Art educators shouldn’t have to prove their worth

But if you go to the Marceil Pultorak Atrium Gallery atCarroll University in Waukesha before June 17 you can see that the MilwaukeeArea Teachers of Art (MATA) really do have what it takes.

Wisconsin has been shaken badly in recent months by seemingly endless draconian decrees emanating from the governor’s mansion and rubberstamped by the state legislature. Among the many disturbing decisions being made have been cuts to the Wisconsin Arts Board and to public education. For an excellent defense of Arts Board funding, check out Mary Louise Schumacher’s excellent essay in Art City.

Cuts to education are, if anything, worse. As an art educator myself, and as a member of MATA, I know firsthand what these cuts mean to the arts. Hundreds of teachers are leaving the profession. And the arts are always the first to go. I wish I could offer a view of some silver lining, but I can’t think of any. What I do suggest, as at least a consolation, is to go see the annual MATA membership show.

I didn’t get any pictures this time, but I can direct you to the blog of Jeanne Bjork, the current MATA president, where you can see lots of them.

This year’s exhibit is one of the best I’ve seen in my over 30 years of membership in MATA. It’s ironic, too, because it is an exhibit that almost didn’t happen. For many years this annual exhibit has been held in the lobby of the 100 East Wisconsin Building. This year, at the last minute, the corporate sponsors imposed new conditions that the MATA board found impossible to consent to. Financial considerations effectively sealed the fate, but, in a move sadly reminiscent of many culture war battles about art, they also wanted to control the content of the show.

Fortunately, Carroll University came to the rescue. I urge you to take the time to go out to Waukesha and see it. (It’s really not so far away!) The show ends June 17.

By the way, I’m sorry I didn’t have the time to write this up a week ago, as I wanted. It’s been a very hectic week, as the end of the school year always is. But this year especially: I went to graduation yesterday for the last time. My retirement from Marquette University High School has nothing to do with the politics I commented on above. And, fortunately, it doesn’t mean the loss of an art teacher. In fact, I am happy to be leaving an opening for a younger art teacher who can carry on in my place.

Glass Facade

OK, one more thing by way of full disclosure: I’m not only proud to be a long-time member of this fine organization, but honored that one of my pieces (right) was awarded Best of Show by the two jurors, Teri Wagner and Katie Musolff. But that’s not why you should see the show; it really is outstanding overall and twelve other artists also received significant awards.

Directions and gallery hours are on the Carroll Universitywebsite.

MATA Juried Membership Show Preview

Pandora's Garden, by Jean Sobon.

The Milwaukee Area Teachers of Art (MATA) has been promoting art education and the professional and creative growth of its members for approximately 60 years. Its premier event is the annual spring membership show, which currently is on display through June 18 at the 100 East Wisconsin Building (corner of Wisconsin Ave. and Water St.)

The opening reception and awards presentation will be held this Saturday, May 22 from 5:00 – 6:30 pm and is open to the public.

Phil Krejcarek setting up one of his assemblages, made from a variety of toys. At first glance the work seems whimsical, but closer inspection is rewarded with an ironic wit and conceptual integrity.

What I find remarkable about this annual exhibit is not the fact that elementary and secondary as well as college art teachers create art of their own in addition to nurturing that of their students; it is the consistently high quality of the work. If the range of styles, media, and techniques used is often quite broad, it merely serves to enrich the show and demonstrate the value of personal creativity amongst those whose primary vocation is to inspire the creativity of others.

The judges for this year were Bruce Knackert from UWM's Inova Gallery and Richard Knight from the Tory Folliard Gallery. Since the awards will not be announced until Saturday, I cannot report on them. However, I have seen the work and I shall provide a sampling that I hope will get you to come to the opening, or at least to visit. (The building is open 7 am – 6 pm Monday – Friday.)

Full disclosure: I am not a dispassionate observer since I have been a MATA member for about 30 years and I have two works in this show. Consequently I have known some of the other exhibitors for much of my career. However, although there are familiar names under many of the art works, I am frequently surprised by the work that is there to discover. I have come to expect a stimulating experience at the MATA show. Not every annual show lives up to expectations. This year’s is excellent!

Jim Dietz’s two rather different pieces are both entitled “self-portrait.” One is a free standing sculpture that is clearly figurative, but assembled from oddly shaped machined lumber and modeled clay. The other (detail at right) hangs on the wall like a painting but is also more dimensional and incorporates found objects into its dark, sculpted surfaces. This one is subtitled “Ressurection.” I hope the artist feels better soon!

Sheri Van den Boom creates amazingly intricate and lushly tactile hand-made books, no two alike in form and content. That the two in this show necessarily are under glass frustrates my need to touch and read them. The “book” shown in this detail (below) is contained in a carefully crafted frame house with reproductions from William Blake emblazoned on the front. It is displayed open to reveal that each “room” of the house is a tiny colorful, hand-lettered book. The miniature books hide behind covers that resemble the doors of this masterfully conceived house.

For something very different, there is Frank Juarez’s subtle take on minimalism and color field abstraction (right).

I don’t have time or space to do this show justice. I’m missing some of the other gems. You’ll just have to go see it. But I will include one final example. It wouldn’t be a MATA show without stalwart, Chuck Wickler, who has spent a lifetime teaching in an elementary setting and producing a remarkable body of conceptually demanding work. This one (below) is typical, using language and color to create layered meanings. Wickler’s style is immediately recognizable and yet each new piece is fresh and thought provoking.

For more info, click on MATA.