A Collaborative Art Experience Along Lake Michigan June 10-14, 2025 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

About pool

Founded in 2020 during the global pandemic, ‘pool’ began as a collaboration between artists Sonja Thomsen (American) and Thom Bridge (Swedish/British). Their work investigates the concept of pooling through iterative collage, installation, and video works, drawing from rock collections gathered along Lake Michigan, the Stockholm archipelago, and the Jurassic Coast. The artists pool not only rock but people, resources, and knowledge—connecting the freshwater coast and across oceans. The project has evolved into a creative platform for dialogue about care, climate, and collaboration, with exhibitions in Chicago, İzmir, and London.

‘pool v’ commemorates the five-year anniversary of the initial lockdowns, creating space for artistic dialogue and collective reflection.

Overview

Artists Sonja Thomsen (American) and Thom Bridge (Swedish/British) invite expressions of interest for ‘pool v’, the inaugural workshop of their ongoing collaboration ‘pool’. This five-day immersive experience will feature both private workshops and public programming along the shores of Lake Michigan. There is no cost to participate (unless you need accommodations) thanks to the generous support of The Open Fund.

Participant Information

We are seeking:

– 5-6 Milwaukee-based artists

– 2-3 regional/national artists

Who We Welcome

– Artists working across all media

– Intergenerational participants

– Those interested in collaborative methodologies

– Milwaukee-area creatives committed to community dialogue

– Individuals eager to explore connections between art, science, and ecological care