James Watrous Gallery

03/18/2025

SAVE-THE-DATE! April 13!

Join exhibiting artists, guest curators, and Wisconsin Academy staff for a celebratory closing reception of the exhibition “Wherever Home Is” at the James Watrous Gallery.

Experience a thought-provoking panel discussion moderated by guest curator Nayfa Naji, featuring exhibiting artists Amal Azzam, Issis Macias, Nada Alzalloum, and Ellie Garry.

Don’t miss this chance to explore how diverse cultural backgrounds shape creative expression and be part of the conversation.

Panel discussion begins at 3:30pm followed by time for questions. Free and open to the public. Light refreshments served.

Issis Macias, a self-taught artist and daughter of Mexican immigrants, explores the spectrum of the human experience through vibrant, intuitive abstraction. Born in Los Angeles and now based in Madison, she turned to painting as a form of healing.

Ellie Garry is currently based in Milwaukee, WI, and received her BFA from The Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in 2023. Garry has showcased her work in various exhibitions in Milwaukee, such as “Dear Nature” through Sculpture Milwaukee, and “Bridge Work” through Var Gallery.

Nada Alzalloum is a digital graphic artist that uses the power of art to tell a story and reclaim culture. As a child of refugees, she is determined to change the narrative around the word ‘refugee’ by using her art to tell a story.

Amal Azzam is a daughter of Palestinian refugees, a Muslim woman, and first-generation American living in the Midwest. Her work reflects the layers of trauma, freedom and misconceptions she carries within her identity.

Nayfa Naji is a Palestinian Muslim American born and raised in Milwaukee. An artist and community organizer, Naji studied graphic design at Milwaukee Area Technical College and graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a B.A. in Design Studies and Community Arts.

Visit our website to learn more!

03/13/2025

📖 Check it out…

✨A lovely interview with Gallery Director, Jody Clowes reflecting on 20 years at Overture!

🔗 https://www.overture.org/blog/2025-march-jody-clowes/

🙏 Thank you Eliana Wasserman for taking time to feature the Gallery

03/04/2025

💛

Sending a message in a bottle has been romanticized for centuries. People have even cast bottles for scientific purposes. And as author B.J. Hollars tells us, it helped one Wisconsin veteran connect with humanity on a deeper level. Hollars shared his story “Hope Floats” at a live storytelling ev...

02/14/2025

🏆 People’s Choice Award 🏆
Vote for your favorite artwork depicting “Wherever Home Is”

Come view this beautiful and touching group art exhibition showcasing work in a multitude of media created by 24 artists from Wisconsin.

Guest curated by Amal Azzam and Nayfa Naji, “Wherever Home Is” celebrates finding home wherever you may be. The work in the show was selected through an open call and is supported by grant funding from Dane Arts and the Madison Arts Commission.

On view through April 13, 2025.

Voting is in-person only. One vote per person.


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02/06/2025

Get your tickets now!

🎟️ Exciting News! Tickets for "Birds and People," featuring Christian Cooper—naturalist, Emmy-winning host of “Extraordinary Birder,” and bestselling author—go on sale February 5th at 11 AM CST through the Overture Center for the Arts' website: https://www.overture.org/tickets-events/2024-25-season/birds-and-people-with-christian-cooper/

Join the Wisconsin Academy for an unforgettable evening with Christian Cooper—celebrated naturalist, Emmy-winning host of “Extraordinary Birder,” and bestselling author. Don’t miss this chance to hear Christian Cooper in conversation with Angela Russell of the Black Oxygen podcast, and learn how birds create connections between people, communities, and the natural world. The evening will be emceed by the Wisconsin Academy's Executive Director Erika Monroe-Kane.

Whether you're a seasoned birder or just curious, this event will inspire and connect you to the wonders of the natural world.

📖 Book signing to follow—mark your calendars!

02/02/2025

What a wonderful reception for the opening of “Wherever Home Is”!

A heartfelt thanks to all who came out to celebrate the exhibition. And a huge thanks to the curators and artists who shared their beautiful visions of home with us!

This group exhibition featuring 25 artists is on view through April 13






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02/01/2025

We’re Open!
12-5pm Thursday-Sunday

Come see “Wherever Home Is” a group exhibition, guest curated by Amal Azzam and Nayfa Naji of Fanana Banana

On view February 1 - April 13
Artists’ Reception February 1 @ 5pm - remarks @ 6pm

01/30/2025

Opening Saturday, February 1, with an Artists’ Reception at 5pm, this group exhibition “Wherever Home Is” is guest curated by Amal Azzam and Nayfa Naji and presented with additional support from Dane Arts and Madison Arts Commission.

The exhibition is drawn from a statewide open call and includes artworks in multiple media by the following artists: Nadia Alkhun, Nada Alzalloum, Noël J. Ash, Amal Azzam, Barbara Barnard, A.C., Nohemí Chávez Contreras, Aida El-Hajjar, Nurettin Erkan, Rida Fatima, Ellie Garry, Rachael Hunter, Janine Katbeh, Okja Kwon, Andy Lira Landa, Issis Macias, Tina Meister, Nayfa Naji, Ahmed Obeidat, Vania Ortíz, Katrina Baudelia Parra, Leora Saposnik, Elliot Seiler, Brandom Terres-Sanchez, and Sheree Wood. 

Guest curators Azzam and Naji have been collaborating since 2019 as Fanana Banana, creating art and community events that reflect how first and second-generation immigrants and their families cope with the challenges of finding a home in a new land and bridging communities while maintaining their cultural identity.






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01/14/2025

That’s a wrap!

Thank you to everyone who came out to see the beautiful and engaging artworks by Ghanbarzadeh and Fritchen during their solo exhibitions, “Tales of the Seated Cat” and “See Foam!”

And a very special thank you to the artists for sharing their time and creative vision with our community members!

The Gallery is currently ~Closed For Installation~ until February 1 when the next exhibition “Wherever Home Is” opens!

01/09/2025

Don’t hesitate!

It’s the last week/weekend to see the current exhibitions by artists Nina Ghanbarzadeh and Maureen Fritchen!

Open 12pm-5pm
Thursday-Sunday

Images: Exhibitions on view at James Watrous Gallery, closeups of art by Ghanbarzadeh and Fritchen

01/08/2025

📣 Last chance to see the current exhibitions, “Tales of the Seated Cat” by Nina Ghanbarzadeh & “See Foam” by Maureen Fritchen at the James Watrous Gallery!!

👀 Stop by Thursday thru Sunday between 12 & 5pm
See you there!

01/04/2025

🙏Thank you…

As we ease back into our daily routine, let’s not forget to take time to be creative!! What an awesome day filled with community, beauty, kindness, creativity, and FUN!

A special thanks to Maureen Fritchen, whose work is on display in the Gallery through next Sunday 1/12, for taking time to create and engage with guests during this wonderful art activity Making Foam Blossoms!

And thanks to everyone who stopped by for 10 minutes or more than an hour! You all made some gorgeous blooms!!

Feel free to share any images and tag us !

Happy New Year 🎊

12/20/2024

❄️Heading into the winter season!
✨Wishing you and yours peace, comfort, and warmth!

The gallery is open this weekend 12/22 & 12/23 from 12-5pm; come through and see some artwork 🖼️

12/17/2024

✨What a nice write-up ✨
We love having Ivy as a volunteer at James Watrous Gallery!

Ivy, along with several other volunteers, helps keep the gallery doors open late on select evenings

The time our volunteers dedicate allows the public additional opportunities to engage with the exhibitions on view when we might otherwise be closed

Thank you Ivy, Betty, Julia, and Nancy for all you do 💕

Check out this cover story from December 6 on why volunteering is good for you on the Isthmus website