$20,000 grand prize determined by online voting in state’s largest juried entry art tournament.
WAUWATOSA, Wisc. (Tuesday, April 9, 2024) – Discover Wauwatosa will host ART 64 presented by North Shore Bank in The Village of Wauwatosa on Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8. This is the third year of the one-of-a-kind, bracket-style live painting tournament with a $20,000 grand prize. It’s the largest juried live painting tournament in Wisconsin, featuring 64 artists that were selected from a pool of 329 applicants coming from 20 states and three countries.
Members of the public are invited to watch the paintings come to life during the competition and can vote for their favorite paintings online. The artist in each pairing with the most votes advances to the next round. The third (and final) round features 16 artists competing for the grand prize. Paintings created at the event will be available for purchase through an online silent auction.
Approximately 8,000 people visited The Village of Wauwatosa during the event in 2023, nearly triple the amount of the 3,000 visitors that attended the inaugural 2022 event. There were 7,621 votes cast last year, as well as more than 100 paintings sold (nearly 90% of the created work at the event).
“The interaction between the artists competing in the event and members of the public makes ART 64 unlike any other public art experience,” says Melissa Weiss, Deputy City Administrator for the City of Wauwatosa. “Artists are able to connect with one another, and visitors have the opportunity to explore The Village of Wauwatosa while being able to watch talented artists create original work.”
The free, family-friendly event will take place in The Village of Wauwatosa on Friday, June 7 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and on Saturday, June 8 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. (with the Tosa Farmers Market happening a short walk away Saturday morning). Food and musical entertainment will be available on the streets holding the tournament, as well as a dedicated kids’ area. Local businesses will add to the festive ambiance with unique experiences. To accommodate the event, Harwood Avenue, State Street, and Underwood Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic. Stephanie Crosley, the in-game host of Marquette Basketball, will emcee the event.
Guests are encouraged to support local businesses in the event area before, during, and after the tournament, including at ART 64 major sponsors Buckatabon Tavern & Supper Club and Café Hollander.
“ART 64 has become one of the premier events of the summer in The Village of Wauwatosa,” says Eric Wagner, founder and CEO of Lowlands Group. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to sponsor another year and welcome the community down to the village to enjoy our hospitality at Café Hollander and Buckatabon while supporting a great event.”
Last year, the winner of the $20,000 grand prize was Wisconsin-based artist Lori Ehlke.
“ART 64 is like no other art competition out there. As an artist, I loved the interaction with the public and being able to be part of such a well-organized and fun event,” says Ehlke. “I enjoyed meeting other artists and art enthusiasts … it was such an amazing family-oriented celebration of art.”
For more information about ART 64 and to RSVP for event updates, please visit: www.art64tosa.com.
# # #
The City of Wauwatosa is an urban enclave with a charming small-town feel located 15 minutes west of downtown Milwaukee. They are affectionately known as “Tosa” to the locals, and are home to many locally-owned shops and restaurants, loads of outdoor activities and experiences, affordable accommodations, and more. Learn more at discoverwauwatosa.com.