EXHIBITS & SPECIAL EVENTS:

CANVAS CONNOSEURS
19th Century Art Collectors and Their Milwaukee Legacy
June 13, 2008 - November 2, 2008
Ask anyone what Milwaukee is most known for and you’ll likely hear beer, motorcycles, bratwurst and the like.  Beyond Milwaukee’s deep industrial roots, however, lies a city with great artistic history, one that not coincidently is tied to the success of the early industries aforementioned above.  Opening June 13, 2008, Canvas Connoisseurs: 19th Century Art Collectors and Their Milwaukee Legacy will paint an entirely different picture of the city wealthy industrialists left behind, and how residents today still artistically benefit from their philanthropy.

Unarguably, one can say 19th century Milwaukee was another world compared to what residents are used to today.  The beginnings of familiar things were there, however, such as breweries, manufacturing factories, and meat packing plants with names like Pabst, Blatz, Allis, Smith, Usinger and Plankinton just to name a few.  These names were not just business names, however, they belonged to real men with interests outside their professions, one in particular which united them all~ art collecting.  Some did it for the love of collecting, others as a competition to acquire the newest and most sought after artists, and some simply to decorate their vast homes which new found wealth could afford.

Working with many local institutions such as Villa Terrace, Charles Allis Art Museum, Milwaukee County Historical Society, Haggerty Museum of Art, Museum of Wisconsin Art, and the Milwaukee Art Museum, Canvas Connoisseurs will introduce guests to who the early collectors were, their most celebrated pieces, and how their collections impact people today.  Long forgotten events such as the Milwaukee Exposition of 1884, the World’s Fair of 1893, and the founding of the Layton Art Gallery in Milwaukee will be discussed as major influences which were conducive to the art collecting phenomenon of the 19th century.

MILWAUKEE ART COLLECTORS' TOUR
Enjoy a trio of tours of the most splendid 19th century art collections in Milwaukee.  During the last quarter of the 19th century, Milwaukee was fortunate that several of its leading citizens were great patrons of the arts.  Captain Frederick Pabst, Frederick Layton and Charles Pfister are credited for bringing great art and culture to the growing metropolis.  In conjunction with our summer exhibit, Canvas Connoisseurs, we are offering personal tours of three great art collections that remain in the city.

• 8/2/08   Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion:   You may have visited the Mansion before, but never like this.  Tour the Pabst Mansion’s art collection as you learn of two beer barons, Captain Pabst and Emil Blatz, and their collecting habits.   Saturday at 10:30am.

• 8/7/08   Milwaukee Art Museum/The Layton Collection:   Explore the core of the Milwaukee Art Museum’s collection by delving into the history of how meatpacker Frederick Layton gave the gift of Milwaukee’s first permanent art gallery in 1888.   Thursday at 6:30pm.

• 8/9/08   Pfister Hotel:   Examine one of the finest art collections to be housed inside a hotel in America.  Collected by Charles Pfister over one hundred years ago, the collection remains today a true reflection of late nineteenth century taste.   Saturday at 10:30am.

Please join us for what promises to be fun, lively and informative tours of Milwaukee’s great art collections. Ticket sales will be limited.  Members $10 per tour and $25 for the trio of tours. Non-members $12 per tour and $30 for the trio of tours.

RETRO BEER NIGHT
October 10, 2008
6-8pm

Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion
2000 West Wisconsin Avenue

Discover and re-discover some true Milwaukee greats: Pabst, Blatz, Schlitz, and Old Milwaukee. Join us for a retro evening of beer tasting, grilled brats, fond memories, and great history. A Milwaukee 'Octoberfest' made possible by the generous support of our great friends at the Pabst Brewing Company, Quality Candy, Buddy Squirrel, and Usinger’s.

This year come find the coolest beer memorabilia at our first ever Retro Silent Auction! New, retro, and antique items will be on the table so whether a collector or a fan there will be something for everyone.

Food, drink and the best ambiance the city has to offer. Tickets are $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Purchase your tickets in advance and receive $5 off per ticket! Tickets can be purchased at the Pabst Mansion, via phone at (414) 931-0808 or visit the "TICKETS" page of our online gift shop at WWW.PABSTMANSION.COM.

EXHIBIT SPONSORS

See an exhibit that you like? Exhibits are exciting but can be costly. Insure the ever increasing quality of our exhibits by becoming an exhibit sponsor. Help fund exhibits and events and receive some great benefits for yourself or your company. Call Dawn at 414-931-0808 to discuss customizing a sponsorship for you.

• Get your name/logo out to visitors, members, contributors, volunteers, and media through mailings, publications, and online listings.
• Receive on-air mention in Pabst Mansion radio spots.
• Enjoy behind the scenes tours for your own private group.
• Schedule half price days for all your employees.
• Play host at an exclusive evening champagne reception for friends, family, employees, associates, and clients.