Vasari Codex. A living chronicle of the art world.

person people schedule May 22, 2026

Paul Noth Named MOWA’s Inaugural Cartoonist Laureate

Paul Noth has been named the inaugural Cartoonist Laureate by the Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) in West Bend, making him Wisconsin's first holder of the title. The appointment, announced ahead of the October 13 publication of his debut cartoon collection *I Am Going to Eat You … and Other Awkward Truths*, comes with a three-year term, a cash award, a solo exhibition at MOWA, and recognition at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Noth, a *New Yorker* cartoonist with over 400 published cartoons, will serve as an ambassador for cartoon art, teaching workshops and promoting comics literacy.

museum exhibitions schedule May 19, 2026

Landscape and Imagery Help MOWA Celebrate the Country’s 250th Birthday

The Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) in West Bend has opened a new exhibition titled "The American Landscape: Beyond the Horizon," celebrating the role of Wisconsin artists in capturing the state's contributions to the United States ahead of the country's 250th birthday. The show features over 60 works, 60% from the museum's permanent collection and 40% borrowed from artists and collectors, including pieces by John Stuart Curry, Lois Ireland, Georgia O'Keeffe, Native American artists like Helen Lonetree and Lila Greengrass Blackdeer, and contemporary works by incarcerated artist M. Winston. Guest curator Rafael Salas, a professor at Ripon College, also includes three of his own works.

museum exhibitions schedule May 4, 2026

Grohmann Museum Exhibit Focuses on Veterans and Service

The Grohmann Museum in Milwaukee has opened a new exhibition pairing two shows by contemporary American artists focusing on military service. Ohio-born Mary Whyte's "We the People: Portraits of Veterans in America" features 50 large-scale watercolor portraits of veterans from various wars and backgrounds. Milwaukee photographer Dennis Darmek's "Boots and Sand: The Marines of 29 Palms" presents two dozen color photographs taken at the Marine Corps base in California's Mojave Desert, where Darmek himself trained in 1969. The photos capture both posed and candid moments, highlighting diversity within the modern Marine Corps, including women in combat roles.

person people schedule Apr 7, 2026

A Conversation with Milwaukee Art Museum’s New Director

Kim Sajet has been appointed as the new director of the Milwaukee Art Museum, bringing an international perspective shaped by her birth in Nigeria, upbringing in Australia, and Dutch citizenship. In an introductory interview, Sajet discusses her extensive leadership background—having previously run two museums in Australia—and how her personal history, including her relationship with her disabled brother, influenced her path toward art history and museum studies.

article local schedule Apr 6, 2026

Cactus Club 'In the Clouds' Artist Residency Applications Now Open

Cactus Plus, the nonprofit arm of Milwaukee’s Cactus Club, has opened applications for the second year of its "In the Clouds" artist residency. The program offers three selected artists—one virtual and two in-person—a $1,500 stipend to support their practice between June 22 and 26, 2026. Designed with a focus on accessibility, the residency specifically prioritizes disabled, neurodivergent, and chronically ill creators across all artistic mediums, requiring a community event and an artist talk rather than the production of new physical work.

museum exhibitions schedule Oct 20, 2025

Gig’s Up: Punk Artists Meet the Public

Milwaukee's Real Tinsel Gallery is hosting "Gig's Up: 50 Years of Punk Poster Art," a show collecting five decades of punk poster art from the local music scene. Curated by Dave Luhrssen, Clancy Carroll, Paul Host, and Tim Noble, the exhibition draws from Carroll's personal collection and contributions from other collectors and artists, featuring works by Eric Von Munz and others. The show includes a hardcover catalog and runs through December, with panel discussions and performances tied to it.

article local schedule Apr 18, 2025

Mike Fredrickson’s New Album and Paintings

Mike Fredrickson, a Riverwest-based painter and musician, has released a new album titled *Sunken Treasure* and is showcasing his paintings at two Milwaukee venues. The album, recorded in Chicago with collaborators including drummer Dave Braun and guitarist Scott Ligon, features 13 songs blending catchy grooves with introspective lyrics. His vibrant cityscape and portrait paintings are on display at The Daily Bird and Beans and Barley through mid-May.