Museum's 'Being Alive' exhibit showcases artist's eye for humanity

They say that art imitates life.

Artist Marc Sijan has taken that idea to a whole new level - his art is so lifelike it almost breathes.

The Waukesha County Museum will exhibit a number of Sijan's works in its latest exhibit. Marc Sijan - "Being Alive" begins Saturday, July 10 for a limited engagement. In the works for over a year, this is both Sijan's first show in southeastern Wisconsin in over 15 years and the largest contemporary art exhibit ever hosted at the Waukesha County Museum. Sijan's work has exhibited throughout the world including Dubai, Germany, Italy, and Japan yet, Sijan was especially eager to bring an exhibit back to his hometown.

"I am delighted to work with the Waukesha County Museum to showcase my art. It is rewarding to have the chance for people in my hometown region to experience my work in such a large exhibit," Sijan noted.

The exhibit is made possible in part from a grant from Arts Waukesha in collaboration with the Wisconsin Arts Board.

Sijan has been perfecting his skills for decades and has grown to be one of an elite number of sculptors whose work in capturing everyday people has brought him international recognition. Area residents will recall his Security Guard piece standing watchfully at the entrance of the Frontier Airlines Center in downtown Milwaukee.

The extensive exhibit features more than a dozen Sijan works, including torsos, busts, heads, and six full figures positioned throughout the museum's gallery space. It is expected to generate more than one embarrassing and awkward moment between visitors and inanimate sculptures. Such interactions are common when Sijan works are exhibited. An ESPN story reported on one of his security guard pieces, placed at the Milwaukee Bucks practice facility, so frustrating Michael Jordan by its failure to converse with him that the basketball legend complained to management.

"We're looking forward to seeing our visitors being mesmerized when looking into the eyes of one of Marc's ultra realistic pieces," notes Kirsten Lee Villegas, executive director at the museum. "Each piece is created with such incredible and unnerving detail." Villegas added, "We are delighted that Marc chose to work with the Waukesha County Museum for his first hometown exhibit in many, many years. This is perhaps a once-in-a lifetime chance for people to see Marc's work without having to travel considerable distances. I can assure that visitors will be in awe of his fascinating work."

The exhibit is expected to be popular, having great appeal with a wide variety of audiences from fine art enthusiasts to supporters of local artists to the simply curious. Due to the international caliber of this exhibit and no additional admission ticket fee being charged, the museum is suspending its policy of offering free admission to county residents on Wednesdays during Marc Sijan - "Being Alive."

Ultimately, the opportunity to see a truly high-end exhibition of this kind by an artist whose works have been displayed in over a dozen countries is one the museum anticipates will draw visitors from around the region. Guests will also have an opportunity to view an assortment of local works by members of the Waukesha West End Artists, featuring two- and three-dimensional works in an array of media also being shown in an adjacent gallery during the Sijan showing.

The Waukesha County Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults; $4 for seniors; $3 for students; and free for members and children under age 5. For information on special programs being held in conjunction with the exhibition, visit the museum's website at www.waukeshacouontymuseum.org

IF YOU GO

Who: Waukesha County Museum

What: Marc Sijan: Being Alive

When: Opens July 10

Where: 101 W. Main St.

Hours: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

Admission: $5 adults, $4 seniors (62 and older), $3 students (6-17), children under age 6, free.

Information: (262) 521-2859 or www.waukeshacountymuseum.org