MIAD Bridge is a publication of Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. This publication showcase various articles of students

that volunteered their time to give back to the community through their Service Learning Class. Publication Date: December 5,

2012 / MIAD.edu

Sweet Water Organics

Check It Out

Volume

29

FREE

Find Us:

03

Content

Thank You

Editor / Chief: Nicholas Mueller

Art Direction:Nicholas Mueller

Illustrations:Taylor Pieper Nicholas Mueller

Authors:Quinton WestLucas RuminskiNiki Feld

DEPARTMENTS

December 2012 Volume 29 Number 22

04 Sweet Water Organics

began the transformation of an abandoned industrial building into a showcase of potential living technologies and urban agriculture. We strive to become a resource for job creation and use of urban settings.

02 Letter to the Author

Here I am writing to the Author that wrote the Sweet Water Organics articles letting him know that it was a great read and the research that I did had inspired me to make some-thing even more of myself.

17 In the Spot Light

Showcasing a non-profit that is helping there com-munity buy giving back to the youth working with them and educating them in certain circustamces.

23 Out on the Town

Is a showcase of a new resteraunt feature. Here we are spot lighting Wolf Peach which is a new resteraunt that opened up in the old Roots Resteraunt.

First, you will want to down load the scanner app on your ipad.

Second, once its loaded scan the article with the play buttons.

Once, you have scanned the article hit the play button.

10 Artististic Community

Walker’s Point Center for the Arts is a non-profit orga-nization that works a lot with the community in Walker’s Point. In April of 1987 the organization was started by an inspiring group of women. Read more...

18 Giving Back Great communities

come from those patrons that are willing to help by giving there time to help others. Helping others isn’t only self fullfilling its a very kind jesture and brings good karma if your one to believe in that.

HOW IT WORKS

FEATURES

editor/chief

04

05

In 2008, Sweet Water Organics began the transformation of an abandoned industrial building into a showcase of potential living technologies and urban agriculture. We strive to become a resource for job creation and use of urban settings.

Aquaponics Sweet Water Organics is an urban fish and vegetable farm. Our goal is to provide fresh, safe food for our local communities while maintaining reasonable prices and respecting our environment.

Located in the neighborhood of Bay View south of downtown Milwaukee, Sweet Water Organics is an urban farm dedicated to producing fresh fish and produce for the local Milwaukee area. Started by Josh Fraundorf and Jim Godsil in 2008 when they converted an old crane factory into an indoor “wetland,” Sweet Water has since been growing into a hopeful dream for those wishing to shop locally and help their local community. Raising about 80,000 fish as well as fresh lettuce, sprouts, and other vegetables, Sweet Water aims to not only create produce for its local community, it has a very high outlook on educating and inspiring people within the community to become active in the lifestyle of a perpetual lifecycle that aquaponics and hydroponics systems can promote.

However, despite its wonderful foundation and very positive mission, Sweet Water is still a young organization. With this, there come all of the similar issues that a new company Water has many different facets that they would like to go into. One such idea is the development and implementation of Aquaponic systems for schools, businesses, and in home community. Essentially, the plan is to come up with a system in order to one day, manufacture small or large aquaponic systems to sell. We came up with 4 Main points that need to be addressed within this action plan:

Research We need to develop background information based on studies, information, and live experience in using and developing Aquaponics. This needs to be conducted by our specialists here at Sweet Water Orgaincs in Milwaukee.

Material Acquisition As we promote the recycling and reuse of materials, we need to look around in search of possible suppliers for materials. Establishing a possible outlet of consistent materials to come in will also help in determining the possible systems that we will be able to design.

File KeepingWe need to establish a possible system to keep all pertinent information for the entire project together and organized throughout the span of its life.

Sustainability of a project The project itself will be in construction for what we estimate to be a few years. I will be looking at setting up a possible partnership with MIAD for the return of students each year to continue the work. These are the main ideas that we need to look at as we progress into the future of the project. To start it off from here, I will be contacting Leslie, David Martin, as well as both Pascal Malassigne and John Caruso. I will be speaking to them about the plausibility of this project becoming a realization as a partnership with MIAD. After this, well will then work out the specifics of how the program will work. This concerns how students can be a part of the project whether it is in the form of Service learning or some other aspect.

The next step which can be done before or after, is for me to kick start the project by not only helping do research but also to do initial design work to get the ball rolling. Jesse described the use of Google Sketchup as a program to do most 3d design work within as it is a free program and can be accessed by even typical high school or college students.

06

“ “Water is high in oxygen and nutrients, most systems grow plants twice as fast and highly productive on a per square foot basis.

We will also have to look at using anything we can find at potential materials for design from in creating the systems. This is in regards to the fact that not all people will want to have the same system. Jess would really like to have the ability at this point to develop systems from the most basic elements to systems that incorporate more expensive materials and design aesthetic.

Experiences and ThoughtsFor the most part, my service at Sweet Water Organics has been pretty fulfilling and enjoyable. I have learned a lot of aquaponics and hydroponics that I did not know before. As well, I have had the chance to meet a lot of exciting and friendly new people. Up until today, I have served 36 hours at Sweet Water and despite seeming like a decently sized number; I feel that it passed all so quickly. From the first time that I went there in the winter, I felt as if I would really enjoy my time there and I am please to say that I wasn’t

mislead in my feelingIn the very beginning it started off just

like what I imagine a lot of other service projects to be; find an organization to help out with various tasks for a few hours to get my credit. Though as I knew once back in high school, service projects are seldom ever so simple. One aspect that a lot of people tend to forget about when they do this kind of work, are the relationships that can form with people and the work that they are doing. This is exactly what happened for me.

ActivityThe very first activity that I helped out with was the management of the store. This included lots of various tasks such as ringing customers up, taking in people for the tours, taking care of garbage, and some other miscellaneous tasks. At first of course, I didn’t think much of the place. I found its intent and operation to be fascinating but I was weary of how many hours I would have to perform there and wasn’t looking forward to it. I started by working with Toni Johns who is more or less a program coordinator for the organization. Most of the time she can be found throughout the building or grounds helping with various projects or helping others.

Organic FarmsConsumer Driven. Farmer Approved

Global Statistics

78% of U.S. Families are Buying Organic

40% of the Organic Market is Fruits & Vegetables

9% growth in 2011, of the Organic Industry

Market Reaches Over

$31 Billion in Sales

4.6 Million Acres of Organic land spread across the U.S. alone

07

Course Over the course of the first few weeks, the work I did was about the same. I came in and helped out within the store almost always doing the same type of activities. It wasn’t until March 23rd that I met Jesse Blom who took me from the store to help with a much larger project that he had in mind. I actually heard of the project first from Sean Simmons who Jesse originally approached. Though due to the fact that Sean was just about done at Sweet Water, Jesse was pointed in my direction for help. Jesse took me on a short tour of what he was trying to accomplish at Sweet Water. He described systems of Aquaponics and Hydroponics and showed me how all of the systems worked at Sweet Water. The first system I got to work hands on with in an attempt to see how they worked was a small scale tank located in the main corridor of the building. Jesse gave me the task of analyzing the system and coming up with new designs and ways of making the system work. Till Now Up until now, I have spent the majority of my time working with Jesse, talking about how we can create these systems to not only educate others, but to possibly sell to gain profit for the organization. This is where I decided to use my opportunity for an action plan to not only help me with my requirements for class, but to also help further this project

for Jesse and the Sweet Water organization. I wanted to get the opportunity to stay in contact with the organization and be an integral part of the project so that I can help make a difference within our community of Milwaukee.

Flow Work Flow and Efficiency Though Sweet Water does a wondrous job in the community of providing fresh produce and fish for market, it is not the only service they provide. Some of the other services provided are as follows:Provision of building for Art show/galleries and various shows.Education aspect of tours and information provided to community members. about the systems in use at sweet water. Various landscaping projects including the reformation of the local landscapes from old broken down building areas to flower beds and various agricultural plots.

Store to provide naturally grown foods imported from other local farms. In its essence, Sweet water is a growing entity that spawned out of very similar ideals to that of Growing Power. In fact, Jim Godsil actually started off within the Growing Power organization before branching off with Josh Fraundorf to start Sweet Water. Their mission statement since they began in 2008 has been to provide fresh, safe food for the local communities while maintaining reasonable prices and respecting the environment. Since then, they have done a great job of growing and expanding. has, they don’t adequately understand how to keep it going at its best

08

“ “

capacity. While they have grown over the years, they have gotten some very capable and helpful individuals to come on board to help realize their dream. A lot of the people who help out here don’t even get paid to be there which is also really interesting considering how much attention the organization actually gets. Nonetheless, while having a lot of people, I discovered that the chain of authority is very hard to follow and much unorganized. While some individuals like Toni Johns actually take the time to try and get around and organize whats going on, it seems that most of the people don’t quite know what is going on with anyone else in any other department.

This is where I think the biggest downfall of the organization is. It would be worth noting the actual irony of being able to call the place an “organization” in the first place. Even with as much public interaction that they get there, one would think they would be ok. more incentive to get together with everyone and make sure everyone was on the same page. Alas, in the end, there are more very young people who should be in positions of power at Sweet Water, than some of the older people who run the place. There is great drive by everyone there but I feel that it is hard for everyone to see the way everyone else sees the organization. Overall, I have really enjoyed doing work for Sweet Water. Since working with Jesse I think I have gotten a chance to feel a little more like an active member of the community in helping with the Aquaponic system design. Even still, I think no matter what I would have been doing at Sweet Water, my time would not have been wasted. I feel that the importance and impact. I can make on others there has been quite high, especially when I was working within the store.

It takes a lot of skill to be able to grow food sustainably. Its an art form. We need to raise agriculture up to another different level like they do in Europe where farmers are on the same level as engineers and doctors… Because the food that we eat is the most important thing in our lives.

- Will Allen

09

Dear Author,

I found it great that you had the oppurtunity to learn aquoponics and hydroponics during your time there. These are two new ways of grwoing vegetables that I want to learn, so I’m certive jealous. After learning these two great ways of organic gardening will you be continuing your knowledge with gardening yourself? I’m curious, I would.

I really find it great that you had the oppurtunity to volunteer there. The growth alone in Wisconisn of Organic Farming facilities is at a rapid growth and is a trait that I believe everyone should be educating themselves with.

These organizations are what can help turn our economy around by local shopping and spending. Giving back to your community is not only a great feeling but will help build your community strong.

Sincerely,

Giving BackThis semester, I was fortunate to do my service learning with Walker’s Point Center for the Arts (WPCA). WPCA was actually one of my first choices where I wanted to serve. Through the placement process, Ben Rotschild did not mention WPCA. I tried to serve through the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program, yet I got no response. Through my frus-tration, I decided to just try and send an email to the Execu-tive Director of WPCA, Gary Tuma, on my own. Much to my delight, he responded back to me the next day sayingthat he would love to have me serve for WPCA.

WPCA Walker’s Point Center for the Arts is a non-profit organization that works a lot with the community in Walker’s Point. In April of 1987 the organization was started by an inspiring group of women in a small storefront gallery on South 5th street, which was at the heart of the working class Milwaukee neighborhood. Their goal and mission had a dual purpose, to serve people who were struggling and try to create a better life for themselves and their families at the same time. Upon receiving generous financial support from a number of

The Artistic

CommunityGreat communities come from those patrons that are willing to help by giving there time to help others.

10

donors, WPCA got the jump-start they needed. To this day, WPCA still lives by their original goal and mission, whether it is through having shows to support the working class or events to help the community.

vwho has been with Walker’s Point for six and a half years. Gary has worked with other non-profit organizations in the past. I inquired if he was an artist, seeing as WPCA is an art gallery, but he informed me that he was not an artist, but a big supporter of the arts and has a passion for helping people. The other members on staff consist of Mary Over-man, the PR/Marketing/Membership Coordinator, Allison Kaminsky, Capital Campaign Coordinator, Kate Bradley, Education Director and Mary Sugiyama, Assistant Education Director. This hardworking team runs an organization that works mainly with the Hispanic community, as well as the Walker’s Point community, to run the gallery, do community projects, teach classes, and much more.Walker’s Point Center for the Art’s actually runs two galleries. They have formed a space that is now considered one of Milwaukee’s premier art venues. Their East and South galleries al-low them to show established, as well as emerging artists, from around the country. WPCA says they “aim to reinforce dialogue and bring together the diverse cultural and art communities that Milwaukee offers. Maintaining a focus on the collective, we concentrate on group exhibitions.” WPCA allows submissions for gallery proposals on a continuous basis. They do, in fact, get a large number of submissions

so they cannot guarantee an immediate overview of proposals. Their shows consist of a wide range of things. Some shows can be quite traditional with maybe one or two artists showing their work. Others may be geared towards the community, such as the Carlos Cortez and Allied Artist’s show in the spring of 2011. This show was speaking of the working class and commemorating an artist that had passed away. His name was Carlos Cortez. During the exhibition protests against Scott Walker were occurring, so the show was very fitting for the times.

IdentityWhen looking at WPCA’s building one would tend to think that it is just a gallery space. The entire building is actually owned by WPCA. The upstairs is a very large and ample workspace where they conduct the education program. WPCA serves over 5,000 children annually in their distinc-tive arts programming. They are a multicultural place where youth can engage and learn in a safe encouraging environ-ment. The large versatile classroom not only promotes and allows the visual arts, but also teaches dance, theater, music and more. On WPCA’s website they say: “WPCA believes in a Hands-On experiential learning through the arts.” In 2009 they received the SOAR Award from Milwaukee Public Schools for supporting opportunities for after school resourc-es. They also have a summer youth program and SO/HO (Site-on/Hands-on). SO/HO works to make the arts more

11

Gary TumaExecutive Directorgary@wpca-milwaukee.org839 South 5th StreetMilwaukee, WI 53204Phone: 414.672.2787

Kate BradleyEducation Directorkate@wpca-milwaukee.org839 South 5th StreetMilwaukee, WI 53204Phone: 414.672.2787

Contacts

accessible for students and their families. They help to provide transportation and work with scheduling to make it easier for the community. Last year the SO/HO program was able to help 2,370 students at ten different sites and hired more than a dozen professional working artists. WPCA does this so they can work with students at their schools and other youth serving agencies.WPCA’s teachers are also Licensed Art Educators with dedication and experience with the students.

ServicesWhile serving for Walker’s Point Center for the Art’s, I noticed that something was always happening there. They continually host events and seem to genuinely connect with their community. Various people and volunteers would stop by once and a while I was working, and Gary seemed to know everyone personally.

12

“I make a point to experience each of your

exhibitions - always a valued time.”

- Art, 2011

Great work! Every time I come I have

an amazing experience.

- Jeanette, 2012

photos: Daniel Baker

13

They would share in small talk and just say hello to one another. These little things are what separate WPCA from other organizations. If I were to take away only one thing from my experience with WPCA, I would say that they really celebrate their location and truly care about the Walker’s Point area. Walker’s Point is a very nice community filled with a very diverse group of people. When it comes to feeling a connection to WPCA, I think the individuals who run the gallery work very diligently to make the gallery accessible for

all. Not only with the different types and groups of artists, but with individual people, as well. While I was serving for WPCA they celebrated their 25th Anniversary. It was quite a big deal. They had music, food, drinks, art, and lots of conversations. I was one of the volunteers to help out at the event. During my weekly service I primarily worked with Gary Tuma, but there were some days when I would work with the Education Directors, Kate or Mary. Although I only worked with them for one day during my service project, the night of

I make a point to experience each

of your exhibitions - always has

a valued time.

- Art, 2011

These two shows go beautifully

together with their atmospheric light.

We love them!

- Suzanne, 2012

the 25th Anniversary event, I felt like I had known and worked with them for a long time. There were many members, supporters, donors and artists at the event. Mary would tell me who they were what they do and it really allowed me to gain a better understanding about the kinds of people that WPCA works with and gets support from. After this event I felt even more comfortable and welcome at WPCA. The neighborhood of Walker’s Point is by no means a bad and dangerous neighborhood, but it is

somewhat impoverished. 33.9% of the community lives below the poverty level. Almost 75% of the community is Hispanic and 30.5% does not speak English very well or does not speak English at all.

The primary mode of transportation is by car. A little less than 75% of the community either drives a car alone or carpools. The other 25% either walks or takes the bus. Some work at home or may do something else as well. This was a major

14

“I like that we always get to

discover something new!”

- Genaviv

15

topic that we discussed in our Service Learning class and it really has made me think a lot about it. People that are born into poverty seemed to be trapped. They will most likely stay in poverty unless they get some miraculous opportunity in life. In the article, We Are Not All Created Equal, by Stephen Marche, he says, “The forces of inequality are simply too powerful and the forces against inequality too weak.”

Poverty When dealing with the poverty issue and creating opportunities WPCA’s education program can give kids a jump-start.They learn and can be immersed in the arts as well as see examples of successful established artists in the gallery. This way they are fortunate to see what they are able to do with this knowledge and experience.

Teacher and Adult In-Service Workshops,

focus on multi-cultural enrichment where

participants develop innovative creativity

through artistic expression. They make

a hands-on art piece to take with them.

Workshop participants also partake in a

performance demonstration of African and

Latin Diasporas with historical references

before participating themselves in the

fun dances!

“I would like to take more art classes

at WPCA because I can someday be a

teacher, like Ms. Mary”

- Kevin

16

one day during my service project, the night of the 25th Anniversary event, I felt like I had known and worked with them for a long time. There were many members, supporters, donors and artists at the event. Mary would tell me who they were what they do and it really allowed me to gain a better understanding about the kinds of people that WPCA works with and gets support from. After this event I felt even more comfortable and welcome at WPCA. The neighborhood of Walker’s Point is by no means a bad and

dangerous neighborhood, but it is somewhat impoverished. 33.9% of the community lives below the poverty level. Almost 75% of the community is Hispanic and 30.5% does not speak English very well or does not speak English at all.

The primary mode of transportation is by car. A little less than 75% of the community either drives a car alone or carpools. The other 25% either walks or takes the bus. Some work at home or may do something else as well.

Help us help others: enrich the local community

by becoming a member! Your membership gift will

support WPCA in its educational and artistic endeavors

throughout the year. For 25 years our members have

been the foundation of WPCA and we are grateful .

A membership offers many benefits to those seeking

a fun and encouraging artistic community as well as

additional art and cultural education for local youth.

It’s easy and safe to become a member online through

PayPal or fill out a membership form (bottom of page)

and mail it to WPCA. We invite you to become a part

of our thriving art community!

Inspiring local teens to create positive change in their lives and in our community.

Contact us: ArtWorks for Milwaukee706 South 5th StreetMilwaukee, WI 53204(414) 708-9996

Teens that underperform in High School - These students have low GPAs and/or may drop out, despite having the capacity to graduate. At ArtWorks, we teach them that earning a high school diploma is crucial to building a future of success. Teens with disabilities - These teens face inherent barriers due to mispercep-tions about their abilities. At ArtWorks, we teach out interns to overcome these barriers.

Teens that lack community connections - These young people, through no fault of their own, lack access to employment networks needed for success. At ArtWorks, we provide our Interns mentoring opportunities with ArtWorks’ staff, Lead Artists, and volunteer Career Coaches that can open doors for them and increase their chances of future success.

Art Works for Milwaukee Inc.

17

http://www.artworksformilwaukee.org

COMING SOON!ArtWorks for Milwaukee merchandise and original art work will be available for on-line purchase. Check here soon!

17

Great communities come from those patrons that are willing to help by giving there time to help others.

23

Think About ItCould you imagine a day where everybody just helped each other no matter what race you were or how much money you made? That would be a perfect world wouldn’t it? Unfortu-nately in the world today, little things like picking something up that somebody dropped, or letting someone go ahead of you in line, are just not on peoples minds because they have to much do with their own life. If people could just stop, step back, and take a good look at how they treat others and how much they miss because they were in their own little bubble, a lot more people would start volunteering or helping other people.

MeaningThe meaning behind service to me goes way beyond just doing someone a service but doing something for someone that could potentially change his or her life for good. This is the true kind of service, the kind that people yearn for, the kind that children want their parents to give them everyday. This kind of service is the service that sticks with people for a lifetime. Service is a topic that more people need to be aware of because it is lacking in most cities. Carie Feld states, “It is important for everybody to get involved in some way, because everybody needs to give back to the commu-nity. If I want something good for my child I should have to

“Many small people, in many small places, do many small things, that can alter the face of the world.”

- Anonymous

19

give something back.” People that value the service of oth-ers are normally people that are from inner cities or live on a very short budget; these people are also the ones that are much more likely to offer to do things for other without even thinking twice. To me, this is a major problem. People of all different backgrounds need to help each other out to create a bond of an entire city.

Growing Growing up, both of my parents strongly emphasized the benefits of giving service to others. From a very young age I taught Sunday to children of all ages, volunteered at Above & Beyond Children’s Museum, and also at Road America

for the Tuesday night go-karting series. All of these have to do with children ranging in age from 3-15. Both Carie and Todd have also done quite a bit of volunteering over the years including chaperoning field trips, brought bakes goods to school events, worked brat frys, helped out in 4-H, tech inspector at Road America, and head some fundraisers with the Diane Remy School of Dance & Baton. Because of the amount of service my parents did for me as I was growing up I made it a point to do quite a bit of volunteering myself. When I was a sophomore in high school, I got accepted to go on a People to People trip to 5 countries in Europe. In order for us to go on this trip 4 adults had to volunteer their time to come along and teach us while we were over there

23

since we were receiving credit for it. These volunteers taught me more than I could ever imagine learning while being overseas- and not just history things, but little cultural facts that you cant get out of a textbook. This experience was the most enriching time of my life and I would recommend any-body to go on these trips because those 4 teachers devote so much time and energy into what they do for all those chil-dren. With the rate of children growing up in poverty grow-ing tremendously, there should also be more people doing service to help these children.

Children Children are influenced at a very young age how to act to-wards other people and if their parents and other people they interact with do not show them that they need to help others to get help in return, nobody will help anybody after while. While volunteering at Above & Beyond Children’s Museum, I see many kids trying to help other kids with crafts and snacks than I see the parents helping their own kids. I think this is why children in our generation do not feel they need to help others as much, because the parents put that thought into their heads at a very young age and they learned to grow up that way. Being a volunteer and showing these chil-

You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.

23

pays homage to rustic European

cusine that draws inspiration from local and regional ingredients – and namely, the tomato. Fueled by passion and a 6,000-pound wood-fired oven, Executive Chef Daniel Jacobs pairs fresh ingredients from local farms, purveyors and artisans to create food to feed the soul. And to foster a casual, communal experience, our “Como Viene” service style delivers food “as it comes” - when fresh and ready to enjoy. To learn about the lore of thte Wolf Peach.

Lunch FeaturesSoups & SaladsArugula salad, pine nut, mushroom, marissa, lemon vinaigrette 8

SandwichFried mortedella sandwich, red onion, fontina, giardinere sourdough 9

Pizza’sRosa, tomato, oregano, olive oil 9Sopressata, rapini, peppers, ricotta salata, chili oil 13

Visit Us: 1818 North Hubbar Street Milwaukee, WI 53212 (p) 414.374.8480