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packed house. Many attendees made the trip to Hotcakes for the first time. The collaboration was also
based on other factors: COPA has great respect for Brenner and his work with another grass-roots but
vital arts organization: MARN (Milwaukee Artists Resource Network), and the location was also
appropriate for a celebration as the same week Hotcakes was voted Best Gallery in the annual Shepherd
Express “Best of Milwaukee” reader’s poll.
Haphazardly pinned to the walls of the gallery in plastic sleeves were around 135 pictures by 58
photographers. Subject matter was all across the board from nature to portraits, landscapes, abstracts,
still lifes and genre pictures. The technical processes were just as varied with black and white pictures
next to color ones and digital and traditionally printed images equally present. Even though Susceptible to
Images co-publisher Debra Brehmer and I got there at 6:10 p.m. (the event began at 6:00 p.m.) there was
already a good-sized crowd and more than a few red stickers on pictures. Hesitation was not the order of
the day and after a quick sweep through the gallery I purchased two works: a marvelous image of a wintry
north star surrounded by a halo of shredded light by COPA President Sonya Thomsen-Oulahan and a
moody black and white still life of two old onions by Danuta Kraszewski. Should I have taken my time and
really looked and thought about what I wanted to buy? Logically, yes; in practice, no. At these bargain
prices, it’s not as if an impulse purchase was going to irreparably damage my bank balance before the
holidays and I went with my gut – both images had instant appeal and there’s much to be said for that
approach: buy what you instinctively like. Clearly others had this same attitude and red stickers were
steadily going on photos throughout the evening.
COPA board members, nattily attired in special red t-shirts were, I think, rather stunned at the success of
the event. Just how appealing would $22 prove to be to Milwaukeeans with a free Saturday night? The
ingredients for a worthwhile evening were in place, but given Milwaukee’s reputation for being a town
somewhat shy when it comes to purchasing original art, and Hotcakes’ out-of-the-way location in a
residential part of Riverwest, success was not guaranteed. These fears were soon put to rest as sales
steadily mounted. By the evening’s close, 73 photos by 41 photographers had been sold and COPA’s
coffers were significantly healthier.
There’s an old cliché that says “from tiny acorns, do mighty oak trees grow” and hopefully it applies here.
COPA’s event reminded people that original art is affordable, supports real artists and is much more
interesting to have in your home than a reproduction or poster. It also gives the buyer the chance to meet
the artist, find out more about the rationale behind their work and the opportunity to connect with the work
in a way that buying a bad Renoir poster will never allow. My sentiment was echoed by COPA Board
Member Mel Trittin who said: "The event validated the fact that in spite of a glut of images that people have
access to from media and the internet on a daily basis, there is still a desire to own original work. When
this is combined with the democratic opportunity for affordable work there is not only a desire, but a high
demand."
Overall, the quality of the photographs was high with the best works finding buyers easily. While some
works stayed behind at the end of the night, this was not necessarily a bad thing. A regular benefit of
being a COPA member is the chance to get feedback from other members and occasionally outside
experts are enlisted to provide more formal critiques. What this means is that COPA offers all its
members the opportunity to learn and improve in both the artistic and technical aspects of their work and
receive encouragement to persist and find their own voice. It is this nurturing and supportive aspect of the
organization that bodes well for the future and is reflected in its growing membership. If a photographer’s
work didn’t sell, hopefully they will talk to their fellow enthusiasts for tips and advice on how to improve. A
rising tide will hopefully lift all boats.
So worthwhile was the event that plans are in the works for next year’s birthday celebration. Even if COPA
sell works at $33 it will still be a great opportunity to buy original art and should not be missed. Proceeds
from these events are designated to support the photographic arts and educational programs for
members. Since its inception, COPA has gone from just a handful of members to a current membership
of about 150, however, it should be remembered that not all members are photographers; if you are a
collector or even just like photography, there’s a place for you within COPA. For more information, go to
www.copamilwaukee.com
Graeme Reid
Assistant Director
Museum of Wisconsin Art/West Bend Art Museum
Comments? Email comments@susceptibletoimages.com
based on other factors: COPA has great respect for Brenner and his work with another grass-roots but
vital arts organization: MARN (Milwaukee Artists Resource Network), and the location was also
appropriate for a celebration as the same week Hotcakes was voted Best Gallery in the annual Shepherd
Express “Best of Milwaukee” reader’s poll.
Haphazardly pinned to the walls of the gallery in plastic sleeves were around 135 pictures by 58
photographers. Subject matter was all across the board from nature to portraits, landscapes, abstracts,
still lifes and genre pictures. The technical processes were just as varied with black and white pictures
next to color ones and digital and traditionally printed images equally present. Even though Susceptible to
Images co-publisher Debra Brehmer and I got there at 6:10 p.m. (the event began at 6:00 p.m.) there was
already a good-sized crowd and more than a few red stickers on pictures. Hesitation was not the order of
the day and after a quick sweep through the gallery I purchased two works: a marvelous image of a wintry
north star surrounded by a halo of shredded light by COPA President Sonya Thomsen-Oulahan and a
moody black and white still life of two old onions by Danuta Kraszewski. Should I have taken my time and
really looked and thought about what I wanted to buy? Logically, yes; in practice, no. At these bargain
prices, it’s not as if an impulse purchase was going to irreparably damage my bank balance before the
holidays and I went with my gut – both images had instant appeal and there’s much to be said for that
approach: buy what you instinctively like. Clearly others had this same attitude and red stickers were
steadily going on photos throughout the evening.
COPA board members, nattily attired in special red t-shirts were, I think, rather stunned at the success of
the event. Just how appealing would $22 prove to be to Milwaukeeans with a free Saturday night? The
ingredients for a worthwhile evening were in place, but given Milwaukee’s reputation for being a town
somewhat shy when it comes to purchasing original art, and Hotcakes’ out-of-the-way location in a
residential part of Riverwest, success was not guaranteed. These fears were soon put to rest as sales
steadily mounted. By the evening’s close, 73 photos by 41 photographers had been sold and COPA’s
coffers were significantly healthier.
There’s an old cliché that says “from tiny acorns, do mighty oak trees grow” and hopefully it applies here.
COPA’s event reminded people that original art is affordable, supports real artists and is much more
interesting to have in your home than a reproduction or poster. It also gives the buyer the chance to meet
the artist, find out more about the rationale behind their work and the opportunity to connect with the work
in a way that buying a bad Renoir poster will never allow. My sentiment was echoed by COPA Board
Member Mel Trittin who said: "The event validated the fact that in spite of a glut of images that people have
access to from media and the internet on a daily basis, there is still a desire to own original work. When
this is combined with the democratic opportunity for affordable work there is not only a desire, but a high
demand."
Overall, the quality of the photographs was high with the best works finding buyers easily. While some
works stayed behind at the end of the night, this was not necessarily a bad thing. A regular benefit of
being a COPA member is the chance to get feedback from other members and occasionally outside
experts are enlisted to provide more formal critiques. What this means is that COPA offers all its
members the opportunity to learn and improve in both the artistic and technical aspects of their work and
receive encouragement to persist and find their own voice. It is this nurturing and supportive aspect of the
organization that bodes well for the future and is reflected in its growing membership. If a photographer’s
work didn’t sell, hopefully they will talk to their fellow enthusiasts for tips and advice on how to improve. A
rising tide will hopefully lift all boats.
So worthwhile was the event that plans are in the works for next year’s birthday celebration. Even if COPA
sell works at $33 it will still be a great opportunity to buy original art and should not be missed. Proceeds
from these events are designated to support the photographic arts and educational programs for
members. Since its inception, COPA has gone from just a handful of members to a current membership
of about 150, however, it should be remembered that not all members are photographers; if you are a
collector or even just like photography, there’s a place for you within COPA. For more information, go to
www.copamilwaukee.com
Graeme Reid
Assistant Director
Museum of Wisconsin Art/West Bend Art Museum
Comments? Email comments@susceptibletoimages.com
TWO-TO-TOO: COPA’s Second
Birthday Bash at Hotcakes
Hotcakes Gallery
3379 N. Pierce Street, Milwaukee
414-961-7714
December 9, 2006
To mark their second anniversary, Milwaukee’s
Coalition of Photographic Arts (COPA) hosted a
fundraiser at Hotcakes Gallery on December 9th.
Called Two-To-Too - all the photographs were
donated by COPA members and priced at $22 each.
It was a fortuitous and timely collaboration: Mike
Brenner, owner of Hotcakes, had a gap between Paul
Kjelland’s exhibition and his upcoming Gary John
Gresl show, so rather than have bare walls and no
visitor traffic, Brenner gave COPA a great deal on
renting the space and was well rewarded with a
Birthday Bash at Hotcakes
Hotcakes Gallery
3379 N. Pierce Street, Milwaukee
414-961-7714
December 9, 2006
To mark their second anniversary, Milwaukee’s
Coalition of Photographic Arts (COPA) hosted a
fundraiser at Hotcakes Gallery on December 9th.
Called Two-To-Too - all the photographs were
donated by COPA members and priced at $22 each.
It was a fortuitous and timely collaboration: Mike
Brenner, owner of Hotcakes, had a gap between Paul
Kjelland’s exhibition and his upcoming Gary John
Gresl show, so rather than have bare walls and no
visitor traffic, Brenner gave COPA a great deal on
renting the space and was well rewarded with a
| COPA's 2nd birthday party in full swing at Hotcakes Gallery. |