WPCA Collaborative Mural Project
March 28 – April 1
Week long workshop to create a community mural from concept to completion
Monday–Friday | 1–5 pm | Ages 6–15
$20 for 53204 residents
$40 for non-53204 residents
Costs cover supplies and snacks
Scholarships (ages 6–15), internships (15+) and volunteer opportunities for the workshop are available. Please contact
Arts Education Coordinator Maikue Vang to apply:
maikue@wpca-milwaukee.org, 414.672.2787 ext. 12
We are excited for this community engaging workshop with the goal of empowering neighborhood youth and to make our surrounding more vibrant. This collaborative mural will be created by our Hands-on arts education program students and invite anyone who wants to be involved. The mural will be located on the north wall of our building (839 S 5th St).
The purpose of the mural project is to:
- beautify our neighborhood block
- create artwork for all to enjoy
- promote youth investment in our community
- give children and families a sense of belonging
- show the presence of family and children who live in our neighborhood
- show the rich and vibrant arts and cultural resources of our neighborhood
- promote an awareness of WPCA as an art space
The Collaborative Mural Project is led by WPCA lead educator/arts education coordinator Maikue Vang and celebrated Milwaukee artist John Kowalczyk. Kowalczyk’s artistic style and experience in working in diverse, low-income and community based projects align with WPCA’s mission in arts education.
He has worked with many schools and community organizations creating murals and installations in public and private spaces. He is currently working with El Puente High School on a community mural.
More about John Kowalczyk
John Kowalczyk describes his art as “shrine-like, shiny, symmetrical, and seductive figurations that become maps of my mind combining myth, math, and magic.” His work is comprised of mixed media paintings and larger than life installations that incorporate vintage fabrics, thrift store treasures, gift wrap, shelf liner, string, ribbon, repurposed drawings, glitter and gold. The collaged elements of his paintings become more than the sum of their parts exhibiting a spiritual nature.
John Kowalczyk describes his art as “shrine-like, shiny, symmetrical, and seductive figurations that become maps of my mind combining myth, math, and magic.” His work is comprised of mixed media paintings and larger than life installations that incorporate vintage fabrics, thrift store treasures, gift wrap, shelf liner, string, ribbon, repurposed drawings, glitter and gold. The collaged elements of his paintings become more than the sum of their parts exhibiting a spiritual nature.
Mural in Washington Park neighborhood (31st & Lisbon) by John Kowalczyk and Jeff Redmon. Photo by Jeff Redmon.
Born in Chicago in 1988, John Kowalczyk currently lives and works in Milwaukee, WI as an artist, curator, and educator. Kowalczyk received his BFA in painting from Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in 2010, and began a three year residency with RedLine Milwaukee soon after, where he curated gallery shows and taught workshops. He currently is the Artistic Director at Splash Studio. Kowalczyk’s work has been exhibited at the Sienna Art Institute in Italy, The Charles Allis Art Museum, The Harley Davidson Museum, The Cedarburg Cultural Center, and The Racine Art Center along with other galleries across the U.S.
Website: http://www.johnkowalczykart.com/
80-foot mural in Mitchell Park by John Kowalczyk and students from Artists Working in Education, Inc.
Registration and Payment
Afternoons with Art (AwA) is offered during days when schools are not in session (based on MPS calendar). Think about it as a mini art camp. AwA also include winter and spring break programming as well as individual days during the semester (PTA, administration days…). Click here for more AwA dates.