Artists Announced for Black Cat Alley

(MILWAUKEE, WI) – This weekend, Black Cat Alley will kick off the installment of two new murals. Beginning on Friday April 20, visiting artist Adam Hernandez of Columbus, Ohio will begin work on a ten-foot piece titled “Godmask” from a series he has been pursuing in recent years. He will be at work on this piece for April Gallery Night and Day, April 20-21, and the public is welcome to visit and observe the work in progress.

In May, work will begin on a larger mural in the alley. The new mural will be installed on a north-facing segment of the back wall of the Oriental Theater, near the intersection of Kenilworth and Prospect Avenues. It will appear in the place of a previous mural by Adam Stoner entitled “Devontay,” which was defaced in 2017. The artist chosen for the new mural is Emma Daisy Gertel, a maker, illustrator, and designer based in Milwaukee, WI.

The Call for Artists released in February by the East Side BID restricted entries for the large mural to local, Milwaukee-area artists only. The committee of jurors based their selection on artistic merit, message, and originality of voice. The invited jury included John Kowalczyk of Artists Working in Education (AWE), Flow Johnson of After Gallery, Timothy Decker of UWM and MATC, Antoine Carter of the Harambee Art Alley, Caitlin Sprague of the Milwaukee Mural Map, and Allison Westbrook, a local artist and activist.

“The jury received twenty entries for the north-facing mural from local artists,” says Program Director Stacey Williams-Ng. “Jurors were very impressed with Gertel’s proposal, because of its exuberance and power.” She adds, “We are also very excited to support Daisy in her very first mural. That’s one of the best parts of this job: introducing new artists to a monumental format!”

The artist submitted a design that features a central female character who seems to be dancing. She exudes power through gesture, and direct eye contact with the viewer. According to Gertel’s artist statement, she “uses art to explore her Korean roots and narrate her experience growing up in a culturally homogenized white community. Identity exploration and the celebration of feminine strength are characteristic of her work, rendered with playful charm to bring joy and connection to others.”

Kristin Godfrey, Executive Director of the East Side BID, adds “This is the start to an exciting new season of happenings in the Alley. The more programming we can bring to Black Cat Alley, the better. It is a place that stimulates conversations and benefits the whole community.”

To arrange an interview or to request more images, please contact Stacey Williams-Ng at blackcatMKE@gmail.com.

Emma Daisy Gertel Gallery

About Black Cat Alley

Black Cat Alley is a project sponsored by the East Side BID (Business Improvement District) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The brainchild of local citizens and volunteers, Black Cat Alley is now a major arts destination for our city and the model for other public mural projects. The space includes 18 murals by 20 artists in a one-block alleyway. Major early sponsors included Educators Credit Union, Colectivo, New Land Enterprises, and the Milwaukee Arts Board. Northwestern Mutual has recently become a sponsor as well.

About the Artists

Adam Hernandez is a self taught artist from the Bronx, New York. He currently lives in Columbus, Ohio where he likes to paint characters that exist in the Land of Thunderbirds, a mythical world he created to tell the stories of heroes and gods. He has exhibited in several cities across the US and has been featured in numerous books and publications. His work can be found on Instagram at @ahernandezart.

Emma Daisy Gertel is a maker, illustrator, and designer based in Milwaukee, WI. Daisy loves trying new techniques and ideas resulting in mixed formats and experimentation. She studies the world through her hands with deep curiosity. Her work draws from her experience and education in fashion design, community arts, and cultural development. She worked for over a decade as a creative and executive director for a youth arts nonprofit. Her work can be found on Instagram at @emmadaisy.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.