Joy Engine

Milwaukee artists, we want to hear from you! We’re always looking for more creatives to feature for our Artist Spotlight series. If you’re an artist making work in Milwaukee, we’d love to share your story with our community. Selected artists are highlighted across our social media channels, where we feature their work, inspiration, and creative journey. If that sounds like you, submit your work through the link in our bio! Let’s keep celebrating the artists shaping Milwaukee’s creative community. ✨ #JoyEngine #Milwaukee #ArtistSpotlight #Creatives #Community

We are thrilled to officially announce the return of the summer’s most vibrant events, ArtBlaze, to McKinley and South Shore Beaches! We are bringing back everything you loved but with new twists for 2026! - Immersive Art by FuzzPop Workshop - Interactive All-Ages Art Activities - Silent Disco - Amazing Live Performances - Fireside S’mores Best of all, every event is FREE and open to the public! 🤩 Save The Dates: Thursday, July 30 | McKinley Beach Thursday, August 6 | South Shore Beach Thursday, August 20 | McKinley Beach Get ready for the event of the summer! You won’t want to miss what we have in store! 🎨 Photo Credit: Samer Ghani & Nate Vomhof #JoyEngine #Milwaukee #ArtBlaze #SaveTheDate #Events

#ArtBlaze was such a success! Watch the official ArtBlaze 2024 recap by @samerghani ! 🤩 Don't miss out on the #artblaze giveaway! Share your experience and be entered to win a prize. Click the 🔗 in bio. Prizes: 🎉 Painting Date Night with @vibezcreativeartsspace 🎉 $25 gift card to @thewildonesshop 🎉 Tye dye shirt from @spun.out.dyes 🎉 $60 gift card to @paloma_wilder 🎉 Bracelet from @midcoastrtisan 🎉 Free popsicle from @chillwaukeepops (5) 🎉 $50 gift card to @modgenmke (5)

ArtBlaze is back for another summer of art, music, and community along Milwaukee’s lakefront! 🎨 The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (@journalsentinel ) recently highlighted the behind-the-scenes of ArtBlaze’s newest installation. This year’s festival will feature interactive public art, created in collaboration with UWM architecture students and Milwaukee-based FuzzPop Workshop, bringing these bold inflatable installations to the beach! Join us for the third annual return of ArtBlaze: Thursday, July 30 | McKinley Beach Thursday, August 6 | South Shore Beach Thursday, August 20 | McKinley Beach Thank you to Anya Sesay (@anyanic0lette ) for writing the article! Visit the link in our bio to read the full article. ✨ #JoyEngine #Milwaukee #MilwaukeeJournalSentinel #News #ArtBlaze

Save The Date! 👀 La Familia De Arte (@lafamiliadearte ) invites you to their Annual Fiesta for music, art, and delicious homemade food! The event will be on June 20th, from 1 PM to 5 PM, at 1030 S 26th St. Come out and enjoy the local artistry, while also supporting the creativity that brings our communities to life. ✨ #JoyEngine #Milwaukee #MilwaukeeEvents #ArtsInMilwaukee

Artist Spotlight: Leah Cashaw (@vadose_orchid ) Milwaukee artist Leah Cashaw creates mixed media work using upcycled materials, transforming everyday scraps into layered pieces full of texture and meaning. Influenced by her background in art therapy, Leah approaches her work with curiosity, seeing emotion and story in every material she uses. Her practice is rooted in sustainability and transformation. Through both her art and teaching, she encourages others to rethink what gets discarded and explore the creative potential in what already exists. ♻️ Leah is also a 2026 Joy Engine Grant recipient, with funding supporting her upcoming Community Art & Supply Swap on May 16th at the Washington Park Urban Ecology Center (@urbanecologycenter ). This event is part of her larger vision to bring a Creative Reuse Center to Milwaukee, creating space for accessible and sustainable art-making. Follow @vadose_orchid to see more of their creative works! Want to be featured in a future Artist Spotlight? Submit your work through the form on our website. (Link In Bio!) 🎨💛 #JoyEngine #Milwaukee #JoyEngineArtistSpotlight

Here ya go! Ticket link in bio.

As we prepare for this summer, here’s another look back at ArtBlaze 2025! ✨ We’re so grateful for everyone who make these nights truly unforgettable. Join us this summer for the third annual return of ArtBlaze! Thursday, July 30 | McKinley Beach Thursday, August 6 | South Shore Beach Thursday, August 20 | McKinley Beach We can’t wait to reignite the JOY of ArtBlaze with you all! 🤩 Photo Credits: Samer Ghani (@samerghani ) #JoyEngine #Milwaukee #ArtBlaze #SaveTheDate #Events

ArtBlaze Vendor Applications are live! 😍 We are looking for Vendors to activate the beach with us this summer at ArtBlaze! We are looking for Beach/Summer theme vibe Makers such as- Summer Clothing, Boho Style Jewelry/Art, Artists, Packaged Foods & More! ArtBlaze will be held on the following dates this summer: Thursday, July 30 | McKinley Beach Thursday, August 6 | South Shore Beach Thursday, August 20 | McKinley Beach If you’re interested in working with us, please fill out an application via the link in our bio! We can’t wait to spread JOY with you all this summer at ArtBlaze! 🤩 #JoyEngine #Milwaukee #ArtBlaze #SaveTheDate #Vendors

Artist Spotlight: El Guero Murals (@elgueromurals ) El Guero Murals is turning everyday walls into bold and vibrant storytelling pieces. Their work brings color and culture to restaurants, small businesses, and community spaces across Milwaukee. They create murals and signage that help bridge the gap between street art and public art while making creative work accessible to local businesses. Inspired by the neighborhoods of their childhood, they are passionate about showing that graffiti can be a powerful form of expression and a source of community pride. Their Murals can be seen all across Milwaukee, at spots like Mi Pueblo Mexican Restaurant, Michael’s Family Restaurant, and Carnitas Garcia. Follow @elgueromurals to see more of their amazing mural works! Want to be featured in a future Artist Spotlight? Submit your work through the form on our website. (Link In Bio!) 🎨💛 #JoyEngine #Milwaukee #ArtistSpotlight

Celebrate Earth Day with one of our Joy Grant recipients, Teens Grow Greens! (@teensgrowgreens ) Join them at Webers Greenhouse (@webersgreenhouse )on Wednesday, April 22, to create your own terrarium, a small living ecosystem you can bring home. Led by Milwaukee-based multidisciplinary artist Eliana Mosley (@icreate4u2see ), this hands-on workshop invites you to slow down and connect with nature through creativity. This event is free to attend, and all materials will be provided. You’re welcome to bring your own container or jar for a more personalized touch! Spots are limited, so be sure to sign up through the link in our bio #JoyEngine #Milwaukee #EarthDay #Event #TeensGrowGreens

#tbt to ArtBlaze 2025! 🤩 Watch the official recap of the second annual ArtBlaze on the Beach, created by @samerghani , (additional drone footage by @natevomhof ). The series transformed Milwaukee's McKinley Beach into an artistic haven featuring live entertainment, interactive art, local artisans and vendors, and a new art experience. We’re also happy to announce the third annual return of this event, coming this summer! Save The Dates: Thursday, July 30 | McKinley Beach Thursday, August 6 | South Shore Beach Thursday, August 20 | McKinley Beach We hope to see you there! 👀 #JoyEngine #Milwaukee #ArtBlaze #SaveTheDate