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OUR STORY

LUNA (Latinas Unidas en las Artes) began after an honest conversation between co-founders Katie Avila Loughmiller and Gabriela Riveros. Concerned about the lack of Latinx representation they were seeing in Milwaukee art organizations, they decided to carve out space in this city’s art scene. Together they began to build a group of artists that grew into a collective with over 30 members. Since 2017, LUNA has curated a multitude of exhibitions, community events, held workshops, created public art, and elevated the platform for Latinx artists in our community. In 2019, after being selected as a Brew City Match recipient, LUNA turned into an official LLC and opened a temporary location on Cesar Chavez Drive. This opportunity helped launch and excel many of the LUNA artists' individual careers and it also transformed how LUNA operates to maintain a sustainable future. LUNA now works on commissioned projects such as, curatorial projects, public art installations, workshops and more! 

FOUNDERS

GABRIELA RIVEROS

Gabriela Riveros is a Paraguayan-American illustrator whose work revolves around multi-cultural identities, history, and mythology. Storytelling is an integral part of Riveros' work. She is based in Milwaukee and graduated from MIAD in 2016 with a BFA in Illustration. She is currently a full time product-development artist and a freelancer.

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KATIE AVILA LOUGHMILLER

Katie Avila Loughmiller is a Colombian-American interdisciplinary social practice artist. Her work exlpores her own cultural complexity and female identity while also being deeply involved in the work of strengthening and building community. Katie was raised in Boston making homes NYC and LA before landing in Milwaukee in 2 016. She holds a BA from New York University and an MFA from Otis College of Art & Design in Art & Public Practice. She is is a serial-collective creator, artist, writer and educator.

HIGHLIGHTS

Since its founding in June of 2017, LUNA has been a part of Milwaukee's art scene highlighting Latinx artists in the area. Here are a list of LUNA's exhibitions, events and accomplishments.

EXHIBITIONS 

  • Hyphenated Americas at Latino Arts March-June 2021

  • Dia de Los Muertos Ofrenda at Latino Arts, October-November 2020

  • Leaders that We Love Virtual Exhibition August 17-20, 2020 (during the DNC)

  • #TEAMLUNAMKE at Hangout MKE Cafe & Lounge, November 2019-January 2020

  • Superstitions at LUNA Pop-Up Store & Studio, October-December 2019

  • Hoops at Urban Ecology Menomonee Valley, September-November 2019

  • Sol at Genesis MKE, July-August 2019

  • LUNA at Leenhouts Gallery in First Unitarian Society, May-June 2019

  • Debut LUNA Exhibition at Muse 33, July-August 2018

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EVENTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Commissioned by former County Executive Chris Abele to design and install a mural for the Milwaukee County Courthouse in March 2020.

  • LUNA artists were selected to vend and showcase work at MAM After Dark: Miami Nights in January 2020.

  • One of the 12 diverse businesses selected for the Pop-UP MKE program in Fall 2019.

  • Finalists and Third Place Winner of the Clarke Square Small Business Contest in 2019.

  • Sponsors of Frida Fest MKE at Farmhouse Paint and Sip in. July 2019.

  • Invited guests at the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), which is a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, Office of International Visitors in July 2019.

  • Created a temporary mural for Lopez Bakery as a part of Temporary (Re)Surfacing on Historic Mitchell Street in May 2019.

  • Featured artists Milwaukee Art Museum Kohl’s Art Generation Family Sundays: Wisconsin Artists Program, Home: Celebrating Our Refugee Communities at Lynden Sculpture Garden, Riverwest 24, FemFest 2019, Silver City International Festival and Ciclovia MKE (May 2019-September 2019). 

  • LUNA artists were selected to showcase work at  the 2019 LULAC Convention and Exposition.

  • LUNA donated work to the Milwaukee Women's Art Library, created by curator Ashley Janke, currently housed at the Charles Allis Museum.

  • We've been panelists and  guest speakers at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, the Milwaukee Women's Art Library, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Startup Milwaukee Week.

LUNA Grand Opening Saturday October 26 2
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