The Charles Allis Art Museum in Milwaukee will host an exhibition titled "Strike at Allis Chalmers and Other Wisconsin Stories" by Artist in Residence John Fleissner, opening June 25, 2026. The show focuses on the 1941 and 1946 strikes by Allis-Chalmers workers in West Allis, Wisconsin, who organized under United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 248 to fight for union security and higher wages, facing repression including water cannons and armored vehicles. The exhibition features a large-scale woodcut, historical photos, film, and ephemera, and also explores broader Wisconsin working-class history, social movements, and folk culture. Prints will be available for purchase, and the exhibition runs through October 24, 2026.
This exhibition matters because it uses visual art to document and commemorate a pivotal moment in American labor history, connecting the struggles of industrial workers to contemporary social movements. By highlighting the role of organized labor in Wisconsin's past, the show underscores the power of art to preserve working-class narratives and inspire current activism. It also demonstrates how a local museum can serve as a platform for community history and artist-activists, reinforcing the relevance of public art institutions in fostering civic engagement and historical awareness.