With several art shows under their belt, members of the White Whale Collective decided it was time for them to explore the space.

At 6pm on Friday, April 18, the artists of the Milwaukee-based White Whale Collective will open their gallery doors to reveal their latest creation.

The White Whale Collective formed during the winter of 2007, much the way a group of friends starts playing music together in someone’s garage, to fulfill a need for creative release. In this way the collective functions as a mutual admiration society.

Since their inaugural show on January 18, 2008, the White Whale artist Collective has garnered a myriad of faithful art enthusiasts.

“I was surprised and excited that such a wide range of people came out on a Friday night,” said collective member Kari McIntyre about their Bread and Butter art show, at the end of March, in which the artists displayed work for sale under $75.

However, up until now, they haven’t presented collaborative work to the public.

With several art shows under their belt, members of the White Whale Collective decided it was time for them to explore the space.

“Most of us are just out of school, so we have a lot of freedom,” says McIntyre. “If someone presents an idea to the group, ‘let’s do an installation,’” she says, narrating her own monologue. “We have the freedom to say, ‘yeah, let’s do it.’”

Their most recent and upcoming endeavor will feature an installation that fills the entire gallery space.

“The installation is representative of our gallery, a visual description of our name,” says McIntyre. “Bridget Quinn had this idea of the White Whale, as a pursuit of the unattainable,” she recalls.

The installation will incorporate a variety of recycled materials. “We have been collecting cardboard for months,” she says.

During our conversation, it becomes quite obvious that McIntyre is completely engaged by the pursuit of her art.

The White Whale is comprised of 9 talented young artists that boast a diverse range of artistic backgrounds. From the egg tempera landscapes and metal bird creations of Emily Belknap, to the vulnerable portraiture of Casey Davidge, the artists of the White Whale are a spry and nimble bunch.

“This installation is all about collaboration,” says collective member Allison Lassiter, wrestling with heaps of cardboard that cover the gallery floor.

Venture out Friday, April 18 and explore the latest work of a talented Milwaukee artist collective.

Rumors have been circulating that the local Milwaukee up and comers, Shark Attack, will provide a musical backdrop for the evening.

The artists of the White Whale Collective display their own work in a 1000-plus square foot gallery space located at 835 W. National Ave. near the intersection of 9th and National.

For more information about upcoming events and excess verbiage you can get in contact with the folks at the White Whale: www.whitewhalecollective.com.

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