Florists For Social Justice at Sherman Phoenix
New sculpture honors fight for racial equality.
MKE Seen, a floral artist collective, installed a new sculptural piece outside the Sherman Phoenix marketplace at 3535 W. Fond du Lac Ave. on Friday morning.
Sally Vander Wyst, founder of Milwaukee Flower Co., was one of nine “co-conspirators” that worked to design and erect the sculpture. It’s intended to provide a message of positivity.
“We wanted to add a little softness to the conversation about racial justice,” said Vander Wyst. “Our message today is we see you, we hear you, we can help you.” The group also provided free flower bouquets for anyone visiting the market.
Vander Wyst said the sculpture, which surrounds a painted fist, is made from a “really unique mix of flowers,” including Calendulas, Ninebark, Colocasia and Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susans). “What we really like about that is that flower symbolizes encouragement,” said the florist about the Rudbeckia.
“The entire point of this is to draw attention to LIT Milwaukee or whoever we’re highlighting,” said Rachel Stenman, a goldsmith in the collective.
The group formed in 2017 to do three installations and reunited this year to do a Juneteenth day installation outside America’s Black Holocaust Museum.
The flowers used in the piece would have otherwise been composted because of the cancellations of weddings and other large events as a result of the pandemic. Vander Wyst estimated the installation would have cost $6,000 at market price.
The Sherman Phoenix piece is planned to last through Monday morning. Photos are encouraged.
What’s next? The group plans a large one-day installation in August at multiple locations that are either Black-owned businesses or cultural institutions.
Photos
If you think stories like this are important, become a member of Urban Milwaukee and help support real, independent journalism. Plus you get some cool added benefits, all detailed here.
More about the 2020 Racial Justice Protests
- Evers Reflects on Year of Pandemic, Protests - Shawn Johnson - Dec 28th, 2020
- The Year of the National Guard - Jenny Peek - Dec 28th, 2020
- Baldwin Questions U.S. Marshall’s Role in Tosa Protests - Isiah Holmes - Dec 19th, 2020
- Op Ed: Vote No on COPS Grant - Markasa Tucker - Dec 18th, 2020
- People’s Revolution Marks 200 Days of Protest - Graham Kilmer - Dec 15th, 2020
- Supervisor Clancy Applauds Activists on 200th Day of Protests - Sup. Ryan Clancy - Dec 14th, 2020
- The “Molotov Cocktail” That Wasn’t - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 23rd, 2020
- City Hall: Police Chief, Alderman Fight Over Use of Canines - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 23rd, 2020
- Will BLM Movement Sway State Voters? - Bridgit Bowden - Oct 20th, 2020
- City Hall: Community Groups Propose Changes - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 19th, 2020
Read more about 2020 Racial Justice Protests here