Wisconsin Was There: Sharing the Legacies of Printmakers Who Served in the Military

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courtesy Wisconsin Veterans Museum

“Conversation Between Iraqi Teenager and U.S. Soldier Sgt,” by Ash Kyrie of Argyle, Wisconsin.

Yvette Pino, curator of veteran art for the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, organized this exhibit featuring works spanning from the Civil War to modern times by more than 20 artists with state ties. The exhibit opens in conjunction with the SGC International's annual conference in Madison. During the conference (March 16-19) from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, Pino, Shawn Ganther and Ash Kyrie will demonstrate printmaking techniques in the museum's front window. Also, Pino will host a virtual edition of the museum's Drink and Draw art-making program, demonstrating monoprint techniques; it's free, but RSVP for a link (7 p.m., March 18).

press release: On March 16, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum will open a new exhibit, “Wisconsin Was There: Sharing the Legacies of Printmakers Who Served in the Military.” Curator of Veteran Art Yvette Pino has organized the exhibit of works by more than 20 printmakers with ties to Wisconsin.

Interspersed with the museum exhibits are print works by Wisconsin veterans with a creative vision. Works range from the Civil War era-commissioned prints for Abraham Lincoln to contemporary work by post-9/11 veterans.

For the printmaker, especially those who served between the Civil War and World War II, their skillset in the visual arts was critical to military mission readiness. Trades such as engravers, lithographers, draftsman, and publishers were recruited for the war effort.

Artists see the world differently. In World War II that unique vision strengthened the Allied campaigns and changed how war was fought. The invention of the “Target Identification Unit” by Milwaukee-born Gerald Geerlings and a patented plane spotting technique by United States Navy cartographer Richard Florsheim aided Allied bombers in identifying the enemy and completing successful missions. Their contributions as civilian printmakers continued in classrooms and communities throughout the state and across the nation after their service.

Drink and Draw from the Storefront - Friday, March 18 | 7-9pm

Using images from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum (WVM) collection, WVM’s resident artist and U.S. Army veteran Yvette Pino will demonstrate how to make trace monoprint memory drawings. A trace mono-print drawing is made by rolling out a small amount of slo-drying ink (usually printmaking ink) onto a piece of plexiglass and placing a damp piece of paper over it to trace a line with a pencil or pen. Live observers are welcome or participate at home through a live stream of the event.  REGISTER HERE

Artist Demonstrations - Wednesday thru Saturday, March 16-19 |10am-4pm

View veteran artists Shawn Ganther, Ash Kyrie, Yvette Pino as they demonstrate printing techniques from the museum front window. Anchor Printing in Kenosha will bring a printing press on wheels and give a live demonstration.

Live from the Storefront Window - Friday, May 6 | 5-9pm

Featuring the temporary exhibit, “Wisconsin Was There: Sharing the Legacies of Printmakers Who Served in the Military” and the evening’s program will be our Live from the Storefront Window Series. Guest artist will create and discuss their artwork from the museum’s storefront windows. Passers-by can observe and are welcomed into the museum to tour the galleries and chat with the artist. This program will also feature a virtual component that is live and recorded.

SGCI Participation The Wisconsin Veterans Museum exhibit opens as a part of the SGC International  (SGCI) hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, March 16-19. The SGCI annual conference brings together over 1,000 printmakers and arts professionals in all stages of their careers.

Event sponsored by The Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation with support for the Foundation from Generac Power Systems.