Milwaukee  – Oftentimes, art making can be a solitary endeavor, but Creative Playground invites artists and audiences to experience the creative possibilities that emerge through partnership. Presented by Wisconsin Craft, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Wisconsin artists, the exhibition features 34 collaborative works created by teams of two or three artists working across disciplines. 

Free and open to the public, Creative Playground: Working in Collaboration will be on view Feb. 6 – March 6 in the Art and Cultures Gallery at Alverno College, 3400 S. 43rd St., Milwaukee.

An opening reception will be held on Feb. 13, 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.

“A playground is a space where children are free to run, play games, laugh and shout. We wanted our artists to experience that sort of freedom and playfulness with this exhibit,” says Kate Marotz, president of Wisconsin Craft. “We encouraged our members to push their boundaries and expand their creative repertoires by partnering with an artist who works in a different medium or maybe someone they don’t even know who lives in a different part of the state.” 

Roxane Mayeur, exhibition co-chair and participating artist, adds, “We hope this exhibition resonates beyond the gallery walls, encouraging connection, exploration of the unfamiliar and the discovery of new possibilities.”

Artists: June Ambro & Jeff Baenen

Title: "combust" 

Ceramic artist June Ambro of Pleasant Prairie collaborated with Kenosha wood artist Jeff Baenen on “combust,” forming a sculptural container that integrates clay and wood. Ambro created a vessel from stretched dark clay slabs, while Baenen hand carved the ash wood base and lid.

Artists: Katie Hogan & Amanda Langar

Title: “Material Entanglement”

Material Entanglement is a collaboration between Jefferson-based sculptor Amanda Langar and Madison painter Katie Hogan. Langar created crochet elements that Hogan incorporated into a double portrait of the artists.

  

Artists: Joan Kennedy & Amanda Jones

Title: “Mending”  

Mending, a work exploring resilience and repair, brings together Waukesha ceramic artist Amanda Jones and West Bend fiber artist Joan Kennedy. Jones formed a porcelain figure expressing the human spirit and life’s wounds, while Kennedy responded by mending the surfaces with nature-inspired elements created from dyed, wet-felted wool, cotton thread and hand-dyed yarn. 

Feb. 13 Opening Reception & Public Participation Opportunities 

In addition to viewing Creative Playground artwork, opening reception attendees are invited to take part in a variety of interactive elements.

• Collaborative Collage Activity, 5-7 p.m. – An opportunity for attendees to connect and co-create together during the opening reception. Led by Mosaic Artist, Amy Weh.

• Artist Panel Discussion, 5:30 - 6 p.m.

• People’s Choice Awards, 6:45 p.m. voting closes: Visitors can vote for their favorite artist collaboration in the exhibition.

• Awards Presentation, 7 p.m.

Opening Reception Registration