I’m Ari Kohll (they/them), a 30 year old multidisciplinary artist from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

20 months ago, I had to stop drinking to save my life. The ripples of change are still spreading. I left my career in social work to explore art and other community opportunities. I’m an abortion clinic escort, trained Abortion Doula, mikveh (Jewish ritual bath) guide, muralist, in the beginning stages of a Gender Affirming Doula training, and a member of the local LGBTQ+ chorus. My art and community engagement both focus on genuine connection through life’s transitions, and a compassionate relationship with the self.

This is an extremely Wisconsin month for me, including the Residency in Saukville, a week up north in Bayfield, and camping in Door County. I've lived what has felt like a lot of lives in my 9 years in this state, and I'm excited to explore UpNorth's resources to help translate my love for the people and nature of this state into new-to-me art styles.

Join Ari at Up North Press on Thursday, Oct 1st from 5-8pm to Celebrate with us ~ 655 N Riverside Drive, Saukville, WI

Adam Ossers (oh-sirs) is an interdisciplinary, Trans artist. His work is a living record of his life in the Midwest. He spent the last decade simultaneously documenting his transition and his peers in artist communities in Milwaukee, WI through photo, writing, video, and site-specific, art exhibition installations. He publishes multimedia archives on his website, and makes playful objects with repurposed and inexpensive materials. He’s collaborated with artists on curatorial projects, video projects, and mixed media community engagement projects that focus on themes of place, identity, and memory. He is the founder of DocMyArt, and serves on the board of Walker's Point Center for the Arts. He is currently a Community Organizer at Fair Wisconsin.

I plan to experiment with video and field recordings during my residency. I want to create a new relationship with artifacts that I have collected from my transition through play and humor in the outdoor garden spaces of the residency. I hope to create a short film from the footage I collect this month. The last film I made, Bruce Dreams, was completed in 2022. Link to film: https://youtu.be/ZfqjPg3QW0w?si=fcs0h484D80E-Fwy

Join Adam at Up North Press on Sunday, Oct 4th from 4-7pm to Celebrate with us ~ 655 N Riverside Drive, Saukville, WI