West Bend, WI – The Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) announces the recipients of the 2022 Wisconsin Visual Art Achievement Award (WVAAA). The Achievement Awards are awarded biennially to honor individuals and organizations that are significantly enriching the visual arts of the state. The awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 30, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at the Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend.

The three founding organizations—the Museum of Wisconsin Art, the Wisconsin Visual Artists, and the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters—recognize educators, writers, visual artists, exhibitions, and advocates in our creative communities.

Every two years, a nine-person nominations committee convenes to review open nominations and select the recipients in seven categories. The awards recognize achievement at various stages of an artist’s career and in related professional areas that are often overlooked for recognition.

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2022 Award Categories and the Honorees

Legacy (Lifetime Achievement)       Jack Damer and Freida High Wasikhongo Tesfagiorgis

Educator (K-12)                                 Frank Juárez, Sheboygan North High School

Educator (College or University)     Leslie Vansen, Peck School of the Arts, UW–Milwaukee

Exhibition                                           John Michael Kohler Art Preserve

Community Arts Advocate               Karin Wolf

Arts Writing                                       Debra Brehmer

Emerging Artist                                 Rae Minoka Skenandore (Yehsani>saks)

Recipient bios follow. Previous winners include Anne Kingsbury, Kim Cosier, Ariana Vaeth, Tom Bamberger, Dona Look, Racine Art Museum, and The Kohler Foundation, Inc. A full list can be found at wisconsinart.org/wvaaa.

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS CEREMONY

Saturday, April 30, 2022 | 1:00–3:00

Awards at 2 p.m.  Open to the public, free to attend

SUPPORT

The WVAAA is made possible through the generous support of the Museum of Wisconsin Art, all three chapters of the Wisconsin Visual Artists, and Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Art & Letters.

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ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF WISCONSIN ART

A vital cultural center, educational institution, an expanding network of ideas, the Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) collects and interprets American art through the lens of a single state. Informed by dynamic initiatives and collaborations, MOWA is an innovative forum for contemporary artists, socially relevant exhibitions, lectures by artists and industry experts, and engaging classes and activities for all ages.

MOWA has two permanent venues—the West Bend “Mothership” and MOWA | DTN in downtown Milwaukee’s Saint Kate—The Arts Hotel—as well as two partnering community organizations that create access across the state. MOWA annually welcomes 200,000 visitors, making it a cultural destination for the art and artists of our time.