Milwaukee Silk Screen Collective

In 1977, we formed a silk screen collective in Milwaukee, WI, that produced art for about two years, ending in late 1978 or early 1979. 

Posters created in France during the May-June 1968 strikes influenced our thinking and planning. Silk screening is a very basic production method—easily reproducible and inexpensive. We wanted to create art that was accessible, inspirational and free—that is “Art for the People.”  

We designed and printed posters of varying degrees of quality—improving over time—but all clear, visible, and uncompromising. Press runs were about 100 per design. Late at night, we wheat-pasted the posters across the city—hoping to fulfill the “agitate” part of agitate, educate and organize.

The skilled amongst us built the frames,  screens and drying racks from scratch. Paper was the largest expense and we used a creatively-obtained roll of newsprint for the posters. We worked at various houses where one or the other of us lived—as long as there was space and roommates didn’t object.  

The world of justice, peace, freedom and equality we hoped to see in our lifetimes still remains to be won. And, there will always be a place for art in the struggle.

August, 2024

Milwaukee Silk Screen Collective members (who came and went, participated for shorter or longer times) are listed in alphabetical order here:

Anne (M), Bob (K), Burt (W), Cindi (O), Eileen (P), Emily (B), Enaida (A), Holly (S), Jack (Z), Jodi (S), Ken (M), Kurt (S), Mark (F), Marty (H), Mike (L), Richard (C)