


















































Austin: Daily service begins March 6
Cancun: Daily service
Cancun: Saturday service during March
Las Vegas: Daily service
Fort Lauderdale: Daily spring break service
Montego Bay, Jamaica: Twice per week
Orlando: Daily service
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: Saturday service (Book via Apple/Funjet Vacations)
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: Three flights per week
Salt Lake City: Daily service on larger aircraft
Washington, DC: Twice daily service
WELCOME TO THE HISTORIC THIRD WARD, WHERE HISTORIC CHARM MEETS CONTEMPORARY ENERGY!
PUBLISHER JIM PLAISTED
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JORDAN DECHAMBRE
DESIGN DIRECTOR CARRIE CHAPKO
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
BOBBY TANZILO, KRISTINE HANSEN, MOLLY SNYDER STAFF WRITERS
JORDAN DECHAMBRE, CELESTE BRUNNER PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC HALVERSON
EDITORIAL AND STEERING COMMITTEE
LEANN MESTER, JANET RAASCH, KATHLEEN DOHEARTY PENNISTON, KATE STRZOK, TRACEY WADSWORTH
PUBLISHED BY HISTORIC THIRD WARD ASSOCIATION
PRESIDENT JOSEPH GOODE 525 E. CHICAGO ST., SUITE 102 | MILWAUKEE, WI 53202
OFFICE@HISTORICTHIRDWARD.ORG
PRINTED AND MAILED FOX CO. PRINTING
ADVERTISING CONTACT JPLAISTED@HISTORICTHIRDWARD.ORG
In this issue of THREE, we’re thrilled to be your guide to the heart of Milwaukee’s most vibrant urban district. Our mission is to act as a catalyst in guiding the District as an innovative, livable, and exciting mixed-use neighborhood while preserving its historic and creative character. Whether you’re a long-time resident, a first-time visitor or a creative entrepreneur, our pages are designed to connect you with the stories, people and places that make our neighborhood thrive.
In each issue, you’ll find curated content that celebrates our local artists, restaurateurs and business community, along with insider tips on the best dining, shopping and experiences. Thank you for joining us on this ride — together, let’s celebrate the warm winter spirit of the Third Ward!
Creativity - Cuisine - Culture. It’s all here.
JIM PLAISTED, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HISTORIC THIRD WARD ASSOCIATION
ON THE COVER: HTWA MEMBER AND RESIDENT SALONEE PATEL FINDS INSPIRATION IN THE ARTWORK AT LILY PAD WEST.
Small Business Saturday, Christmas in the Ward, Gallery Night MKE & more.
New large-scale outdoor paintings expand the neighborhood’s art impact.
The latest neighborhood news of note.
Third Ward chefs keep it cozy with elevated comfort food and soul-soothing winter cocktails.
The Third Ward Architectural Review Board has guided the district to embrace the future — while maintaining its rich, historic past.
In part one of this two-part series, we meet the owners of some of the Third Ward’s most prolific galleries and find out what inspires those who inspire us.
There’s always something happening in the Historic Third Ward. The best way to stay in the know? Become a Historic Third Ward Association member!
CHRISTMAS IN THE WARD FRIDAY, DEC. 6 | 5:30-8:30 PM
Come for Santa and the reindeer … stay for the tree lighting, fireworks show, live music, Christmas cookies and so much more at Christmas in the Ward! Bring your family and experience an old-fashioned tree lighting ceremony in Catalano Square, presented by Laffey, Leitner & Goode. Milwaukee’s most beloved Christmas celebration brings a holly jolly evening of friends, family and holiday cheer. Highlights include:
• Visiting with Santa at Jolly’s House and meeting his reindeer in the Reindeer District
• A “merry and bright” old-fashioned tree lighting ceremony in Catalano Square
• Snacking on Christmas cookies, with sales benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities
• Enjoying live music on Broadway and in Catalano Square
• A stunning fireworks display over the Milwaukee river
Fill your cup with holiday cheer: We’re serving up cocoa cocktails, mulled wine, tasty s’mores, kettle corn and so much more. And we’ve got food trucks, too! Admission is free to this family friendly event.
MILWAUKEE HOLIDAY LIGHTS FESTIVAL
NOV. 21-JAN. 1
Lights, camera, Christmas! Take a stroll or drive through more than 500,000 lights throughout Downtown Milwaukee. Don’t miss the perfect opportunity to get a last-minute Christmas card moment! milwaukeedowntown.com
THE ORNAMENT TRAIL
NOV. 21-JAN. 19
A collection of larger-than-life holiday ornaments are taking over downtown Milwaukee and the Third Ward as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival. Fifteen ornaments — including two in the Historic Third Ward, located at The Edison and The Journeyman Hotel — have been uniquely hand-painted by a local or national artist with Milwaukee ties. Explore the Ornament Trail along Wisconsin Avenue, Water Street and Broadway this holiday season. milwaukeedowntown.com
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS AT THE JOURNEYMAN HOTEL
Kick-off your holiday celebrations with a cocktail hour at The Journeyman to celebrate this year’s Ornament Trail on Nov. 22! Don’t miss the Friendsgiving event at The Outsider on Nov. 27, or the Thanksgiving Day Buffet at Tre Rivali. In December, enjoy a delicious Christmas Day Buffet at Tre Rivali, and a NYE celebration at The Outsider! Visit journeymanhotel.com for more information. journeymanhotel.com
CELEBRATE THE SEASON AT THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MARKET
The Milwaukee Public Market will host a variety of events throughout the season, including holidaythemed cooking; baking and hot cocoa classes; celebrity bell ringing on Dec. 6; and Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 9. Visit their website to see all the events and details. milwaukeepublicmarket.org
EXPLORIUM BREWPUB MILWAUKEE COUNTY
STOUT BLACK FRIDAY RELEASE
NOV. 29-DEC. 1
Join Explorium all Thanksgiving weekend for its annual Black Friday MCS release featuring live music, holiday gift deals, a specialty barrel-aged tasting, food and beer discounts, and more! Visit their website for all of Explorium’s upcoming holiday events. exploriumbrew.com/exploriumholiday
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
NOV. 30
Kick off your pledge to #ShopSmall all season long on Small Business Saturday. Several businesses in the Historic Third Ward are offering special deals to shop local and find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Visit historicthirdward.org and click on “Annual Events” to see a full list of participating businesses — then get ready to show your MKE love and #ShopSmall! historicthirdward.org
DEC. 5-7
A holiday tradition held every year during the first weekend of December, the MIAD Holiday Sale is your opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind art and design works created by MIAD students and alumni at affordable prices. Meet the emerging and established artists and designers who are behind the amazing creations. Gifts range from sculptures, paintings and photographs to jewelry, stickers, greeting cards and more. Free admission, except on Preview Night (Dec. 5, 6-9 p.m.; $10 admission). miad.edu/holidaysale
NOV.
Don’t forget to Shop the Ward this holiday season! Follow us on Instagram at @historicthirdward — we’ll be giving away gift cards to local retailers each day Nov. 30-Dec. 23. instagram.com/historicthirdward
SUNDAY, DEC. 1
A holiday season favorite, shop the creations of more than 120 local artists, crafters, makers, designers and creatives at The Pritzlaff from noon to 6 p.m. Hover Craft is produced to support established and emerging artists, crafters, designers, and makers by providing an impermanent brick-and-mortar space to showcase the talent and creativity that exists within our own communities. $5 general admissions; $15 Super Green Commemorative Shopping Bag. Visit their website for tickets and additional details. hovercraftmke.com
DEC. 7 & DEC. 13
See Santa and Mrs. Claus on this festive route riding atop a vintage fire truck featuring local singer/ songwriter Sarah Fierek with original holiday tunes. Route departs from the Milwaukee Public Market’s Water Street entrance at 5:15 PM and travels throughout downtown. The cavalcade travels east on Wisconsin Avenue to the lakefront, with visits to Pere Marquette Park, Cathedral Square Park, Zeidler Union Square, Catalano Square, and Light the Hoan between 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm. milwaukeedowntown.com/bidevents/santas-christmas-cavalcade
JAN. 17-18
Gallery Night MKE unites downtown Milwaukee through art. Experience the city’s vast creative culture while you discover local galleries, art, and artists. This free, two-day art event offers you the opportunity to buy original art, dine in outstanding restaurants, and shop in unique boutiques. gallerynightmke.com
Experience world-class theatrical performances right here in the Historic Third Ward. Skylight Music Theatre and Milwaukee Chamber Theater are bringing all the emotions to the stages of the Broadway Theatre Center this season, and Next Act Theatre and Renaissance Theaterworks are creating top-notch theater just over the river at 255 S. Water St.
All four theaters are also members of the Milwaukee Theater District — a collective of theaters and organizations that was designed to empower and unite Milwaukee’s already impactful live entertainment scene. Here’s a look at what’s hitting the stage this fall and winter:
SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE skylightmusictheatre.org
OLIVER
NOV. 15-DEC. 29
Consider yourself at home with Lionel Bart’s classic musical based on the Charles Dickens novel, “Oliver Twist.” The Tony and Olivier Award-winning show is one of the few musicals to also win an Academy Award for Best Picture.
JULIET AND ROMEO
JAN. 17-FEB. 2
Be of the first audiences to enjoy this brand-new musical in which 15th Century Verona and modernday New York City collide. This romp bounces back and forth between rehearsing a production of one of The Bard’s best-known plays, and the actual characters within the play as Shakespeare is writing it.
FRANKENSTEIN: THE MUSICAL
FEB. 21-MARCH 9
Forget all you have seen in the movies — this is not a Hollywood scare-fest populated by lumbering ghouls and wild-eyed maniacs. This is Mary Shelley’s original, brilliant, romantic terror — a dark vision of what lies at the depths of the human soul and what happens when its full power is unleashed.
MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATER
milwaukeechambertheatre.org
JAN. 24-FEB 9
Henrik Ibsen’s most famous play, presented here in a devastatingly compact and celebrated new adaptation, shocked audiences and ushered in a new era of theater when it premiered in 1879. Culminating in what George Bernard Shaw described as “the door slam heard ‘round the world,” its unsparing examination of gender roles, marital dynamics, and the ongoing struggles for equality and self-knowledge remains blisteringly relevant today.
FEB. 27-MARCH 16
This beloved coming-of-age story celebrates each of our capacities to delight in the little things and our resilience in going further than we think we can for those we love.
nextact.org
ALMOST, MAINE
NOV. 20-DEC. 15
Welcome to Almost, Maine, a place that’s so far north, it’s almost in Canada. It’s not quite a town, because its residents never got around to getting organized. So it almost doesn’t exist. One cold, clear, winter night, as the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, the residents of Almost, Maine, find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Knees may bruise and hearts may break, but as magic fills the air, the pieces finally fall into place – almost.
FEB. 12-MARCH 9
Two retired nuclear scientists reside in an isolated cottage by the sea as the world around them crumbles. Together they are going to live forever on yogurt and yoga, until an old friend arrives with a frightening request. Lucy Kirkwood’s hit play is a beautifully-written puzzle about personal responsibility, guilt and what we leave our young.
RENAISSANCE THEATERWORKS
r-t-w.com
THE NETHER
JAN. 12-FEB. 2
This sci-fi thriller dives deep into the complex moral implications of AI technology.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2024
5:30pm - 8:30pm
CATALANO SQUARE BROADWAY AT MENOMONEE
Santa & live reindeer! • S’mores station & food trucks • Cocoa cocktails, beer & wine • Live music • Tree lighting • Fireworks • Christmas cookies benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities Visit
By Jordan Dechambre
The Milwaukee Public Market (400 N. Water St.) is having a moment: With the upcoming opening of two new vendors — as well as hosting a major Public Markets conference in June — the Ward’s beloved gathering space has myriad reasons to celebrate.
Coming soon is David Alan Alan’s Smokehouse, succeeding BBQ vendor Pat’s Rib Place. Founded by Dave and Tina O’Bryan, David Alan Alan’s Smokehouse blends Tina’s love for hospitality and
Dave’s passion for smoked food into an authentic smokehouse experience, inspired by traditional techniques and quality meats.
The new location at the Market will be their second, joining their original restaurant in Mukwonago. “Our goal has always been to create a welcoming environment where people can enjoy delicious, high-quality BBQ,” says Dave O’Bryan.
The menu will feature a wide range of BBQ favorites, including slow-smoked brisket, tender ribs and savory pulled pork — all complemented by a variety of homemade sides, sauces and unique smoked cocktails. With many celiacfriendly menu items, the menu is also a popular choice within the gluten-free community.
Steps away, Forage Kitchen will bring its farm-to-fork philosophy to the Market. The health food haven will take over roughly 375 square feet of space formerly occupied by The Green Kitchen.
Forage Kitchen prides itself on supporting local Wisconsin farmers. With a commitment to “healthy food that’s as good for your taste buds as it is for your soul,” Forage Kitchen sources fresh, local ingredients to create nutritious and delicious offerings that reflect the bounty of Wisconsin’s agricultural community. Some of the local producers they support include Carr Valley Cheese in LaValle, Flynn Creek Farm Produce in Verona and Rocket Baby Bakery in Wauwatosa.
This will be the first downtown Milwaukee location for Forage Kitchen. In addition to the popular grain bowls, salads, soups, and wraps made fresh from scratch, the Market location will introduce an exclusive new array of fresh juices and an expanded wrap menu. Patrons can also enjoy the flavors of Forage’s line of organic, functional beverages, including kombucha brewed with Milwaukee’s own Rishi Tea.
In addition to welcoming two new vendors, the Milwaukee Public Market will be hosting the 12th International Public Markets Conference June 12-14, 2025. It will bring together over 400 public market leaders from around the world to delve into the forefront of market practices and recognize the transformative influence of public markets in shaping vibrant and inclusive urban spaces.
“As we celebrate the Milwaukee Public Market’s 20th anniversary next year, this conference offers a unique opportunity to highlight the success of our market alongside the many vibrant markets across our city and state,” says Paul Schwartz, Executive Director of the Milwaukee Public Market and Business Improvement District #2. “We are committed to showcasing the very best of Milwaukee and Wisconsin to a global audience.”
The conference will highlight the city’s wide array of public markets, including Milwaukee Public Market, West Allis Farmers Market, Fondy Farmers Market, Milwaukee Night Market, and Zocalo Food Truck Park. It will also introduce two exciting new additions to Wisconsin’s public market scene: the Green Bay Public Market and the Madison Public Market, both slated to open in spring 2025.
Two Birds Event Group, owners of the popular Riverwalk event space The Starling, will open The Rivulet (309 N. Water St.). Formerly Black Swan MKE, The Rivulet is located inside the historic Renaissance Building (309 N. Water St.).
Rivulet, “small stream” in French, pays tribute to the venue’s prime location along the Milwaukee River. “We’ve seen with all of our venues that an outdoor element is so desirable, and it’s even better when we can add water,” says Two Birds Co-owner Tyler Curran. “We are excited to expand our presence in the Third Ward community and create happy memories for people in this special space.”
Two Birds will make minor renovations to the space, giving it their own spin with botanical elements and a warm amber glow with edison bulbs to create a fresh, urban sanctuary in a historic building. It is expected to open in January and is currently accepting bookings for 2025.
The 261-unit Evoni Apartments (615 E. Corcoran St.) is being developed by Kaeding Development Group on a 2.85-acre site at the southeast corner of the Third Ward bordered by the Italian Community Center parking lot, East Summerfest Place, North Harbor Drive and the Milwaukee Ballet‘s Baumgartner Center for Dance. The apartment complex, offering studio, and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, is expected to open in early 2025. Amenities range from an outdoor pool, rooftop lounge and outdoor fire pits to a full gym, sauna and private dining room.
In addition, East Corcoran Avenue will be extended along the northern side of the building to create a new public connection between the neighborhood and Lincoln Memorial Drive.
Milwaukee’s first Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop (203 N. Broadway) opened this summer to the delight of fans of the cult-fav brand. Owned locally by Tricia and Fred Rasmussen, the shop offers a daily selection of 34 flavors of ice cream (think Americone Dream, Cherry Garcia, Chunky Monkey and more), non-dairy ice cream and
sorbet, as well as sundaes, shakes, ice cream cakes, hot chocolate and even catering.
The shop’s 2,140-square-foot space is the former home of Paintball Dave’s, and was renovated to accommodate the store operations, including a station where employees make waffle cones fresh daily and seating for 12 customers.
Insider’s Tip: Even Fido can get in on the icy action — Rosie’s Batch (a frozen dog treat with pumpkin & mini cookies) is available for furry friends.
SPIRE Fitness (102 N. Water St.) is celebrating a decade of fitness and wellness in the Third Ward. The popular fitness boutique — which features indoor cycling, rowing and TRX classes — is known for its high-energy classes and holistic approach to fitness.
“Being a locally owned fitness business within the Third Ward community for 10 years is truly a milestone,” says owner Hubie Krawczyk. “The uniqueness of the Third Ward has given SPIRE Fitness the opportunity to flourish and grow throughout the past 10 years. Our consistent passion and enthusiasm for keeping our clientele fit through our creative group fitness classes for everyone is an experience like no other.”
By Kristine Hansen
“WHEN I THINK OF WINTER, I PICTURE HEARTY INGREDIENTS LIKE BRUSSELS SPROUTS, SQUASH AND AROMATIC FLAVORS LIKE SAGE AND BAY, WITH A TOUCH OF JUNIPER FOR WARMTH AND SPICE,” SAYS PAUL FUNK, EXECUTIVE CHEF AT TRE RIVALI, INSIDE THE JOURNEYMAN HOTEL.
“The cooking style slows down, shifting from quick grilling and fresh flavors to cozy techniques like slow roasting, braising and smoking.”
It’s this level of specificity, and folding in sensory details, that Third Ward chefs and mixologists
bring to their menus during winter. That’s because this is when most people’s palates crave comfort foods, soul-warming soups and decadent drinks.
Funk, who joined Tre Rivali earlier this year, is excited about a new menu in perfect pitch with cooler temperatures and comfort-food cravings. While still honoring its Italian and Spanish roots, “Our focus will shift toward the bold, vibrant tastes of Levantine Mediterranean cuisine, featuring dishes rich with spices and aromatic herbs,” he says. “The Delicata Squash, for example, with ember-roasted shallots and pistachio dukkah over brown butter and tahini labneh makes a perfect winter dish.”
While The Edison’s sidewalk patio is a hot reservation during summer, the vibe is just as coveted during the winter when dishes like the French Onion Soup invite diners to warm up. New this year is a vegetarian, beef-free version, making the menu staple even more inclusive.
Also new is a rosemary, fontina cream with a port wine reduction Gnocchi. Another newcomer — the Bolognese — fits general manager Patrick Erdman’s definition of comfort food. “Comfort to me in food is time and simplicity, and our new Bolognese accomplishes just that,” he says.
“SAVORY
ME
ENJOYING
[AND] ANYTHING
He’s also a fan of the restaurant’s beef short rib. “We sear the beef on our solid-state grill with mesquite charcoal briquettes and then roast it for 24 hours,” he says. Finished with a rosemary demi glaze before serving, it’s the definition of comfort.
Perfect for sharing is The Edison’s baked truffle cheese spread, served with a baguette toasted over mesquite briquettes, or the mushroom casserole with bechamel.
At Dandan, co-owner/chef Dan Jacobs is equally excited about the winter season. “The whole menu screams winter. It’s kind of like our season. Winter is our sweet spot,” he says.
Two dishes in particular, Jacobs says, are ideal for enjoying in winter: Mapo Tofu (five-spice
seitan and chili oil with tofu, peanuts and scallions) and Golden Curry (glass noodles tossed with tofu, cashews and yellow laksa paste). Another option for sampling the menu in a hurry is at the new lunch buffet, served on Friday only. This is often when Jacobs and coowner/chef Dan Van Rite test out new dishes. Recently that meant bourbon chicken and orange beef.
Paired with a cup of its egg drop hot and sour soup, these dishes at Dandan hit the spot for comfort food. “That’s the best part of winter in my head: It’s spicy, really hot and warming, and some great flavors in there,” says Jacobs about the soup. “It’s warm and it also warms you while you’re eating it.”
Soups are served year-round at Third Coast Gourmet but see an uptick in winter, so much that regular customers call in the morning to learn about the soups of the day, says owner Joena Vitale. A perennial favorite during winter is butternut squash soup and two subs, she says, are “the definition of comfort food”: French Dip and Philly Cheesesteak, with the seasonings stemming from a third-generational family in Indiana.
And that comfort extends outside the Third Coast Gourmet’s cozy space inside the Renaissance Building on Water Street. The deli is the exclusive food purveyor for Skylight Music Theatre’s shows all season long. “When purchasing tickets, meals can be ordered in the dining section of the theater’s website,” says Vitale. The meals are then delivered to the theater one hour prior to showtime.
Nearly every chef turns to root vegetables during cooler weather, including Karen Bell, chef-owner of Bavette La Boucherie. “Root vegetables — celery root, parsnips and squash — as well as apples, pears, citrus, blood orange, baking or warming spices, brown butter and maple,” are what Bell considers winter flavors. New this winter is a pear, beet and delicata squash salad highlighting winter ingredients, along with brown-butter vinaigrette, golden raisin, smoked almond and goat cheese labneh.
And don’t sleep on Bavette’s soups: From the coveted bone broth to beef chili, as well as rotating soups, can be purchased inside the restaurant’s warm space, ordered to-go or from the grab-andgo section in the front of the restaurant.
One way that Bell and other Third Ward restaurants easily adapt to winter foods is by partnering with farmers who supply what’s in season. “We try to get as much produce from our partner farms, with one farm supplying all year,” says Bell. “This dictates the direction of our menu, so it will naturally be more focused on fall/winter ingredients.”
INGREDIENTS
• 2 ounces Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bourbon
• .25 ounces Amaro Averna
• 1 teaspoon Del Maguey Mezcal
• 3 dashes Trinity Bitters
• .75 ounces Toasted Marshmallow Syrup
INSTRUCTIONS
• Pour then stir with ice or one large ice cube in a rocks glass
• Garnish with toasted marshmallows and an orange peel
Recipe provided by The Outsider rooftop at The Journeyman Hotel
It
wouldn’t be a holiday season in the Third Ward without cute, neatly packaged pop-up dining experiences.
Heated domes on the top floor of Café Benelux are a cozy way to take in the city skyline while also staying warm and sharing a cheese platter while sipping Rumchata Hot Cocoa with friends.
Similarly, the indoor spaces at The Outsider — perched atop The Journeyman Hotel’s ninthfloor, glass-enclosed rooftop — are a sweet spot to sip holiday drinks like Frozen Cinn-ARoll, Snow White’s Revenge or The Nutcracker. Reminder: This coveted rooftop space is open year round, thanks to posh indoor options and fiery outdoor experiences.
In the already-cozy, North Woods-y Camp Bar, Santa Camp means holiday drinks, holiday lights and other festive accents. Seasonal favorites include the Classic Old Fashioned, made with brandy or bourbon; the Gin and Tidings, with gin, lime and cranberry; and the Angry Elf, a blend of lime, vodka, cranberry, ginger beer and a cinnamon stick.
Tied House’s new “Alice in Winterland” theme will be unveiled in mid-November and features hot drinks. “When it comes to comfort and the cozy months, we immediately gravitate toward baking spices — cinnamon, clove, all-spice etc.,” says co-owner Adam Weber.
A few drinks to add to your winter cocktail list? Weber suggests the Hatter’s Handwarmer, “A choose-your-own-adventure with housemade cocoa and milk paired with your choice of spirit, then topped with a specialty whip for the ultimate winter delight.” Or, cozy up to the Tied House Winter Sour, a frothy bourbon egg white cocktail with seasonal spices (think nutmeg and allspice) and honey.
Successful gallery owners are multifaceted people with a passion for art, sharp vision, dynamic business savviness, strong communication skills and a community-oriented mindset. Metaphorically speaking, gallery owners possess myriad hues of paint on their palettes.
Such is the case with Milwaukee artist, Milwaukee Area Artist Network (MARN) board chairperson and gallery owner Pamela Anderson.
IN PART ONE OF THIS TWOPART SERIES, WE MEET THE OWNERS OF SOME OF THE THIRD WARD’S MOST PROLIFIC GALLERIES AND FIND OUT WHAT INSPIRES THOSE WHO INSPIRE US
Story
With a history in banking as well as art making, Anderson is a natural fit for gallery ownership. “For me it’s about creating original art and moving people to becoming art collectors,” says Anderson.
The process of encouraging people to embrace art even if they don’t know a lot about it – or think they don’t understand it – is particularly rewarding for Anderson.
“In my galleries I always run into people who are hesitant about art and say to me ‘I don’t know anything about art’,” says Anderson. “I love helping them understand they don’t have to know everything about art to add it to their environments and lives. Art can benefit anyone.”
Kim Storage, who opened the Kim Storage Gallery in April 2024, finds great joy in witnessing a connection between people and art pieces.
“A GREAT DAY IN THE GALLERY FOR ME IS WHEN I SEE SOMEONE REALLY CONNECT WITH THE ART. I GET TO WITNESS TRUE EXCITEMENT: LIKE A HANDTO-THE-CHEST ‘WOW!’” SAYS STORAGE.
The gallery has been a great venue for me to connect with many unique people, be it artists, collectors or art appreciators. But perhaps the thing I love the most is helping a seasoned collector – or a first-time art buyer – find just the right work of art for their home.”
Learning new perspectives is another reason why Storage adores gallery ownership. “Hearing what other people see in the artwork is fascinating, as it’s often different from my own perspective,” she says.
The opportunity to be surrounded daily by creative people is another perk of the job. “I thrive when I’m around other creative people, so of course I gravitate toward artists,” says Storage. “Opening my own gallery just felt natural. It’s part of who I am. Being around art, absorbing it daily and discussing it with all the interesting people that come through the gallery enables me to live creatively.”
Building relationships is an aspect that gallery owner Tory Folliard also truly appreciates.
“Working closely with talented artists and building relationships with amazing clients has been one of the most rewarding parts of this experience,” says Folliard, who opened the celebrated Tory Folliard Gallery in 1988.
Folliard started her path to gallery owning at a young age while growing up in the Chicago area. “I developed a deep love for art at a young age, spending many hours exploring galleries and museums,” says Folliard. “That early passion turned into a lifelong career, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent my life surrounded by art.”
Today, Tory Folliard Gallery is a key part of the Midwest art scene. The gallery showcases regional contemporary art in a variety of styles by established and emerging artists who primarily live in Wisconsin.
Alan Perlstein and his wife, Terry Hamann, own Lily Pad East in Westerly, R.I., and Lily Pad West in the Third Ward. When they moved to Milwaukee 25 years ago for Alan’s work in Navy ship propulsion, the couple noticed legacy galleries were closing and new ones weren’t filling the spaces.
“There was a vibrant culture of artists, but not a lot of galleries at that time,” says Perlstein.
“OUR GOAL WAS TO BRING GREAT ART TO A CITY THAT HAD GREAT SPORTS, GREAT CULTURE AND GREAT RESTAURANTS, BUT DIDN’T REALLY HAVE GREAT ART GALLERIES ANYMORE. WE WANTED TO MAKE THAT CONTRIBUTION TO THE CITY.”
Perlstein and Hamann, who already owned their Rhode Island gallery, convinced 47 artists to place work in their new Milwaukee gallery. They added 30 more and today — with the help of executive director Julia Taylor — Lily Pad West continues to represent more than 70 artists who specialize in a variety of genres including realism, naturalism, impressionism and abstract work.
“It’s fun to watch a gallery evolve,” says Perlstein.
Perlstein is an example of someone who isn’t an artist himself, but has a passion for gallery
owning and art collecting. “I cannot draw a straight line with a ruler,” he says.
Perlstein and Hamann are longtime art collectors who purchase a new art piece every year on their anniversary (as well as other times of year). Perlstein picks the creation when their anniversary falls on odd years and Hamann chooses on the even years.
“We have been collecting art for 43 years. Since we were young kids,” says Perlstein. “That built up our appreciation for great art. We span the gamut of tastes and feel we provide a gallery where anyone could explore and find something they enjoy.”
Accessibility to art is something Perlstein feels strongly about for all people, regardless of their financial situations. Early in his career, Perlstein worked as a welder and a fitter in shipyards, thus he knows first-hand how people of all socioeconomic classes benefit from being exposed to art. As a gallery owner, he never forgets this.
“The accessibility of art for everyone is very important to me,” says Perlstein. “We will make you feel comfortable and we will help you find a painting.”
The Third Ward added a new dash of creativity and inspiration to its flourishing arts scene this fall: As part of October’s Gallery Night MKE, four new large-scale outdoor paintings were unveiled throughout the neighborhood.
This expansion of the neighborhood’s arts and culture scene is the result of a partnership between the Historic Third Ward Association and Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. The 6-by-8-foot paintings were created by MIAD alumni John Kowalczyk ’10,
By Jordan Dechambre
(left to right) Painting sponsor and resident Ken Krei; HTWA Marketing & Communications Director Jordan Dechambre; artist Rachel McNeilly; and painting sponsors and residents Andrew and Margaret Krei, at the unveiling of “Milwaukee Strong!” at Café Benelux.
Caroline Ferrero ’23, Erin Eastham ’24 and current MIAD student Rachel McNeilly.
The new works are hung on the exterior walls of Café Benelux (326 N. Broadway), MIAD (273 E. Erie St.), Broadway Theatre Center (158 N. Broadway) and Ascension Third Ward (174 N. Broadway).
“We are thrilled to be adding even more creativity and color to our neighborhood’s rich tapestry of the arts,” says Jim Plaisted, executive director of the HTWA. “This partnership with our friends at
MIAD is allowing us to celebrate our community’s connection to nature and its importance in urban environments. I am so proud to welcome visitors to experience these stunning outdoor paintings and the important message behind them.”
This is the second time the HTWA has unveiled outdoor paintings during Gallery Night MKE. In 2019, the event launched four outdoor paintings sponsored by Joy Engine (formerly Black Box Fund). Milwaukee artists Fred Kaems, Nova Czarnecki, Ben Talatzko and Emma Daisy created large-scale paintings that were hung on the exterior walls of prominent neighborhood buildings, where they continue to hang today.
For the 2024 installment, HTWA partnered with MIAD to host an open call for artists earlier this year. In celebration of MIAD’s 50th anniversary in 2024, the call welcomed the MIAD community to submit their ideas for the four new works of art. With dozens of artists vying to create the paintings, a team of judges from the HTWA and MIAD ultimately selected the four finalists for their creativity, skill and the inspiration behind each piece.
“MIAD COULD NOT BE PROUDER OF THIS PARTNERSHIP, ESPECIALLY DURING THE COLLEGE’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR,” SAYS
JEFF MORIN, PRESIDENT OF MIAD.
“Public art such as this continues to amplify the neighborhood as an arts destination. As one of the original anchors of the Historic Third Ward, we celebrate the success of all the thriving businesses and cultural organizations here and the distinctive employment, event, shopping and dining experiences they offer.”
Each painting is sponsored by an individual or business committed to seeing the neighborhood’s art scene grow and flourish. The four 2024 sponsors include the new 333 Water modern luxury residential tower, as well as residents Tim and Sue Frautschi, Brian and Laura (Armstrong) Montgomery and The Krei Family (Ken, Andrew and Margaret).
RACHEL MCNEILLY’S “MILWAUKEE STRONG!”
Café Benelux, 326 N. Broadway
Sponsored by The Krei Family (Ken, Andrew and Margaret)
Artist Statement: “In April 1945, a lone duck nest was found under the Wisconsin Avenue Bridge, nine eggs nestled within. Despair, exhaustion and uncertainty fogged Milwaukee as WWII neared its end. However, this little nest, alongside the duck who built it — lovingly named Gertie — had shone a new light of hope into the city. The nest was carefully watched over by Boy Scouts and a Wisconsin Humane Society Officer, and eventually six of the nine eggs hatched, each duckling receiving their own name. Gertie and her family became a Milwaukee sensation, visited by over 2 million fans. In this painting, Gertie is recreating the iconic Rosie the Riveter pose to symbolize her significance in reigniting the hope and strength to the Milwaukee community during the final moments of WWII.”
Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway
Sponsored by 333 Water
Artist Statement: “Foxes and Friends features some of the beautiful wildlife you might find along the lakefront in Milwaukee. Foxes are extremely adaptable and can thrive in various environments inspiring us to embrace change with grace and playfulness. Monarch butterflies are symbols of rebirth and transformation. It is delightful to encounter both in our urban environment. I believe in the power of art to connect, build community and spread joy.”
Ascension Third Ward, 174 N. Broadway
Sponsored by Tim and Sue Frautschi
Artist Statement: “I appreciate the unique details of the birds that find residence in Wisconsin at various times of the year. Seeing two or more species together is always a special event, because they bring beauty along with their distinctiveness. My mural brings together the Robin, Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch, Evening Grosbeak and Baltimore Oriole to represent the diverse people who fly to and from Milwaukee. The hands represent the people of Milwaukee reaching toward and welcoming these visitors. That is the beauty of Milwaukee — a mix of people that come and go. However, it is the culture and community, bound by different colored swirls, that influence and inspire us to learn more about each other.”
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, 273 E. Erie St. Sponsored by Brian and Laura (Armstrong) Montgomery
Artist Statement: “I have always enjoyed seeing animals and incorporating them in the pieces I make. Since moving to Milwaukee I was surprised by how many bird species and waterfowl visit Wisconsin for the waterways and the lakes. We see seagulls and other birds almost every day in the city, and I wanted to showcase the beauty of these animals that I feel is often overlooked.”
In 2024, the Historic Third Ward was named the #5 “Best Arts District” in the United States by the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. According to USA Today, this award recognizes inspiring arts districts that “culturally enrich their cities and those who visit.”
The neighborhood is also home to myriad art galleries (including dozens in the Marshall Building alone) as well as eye-catching public art. Murals — like the bold Brighten the Passage works near the Milwaukee Public Market and the dynamic “Unsung Hero,” among others — dot the landscape alongside historic ghost signs and rotating sculptures by Sculpture Milwaukee. In 2023, it also became part of the Milwaukee Theatre District.
With 8.2 million visits each year, the Historic Third Ward is known for showcasing the best of Milwaukee in a revitalized warehouse district –home to eclectic eateries, unique boutiques, and remarkable theater and art. The neighborhood is also highlighted by the award-winning Third Ward Riverwalk and the nationally acclaimed Milwaukee Public Market.
With art-centric events ranging from the highly lauded Gallery Night MKE and Third Ward Art Festival to galleries, high-profile murals, worldclass performing arts, the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, Edessa School of Fashion and MARN Art + Culture Hub, the Historic Third Ward has carved a niche in Milwaukee as a space that nurtures and celebrates art and culture every day.
HOW THE THIRD WARD ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD HAS GUIDED THE DISTRICT TO EMBRACE THE FUTURE — WHILE MAINTAINING ITS RICH, HISTORIC PAST
By Bobby Tanzilo
Photography by Eric Halverson
Rooted in history but rich in modernity, the thriving urbanism of the Historic Third Ward might seem like the result of some secret sauce. But it’s no mystery. More than a half-century ago, Jane Jacobs, author of the landmark “The Death and Life of Great American Cities,” knew that to be vibrant, a neighborhood needs a mix of old and new buildings. And the Third Ward has
relied upon guidelines to ensure its diversity of architecture, with an Architectural Review Board to protect it.
“We’re really trying to promote this street life and urban experience,” says architect Jim Piwoni, who sits on the Third Ward Architectural Review Board and wrote and later updated its guidelines. “I think it’s important to have different generations of work. You have a richer setting if you’ve got more than a museum piece. You have an active neighborhood that’s thriving and growing, people enjoy different cultural aspects of it and there’s a real social life to the street. I think it’s working well.”
One of just two such boards in the city – the other is on the East Side – the “ARB,” as it’s known, was authorized by the City of Milwaukee in 1997. The ARB is an official body of the City of Milwaukee and its board includes chairman Ald. Bob Bauman, the Dept. of City Development’s Greg Patin, the Historic Preservation Commission’s Patti Keating Kahn, and four local representatives: property owner Michael DeMichele, Piwoni, property owner Kendall Bruenig and Historic Third
Ward Association Executive Director Jim Plaisted.
The ARB allows the Ward to follow a set of guidelines that are tailored to the unique qualities of this once industrial neighborhood as it morphs into a mixed-use collection of residences, offices, hotels, restaurants and retail.
“We don’t have any of the houses of the East Side’s North Point neighborhood,” says ARB coordinator Matt Jarosz, a UWM School of Architecture and Urban Planning professor who also sits on the city’s Historic Preservation Commission. “We don’t have the kind of commercial features of Mitchell Street. We don’t have bungalows like on Sherman Boulevard. There’s a lot of districts around the city and so the Historic Preservation Commission’s guidelines have to be rather broad.
“But the idea was that the Third Ward is such a focused industrial district – four-, five-story masonry, loft-type buildings, heavy timber – there probably should be a slightly different focus.”
When the ARB was formed, Piwoni says the residents and business owners in the district wanted an approach that was less restrictive and
more cooperative. “They wanted a more prodevelopment kind of approach,” he says.
“THEY WANTED A MORE PRO-DEVELOPMENT KIND OF APPROACH,” HE SAYS. “THIS IS WHAT WE THINK IS IMPORTANT. WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR PROJECT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE REVIEW PROCESS, AND WE WANT TO HELP YOU COMPLY OR FOLLOW THESE KINDS OF GUIDELINES BECAUSE WE THINK IT’S GOING TO BE BETTER FOR THE WHOLE DISTRICT. WE WANT TO BRING EVERYBODY INTO THE ROOM AND HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS.”
So what sorts of things does the ARB oversee?
According to Piwoni, there are three main areas: New building development, including scale, materials, and form; exterior building rehabilitation; and building details at the street level like signs, storefronts, awnings, lighting, patios, etc.
Because the ARB covers the entire Historic Third Ward district, anyone who wants to hang a sign or an awning, renovate a building, put a
patio out on the Riverwalk or construct a new building, should read the guidelines and apply to the ARB. Once an application is approved, the ARB will issue a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) that the applicant needs to get their City permits. The guidelines are available for viewing at historicthirdward.org/do-business.
Many simple projects — a new sign, for example — often get staff approval by Jarosz without a meeting. However, bigger things, like the construction of a hotel or the recent building of a residential high-rise along the river, go to the ARB. The board then discusses the project and sometimes makes recommendations before approval.
On the unseasonably warm autumn day that Piwoni and I spoke over coffee on a Third Ward cafe patio, the result was easy to see. Streetcars dropped off passengers across the street, pedestrians passed by carrying shopping bags from local stores, and streams of diners flowed in and out of nearby restaurants. The Ward is surely one of the liveliest, if not the liveliest, street scenes in Milwaukee.
Piwoni points out more specific ARB success stories, too. Including the Milwaukee Public Market, which opened in 2005.
“The market is fantastic,” he says. “It’s a real gathering place; a real destination for people working downtown, people living here and visiting on weekends. When it opened, the streetscaping had been done on Broadway, and it was at one end of Broadway adjacent to downtown. So it is an anchor in the kind of classic shopping center development idea of an anchor at each end.”
Then there’s The Journeyman Hotel, two blocks south, which opened in 2016 in a newly constructed building on a site that long housed surface parking.
“That was a game changer too,” says Piwoni. “That’s a real success story. It’s a beautiful facility ... there were really good architects, (and) they got it. They knew what was happening down here, what this was all
about. It’s a right-sized hotel. The developers of the hotel and the management of the hotel totally bought in (to the Ward and its guidelines).”
It’s an example of how, over more than a quartercentury, says Jarosz, the ARB’s job has gotten a little easier.
“It’s so different than it was 25 years ago, attitude-wise,” he says. “Back then there was, fundamentally, a kind of confrontation with developers. But it’s changed now. It’s incredible how a lot of them (developers, architects and businesses) almost put more restrictions on themselves than they need to.”
“IT’S A DIFFERENT MINDSET
NOW FROM NEW TENANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES. THEY WANT TO BE PART OF THE GOOD FEELING.”
By Celeste Brunner
There’s always something happening in the Historic Third Ward. The best way to stay in the know? Become a Historic Third Ward Association (HTWA) member!
From exclusive member perks to members-only events and key communication that keeps you up to date on new business openings, neighborhood news and so much more, membership for residents and businesses is your inside access.
Scan the QR code or visit htwa.wildapricot.org/joinus to enjoy the benefits of membership today!
1. HTWA members eased into the day at June’s Sip & Socialize at Yama Yoga. Guests enjoyed coffee, bakery, conversation and a revitalizing chair yoga class led by Yama Yoga owner and yogi Marietta Pucillo.
2. A record number of members spent a warm evening in July enjoying the HTWA Membership Appreciation BBQ in Catalano Square. Smoke Shack and Tre Rivali served up delicious bites, while guests vibed to live music from The Panoptics.
3. Clear Water Outdoor treated HTWA members and staff to discounted kayak rates in August for our second HTWA Member Kayak Night. Taking in an aquatic perspective of the Third Ward and downtown, guests experienced a picture-perfect evening on the river with friends new and old.
4. Downtown employees got a morning caffeine kick with free coffee and treats from local coffee shops and bakeries at the World’s Largest Coffee Break, part of Downtown Employee Appreciation Week (presented by BID #21). Third Ward vendors included Sweetly Baked, Colectivo, Valentine Coffee, Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co. and MARN Art + Culture Hub.
5. Another beautiful Labor Day weekend set the scene for the 12th annual Third Ward Art Festival. The neighborhood welcomed nearly 200 artists, live music, food trucks, children’s activities and HTWA members serving up beer, wine and the newest addition to the bar menu — mimosas! HTWA member volunteers, pictured (left to right): Fred Tabak and his wife, Leigh; HTWA Board President Joe Goode; Parker Davis; Jordan Dechambre; Josh Amroze and Ben Plaisted.
6. The highly-anticipated Milwaukee Downtown Dog Park broke ground in September with an event featuring a ceremonial groundbreaking, furry friends enjoying treats from Fromm Family Pet Food, DJ Shawna and a crowd of revelers. Pictured (left to right): HTWA Board President Joe Goode, Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Newmark Managing Director Bruce Westling, HTWA Marketing & Communications Director Jordan Dechambre, HTWA Executive Director Jim Plaisted and Billy Bad Dog.
7. The third annual Gather long table dinner was held in September, and welcomed 100 ticketed guests to enjoy a 6-course meal created by Tre Rivali, Dandan, The Edison, Sweetly Baked, Café Benelux and Saffron, with wine pairings by Thief Wine and a pre-event cocktail mixer with Onesto. The riverwalk adjacent to The Starling provided a beautiful (and surprise!) backdrop for the evening, which also featured beats by Milwaukee Airwaves and a gorgeous tablescape by Relics Rentals. The premier event sponsor is Joseph Property Development, with additional sponsorship from AESTHETICS 360°, Urban Law, Metro Eye, The District Row and Harleys. In-kind sponsorship is provided by Relics Rentals, Two Birds Event Group and Benson’s Restaurant Group.
8. Third Ward residents and businesses (including HTWA board member and resident Danielle Fuentes, shown here) teamed up for an afternoon of fun and games in Catalano Square. Proceeds from the event, including Third Ward Beer Garden beverage sales, support the Andrew Wadsworth Memorial Fund and a planned sculpture in his honor.
9. Lerdahl, a commercial interior design firm, welcomed HTWA members to a happy hour in their chic and inspiring Water Street workspace in October. Pictured (left to right): Jordan Schmieding of Lerdahl, Kim Storage of Kim Storage Gallery and Caitlin Fons of Lerdahl.
10. Gallery Night MKE drew thousands of visitors to the Third Ward in October, as the largest number of venues in the event’s history — including 40 in the Third Ward — provided an evening of art and inspiration. Highlights included the unveiling of four new outdoor paintings, pop-up performances by Skylight Music Theatre and a Sculpture Milwaukee sculpture “pup” crawl.