of Limitless Expansion.

OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE a Mini-Market – ALL DAY 11am-3pm featuring work for sale by CanelitaBrown accessories and self-care items, Artery Ink – art + wellness greeting cards, prints & T-shirts, Alice’s Garden tea blends, steams, creams, and body soaks, made from herbs grown in the Garden, Ceci Tejeda’s paper mache & plaster sculptures, Caroline’s Raw Creations vegan foodstuffs and treats by August Sweets. Other activities include face painting with Evolutionz Face & Body Art, a coloring table with healing arts facilitator Shami Lock , caricature portraits with Rozalia Hernandez-Singh, and root chakra focus meditation with Alexandra Jenkins. For a complete listing of artists, times, activities & performances, please visit SWAN Day MKE’s Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/swandaymke