Museum Of Wisconsin Art Receives Unique Gift

Exhibit Titled “A Case of Wisconsin’s Finest: New Acquisitions from the MillerCoors Collection.” The Museum of Wisconsin Art (MWA) announces the opening of a new exhibit that will feature more than 20 pieces of art donated by MillerCoors Milwaukee offices. The exhibit, installed in the Museum’s Focus Gallery, will open on Wednesday, August 4 and includes many works that highlight some of the state’s finest artists. There will be a casual exhibition reception for the public on Sunday, September 12 from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. at MWA, located at 300 South Sixth Avenue in West Bend, Wisconsin. 

“MWA is delighted to accept these works for numerous reasons,” said MWA Assistant Director Graeme Reid. “They bring new artists to our collections, add depth to our holdings of artists we already own, reveal judicious choices made by MillerCoors over the years and are a testament to MillerCoors recognition of the MWA’s reputation as the logical and rightful home for the best of Wisconsin art.”

The donation by MillerCoors represents artists who are a veritable who’s-who of mid-to-late 20th century artists, particularly those who worked on paper. The 24 donated works include such artists as Robert Burkert, Warrington Colescott, John Colt, Peggy Thurston Farrell, Earl Kittleson, Robert von Neumann, Frances Myers, Francisco Mora, Marko Spalatin, Helmut Summ, Evelyn Patricia Terry, Arthur Thrall and Tom Uttech. Gifts such as these raise MWA’s profile and reputation as the only institution within the state that collects, conserves, documents, educates and exhibits Wisconsin art.

Yet the subject matter is not confined to the state; the depiction of Florida, the Guggenheim, New York City, Japan, Toulouse-Lautrec, abstractions and animals reveal that these artists were interested and aware of a larger world and subjects that were national and international in scope. That they remained rooted in Wisconsin and contributed mightily to the state’s visual art culture – many are still active artists – speaks volumes about the creativity of the artists and their love of the state.

“Our history in Wisconsin dates all the way back to Frederick Miller who settled in Milwaukee in 1855,” says Mike Jones, vice president of corporate affairs at MillerCoors. “With our strong connection to Milwaukee’s rich culture, we are delighted to donate a portion of our historic collection to the Museum of Wisconsin Art and feel their beautiful installation will increase awareness of our state’s strong visual art culture.”

MillerCoors regularly invests in the communities where it operates, through charitable donations, volunteer programs and partnerships to bring about a positive impact. Many of these initiatives are outlined in a Sustainable Development Report released earlier this year entitled, “Great Beer, Great Responsibility.” This report is available by visiting www.GreatBeerGreatResponsibility.com or on the company’s Facebook page. 

About The Museum of Wisconsin Art
The Museum of Wisconsin Art is America’s newest regional art museum housing the state's most comprehensive collection of Wisconsin art. Its Early Wisconsin Collection (1830-1960) is the finest anywhere and is complemented by the work of Milwaukee native and artist Carl von Marr (1858-1936). Contemporary in-state artists are regularly displayed through temporary exhibitions and the One from Wisconsin solo exhibition series. MWA is located at 300 South Sixth Avenue, West Bend, WI. For more information, call 262-334-9638 or visit our website at www.wisconsinart.org.

About MillerCoors
Built on a foundation of great beer brands and more than 288 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers. MillerCoors is the second largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales. Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment. Miller Lite is the great tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to refreshment as cold as the Rockies. MGD 64 completes the company’s premium light beer portfolio, offering consumers fresh, crisp taste at just 64 calories. MillerCoors brews premium beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft; and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light. The company also imports Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell, Grolsch and Molson Canadian and offers innovative products such as Miller Chill and Sparks. MillerCoors features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company. MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel’s craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, WI and two microbreweries, the 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver. MillerCoors vision is to create America’s best beer company by driving profitable industry growth. MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company.