Back at the turn of the 20th century, the upper east side of Milwaukee was considered the Gold Coast. A place where the city’s wealthy families owned businesses and built mansions. Phoenix S. Brown has curated the art for two of Milwaukee’s grandest mansions before taking her current job at the Bronzeville Center for the Arts.

The Allis is the homestead of Sarah Ball Allis and Charles Allis. He was the president of Allis Chalmers, a farm equipment company. Their home was completed in 1911 and they filled it with their impressive art collections. When Sarah Allis passed away, she wrote in her will that whoever runs the home must inspire, delight and educate with the collection. For three years, Brown was the person honoring Sarah’s wishes.

Brown describes it as a gem of historic relevance that people often overlook, and it holds a lot of Milwaukee history. As curator, Brown would find contemporary artists searching for a temporary place to showcase their work. Previous exhibitions have responded to people who identify as LGBTQIA and people of color, taking up critical issues of identity and hierarchies of power and feminism. “This is important to me because it feels like I am giving a platform to people that have not had it in the past,” said Brown.

At the same time Brown oversaw the art collection at the Allis, a short walk away she was helping to reclaim another piece of Milwaukee’s prestigious past. The Allis is very historic, whereas the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum is a crown jewel on Lake Michigan, a pillar of Milwaukee’s art scene. It was the original home to Lloyd and Agnes Smith of the A. O. Smith Company.

Villa Terrace was constructed in 1924. The inspiration came when the family went to Italy. Agnes was really inspired by what she saw in the architecture and the landscape. Upon returning to Milwaukee, they built the villa. The stunning view over Lake Michigan gives the illusion of being on the Mediterranean Sea.

Preserving the vestiges of past privilege is not lost on Brown as she curated both museums. “These are two homes that were owned by white people,” said Brown. “Finding ways to make those accessible to our largest populations here is really important. Welcoming minority communities in that may have never felt welcomed before because it is intimidating.” The art sphere Brown created was welcoming and inviting for all of Milwaukee.

Brown says the mansions and her gallery installations across Milwaukee tell a story that helps future Milwaukeeans learn about where the city came from.

View the full article and video at Wisconsin Life.