WMSE‘s annual Art & Music successfully combines the work of area artists with Milwaukee music, along with local beer and cocktails to create a special event that raises funds for the listener-supported station. The 4th annual Art & Music was originally scheduled to take place on April 3, but the COVID-19 crisis prompted WMSE to move the artistic affair to July 24. That date later became July 31. Finally, with the pandemic still very present in Milwaukee, the station recently decided to make this year’s Art & Music a completely virtual event.
Monday, WMSE officially announced the move to an exclusively online event. Starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 31, Art & Music will showcase art from an eclectic lineup of local and national artists. There will be interviews with some of the participating artists, as well as a performance by Erotic Adventures Of The Static Chicken. In addition to the live component, Great Lakes Distillery will offer recipes for cocktail pairings, and both Beans & Barley and Café LuLu will provide highlighted menu items for people to enjoy while watching the event. Online bidding for the approximately 150 (!) pieces is live now, so check it out and make a bid if you feel so inclined. All proceeds will support WMSE. Here’s the press release:
WMSE’s 4th annual Art & Music event, presented by Black Box Fund and MARN, moves online this year. Join WMSE on Friday, July 31 at 6 p.m. at wmse.org/artandmusic for an incredible virtual experience of art, music and an auction. Hosted by WMSE’s very own Tom Crawford, this event will showcase art from local and nationally famous artists, live performances by the Erotic Adventures of the Static Chicken, and interviews with the artists and musicians. Great Lakes Distillery will share cocktail recipes, plus, attendees will get information on some of Milwaukee’s greatest supporters of art.
The virtual event centers around an auction featuring 200 album-sized 12”x12” boards (provided by Bliffert Lumber) and what would have been the event’s live painters’ art on 36” x 36” canvas. All of this artwork will also be put up for auction throughout the event. Highlights of the artists’ live painting will be showcased throughout as well.
As usual it would not be a WMSE event without a tie to local music. The Erotic Adventures of the Static Chicken will provide a live, never seen before performance from the Brown Deer Conservatory. They have been the featured band at every Art & Music event to date.
To watch this incredible event, simply go to wmse.org/artandmusic or the WMSE Facebook page to catch this very special virtual event. To sign up for the auction and see the artwork go to wmse.org/artandmusic.
All proceeds from this event will support WMSE and help the station continue the work it does to support the local arts community.