CONSCIOUSNESSS IN CRAFT:
EXPLORING WHAT MAKES US HUMAN
Arts@Large, Inc. | Oct 2025 - Dec '26
Selected from among more than 60 applicants by a jury of past artists-in-residence and arts professionals, Whitney Salgado was the Fall Artist in Residence for the Arts@Large 2025-26 Cohort. Salgado's residency focused on a return to traditional materials and craft, highlighting the focus on expression and care involved in the creative process.
The exhibition, on display from October 17th, 2025 - December 12th, 2026, featured various work by Salgado, Salgado's family, and the community (featuring work such as Nichos, ink drawings, in progress work, digital paintings, papier-mâché cactus, and installation work). Themes found within the work reflect the importance of family and heritage, as well as encouragement to create traditional art, as Salgado invited guests of all ages and skill levels to create in the space and leave a mark.
A CONCRETE CANVAS
Consciousness in Craft is rooted in intention and focused on utilizing one’s hands and memory to create. In an increasingly digital world where AI is rampant, art is a discussion of what it means to be human, embrace tradition, and express oneself.
Treating the gallery walls like a canvas itself, Salgado and the AIR Curator, Jeff Zimple, added texture and various layers of paint to build up layers. Instead of perfectly curated and santized gallery walls, Salgado wanted to recreate the sense of familiarity and nostalgia within the cracked and imperfect cement walls in their families' homes.
"The scratches, the chipped paint, the cracks from hanging a picture echo a history within the walls. Creating faux 'concrete' in the gallery was a learning experience but also felt right. It became a familiar space with imperfections, it felt like home.
- W. Salgado
AIR CURATOR
Consciousness in Craft came to life in collaboration with Artist-In-Residence Curator Jeff Zimple. Salgado openly talks about how the staff at Arts@Large and Jeff were incredibly helpful and supportive during their time there.
As a fellow artist, Zimple worked with Salgado to discover the potential of what "Consciousness in Craft" could be within the space of Arts@Large. Through conversation, setup, and various workshops and experimentation, this residency was built through the hands and ideas of many individuals, reflecting human consciousness, innovation, and connection.
CERDASIGNCO
Invited to collaborate on the gallery walls, local Milwaukee artist Michael Cerda, hand-painted the exhibition title onto a faux concrete wall. Inspired by Mexican street typography, Cerda created a large distressed design of the exhibition title that contributed to the exhibition's emphasis on traditional methods of creating and skill built through time.
THE ARTIST'S DESK
On one side of the gallery space, stood a weathered wooden desk decorated with floral stamps, colored paper, sketchbooks, and various materials. Resembling an artist's work desk, this station wase available for guests to create and leave a sketch to tape onto the gallery wall.
Throughout the three months, this part of the exhibition continued to grow and take on a life of its own. Poetry, songs, drawings, portraits, and fragments left behind by guests give a glimpse into what it means to be human. and resonates the important of art's presence in life.
THE NICHO WALL
Opposite and facing the participation wall, this side of the gallery hosted various Nichos created by Salgado.
Nichos are a type of three-dimensional folk art that serve as a reminder of our own mortality, often used as an altar or offering. In Salgado's case, they create small scenes of daily life or recreated memories of their family and growing up.
In this setting, Salgado paired their nichos with collaged photos of inspiration, real family photos from their childhood and highly-recognised cultural symbols and icons.
THE MAIN WALL
On this large orange canvas, there is a framed crochet image of La Virgen. Stitched together by Salgado's abuelita and framed by hand by Salgado's grandfather, this piece lies nestled at the very center of Salgado's paintings. This work created through a collaboration of love and skilled handiwork, reminds us the of the care, intention, and patience associated with traditional labor.
Salgado's process in creating digital paintings often mixes traditional and digital methods. A painting can begin as a graphite sketch and then scanned to overlay potential color palettes, or vice versa. While advocating against the use of AI, Salgado still created work from scratch painting on different layers and very much enjoys the process of creating.
WORKSHOPS & COMMUNITY
During their 3-month residency, Salgado led various workshops for all ages and skill levels that were free and available to the public. These workshops which touch on Salgado's art practice regarding creating Nichos intentionally and capturing life through ink work and observation.
STUDENT FIELD TRIPS
MIAD, Alverno College, as well as Escuela Vieau were a few of the student field trips hosted withing the space. Students participated in carious workshops including painting cacti, sculpting, and other hands-on activities.
NICHOS & MEMORY
Masterclass No. 1
During this heartfelt Masterclass with Artist in Residence, Whitney Salgado, guests explored the process of creating nichos and how they can be used as storytelling mediums. A nicho is a decorative shadowbox or shrine in Latine folk art that can honor a loved one, celebrate cultural icons, or anything in between. Most often seen during Día de los Muertos, nichos hold memory, culture, and connection.
CAPTURING LIFE THOUGH INK
Masterclass No. 2
This workshop focused on the use of ink to transcribe the world around us as well as Salgado's journey in using ink during the pandemic. Salgado revisited various types of mark-making, how to best utilize a brush pen as a tool when drawing from life, and the timeline of various locations they visited to study with ink. Guests learned how imperfections and crooked lines can add charm to your work and embrace working with an unforgiving medium.
For this masterclass the gallery inside Arts@Large was intentionally transformed into an eclectic cafe of sorts. During the pandemic, Salgado visited various cafes and locations around Milwaukee and felt most at-home in. Various furniture was sourced from Salgado's home, Arts@Large staff, and thrifted pieces. This created a cozy space in which guests felt more relaxed while experimenting with a new medium.
