WHO WE ARE
SWAN Team 2019 at the Artist Reception for the the celebration of our exhibit, Water: Reflection, Ritual & Resource hosted at the Menomonee Valley Urban Ecology Center
PHOTO CREDIT: JAKE HILL PHOTOGRAPHY
SWAN = Support Women Artists Now!
Swan Day MKE is an annual exhibition and celebration of Milwaukee women's* creativity! Over the past five years, hundreds of women-identified artists of all ages, disciplines and levels of artistic experience residing in Milwaukee and surrounding areas have participated in an informal, non-juried celebration and exhibition. SWAN Day celebrations occur internationally in March as part of Women's History Month.
Each year we partner with a local non-profit or cause to support women's equality in all parts of life. SWAN Day MKE exhibitions explore broader themes of women's artistic and spiritual connections to the environment, society, and each other, and how these roots nourish one's work, activism and daily living.
The feeling of support from each event is palpable and real change has happened for many folx who have participated and attended. Networking via SWAN Day MKE has lead to participants' access to employment, exhibition opportunities, sales, studios, workshops, artist collaborations and supportive friendships.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
In alignment with the mission of StateraArts - we recognize the limiting nature of the binary use of the word 'woman.' We serve and welcome anyone on/off the gender spectrum who identifies either always or some of the time as a woman and/or with feminine energy.
Intersectionality: StateraArts works through an intersectional lens for gender parity. We understand and acknowledge that systems of oppression and discrimination are interdependent and span all social categorizations such as race, class, gender, ability, religion, parental status, size, age, and sexual orientation as they apply to a given individual or group. Addressing one spoke of systematic discrimination or disadvantage means holistically addressing them all.
PART OF A BIGGER PICTURE
SWAN Day/Support Women Artists Now Day has been an international initiative designed to showcase the power and diversity of women's creativity.
International Support Women Artists Now Day was co-founded in 2007 by Martha Richards, the Executive Director of WomenArts, and Jan Lisa Huttner, the Editor-in-Chief of FF2Media.com and founder of WITASWAN (Women in the Audience Supporting Women Artists Now).
"WomenArts is dedicated to increasing the visibility of women artists in all art forms. We share news about trailblazing women artists and gender parity activists."
WomenArts coordinated SWAN Day from its creation in 2008 until 2018.
"UPLIFT. AMPLIFY. ADVANCE. Statera creates pathways that bring women into full and equal participation in the arts."
WomenArts chose the Statera Foundation to lead SWAN Day in 2019.
SWAN Day celebrations began in Milwaukee in 2015, manifested by Milwaukee artist, Jamie Bilgo Bruchman.
Over the past 5 years, as SWAN Day MKE has grown, an evolving team of driven Milwaukee artists and art advocates have rallied, volunteering behind the scenes to make it possible as it has transformed from year to year.
After the recent birth of Jamie's "cygnet", Pearl, Milwaukee artist and art therapist, Sharon Arbtin, stepped into the role of curator for the 2020 exhibit.
CONTACT US
Email: swandaymke@gmail.com Instagram: @swandaymke Facebook: Swan Day MKE