15 Wisconsin Artists
In recent years, the city of Milwaukee and its organizations have been slowly coming around to investing in the arts and creative scene in Milwaukee. Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), Wisconsin’s largest technical college, is one of Wisconsin’s educational institutions that provides a platform to support local artists. In 2020, MATC started the Community Arts Collection to not only support the arts but also break down barriers between students and reaching academic success, and after.
The Community Arts Collection allows local artists to display their artwork in public spaces. According to a press release, this year, over 50 artists submitted proposals and 15 artists were selected.
Some of the artists a part of the 2024 MATC Community Arts Collection include:
- Clarissa Friday: Photographs feature individuals from Native American tribes across Wisconsin in their dance-style regalia positioned in modern-day environments.
- Yuliia Shevtsova: A collage of 12 tiles that showcases traditional patterns from various corners of the world.
- Rozalia Hernandez Singh: A large, 6-by-10-foot mural featuring vibrant and diverse colors.
- Cierra Pleshette: A series of portraits highlighting the elderly community with dignity and presence.
Artist Spotlight – Clarissa Friday
Friday likes to stay behind the camera and let her subjects shine on their own, so being selected for MATC’s Community Arts Collection came with excitement and nerves. As a Native American herself, Friday grew up in a village called Sandpillow, near Black River Falls, Wisconsin. There she was fully immersed in her culture. Now, while residing in West Bend, she uses her camera to show Native Americans are still here and to highlight their culture in the modern-day.
Friday’s photos for the collection were taken in different parts of Wisconsin to show the state’s rich environments.
“It’s about the people. I want them to see the people and the artwork that they display,” said Friday. “I’m trying to highlight the whole environment.”
For the MATC Community Arts Collection, Friday focused on showing Native American dance styles at Powwows. In simple terms, a powwow is a gathering with dances, vibrant outfits, spectators, vendors, and sometimes even camp spots.
Friday said some of the dancers have been dancing since they could walk learning dancing like Jingle, Men’s Traditional, Fancy Shawl, Grass, Smoke, and Woodland. Oftentimes, dancers wear clothing or items that have been passed down from generation to generation.
“I want to show the artistry and the culture we share,” she said.
Friday’s photography journey started 12 years ago when she started documenting her friends and family. It was during one of these sweet moments that Friday captured a photo that made her wonder how to replicate that photo. She then went to school to study her craft and now she’s capturing and honoring her Native American culture through photos.
“It brings me back to who I am,” said Friday. She also added that photography helps connect her kids to her childhood roots.
Although Friday is capturing Powwows now, she has plans to find ways to highlight other aspects of Native American culture.
“I want [people] to see who we are…to become more curious…Powowws are a great place to start…if you want to see Native American culture and connect,” said Friday.
To see more of Friday’s photography click here.
Nyesha Stone founded Carvd N Stone in 2017 to cover positive news while attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Stone has a B.A. in Journalism. She has raised over $30,000 to award grants and scholarships. She has also been featured in ESSENCE and worked with the American Black Film Festival.
