FS19 Groundwork Conference
Over the course of three days, FS19: GROUNDWORK will center around the idea of‘research’ or‘where inspiration is drawn from’ through mainstage presentations, discussions, artist presentations, workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions, and an exhibition crawl. Participants will explore the idea that much research, or“groundwork” is needed in the field of furniture history and materials study in order for our makers to understand the underpinnings of our artform.
In Craft for a Greater Good’s first launch, The Furniture Society partnered with two local organizations: HOME GR/OWN, which works to transform neighborhoods, and the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) Teen Internship Program, connecting teens with practicing artists to address issues important to their communities.
Community Partners:
Milwaukee Art Museum Teen Internship Program
The Milwaukee Art Museum Teen Internship Program addresses the issue of access to high-level arts education programs and a connection to cultural institutions by offering a summer internship for 18, 16 – 18 year old students in an environment uniquely suited to their goals. Internships at MAM expand teens’ career horizons while empowering them to recognize their strengths, follow their passion, and leverage a large cultural platform to engage their community and express their artistic voice in a meaningful way.
2019 Summer interns’ creative journeys will be by inspired by MAM’s feature exhibitions and a local issue they feel is important to address in their community. Under the direction of Shannon Molter, teens will work with contemporary artists (including Raoul Deal, James Nares, Tom Loeser, and Charles Radtke) to create public artwork; educate children; and execute public events to connect their peers and families.
HOME GR/OWN
HOME GR/OWN identified the Victory Over Violence Park as an ideal location in Milwaukee for our project. Almost 20 years ago, the site began undergoing a transformation into an engaging –and safe– gathering place for the neighborhood. Although much of the work was completed in the 1990s, the space continues to require care, attention, and maintenance. The current restoration is focused on creating engaging places within the neighborhood to spend time outdoors.
Leading into our conference, the MAM teens did site-specific interviews in the neighborhood where the benches were to be installed. They drew inspiration for their own bench designs from the work of furniture maker, Tom Loeser and engaged in object studies with Dr. Sarah Anne Carter from the Chipstone Foundation to better understand the impact of objects on our world. During the span of the
conference, attendees and students worked seamlessly together in the 3D lab at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, using unique, locally-sourced materials to construct the benches. Work begun during the conference was continued by teens in the MAM program. The benches are in the final phase of build-out and the students have developed engaging signage for the Victory Over Violence Park. [See Press from CGG 2019 for coverage of the Milwaukee project in supplemental materials]
Lead Volunteers:
The Project:
“Participating in the project exposed the MAM teens to different careers in the arts and crafts, helping them to consider a wider variety of work options after high school. The hands-on element of the project was especially useful towards this goal, as it entailed students learning about tools, materials, and procedures which they had never before seen. Second, the project allowed the Museum of Art to bring artistic work into the community they serve, rather than relying on community members to come into the museum itself”
“I think a lot of the teens in the city don’t necessarily know that (furniture making) is a job, so just letting them know that if they love to work with their hands, they can go into something that’s a more fine trade, like furniture design, and then this is where you might do it if you’d like to.”
- Shannon Moulter, Milwaukee Art Museum Teen Intern Program Director
Press:
More about Victory Over Violence Park
VICTORY OVER VIOLENCE (VOV) PARK PROJECT
Tim McCollow works in the City of MKE’s Environmental Collaboration Office and runs the Mayor’s HOME GR/OWN initiative. They convert vacant lots into farms, community gardens, orchards and parks and rehab city commercial corridors. HOME GR/OWN has completed over 30 projects citywide.
Victory Over Violence Park is well known throughout Milwaukee. For years, the site was a vacant lot, and had become one of the most dangerous and violent areas of the central city where multiple shootings, muggings, and assaults were reports. Almost 20 years ago, Charles Hausmann, Linder Law LLC, and Jeanetta Robinson, Career Youth Development, came together to transform the space into a gathering place for community members. Although much of the work was completed in the 1990’s, the space continues to require care, attention, and maintenance. This iteration of the VoV park restoration is focused on creating engaging places for neighbors to spend time outdoors.
“Our current project partners include the MLK Drive Business Improvement District, Groundwork MKE, Bader Foundation, MSOE, WestCare, Safe & Sound, Alderwoman Coggs, Walnut Way and the family of Jeanetta Robinson, among others. The park was very overgrown and last year we did a lot of editing with Groundwork MKE’s Green Team. We plan on removing trees, adding better lighting, redoing the extensive paths with asphalt (for handicapped use), and adding new seating, among other things.” ‑Tim McCollow