Attendees had the chance to bid via silent auction during a night full of creativity as more than 80 artists and designers turned blank canvases into works of art at Open Canvas 2011.
Each brushstroke supported Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design scholarships and The William F. Eisner Museum of Advertising and Design (online) at the benefit in Milwaukee’s Third Ward on Saturday, November 12.
The event originated with Jeff Kursel in memory of his father, William Joel Kursel, whose passion for art and creativity was at the forefront of a successful advertising career. Open Canvas is presented by Good Knight Promotions and chaired by Jeff Kursel.
The Honorary Chair Artist was Annegret Reichmann, who studied in Krefield, Germany and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is the recipient of many international awards, and currently splits her time between Germany and Portland, Ore.
Other notable artists included MIAD alumni and faculty, such as Ryan and Heidi Ramos, Daniel Fleming, Joe Hausch, Mike Samarzja, Katie Musolff and Melissa Dorn Richards; Art Institute of Chicago alumni Peter Kursel, Erica Huntzinger and Scott Okin; top regional artists and designers Tom Nachreiner and John Constable; out-of-state artists Joan McKern from Texas, Mike Judy from Minnesota, Tim McCord from New York and Matthew Maher from Michigan; and international artist Susan Hackett from Paris.
The event featured fine food, hors d’ouevres and libations courtesy of 30 sponsoring restaurants and caterers.
This year’s Open Canvas took place at the Pritzlaff Building, 333 N. Plankinton.
