City Plein Air MKE 2016 – Melba Z on The MKE

If you live or work on Milwaukee’s east side, you likely noticed some additions to the landscape these past 5 days.

Plein Air artists were plying their trade in the Milwaukee Museum Mile Art in the City Plein Air MKE 2016 competition.  The Milwaukee Museum Mile is a consortium of 5 small museums running parallel to the lake front.  Starting with the Jewish Museum Milwaukee on Prospect and Ogden, continuing to the Charles Allis and MOWA (satellite gallery in St. John’s on the Lake) on Prospect and Royal, looping over to the Villa Terrace on Terrace and Ivanhoe, and ending at the North Point Lighthouse at Wahl and Lake, the Mile of “hidden gems” offers everything from significant historical displays to unusual decorative arts to stunning vistas of the lake front.

In celebration of its 5-year anniversary, the Mile decided to do something special, and the plein air competition was born.  The 64 hardy artists (from 5 states) who participated, could be seen ‘at work’ outside of one of the museums or on the streets surrounding them, no matter what the weather.  And the public is reaping the benefits of their labors.  The works are on display through Saturday, at St. John’s, and since Saturday is Milwaukee Museum Mile Day, it is the ideal time to view them.  There will also be a shuttle service, to make it an easy trip to visit each museum.

I was fortunate enough to attend the Art in The City Soiree, Thursday evening at St. John’s.  All the paintings were there, to be seen and purchased; prizes were given; champagne and hors d’oeuvres were provided.  It was a gala event, and once again, made me proud to live in a city that values arts and artists.  Kudos Plein Air MKE 2016!

photos: painting of North Point Water Tower; Melba at the Soiree; paintings of two views of Lake Park