FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Dave Amoroso • Ron Sonntag Public Relations
414-354-0200, ext. 108 • dave@rspr.com
MILWAUKEE, WI – Special exhibits and displays will once again play an important role in the 79th annual Holiday Folk Fair International, America’s premiere multi-cultural festival, to be held Fri., Nov. 18 – Sun., Nov. 20, 2022, at the State Fair Park Exposition Center at in West Allis, Wis.
Working with several Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Fine Arts Department, Folk Fair will present 12 murals prepared by MPS students, with the murals depicting cultures from around the world. The following schools participated in the project, with the title of the mural and a description offered:
Academia De Lenguaje Y Bellas Artes (ALBA) Grade School: “Indigenous Roots”: the mural takes viewers on a journey through Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean islands.
Bay View High School: “United by Dance”: vignettes depict dancers from different cultures.
The Lynde and Harry Bradley Technology and Trade School: “Happy to be Here”: as the school has several students originally from Burma, the mural illustrates the journey of a Burmese refugee family coming to the United States.
Anna F. Doerfler Grade School: “Patterns of Culture”: the artwork characterizes school’s culture through images and words in a bold, colorful, and abstract way.
Escuela Vieau Public School: “Celebrating Colombia”: student drawings of aspects of Columbia, including buildings, foods, people, plants, and animals, were incorporated into the mural in a style inspired by Columbia native and Milwaukee artist, Catalina Bayona.
Fairview Grade School: “Breads of Italy”: in conjunction with Folk Fair’s featured food, the mural features the Italian flag and notable breads from Italy, including Focaccia, Pane Toscano, and Ciabatta.
Fernwood Montessori School: “Earth Laughs in Flowers”: national flowers of several different countries are shown as they represent coming together in unity, with life a garden laughing in the universal language of flowers.
Hawley Environmental School: “Native American Roots – Feathers”: a deeply revered object that is a sign of high honor, the feather symbolizes trust, strength, wisdom, power, and freedom.
Morgandale Elementary School: “The Highest Mountain”: with the school home to Afghan family, the artwork recognizes Afghanistan and has images related to its culture.
Rogers Street Academy: “The Strength of Immigration”: representing the school’s diverse cultural heritage, the dandelion symbolizes ancestors who immigrated to the United States, while the monarch butterflies have the flags of the countries where students’ families are from.
South Division High School: “Historical Beauty of South Division High School”: different type of art represents the varied cultures of the student body.
Ronald Wilson Reagan College Preparatory High School: “We Are What We Eat”: as food helps bring people together, diverse cultural foods are represented.
The “Earth From Above” photographic exhibit is a presentation of large-scale pictures of the Earth and its natural landscapes. Created by photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand, each aerial photograph tells a story about the changing planet. Seen together, they are a visual testimony to the world we live in today.
The Dirty Kettle Native American interactive display will feature Herb Heck, aka “Dirty Kettle” depicting and teaching the traditions of the Plains Indians and the Mountain Men. The display is comprised of a teepee arranged as it would have been more than 150 years ago, with items that were typical of the period, including willow beds covered in buffalo hides and back rests wrapped with deer and sheep skins. In addition, a variety of furs line the inside of the teepee, including bobcat, moose, ermine, fox, beaver, mink, coyote, and Canadian timber wolf. The display will also feature items used during the period, including dance sticks, talking and prayer feathers, bows and arrows, tools, traps, fire starting items, and hand-made musical instruments, such as flutes and drums.
A display facilitated by a Japanese art cxchange between the Sister States of Wisconsin and Chiba Prefecture features selected art pieces that were presented to Wisconsin from 15 different Chiba Prefecture elementary schools. The art, which was done by students aged 10 to 14, includes scenes from their locale to calligraph pieces.
The Artisan Corner, presented by Debra Stefl, will feature local vendors demonstrating their craft throughout the weekend. New 2022 Master Artisan Vesile Yilmaz of Brookfield, WI, will show Ebru (marbling), also known as paper marbling, a Turkish art from Central Asia, while Klaus Zunker from Milwaukee, another 2022 Master Artisan, will do woodturning. Additional Artisan Corner participants include…
- Masaru Danshita of Milwaukee doing Origami Papercraft.
- Taka Erck of Harland demonstrating Zaishu Japanese Pottery.
- Master Artisan Glen Gorsuch of Neshkoro making canoe paddles.
- Master Artisan Bill Hoettels of Milwaukee demonstrating Scottish knitting.
- Diane Holytz of Milwaukee making Jezyki, Polish Porcupine Ornaments.
- Seon Joo So of Shorewood doing Korean Paper folding.
- Angelica Varona from Shorewood making Filipino Parol paper stars.
- Master Artisan Joseph Whitmore of North Prairie carving Welsh love spoons.
Skilled artisans from distant lands have created characteristic treasures to be on display and for sale in the International Bazaar, presented by Bath Fitter. Providing a distinguished shopping experience, attendees will find products from 16 groups, including Andean, Mailan, Slovak, Turkish, and Ukrainian.
Heritage Lane, sponsored by Everdry, allows attendees to take a leisurely stroll and discover traditional and unique customs from around the world by interacting with diverse cultures that are brought to life through ethnic exhibits. There will displays on behalf of 20 groups, including Albania, Czech, German, Filipino, Italian, Polish, and Thai.
Folk Fair attendees will have the opportunity to learn about and enjoy bonsai trees from the Milwaukee Bonsai Society. The display will feature a representation of various styles and types of bonsai trees and plants. Varieties to be displayed will include maple, elm, juniper, pine, cedar, and ficus trees, plus jade plants. There will be signage next to each tree and plant that identifies the bonsai style, an explanation of the style, and the Japanese word for the style. Attendees will be able to vote on their favorite tree.
The Wisconsin Woodturners will have its annual display, with several woodturners conducting demonstrations throughout each day. Fair-goers will be able to get a close look at the woodturning process and browse products, such as bowls, sculptures, vases, and more. Kids will also be able to play with a tongue drum, a wooden musical instrument with slits.
A program of the International Institute of Wisconsin (IIW), Holiday Folk Fair International celebrates the cultural heritage of the people living in Wisconsin. The 2022 theme, “Celebrate the Culture of Living Heritage,” will allow Fair-goers the opportunity to explore traditions, customs, practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills through the instruments, objects, artifacts, and cultural spaces that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage.
Additional special attractions in 2022 include invited international performers, a Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation tournament on Sat., Nov. 19, and an interdenominational religious service Sun., Nov. 20, at 10:30 a.m. in the Tanzhaus.
The three-day event features the All Nations Theater with traditional music and dance; the World Café offering traditional dishes; the Tanzhauz, sponsored by Mad City Windows and Baths, where attendees dance and sing along with a variety of musical stylings; the Coffee House where patrons enjoy a beverage and baked goods while listening to talented musicians; Heritage Lane, presented by Everdry, with unique traditions and customs through interactive exhibits; the International Bazaar sponsored by Bath Fitter, where cultural artifacts create a unique shopping experience; the Children’s Area, presented by Leafguard, where young people explore their heritage; and the Callen Chefs Stage featuring local chefs preparing traditional cuisine.
Hours are 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 18; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 19; and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 20. In addition, some Folk Fair activities will be shared live via the event’s Facebook page.
Advance tickets are $12 each, with family four-packs for $44. Admission at the gate will be $16 for adults; $8 for children ages 6 to 12; with children five and under admitted at no charge. Those 62 and over will be admitted for $12, and all military personnel with a military ID card will be admitted free.
For more information on the 2022 Holiday Folk Fair International, visit www.folkfair.org or call 414-225-6225.