Milwaukee: The Best Deal In Chicago
Ah, big brother Chicago. Just two hundred years ago we were part of the same Illinois territory.
People come to Milwaukee for many reasons. Business. Dinner. Conventions. Celebrations. Sporting events. Art openings. Museums.
Visitors ask certain key questions which lead me to conclude they’re not from Milwaukee. This line of conversation usually takes place after someone says, “So how do I get a cab around here?” or “This place is great, where else should I visit?” Or they call the water drinking oasis a fountain instead of a bubbler.
I’ve noticed a trend of Chicagoans visiting us just…
Experiencing UW-Milwaukee's 2012 Women Leaders Conference
To my dismay I realized that the UW-Milwaukee Women Leaders Conference scheduled to take place at the Pfister Friday, March 30th was sold out. I’d hoped there was a possibility to watch from the perimeter and take in a little of the conference.
Thursday evening I was in the lobby lounge speaking with pianist Dr. Jeffrey Hollander regarding a Pfister blog I’ve been working on about the man. There was a woman seated at the table closest Jeffrey and the three of us talked for a bit. In conversation I asked if she was local or from…
Shelby Keefe's Farewell Celebration
The Pfister bids Shelby Keefe adieu and celebrates achievements of Keefe, Ferris and Williams
The Pfister held a farewell reception Tuesday, March 27th in honor of our 2011 Artist in Residence, Shelby Keefe.
The event had both Pfister elegance and Shelby flare. Shelby’s additions included: an interactive art piece allowing guests to paint on a shared canvas and the melodies of a barefoot guitarist. The Pfister provided the hors d’oeuvres, ceremony and free tastings of the new Mason Street Grill Private Label Cabernet.
The Cabernet unveiled that evening is Mason Street Grill’s private label Cabernet wine by…
Shelby Keefe's Final Farewell
Unfortunately for us, our Artist in Residence, Shelby Keefe, has reached the end of her fellowship with the Pfister Hotel. We have been honored to have her diligently working in the gallery all year and want to celebrate her achievements and recognize the impact she has made on all of us here at the Pfister.
Join us as we bid farewell to our Resident Artist, Shelby Keefe, with a celebration in the Rouge Ballroom.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 – 6pm
Shelby will leave behind her legacy piece which will remain in the Pfister until the end of time. Shelby’s urban…
UPAF Artists Among Us – The Final Piece for UPAF
This is the final day of UPAF’s Artists Among Us 16 in 16 by Shelby Keefe. Shelby has been working very hard and creating some absolutely stunning art for these amazing art organizations around Milwaukee. Today, for the grand finale, Shelby uses UPAF itself as the center of her 16th and final piece. She wanted to paint a transfixed audience because UPAF is one of the reasons there is so many artistic performances available for our viewing pleasure. UPAF helps artists get on stage to be appreciated by all of us and Shelby wanted one piece that expressed this…
UPAF Artists Among Us – Day 15 Florentine Opera Company
We are proud to announce Shelby Keefe is on Day 15 of 16. Today, the Florentine Opera Company is the center of Shelby’s fifteenth UPAF Artist Among Us piece. The reason Shelby chose this image for the Florentine Opera Company is because she loved the obvious drama between the two main characters, Venus and Adonis. She says opera is about both drama and music and the combination of the two is what makes it so special.
This is day fifteen of a sixteen-day project to be completed on March 16th. We invite you to observe and follow Shelby…
UPAF Artists Among Us – Day 14 Milwaukee Ballet
We are proud to announce Shelby Keefe is on Day 14 of 16. Today, the Milwaukee Ballet is the center of Shelby’s fourteenth UPAF Artist Among Us piece. The photo from this piece was taken at one of this year’s performances of “The Nutcracker.” Shelby loved the colors from the photo, mainly the warm pink tones from the costumes and the cool blue color in the background. She said the challenge for this piece is the integrated nature of the two central dancers. They form one unit and therefore it will be difficult to distinguish who is who…
UPAF Artists Among Us – Day 13 Next Act Theatre
We are proud to announce Shelby Keefe is on Day 13 of 16. Today, Next Act Theatre is the center of Shelby’s thirteenth UPAF Artist Among Us piece. The photo Shelby used to paint today’s piece features a Next Act Theatre actor in a dynamic pose from a performance of “Seven Stories.” Shelby loved the off-center composition of this shot. She could tell the performance was a lot of fun because of this actor’s theatrical flare, and she wanted to capture this to represent the organization.
This is day thirteen of a sixteen-day project to…
UPAF Artists Among Us – Day 12 Danceworks, Inc.
We are proud to announce Shelby Keefe is on Day 12 of 16. Today, Danceworks, Inc. is the center of Shelby’s twelfth UPAF Artist Among Us piece. Shelby said the photo for this painting was one of the easiest to choose because of the expressions on the two central dancers faces. She said she wanted to capture the pure joy they express while ballroom dancing.
This is day twelve of a sixteen-day project to be completed on March 16th. We invite you to observe and follow Shelby’s creative process at her studio or online. Please check back…
UPAF Artists Among Us – Day 11 Present Music
We are proud to announce Shelby Keefe is on Day 11 of 16. Today, Present Music is the center of Shelby’s eleventh UPAF Artist Among Us piece. Shelby chose a photo of Present Music musicians performing abstract pieces from a concert she attended and thoroughly enjoyed. She said this photo would be difficult to paint because of all the activity in the fore and background and was excited to take on the challenge.
This is day eleven of a sixteen-day project to be completed on March 16th. We invite you to observe and follow Shelby’s creative process…
UPAF Artists Among Us – Day 10 Skylight Music Theatre
We are proud to announce Shelby Keefe is on Day 10 of 16. Today, the Skylight Music Theatre is the center of Shelby’s tenth UPAF Artist Among Us piece. Shelby wanted to get a glimpse into the behind the scenes environment of this theatre company and decided on this picture taken by a Journal Sentinel photographer, Angela Peterson. This photo was taken before a performance of “Music Man” and Shelby liked the excitement of everyone getting ready for the big show.
This is day ten of a sixteen-day project to be completed on March 16th. We invite you…
UPAF Artists Among Us – Day 9 Milwaukee Children's Choir
We are proud to announce Shelby Keefe is on Day 9 of 16. Today, the Milwaukee Children’s Choir is the center of Shelby’s ninth UPAF Artist Among Us piece. Shelby loved this photo because of the grade school children’s sweet expressions as they sing in their red choir robes, and it was because of their expressions she decided to paint this photo.
This is day nine of a sixteen-day project to be completed on March 16th. We invite you to observe and follow Shelby’s creative process at her studio or online. Please check back frequently…
UPAF Artists Among Us – Day 8 Renaissance Theaterworks
We are proud to announce Shelby Keefe is on Day 8 of 16. Today, Renaissance Theaterworks is the center of Shelby’s eighth UPAF Artist Among Us piece. Shelby was inspired by this woman run theater group that concentrates on performing plays written by women. She was invited backstage and took the photo that inspired this piece herself. The actress, Marty, was performing in a one-woman show called “Neat,” which Shelby attended and loved. Instead of using the beige walls of the dressingroom as a background, Shelby also photographed the backdrop used for the play and photoshopped it into…
UPAF Artists Among Us – Day 7 Milwaukee Public Theatre
We are proud to announce Shelby Keefe is on Day 7 of 16. Today, Milwaukee Public Theatre is the center of Shelby’s seventh UPAF Artist Among Us piece. Shelby was inspired by the way Milwaukee Public Theatre often invites public participation in their work. The picture she used to create her 7th piece depicts children and adults on a float for the All City People’s Parade. She was intrigued and also challenged by the unique octopus wrapped around the human subjects.
This is day seven of a sixteen-day project to be completed on March 16th. We invite…
UPAF Artists Among Us – Day 6 Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
We are proud to announce Shelby Keefe is on Day 6 of 16. Today, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is the center of Shelby’s sixth UPAF Artist Among Us piece. Shelby was inspired by this photograph of Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s conductor, Edo Dewaart. She said you could feel the energy and vibe from his gestures and the position of the camera makes it almost as if you are there with Edo playing an instrument. She was excited to paint something from the perspective of a musician in the orchestra.
This is day six of a sixteen-day project to be…
UPAF Artists Among Us – Day 5 Milwaukee Chamber Theater
We are proud to announce Shelby Keefe is on Day 5 of 16. Today, Milwaukee Chamber Theater is the center of Shelby’s fifth UPAF Artist Among Us piece. Shelby derives inspiration from a photo of two highly accomplished, founding actors of the Milwaukee Chamber Theater. Milwaukee Chamber Theater prides itself on acting out works of literary genius and this is one of the reasons Shelby decided to choose this particular photograph.
One actor holds a book and speaks passionately to the other actor on stage. This mirrors the literary passion of the entire organization. Further, Shelby loved the light…
UPAF Artists Among Us - Day 4 First Stage
We are proud to announce Shelby Keefe is on Day 4 of 16. Today, First Stage is the center of Shelby’s fourth UPAF Artist Among Us piece. First Stage brings young actors the opportunity to express themselves on the stage, and these young actors were expressing so much joy Keefe decided to make them her subjects today.
This is day four of a sixteen-day project to be completed on March 16th. We invite you to observe and follow Shelby’s creative process at her studio or online. Please check back frequently to see Shelby’s progress.
Day 4…
UPAF Artists Among Us - Day 3 Milwaukee Repertory Theater
The Milwaukee Repertory Theater inspires Shelby’s third UPAF Artist Among Us piece. Actors from The Rep’s To Kill a Mockingbird intrigued Keefe and are the subjects of her third installment in the series.
This is day three of a sixteen-day project to be completed on March 16th. We invite you to observe and follow Shelby’s creative process at her studio or online. Please check back frequently to see Shelby’s progress.
Day 3, MILW REP at My house in Bay View by pfisterhotel…
UPAF ARTISTS AMONG US – Bel Canto Chorus
The Bel Canto Chorus inspires Shelby’s second UPAF Artist Among Us piece. Her subjects are the Bel Canto singers during their performance from the “United We Stand” concert in Cathedral Square Park.
This is day two of a sixteen-day project to be completed on March 16th. We invite you to observe and follow Shelby’s creative process at her studio or online. Please check back frequently to see Shelby’s progress.
Day 2, bel canto chorus at Pfister Hotel by pfisterhotel…
UPAF ARTISTS AMONG US - MYSO
Shelby’s first UPAF Artist Among Us piece is inspired by the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. The subject is a young African American boy, holding his violin in anticipation of his performance. She found inspiration in the beauty of the lighting of the photo.
Shelby intends to complete each painting in one day through March 16th. We invite you to observe and follow Shelby’s creative process at her studio at The Pfister and online. Please check back frequently to see Shelby’s progress.
MYSO painting #1 at Pfister Hotel by pfisterhotel…
Shelby Keefe's UPAF Artist Amoung Us Project
Our current Artist In Residence, Shelby Keefe, is about to embark on another special project staring March 1st.
Shelby will create a special 12” x 12″ painting for UPAF and each of its member groups.
These 16 paintings will happen over the course of the 16 days. This collaboration represents a unique opportunity for the performing arts to shine in a visual arts platform and to highlight the diversity our arts groups have to offer our region.
The complete schedule of paintings are as follows:
March 1: Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra
March 2: Bel Canto Chorus
March 3: Milwaukee Repertory…
The Weekend of Promise Rings
Saturday afternoon I was hanging out in Shelby’s studio watching her work on a painting of the Milwaukee Art Museum. She was searching to find her way through the piece. A stroke here, a stroke there. Step back, consider. Wipe with a moist towel, then determine another stroke. Having this rare intersection between a writer and a painter makes me feel like we’re living inside of Frank O’Hara’s poem Why I Am Not a Painter.
While I was seated on the couch a guy in his twenties walked in to the studio for a closer look…
Shelby Keefe reflects on her time as the Pfister Hotel's resident artist
Shelby Keefe has been the Pfister’s resident artist since April 2011. As all great things eventually come to an end, her studio torch will be passed to Timothy Westbrook in April 2012. Shelby and I had been trying to get together and talk for a few weeks and it turned out to be a good thing we couldn’t meet until this past Monday. When I walked in to her studio Shelby was standing in front of a painting. She had her hands on her hips and kept shifting her weight from one foot to the other. Then she…
The Pfister Hotel Names New York Fiber Artist Next Artist in Residence
MILWAUKEE – Feb. 21, 2012 – Historic tradition meets today’s talent with The Pfister Hotel’s Artist-in-Residence program. Home to more Victorian Art than any other hotel in the world, the historic hotel, which is owned and managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, has hosted a popular artist residency program for the past three years. The Pfister’s selection committee has chosen Timothy Westbrook, an emerging fiber artist from New York, as its fourth artist in residence. He will move to Milwaukee for this opportunity and will work in The Pfister’s studio space beginning in April 2012, replacing…
The Pfister Hotel seeks next "Narrator in Residence"
The historic Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee, which is owned and managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, is in search of its next writer in residence, known as the Pfister Narrator. The chosen candidate will spend time in the hotel’s lobby, speaking with visitors and guests and sharing their stories through a blog on the hotel’s website.
“The Pfister Narrator program has served as a great way to honor our guests and their experiences at the hotel and beyond,” says Joe Kurth, general manager of The Pfister Hotel. “The exposure and success of the program is continually growing…
