1. “Convoy of Wounded: An Artist’s Experience of War”
AUG. 5-NOV. 20 | MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM
See a painter’s perspective on war at the Milwaukee Art Museum’s new exhibition. The artist is Edouard Castres, a citizen of Switzerland during the Franco-Prussian War in the 1870s. As a member of the International Red Cross – only just recently formed at the time – Castres was uniquely positioned to capture the human toll of the conflict. The focus of this exhibition is his painting, Convoy of Wounded, which depicts injured men being carted through a snowy, desolate field.
2. Poetry in the Park
AUG. 9 | JUNEAU PARK
Stop by for sunshine and stanzas. This summer readings series takes place near the statue of Solomon Juneau along the lakefront. The event provides a platform for local poets to share their latest. Bring your own blankets, chairs, snacks and drinks.
3. Milwaukee Black Theater Festival
AUG. 10-14 | MULTIPLE VENUES
This is a packed week of community-driven productions courtesy of Black Arts MKE. Every day of the fest, there are free and ticketed productions, staged readings, concerts, spoken word and dance performances, and panel discussions. The theme this year is “The Black Family: Generations Speak!”
Nominations are open for the 2024 Unity Awards!
Know an individual or group committed to bridging divides in our community? Nominate them for a Unity Award by Oct. 31.
4. “Requiem: Todd Mrozinski and Angela Piehl”
AUG. 13-SEPT 10 | PORTRAIT SOCIETY GALLERY
These drawings eulogize a tree. You read that right, Todd Mrozinski and Angela Piehl are honoring the oldest tree in South Shore Park, a European Copper Beach. The tree was estimated to be about 160 years old when it fell victim to disease and was chopped down. Mrozinski created a series of large-scale drawings to pay tribute, and Piehl went through archives of magazines to create colorful collages in its memory.
5. Trapper Schoepp at the Riverwalk Commons Concert Series
AUG. 23 | MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MARKET
Catch a chill concert on the river with the Milwaukee Public Market’s Riverwalk Commons Concert Series. What sets this free live music event apart from the bunch is that it has a killer lineup – singer-songwriter Trapper Schoepp being among the standouts. While listening to the music, there are bags to play, brews to drink and plenty of food trucks to choose from .
6. MKE Fringe Festival
AUG. 27 | MULTIPLE VENUES
Celebrate all things “fringe” during this festival, featuring painters, dancers, actors, musicians and more. This event continues the tradition of fringe festivals first started in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1947 to celebrate outsider and unconventional art. Cream City’s incarnation of the fest started in 2016. You’ll experience a vibrant showcase of work from creatives who are pushing past the norm.
