Located at 2721 S. Howell Ave., Akara Arts is close enough to Bay View’s femoral artery (i.e. S. Kinnickinnic Ave.) to feel a part of the action while being just far enough for parking to be a cinch. The new gallery’s location is only one of its noteworthy fusions. At Akara, “art” is not limited to objects we make with our hands but also the ways we decorate our bodies and shape them: A tattoo parlor and ashtanga yoga studio are housed in the building, the latter introducing a steady stream of slowly shifting sculptures.
For its maiden voyage, Akara Arts has collected works from 10 Milwaukee artists who work in a variety of media. To name but three… As designer/owner/curator of Akara, Scott James LaShay is exercising his jus primae noctis by exhibiting his sculptures. The paintings of Shawn Gurath are sufficiently poetic to stand alone but are rich enough in symbolism to reward interpretive effort. Finally, Katerina Nissa’s sculptures look like insects that crawled out from one of Salvador Dalí’s nightmares—and this is meant in the most complimentary of senses. Stop by from 5-10 p.m. on Friday, June 5 to welcome Akara Arts to the neighborhood. The grand opening is part of Bay View Gallery Night.
“WOMAN: (distinguished from man)"
Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts
926 E. Center St.
A new exhibition at Riverwest’s Jazz Gallery sets it sights on a loftier goal than art for art’s sake. “WOMAN: (distinguished from man),” which opens with an artists’ reception on Saturday, June 6 from 5-9 p.m., presents the work of five local female artists from diverse backgrounds and with diverse artistic interests. The exhibition is unified by an overarching emphasis on the struggles of gender issues and sub-themes include: body image, economic equality, education, gender-related violence and media representation. Community roundtable discussions on these topics will be held on June 13, 20 and 27. The Jazz Gallery is open for viewing Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday from 12-5 p.m.
Stay on top of the news of the day
Subscribe to our free, daily e-newsletter to get Milwaukee's latest local news, restaurants, music, arts and entertainment and events delivered right to your inbox every weekday, plus a bonus Week in Review email on Saturdays.
Northern Moraine Spring Art Tour
Plymouth Arts Center
520 E. Mill St., and various locations in Sheboygan County
The Northern Moraine Spring Art Tour is a Choose Your Own Adventure of an arts event. Held on Friday and Saturday, June 5-6, the event consists of a self-guided tour of more than 35 private studios, galleries and boutiques throughout Sheboygan County. On both days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the artists will be present in their studios eager to gab about the creative process, to offer insights on the finer points of technique and to assist interested buyers in selecting the perfect piece. The Plymouth Arts Center will serve as headquarters by offering maps and other information. The tour is free and open to the public.
