Business & Tech

Art Gallery Owner Inspired By Her Surroundings

Johnna Papin enjoys painting scenes of Shorewood in her unique studio space on Oakland Avenue.

On a nice day, you can find Johnna Papin out on the sidewalk painting the scenery that surrounds her studio/gallery on the Shorewood-Whitefish Bay border.

Papin retired 10 years ago after a career as a Spanish teacher at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School and a guidance counselor at Marquette High School. She has always enjoyed painting, but her retirement gave her the free time to take art classes and hone her craft.


When she saw that Milwaukee Blooms flower shop had relocated next door, she decided to rent the architecturally-rich space for an art studio where she could also sell her artwork. She launched Art Works on Oakland in November.

"I always had a dream of having a studio in my neighborhood, where I could walk to work – if you can call this work," she said. "Long story short, it worked out. It's been just delightful for me."

Seated right in the middle of a booming business district, Papin enjoys painting sights around town, like the streetscape outside Colectivo, No. 1 Chinese restaurant and Hayek Pharmacy on Capitol Drive.

"I live in Shorewood, so I like to paint what's around me," she said. "Some of these paintings are from Italy, some are from France. I paint where I am, I guess."

The space is within walking distance of her home on Prospect Avenue, where she has lived for 18 years. It's also within walking distance of her previous house on Oakland Avenue in Whitefish Bay, where her family lived for nearly 30 years. 

Papin has always taken notice of the unique building at 4524 Oakland Ave., which – with its yellow brick facade and decorated archways – distinguishes itself from all of the new construction that has sprung up recently.

"I've seen Oakland Avenue develop over the years, which has been quite a thrill," she said. "So many people stop in, and they are just effusive with their praise of the street."

With her emphasis on watercolor scenes of Shorewood, it only makes sense that Papin is participating in the village's first-ever Plein Air Festival, which will feature 53 artists painting scenes around the village on Sept. 19-21.

Papin said she hopes to receive more walk-in traffic during her studio hours on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. She is also available to open the studio by appointment by calling (414) 940-2995.

"I think people can sometimes be a little intimidated about coming into an art gallery," she said. "But there's no reason anyone should be intimidated about coming into here. I would never pressure anyone to buy anything, and I love to have people watch while I work."


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