Must-See Madison Art Exhibits This Summer

Madison is booming with a vibrant art scene, featuring eclectic works by locals and storytellers. Escape the heat this summer by visiting one of these local galleries.

Chazen Art Museum
The Chazen Museum of Art is proud to own Wisconsin’s second largest art collection. Register online and in advance to see its exhibitions this summer at no cost. While you’re at it, grab some food and a cup of coffee at the Chazen Cafe! The museum presents its new exhibition “Mirror, Mirror: The Prints of Alison Saar, from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation”, available until August 8. Saar, described as “The master of the art of engraving”, infuses images of jazz and romance with other important stories about the African American experience. Importantly, the museum claims that the Saar “represents the tragic history of slavery in America, but its figures symbolize challenge and strength”. Free and open by reservation, 800 University Ave.

Fine Earth Workshop and Gallery
The Fine Earth Studio & Gallery showcases the work of over 20 local artists. The collection of handmade pottery, jewelry, cards, soaps and gifts are all available for purchase. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays or by appointment, 2207 Regent St.

Marzen Gallery
Combine art with music at the Marzen Gallery. Five artists from East Madison exhibit their work at the Marzen Gallery, affiliated with the Integrated Art Group. Discover the works of Thomas Ferrella, Skinny Gaviar, Sharon Kilfoy, Sandra Klingbeil and Terry Talbot, all on display until the end of September at the Aventine Apartments. Marzen will also have new illustrations from July 15 to September 15.

The Marzen Gallery is also hosting an event with photography, poetry, graphics and portraits on August 12. Braille too, making it available to people with visual impairments. The artist reception, which also includes Braille to make it accessible to the visually impaired, will include live music, refreshments and good conversation. Free, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., August 12, 2345 Atwood Avenue

Trapdoor art house
Simply enter the Hatch Art House on Williamson Street, where you’ll see a collection of paintings, textured art, mixed media works, weavings, pottery and jewelry, all brightly colored and ready to go. sale. “There is something for everyone,” says owner Tammy Schreiter. The spot has supported artists in Madison and across the state of Wisconsin for over a decade. Schreiter also says there is a strong focus on reusing and recycling materials with an emphasis on sustainability. Featured artists include Randy and Lisa Lee of Tin Cat Studio, Susan Fiebig, Rooted Veins and Cream City Rocks. From July, the house will welcome an artist every Friday. “We welcome a lot of new artists. There is going to be a lot of new work in the workshop, ”she said. Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1248 Williamson St.

James Watrous Gallery
Explore “the paradox of fragility and resilience” with the exhibition “Vulnerable bodies”, available until July 24. Speaking of the uncertainty and fear resulting from the global pandemic, the art addresses internal and external tensions resulting from economic uncertainty, political polarization, racism, xenophobia, transphobia and different forms of otherness. Erica Hess, Masako Onodera, Yevgeniya Kaganovich, Demitra Copoulos, J. Myszka Lewis and Valaria Tatera look at the body through different means of sculpture, self-portrait, mouth and hand parts, and ceramics. Each challenges observers to think more critically. Don’t miss the closing reception, scheduled for July 23, to meet the artists and curator Jody Clowes (refreshments included!). Open by appointment, 3241 Garver Green

Livsreise
Some of Herbjørn Gausta’s works, collected at the Norwegian-American Museum in Vesterheim, are exhibited at the Livsreise in Stoughton. Gausta moved to the United States at the age of 12 and documented beautiful landscapes of Norway and the Upper Midwest throughout the late 19th century. He is best known for his 400+ altar paintings, although he has also taken numerous photographs, made satirical drawings, and created a number of portraits of Norwegian Americans. The exhibition is visible until May 1, 2022. If you want to learn from an expert, take part in “In Search of Hjemland: Herbjørn Gausta and the Experience of an American Immigrant Artist,” a fun and free virtual event on August 11. 277 W. Main St., Stoughton

Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
With paintings, sculptures, photographs, videos, drawings and more, the MMoCA hosts an impressive collection of works of art. From July, the museum will present a new exhibition – an exhibition which has not yet been named but which illustrates an “intermediate” concept full of visual transitions, shadows and contrasts, such as Michael Muckian wrote. And thanks to its acquisition in 2020 of the Mark and Judy Bednar Collection of Chicago Imagism, the museum has exceeded its number of works from the 1960s and 1970s to 227 individual pieces. Don’t miss the museum’s “Full Circle” exhibit, available until August 22. The exhibition features favorites such as Roberto Behar, Rosario Marquardt, Deborah Butterfield, Sam Gilliam, Susan Rothenberg, Frank Stella and John Wilde, among others. All individual parts can be viewed individually, free of charge. Friday-Sunday 12 pm-6pm, 227 State Street

Milward Farrell Fine Arts
Milward Farrell Fine Art showcases a wide range of artists, all of whom are producing new and innovative works this month. Full of color and open spaces, Milward presents the works of Max Arthur Cohn, Dakota Finn, Charles Dwyer and others. Cohn’s art has been seen in several art museums including, but not limited to, the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Chicago Art Institute. Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 2701 Monroe St.

PhotoMidwest Online Gallery
Cameron Gillie, PhotoMidwest Featured Artist, presents “Nonssential”. His work depicts various sites around Madison, where he wandered empty streets and took photos using vintage cameras. Although the pandemic lockdown threw a curveball at him, Gillie knew he wanted to continue his work, especially with film photography. “For the first time in my career, I took photos strictly for myself, with no thought to monetize the images,” he says. Virtual

Tandem press
Summer is the perfect time to reflect on the year… hence the Summer Reflections exhibition at Tandem Press, publisher of fine art prints. Founded in 1987, the organization is part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has produced works with internationally renowned artists. The Summer Reflections exhibition will highlight new and old favorite works of Suzanne Caporael, Lesley Dill, Jim Dine, Jeffrey Gibson and Mickalene Thomas. Open by appointment, 1743 Commercial Ave.