*Friday, Oct. 17, IndependenceFirst will hold a reception for its “Threads of the World” art exhibit, created by artist Melissa Enderle. Each year, IndependenceFirst’s home site features an exhibit that promotes inclusion of people with disabilities in creating, showcasing and viewing original artwork. Enderle, a Wisconsin native, travels the world teaching and creating art with a special interest in watercolor, pastel and colored pencil. Many of her pieces highlight the cultures of the destinations she has visited. The Oct. 17 reception, which is part of the Third Ward Association’s Gallery Night, will feature a Skype conversation with Enderle, who is currently in South Korea. Attendees will be able to ask her questions. The reception will run from 5 to 9 p.m. at IndependenceFirst, located at 540 S. 1st St. in Milwaukee. For more information or to RSVP, click here.
*Sunday, Oct. 19, Canstruction, a national charity that holds competitions and exhibits featuring artistic structures made of full cans of food, will come to Bayshore Town Center. Five Milwaukee architectural firms will create large-scale art projects out of cans following the theme “Milwaukee” and will spend all of Sunday constructing. On Tuesday, Oct. 21, an awards ceremony and reception will honor their artwork. Designs will be on display through Wednesday, Oct. 29, when projects will be “de-canstructed,” and more than 8,000 cans included in the project will be donated to the Jewish Community Pantry. The string of events is made possible by a partnership between Bayshore Town Center and the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. Bayshore Town Center is located at 5800 N. Bayshore Drive in Glendale. For more information on each event, visit www.milwaukee.canstruction.org.
*Wednesday, Oct. 22, the Milwaukee Press Club will present a Newsmaker Luncheon themed “Pundits and Pollsters” and focused on the state’s Nov. 4 election. During the luncheon, a panel of area journalists along with Marquette University Law School poll director Charles Franklin will discuss the gubernatorial race between Gov. Scott Walker and candidate Mary Burke and the attorney general race between Susan Happ and Brad Schimmel, among other races. Panelists will highlight factors that will influence the election results, the impact of Wisconsin’s new Voter I.D. law, specific strengths and weaknesses of candidates and more. The event, open to the public, will run from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Newsroom Pub, 137 E. Wells St. in downtown Milwaukee. Cost is $18 for press club members, $23 for non-members, and $13 for students. The event includes lunch. Seating is limited, and advanced registration and payment are required. For more information or to register, visit www.milwaukeepressclub.org.
