Nadiana Art Gallery in Greenfield selected for prestigious exhibitions

Photos by Cherrie Hanson

The Coalition of Photographic Art’s (CoPA) annual juried exhibition at Greenfield’s Muslim women-owned, Nadiana Art Gallery.

Nadiana Art Gallery, the only gallery in the Greenfield area, has been getting noticed throughout the Milwaukee area and beyond.

Milwaukee’s Coalition of Photographic Arts (CoPA) selected Nadiana Art Gallery, founded and owned by Nadia Alkhun, for its juried “Atmosphere” exhibition, which runs October 31-December 19 at the gallery, 4818 South 76th Street.

Founded in 2004, CoPA, whose membership includes some of Milwaukee’s top photographers, selected the bright, airy gallery upon the recommendation of one of its members whose work was part of a Nadiana exhibition earlier this year.

“I wasn’t sure about an art gallery in a small strip mall in Greenfield, but I was knocked out by the beautiful space and how warm and professional Nadia is. She is the real deal, and her art is very impressive, too,” said photographer and CoPA member Kristine Hinrichs, of Milwaukee. Hinrichs, whose work has been exhibited throughout the Midwest, has a piece in the “Atmosphere” exhibition.

The “Atmosphere” theme “explores the unseen through ethereal moods, emotional resonance or subtle environmental cues” and challenges viewers to “perceive what lies beyond the surface—whether visible to the eye or only discernible as a mood, a vibe or an emotion strongly expressed or engendered,” according to the event’s press release.

From left to right, Kevin Hansen, CoPA president, Cindy Hansen, CoPA member artist, Nadia Alkhun, Nadiana Gallery owner and Ahmed Obeidat, M.D., Ph.D., at opening night of “Atmosphere.”

Nadiana Gallery Makes an Impression

Alkhun, a gifted artist since childhood, is pleased that Nadiana Art Gallery has become an active part of the regional art scene. Two other distinguished groups have selected her gallery for major exhibitions next year: Wisconsin Pastel Artists, April 3-May 20, and Wisconsin Visual Artists SE Chapter, October 16-December 18.

“Having these groups select my gallery is a great honor,” said Alkhun, whose gallery is one of, if not the only, Muslim woman-owned gallery in the state. “It’s starting to get recognized and I’ve received so many compliments from artists who have exhibited here, their families and other gallery visitors. People say they appreciate the way the space allows for the flow of art and stories.”

Three jurors, Debra Brehmer, Don Mendenhall and Mark Brautigam selected 77 submissions by 30 artists for the “Atmosphere” show.

While she is a lifelong artist, people may be surprised to learn that Alkhun, who grew up in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, has degrees in biotechnology and genetic engineering from the Jordan University of Science and Technology. It was there that she met her husband Ahmed Obeidat, M.D., Ph.D.

After college, Alkhun worked in a lab conducting DNA extraction for sequencing, a career she loved. The couple moved to the U.S. when Dr. Obeidat was accepted into the neuroscience and physiology doctorate program at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. They moved to the Milwaukee area in 2018. Dr. Obeidat is now an associate professor of neurology at the Medical College of Wisconsin and works with adults in diagnosing, treating and managing Multiple Sclerosis and immune disorders of the central nervous system (he’s also a devoted and talented photographer).

CoPA’s exhibition “Atmosphere” will be on display from October 31-December 19 at Nadiana Art Gallery.

Combining a Love of Science with a Passion for Art

Dr. Obeidat knew how much Alkhun loved art, so one day he surprised her with all the supplies she needed to pursue her passion. Alkhun continued to draw and paint but raising two boys left little time for art. She would work on her art after the boys were in bed, and she watched lots of online art tutorials to learn new techniques and skills. Her pieces began to be shown in both open and juried exhibitions, and her work was also featured in medical journals.

“I was participating in so many exhibitions and selling my art. I continued to explore and create. As our kids got older, I had more time and I thought, ‘I have the talent, now I should add the education.’”

Founded in 2004, CoPA is a coalition of photographers engaged in the growth of visual culture in Milwaukee. From workshops to exhibitions the CoPA community helps artists excel in the creative process.

In 2022, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Peck School of the Arts at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

“If you want to become known as an artist, you need to specialize and be recognized for a theme and have an artist statement. So, in my junior and senior years, I really started to dig deeper into what I’m passionate about.”

She explored and experimented with different styles and mediums, which confirmed her love of abstract art that “originates from my mind; my imagination.” Not surprisingly, this journey took her back to biology.

“I love science the same way I love art. I love the harmony of cellular structures working together. Cells are so efficient and work in such delicate ways but they depend on each other to function. This became my unique perspective, and I like to be recognized for it.”

“This all happened because of my husband’s support, and it would not have happened otherwise,” said gallery owner, Nadia Alkhun. When the opportunity presented itself, they jumped right in. “

Alkhun’s intricately detailed paintings, inspired by the microscopic world of biology, have been exhibited regionally and nationally in juried and invitational exhibitions. Her work embraces a maximalist style, but each piece has a subject matter and a point she wants the viewer to discover. Each work of art also provides two perspectives depending on how close or far away viewers are from the work.

“You see one thing from far away and then up close you see all the details. I want people to reflect on my art as an example to be guided by—to live in harmony like the cellular structures of biology. To appreciate the diversity, the differences and the chaos, but to find the connections. That’s something we should all do in our lives.”

Empowered by Her Islamic Faith

Although it wasn’t necessarily her life’s goal, Alkhun said owning a gallery is a dream come true for every artist, and she credits her husband for making it a reality.

“This all happened because of my husband’s support, and it would not have happened otherwise,” she said. When the opportunity presented itself, they jumped right in.

“It was very challenging. I learned how to do everything myself—creating a website, contacting artists, organizing exhibitions, doing promotions, setting up a gift shop. I learned a lot.”

The fact that she’s a Muslim woman makes her accomplishments even more meaningful, she said.

“There was a need for a space like this—not just an art gallery, but an art gallery owned by a Muslim woman with a hijab. I’m a powerful, independent Muslim woman. I’m not struggling. I’m proud of myself.”

Besides her biology-themed art, Alkhun creates Islamic art, a contemporary take on Islamic calligraphy set against interesting backgrounds.

Alkhun, who serves on the board of the Muslim Women’s Coalition, holds workshops and classes at her gallery, and the space is also available to rent for private events. She hopes more of her Muslim community will visit the gallery.

“We still need art and beauty in our lives. People need to be more engaged with art.”