The Milwaukee Athletic Club (MAC) continues to innovate in the world of private clubs. This historic Milwaukee institution re-opened its doors in 2022 after a $65 million dollar renovation and has been focusing on attracting new members and diversifying. Demonstrating its commitment to Milwaukee’s creative class and to reflect its changing membership demographics, the MAC is partnering with the Third Ward’s Lily Pad West Gallery to adorn its walls with new artwork to complement its collection of 19th and 20th-century paintings.
"Since reopening in 2022, the MAC consistently sought partnerships to elevate local creators and businesses that share our values and passion for the city,” says General Manager Tom Hughes. “The diverse array of fine art and programming curated by Lily Pad West will further enhance the ambience of our Club to a level that can only be achieved with the expertise and support of a Gallery with international reach. It will also provide opportunities to engage with our community, as we look forward to participating in gallery nights and other local events supporting the arts."
The first of seasonally rotating exhibits will be hung in mid-June and showcase Spanish artist Alfredo Palmero and his Contemporary Classicism collection, currently on display at Lily Pad West (215 N. Broadway). Palmero’s paintings combine the Spanish legacy of Velasquez and the contemporary work of Pollock to create paintings that exist in both the contemporary and classical world of art.
Alfredo Palmero is the third generation of a lineage of artists that began with his grandfather. Since 1991, Alfredo Palmero has been holding personal exhibitions in European cultural hubs such as Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, Valencia, Brussels, London, Lisbon, Montecarlo, as well as around the world like Qatar, Hong Kong and Panama.
In 2016, Alan Perlstein and Terry Hamann opened Lily Pad West and operate it along with Lily Pad East in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Julia Taylor joined as Executive Director in February, 2024. They believe in the transformative power of art to inspire, connect, and elevate.
"We are proud to be part of a dynamic partnership where together we can spark artistic expression, develop a haven for creativity, and celebrate diverse talents with MAC members and the City of Milwaukee. The MAC's new look sets the stage for the dynamic and expressive art from Lily Pad Gallery West. We look forward to curating and sharing gallery events including artist talks, and rotating exhibits with the MAC membership," says Alan Perlstein, Owner and Julia Taylor, Executive Director of Lily Pad West.
The art hung at the MAC will be for sale and members have the opportunity to purchase at a 5% discount.
MAC Members will celebrate with a special Meet & Greet with renowned artist Alfredo Palmero & representatives from Lily Pad West Gallery on Saturday, June 22, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.