The best of 2011

Welcome to the second annual highlights from the past year at Arts Without Borders. Once again I submit a few of my favorite art experiences of 2011, in chronological order. And may the New Year be filled with art and creativity!

January – Combat Theater rocks Milwaukee.

Writing and performing a play over a 24-hour period with ideas pulled out of a hat – literally.

February – Charles Allis: a visual tour of 100 years.

In honor of its 100^th anniversary, the Charles Allis Art Museum broke with tradition and invited a slate of artists to do installations in the historic building.

March – Science, Poetry, and the Photographic Image.

Which was the theme of the Society of Photographic Educators annual conference in Atlanta, GA. A review.

April – CoPA and contemporary photography.

Milwaukee’s Coalition of Photographic Arts annual membership show stimulates reflections on the nature of contemporary photography and the challenges of keeping the organization fresh.

May – ArtChicago: The “Artropolis” has shrunk.

My review of this year’s annual gallery fair in Chicago.

June – Cardinal Stritch shows “The Face of War.”

My review of this powerful exhibit of war photography.

August – Thousands gather at the river to hear Water.

My reflections on Present Music’s magnificent performance – and collaborative event – at the Marcus Center and the Milwaukee River.

August – “Field of Vision: Artists Explore Place” at the Racine Art Museum.

This post was a slightly amended reprise of my debut as a blogger for Art City. It is a review of what was an excellent and surprising exhibit.

September – Remembering ten years of Milwaukee art.

My response to a query from Art City on developments in the art scene from 2001 – 2011.

October – Louder than a Bomb rocks Milwaukee Film Fest.

The best film of the festival rockets to the top of my own personal charts. Read my review and then add this one to your Netflix queue.

November – Art and environmental remediation.

Patricia Johanson creates large-scale artworks that help heal the earth.

December – Storm King Art Center.

A visit to my favorite sculpture park, in upstate New York, with a link to my meditation on Dia Beacon as a bonus post.

It was a good year for the arts in Milwaukee. It also was a good year for me personally, I’m happy to say. Two highlights:

Seeing the real Peru: beyond Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, my solo exhibit at Mount Mary College in January.

Gallery 2622, another, very different, solo exhibit at this eponymous gallery in Wauwatosa in August.

Happy New Year!