Meet the our Media & production Intern, Pam Williams

/ CopyWrite Magazine, Media & Design LLC./

Say what’s up to Pam!

Pam Williams is a cultural organizer born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. She attends Bryant & Stratton College and will be graduating in May 2023 with an Associates in Nursing, with which she plans to pursue holistic nursing and the development of a women’s center to ensure and support the health of Black women. Although her major is nursing, journalism, media, and organizing are her true passions. She has worked diligently with her multifaceted skills hosting open mics, working as an activist for local organizations, and creating a journalistic voice in local media. Pam has a true love for the 414. She plans to expand her resume and continue organizing to improve the state of Black livelihood in the city as well as continue to celebrate the culture.

/CW Team.

Bee's in Black Cat Alley | an interview with NEW muralist Mi Salgado

/ Black Cat Alley /

The art in Black Cat Alley on the East side of Milwaukee (E Ivanhoe Pl, Milwaukee, WI 53202) is iconic. From breathtaking imagery, bold colors, creative use, and even moments of controversial application, it is a place in the city like no other. If you have been to Black Cat Alley within the last month, you would have surely noticed that a new cohort of artists were selected to create new murals to become a part of its growing narrative of public art. Excited to see the work in action, CopyWrite visited Mi Salgado as she worked on her piece, Life’s Pollinators.

The original design for Mi’s mural was based off of a painting she curated in 2020 during quarantine. Before Covid happened she had been working on a body of work to submit to a gallery show. However, when the world shut down and those opportunities were no longer an option she decided to redirect her creative focus.

Mi: “I wanted to come up with a piece that defined how working hard can turn into something beautiful and working together can [do the same]. In some way we are all connected.”

She pointed out how the bees pollinate, flowers grow, and we sustain life and beauty through those actions. Her mural shows these components together in a larger than life abstraction of honey combs, flowers, and bee’s together in splashes of orange and yellow warmth. 

As a self taught artist who only began to dabble in professional work in 2018, Mi is excited to be a part of the list of names who have blessed Black Cat Alley with their work. Being a professional artist was never really something Mi had considered for herself, but when she had the opportunity to take on a commission it changed her trajectory and pushed her to explore the craft a little more.

Mi: “I started off drawing and doing a lot of pin work. Then that turned into painting. From there I also picked up wood burning. So I have been practicing a lot of different disciplines. 

Though the discussion of public art in Milwaukee has only recently become a priority in the city, Black Cat Alley has been making its way in that arena since 2015.  New to this side of the creative world we asked Mi what she has learned so far as an up-and-coming talent:

Mi: “It’s not easy!” She laughed. “One thing I think I suck at is creating the statements. It’s a whole process. You really need to know how to write.”

Writing about your work is something many artists neglect, thus they leave others to create the narrative for them. Mi has been using her family and friends as resources to make sure what she is writing is being interpreted in the way she delivers it. It’s something she is still learning and working on.

Creating more public art is something Mi plans on continuing to do. Now that she knows the process she constantly looks at mural calls to see if there is one that might fit. With Black Cat Alley being one of her first murals and the space having so much notoriety, Mi has a jump start into a very niche but competitive field. 

CW: “What do you think about the shift in Public art rapidly appearing across Milwaukee in the last few years? Why do you think such a shift is occurring?”

Mi: “I want to say Milwaukee is experiencing a whole new art scene. There are a lot of young professionals and stuff like that. I think that could be a reason. There are so many unknown artists here. I think that’s something Black Cat Alley is trying to do, [give] unknown artists an opportunity. I think it’s also like a new culture.

She also mentioned wanting to experience the public art scenes in other places which may fuel inspiration for more work.

Though this is Mi, first public large scale solo mural she has helped kids create mural work in the past. The difference she notes is having the ability to use your own concept and let it flow freely. Even in her current piece, she modified the way in which the composition wraps the bump out in the alley where her mural is and also the type of flowers the bees will pollinate. These modifications are a part of the process and a part of the story that makes working in public spaces so special.

For any artist thinking about stepping into the public art scene, Mi suggests that practice is everything.

Mi: “Don’t give up. Keep submitting. Your first application will be the crappiest one. Just keep practicing. Try to make that resume and artist statement better. Try to perfect that application.”

And clearly the practice is worth it. 

Next time you're “on the East” make sure to stop at Black Cat Alley to see Mi Salgados piece, Life’s Pollinators, and other amazing murals that are sure to inspire.

Lexi S. Brunson /CW

Meet the NEW Intern, Naomi-Re'a

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Say what’s up to Naomi-Re'a!

Once a fresh face on the art scene of her hometown Milwaukee, WI, and now a growing leader in its development, Naomi-Re’a is the hidden voice for creative advocacy. Starting as an aspiring model in the later months of 2017, she worked in perfecting her skill set and aligning with a growing local network. She quickly became a recognizable face and caught the eye of CopyWrite Magazine early on. This led to being featured in a few magazine Issues in the years that followed. The revelation of her other talents would arise from being encouraged by her peers to take on other creative leadership positions. Through that, Naomi-Re’a has realized that her mission is to change the narrative of not only the Urban Creative but the Urban Lifestyle in general, using visuals and articulation through words as main forms of expression. This includes curating and creative directing visual concepts, coordinating event productions, coaching other aspiring models, and now as a blogger for CopyWrite Magazine. Naomi-Re’a hopes to successfully become an aid to many Creatives in the development of what it means to express and redefine.

/CW

Wisconsin Conservation Voters is hiring a Communications Specialist

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*Information provided by Erin Bloodgood | Communications Manager Wisconsin Conservation Voters

Wisconsin Conservation Voters is hiring a Communications Specialist!

Fighting for action on key issues like climate change, safe drinking water, and democracy has never been more urgent. Wisconsin Conservation Voters (WCV) is seeking to add to our team a passionate, strategic, and collaborative Communications Specialist who will use their skills to engage decision-makers, media, our members, and the public to advocate for climate solutions and other key issues at all levels of government.

The right person for this position will use their knowledge and the strength of the organization to ensure that racial justice and equity are incorporated into environmental and democracy policy-making. This full-time position will last one year with the possibility of extension through the November 2022 election. This position can be based in Madison, Wisconsin, but there is flexibility around location within Wisconsin

Who we are

Wisconsin Conservation Voters engages voters to protect Wisconsin’s environment. To achieve that, Wisconsin Conservation Voters advocates for sound environmental laws and policies, holds elected officials accountable for their votes and actions, and elects pro-conservation candidates who will champion our priority issues. Learn more about us at conservationvoters.org.

What you'll do

Support Wisconsin Conservation Voters’ communication and marketing efforts by working closely with the Communications Director and Communications Manager. This position has an emphasis on developing written content for internal and external communications, including content for members, media materials, online presence, and more.

The Communications Specialist also assists with email marketing, events, and other activities. This position develops content for our digital program including social media, email, and website with occasional design responsibilities, working in alignment with the Communications Director and with independent vendors as required.

As an essential part of our Clean Energy for All campaign, the Communications Specialist will develop strategy and tactics to amplify and execute work on federal clean energy policy and connect that work to Wisconsin Conservation Voters’ overall strategy.

Specifics of the job include (but are not limited to):

  • Write emails, press releases, website content, news articles, social media toolkits, letters of support, letters to the editor, and public service announcements.

  • Assist in creating communications that promote our work, engage the public, and advance our priority campaigns.

  • Develop relationships with relevant media outlets.

  • Implement creative social media campaigns including, but not limited to, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

  • Assist in creating paid digital campaigns across marketing channels.

  • Offer rapid response as needed and quickly engage and mobilize supporters with content/direction.

  • Maintain and update program website(s) content.

To succeed in this job, you:

  • You are able to work well in a team and manage projects that require input from multiple staff and across departments as well as with our partners and legislative champions.

  • Are comfortable working with people of different political ideologies, racial identities, ages, and socio-economic differences.

  • Share our commitment to increasing racial justice and equity in the conservation movement.

  • Are nimble and can adjust strategies and tactics based on the fast-moving nature of the legislature and Congress.

  • Value learning, are curious, and like to seek out new ideas and opportunities for personal growth and improvement.

  • Are excited to engage voters and others to fight for a clean environment, a healthy future, and a fair democracy for all Wisconsinites.

Additional valued skills:

  • Experience with graphic design, photography skills, video skills, and other content creation.

  • Journalism experience or an understanding of how to work with newsrooms and media contacts.

What you should know

Physical requirements: Ability to use a computer for long periods of time, use a telephone, and perform other routine office duties.

Conditions: This position can be based in Madison, but the location is flexible. Due to COVID-19, the ability to work from home is required for the near future. Some evening and weekend work is required, and during busy times you should have the flexibility to work hours exceeding regular office hours to get the job done. The position is full time, temporary, and classified as exempt.

Salary and benefits: $40,000 to $48,000 annual salary based on experience plus health and dental coverage, technology stipend, and paid time off.

Reports to: Communications Director

Our commitment to racial justice and equity: We recognize that historic and current systems and decisions – including within the conservation community – have created injustice. Through our work we confront these injustices and fight for an equitable balance of power. We hold ourselves accountable to being inclusive and equitable in our own actions and within our organization. Read more about our commitment in our Guiding Principles here.

To apply

Email your resume, cover letter, and three references by July 19 to apply@conservationvoters.org, with “Communications Specialist” in the subject line. This position has a flexible start date in August 2021.

Meet the our New Fashion Intern, Kyndal J.

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Say what’s up to Kyndal!

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Kyndal J. is a multi-faceted creative. She ventures in the art of singing, songwriting , fashion, and jewelry design. She combines her many talents with confidence and style, curating a complete experience. We love her as a local creative and can’t wait for her to bring her energy to our fashion department!

/CW team.