(WEST BEND, WI) The Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) in partnership with Ansay Development Corporation (ADC) is excited to announce Milwaukee artist, Lois Bielefeld as the first winner of the Artist-in-Residence Program in Luxembourg. Sponsored by ADC and supported by the Ministry of Culture in Luxembourg, this is the first artist-in-residence opportunity offered through MOWA for Wisconsin artists.
A conceptual photographer and filmmaker, Bielefeld splits her time between fine art, commercial, and fashion photography. Born in Milwaukee, she earned her BFA in Advertising Photography from Rochester Institute of Technology in New York and then lived and worked in Brooklyn for seven years. Moving back to Wisconsin in 2010, Bielefeld’s work has consistently been exhibited in both group and solo contexts, including two new solo exhibitions entitled Room & Board, on view through November 8, 2014 at ArtStart in Rhinelander, and Androgyny, opening November 1 through January 10, 2015 at UW-Parkside. Her commercial and fashion photography work has earned her impressive clients, including Kohl’s, Prestige Hong Kong, Time Magazine, Wisconsin Bride Magazine, among many others.
“I am incredibly grateful to MOWA and Ansay Development Corporation for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Bielefeld. “My work is grounded in the lives, habits, and environments of Americans and I am extremely interested to see how my work develops and is influenced by photographing outside of the US and examining the lives and cultural habits of another country. This Residency will allow me to focus solely on my work and will immensely benefit my career as a professional artist.”
“Lois Bielefeld is the ideal first winner of the Artist-in-Residence Program in Luxembourg,” said Laurie Winters, MOWA Executive Director | CEO. “Her successful background as an emerging Wisconsin artist paired with her passion to take her career as a professional artist to the next level, are exactly what this Program is about. We can’t wait to see where this experience takes her.”
The 3-month Artist-in-Residence Program in Luxembourg will give Bielefeld the opportunity to live and work at Bourglinster Castle, located just 15 miles outside Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Housing, travel, and a monthly stipend for three months are included in the Program. Working with a group of five to six other artists from around the world, Bielefeld will have complete freedom for work and making connections in Europe.
“Ansay Development Corporation along with the Ministry in Luxembourg are happy to have Lois kick-off the Luxembourg Residency program, said Mike Ansay, Managing Partner of Ansay Development Corporation. “This is the beginning of a journey that will provide a great cultural experience for Wisconsin artists.”
Bielefeld is represented by the Portrait Society Gallery in Milwaukee. Samples of her work can be found on her website, loisbielefeld.com.
The Artist-in-Residence Program in Luxembourg is a biennial program. It is open to artists working in any medium who either live in Wisconsin currently or have had transformational art experiences in Wisconsin that link them to the State in a significant and recognizable way. Preference is given to emerging artists with a proven track record and mid-career artists with gallery representation and a growing national and/or international reputation.
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Lois Bielefeld at Vintage MOWA 2014, MOWA’s premiere wine tasting and auction event, where she was announced as the first recipient of the Artist-in-Residence Program in Luxembourg. Photo credit: MiaS Photo LLC.
About Museum of Wisconsin Art
The Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA), originally established in 1961 as the West Bend Gallery of Fine Arts, is one of the top regional art museums in the country, and is the primary venue nationally for the exhibition of historic and contemporary Wisconsin art, including holdings of more than 300 artists, over 4,000 works of art, and a sizeable archive/ library. In April 2013, MOWA celebrated a major milestone with the opening of a new building that doubled the gallery square footage and expanded its capacity to offer public programs and educational activities. The Museum is located at 205 Veterans Avenue, West Bend. For general information, call 262.334.9638 or visit wisconsinart.org.
About Ansay Development Corporation
Ansay Development Corporation (ADC), is a family owned and operated real estate and development company established in 1985. ADC focuses on growing communities, partnerships and relationships through real estate. From concept and design to the approval process, bidding, construction, and beyond, ADC makes the transition smooth and successful for your business or community to grow. For more information, call 262.376.3203 or visit ansaydevelopment.com.
