The Bucks reviewed 1,200 submissions from local and national artists before choosing the 32 artists whose work will be displayed in the Milwaukee Bucks Art Collection in the new arena when it opens this fall.
The cohort will create 70 original works of art, with an additional 50 photographs and several graphic wall designs for the collection, according to a news release. The collection will feature artwork mediums such as pastel on paper, mixed media, tin type photography, found and recycled objects, and oil and acrylic on canvas.
“The number of submissions we received gave us the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of outstanding artists, including many with Wisconsin ties,” Peter Feigin, president of the Bucks said in the release. “We look forward to all of our guests enjoying the art collection in our world-class venue for many years to come.”
The Bucks partnered with central California-based design and consulting firm Sports & the Arts to select the group, 22 of whom have connections to Wisconsin, with many residing in the Milwaukee area. The company has curated art displays on a national basis for sports venues including, Lambeau Field, U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Marlins Park in Miami, and Yankee Stadium in New York.
“Sports & the Arts is thrilled with the diversity of artists and artwork styles that will be showcased throughout the Milwaukee Bucks Art Collection,” said Tracie Speca-Ventura, curator at Sports & the Arts. “We want the artistic experience to be unexpected and interesting as it colorfully brings the walls to life.”
A 200-foot, hand painted mural honoring the Bucks, Milwaukee, and the state of Wisconsin will be the collection’s largest piece. It will adorn an exterior wall on the arena’s north side, facing Juneau Ave.
As part of a community effort, two-hundred elementary through high school students from Milwaukee Public Schools will be involved in collectively creating three pieces of art for the collection. Final artworks will be revealed as the arena’s opening approaches.
The selected Milwaukee- and Wisconsin-based artists are:
- Kevin Callahan
- Derek Carlson
- Eugene Carter III
- Rose Curley
- Greg Gossel
- Vedale Hill
- Dominic Inouye
- Cole Kluesner
- Robert Meincke
- Brandon Minga
- Jeffrey Morin
- Margaret Muza
- Carrie O’Malley
- Eric Oates
- Charly Palmer
- Mauricio Ramirez
- Antony Rozwadowski
- Dave Watkins
- Chuck Weber
- Rochelle Weiner-Carr
- Della Wells
- Andi Woodward
Other selected artists include:
- Paul Carluccio
- Lynn Hanson
- Blake McFarland
- Tom Mosser
- John Robertson
- Nicholas Schleif
- Michael Shay
- Carolyn Swiszcz
- Samantha Wendell
- Alex Woodhouse
