In 1977 the late professor John Colt took 14 students from what was then the School of Fine Arts on a month-long trip to the Island of Haiti.My experience of traveling to Haiti with Professor Colt and the other students was one of the most consequential of my time at UWM. While in Haiti, Colt gave us art related research assignments each day but gave us a lot of freedom to explore on our own. When we returned to the studio in Milwaukee under his mentorship, we developed a body of work based on the trip. This was the first time that I developed ideas from life experience to create artwork; an important step beyond student work. I will have nine current paintings in this show.
Looking back to my time as a student at UWM, I remember that the biggest challenge I had was finding my own voice. Having John Colt as a painting professor, I can see now how he provided this opportunity to me and the other students who were on the trip to Port-au-Prince. His lessons were to go out and observe what we were seeing on the Island. He directed us to observe the colors and textures that were so prevalent. He exposed us to the sense of mystery inherent in Haitian culture. His teaching style was subtle and gentle. His aesthetic was different from the minimalism that was present in the 1970’s as he observed the world around him and created his own unique representations. I learned that abstraction could be connected to representation according to my own vision. I can see now how his encouragement has been a quiet force in guiding my career to this day.
-Jane Michalski
Exhibiting artists: Stuart Carlson, John Colt, Warren Garstecki, Ruth Kjaer, Jane Michalski, Kathy Middleton, Sue Strande
