Milwaukee-based Falk Group Public Relations will launch Art Shine, a quarterly benefit held in conjunction with Gallery Night throughout Milwaukee’s downtown.
At each “Art Shine” program, the agency will convert its office and adjoining space in the Broadway Central building, 241 N. Broadway into an art gallery to raise awareness of a local not-for-profit organization by showcasing the original work of a local artist connected with that cause.
According to Susie Falk, owner, the mission of the philanthropic initiative is to spotlight local artists who are connected to a charitable cause in an effort to educate the general public about the charity’s mission and service to the community, while recognizing the work of the artist.
“It’s a simple, resourceful concept, and everyone benefits from it,” she said.
The agency tested the concept in connection with Gallery Night in October 2011, hosting an exhibition, “Homeless Not Hopeless” featuring local artist Rebecca Moczulewski’s series of water color paintings that reflect the lives and experiences of homeless Milwaukeeans at Repairers of the Breach daytime resource center for the homeless. The program attracted approximately 300 visitors. Featured paintings were converted into a calendar, which was offered to guests for a monetary donation to Repairers of the Breach. Since the initial showing, the exhibit has been travelling and is currently on display at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield.
Art Shine will officially launch on Friday, April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. and will feature one-of-a-kind hand-crafted jewelry, created by Sr. Edna Lonergan, on behalf of the St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. All proceeds from jewelry sales will be donated to the organization.
Sr. Edna Lonergan has created her own one-of a-kind handmade jewelry, under the name “Sister Edna’s Creations” for the past 20 years. She began creating the jewelry as a way of supplementing funding for the underserved in the community. All proceeds go to support the St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care, a day care center which she founded 29 years ago and today serves as president.
“I am grateful to those who realize that the beauty of my art is more than the beaded object they see; the beauty of the art is in the lives who are positively touched through the work at St. Ann’s, which my artwork supports,” said Lonergan.
Her wearable art can also be found at the Bucyrus International Museum Gift Shop, Zita Bridal Salon, Miss Groove’s boutique and St. Ann Center’s Seasons of Life gift shop.
