MARNsalons is a professional development program for artists, curators, critics and cultural workers in related disciplines. MARN brings national and international curators and critics to Milwaukee for MARNsalons, a series of in-depth engagements with members of the local arts community. Guest curators and critics provide a critical purview focused on contemporary art and curatorial experimentation for public consideration. This purview guides a roundtable discussion, juried critiques, public events, site visits and a presence on MARN’s website. Each guest curator/critic’s experience is highly crafted, offering them insight on the bounty of the Milwaukee arts community, and is meant to stimulate increasing visibility of Milwaukee-based artists on a national and international scale.
MARNsalons are organized by a committee comprised of MARN board members, advisors and staff. Advisors from leading local arts institutions are engaged for ideas and feedback on various aspects of the program. The MARNsalon committee performs an annual process to research and vet visiting curators and critics. Collaboration is sought with local arts institutions to deepen the pool of visiting curators/critics and to expand the visit for more public interaction where possible. Previous visitors have included Tameka Norris, Nate Pyper, Michelle Grabner, Irene Tsatsos, Pedro Velèz, Marty Pottenger, Anne Bray, Astria Suparak, Lisa Dent, Wilhelm van Rensberg, and Pamela Fraser.
Learn about the 2021 MARNsalon season here.
General Information
4 Studio/Workspace Visits (applications from MARNmembers only, become a member) Participants in the Studio/Workspace Visits will also participate in the Final Exhibit at the end of the season.
4 Portfolio Reviews (applications from MARNmembers only, become a member) Prepare 5-7 images to be reviewed by the local critic. The artist will receive feedback on how to effectively and strategically create a portfolio to be used for potential submissions and applications
Public Workshop, presented by the Guest Artist, social media notices will be posted
Roundtable Discussion, including public and MARNmembers
Testimonials
Ann Baer
“I got so many new ideas that were deeper, richer, more textured, more diverse, more creative and more intelligent than I ever dreamed of. I can go on from here to create more intelligently.”
Dean Valadez
“The MARNsalon experience was a great way to build friendships, to strengthen professionalism (in) one’s practice, and to detach oneself from one’s work in order to view it as objectively as possible, the latter being possible only by way of external input from the visiting curators and fellow artists… as a direct result of the MARNsalon, I was asked by Michael Flanagin and Mary Overman to be a part of the Walker’s Point Center for the Arts’ Time Arts Continuum exhibition.”
Patty Heibel
“I had a one person show… preparation is the same for the smaller MARNsalon, just on a much bigger scale. Knowing what to do, i.e.; how to present your work, price it, promote it and attend the show is what we all need to know and practice before hitting the bigger venues.”
Ari Rosenthal
“My involvement in the MARNsalon show directly resulted in a solo show at another gallery a few months later. I also sold one of my pieces which was a nice bonus. Collaborating with other artists is something that I very much enjoy and I connected with some good people at this show… It’s easy for me to recommend being a part of the MARNsalon to other artists.”
Shane Walsh
“My experience participating in the MARNsalon was incredibly positive and beneficial. For an artist working outside of the major art centers having access to nationally recognized curators, thinkers, and writers is an incredible resource. My visit proved to be spirited and engaging. It provided me with fresh insights into my work and critical dialogue regarding my intentions and interests.”
