Milwaukee art patrons raising funds to benefit neighbors in need during Gallery Night MKE
Public can donate to help families and individuals in need and take home original artworks
MILWAUKEE – Artists, collectors and art patrons Tony and Patricia Busalacchi will host a pop-up art sale taking place on the first floor of 217 N. Broadway in the Historic Third Ward during Gallery Night MKE on October 15-16, 2021. Original artworks created by Tony Busalacchi will be made available to the public with proceeds from the art sale benefitting Capuchin Community Services and its two locations, Saint Ben’s Community Meal and the House of Peace.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Capuchin Community Services has continued to serve hot meals from Saint Ben’s, provide emergency clothing and food at the House of Peace, and walk with people through this crisis,” said Br. Robert Wotypka, ministry director of Capuchin Community Services. “None of this work is possible without the support of so many like Tony and Pat and those who come out to show their support at special events like this one.”
Tony’s work for this show will primarily consist of mobiles, stabiles and assemblages. The show is sponsored by Barbara Brown Lee, Leon Travanti, Carolyn White-Travanti, Roger Quindel and Thallis Hoyt Drake. The space at 217 N. Broadway is donated by building owner Jim Donnelly.
In 2018, Tony and Pat held a similar art fundraiser benefiting St. Anthony Place. St. Anthony Place was converted from Saint Anthony Hospital and now provides 60 units of supported housing for people, many of whom were formerly homeless. The apartments were furnished in part with proceeds from over $100,000 raised in 2018 in an art fundraiser organized by Tony and Pat Busalacchi. Another art sale was planned for St. Patrick’s Day 2020, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My wife, Pat, and I have been married 62 years,” Tony explains. “We have traveled the world, collecting art from China, Persia, India, Serbia, Egypt, South America, Russia, Poland, and Europe. We believe that art lasts a lifetime. When one is ready, pass it along to someone else who will appreciate it. I am ready to ‘pass along’ my own creations and continue to support Saint Ben’s and Capuchin ministries.”
Tony taught humanities at Whitefish Bay High School and Cardinal Stritch University. He served on the Milwaukee Public School Board, the Whitefish Bay School Board, and the Whitefish Bay Village Board. He was the first president of the Milwaukee Opera Company and has served on the board of directors for the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Tony also served as a member of the City of Milwaukee Art Commission. Tony’s artwork is on display at the Paint Box Gallery in Door County. Tony and Pat hosted the TV program Cultura on Milwaukee PBS in the 1960s, featuring conversations on the arts and cultural affairs.
ABOUT CAPUCHIN COMMUNITY SERVICES
Capuchin Community Services, with two locations - Saint Ben’s Community Meal and the House of Peace - serves people struggling with homelessness, poverty and food insecurity. www.CapuchinCommunityServices.org.
ABOUT THE HOUSE OF PEACE:
The House of Peace assists families and individuals in meeting spiritual, material and emotional needs. House of Peace helps families remain together while promoting self-sufficiency, providing food, clothing and pastoral care. In addition, House of Peace is home to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Community Health and Wellness Center and Marquette University Law School Volunteer Legal Clinic.
ABOUT SAINT BEN’S COMMUNITY MEAL:
Saint Ben’s Community Meal has been Milwaukee’s largest regular community meal since 1970. Dozens of organizations (including faith communities, neighborhood groups and companies) provide hot, homemade dishes five nights a week to all who come to the Meal Hall, no questions asked, with takeaway lunches served on Fridays. Additional ministries include shower, laundry and barber services. The Ascension/Saint Ben’s Free Clinic provides preventive health care to those who can’t afford it, and CCS/Saint Ben’s partners with St. Benedict the Moor Parish in jail ministry.
Capuchin Community Services is part of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph, headquartered in Detroit, and part of the worldwide Roman Catholic order of Friars Minor, Capuchin, following the Rule of St. Francis of Assisi. www.TheCapuchins.org
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SOURCE: Capuchin Community Services
