The Milwaukee arts community will come together on Friday, April 3 for WMSE’s 4th annual Art & Music event, Presented by MARN and Black Box Fund. The Historic Pritzlaff Building will transform into a studio fit for artists, musicians and party-goers of all kinds. 

The event centers around an auction featuring more than 200 album-sized 12" x 12" boards (provided by Bliffert Lumber) created by locally and nationally famous artists. Live music and live painting will take place throughout the evening. Food will be available from local restaurants, as well as craft cocktails from Great Lakes Distillery. The Erotic Adventures of the Static Chicken will perform and exceptional music will be spun by your favorite WMSE DJs. All of the proceeds of the evening will support WMSE and help the station continue the work it does to support the local arts community.  

Local artist Brendan Murphy is the featured artist for this year’s Art & Music promotional materials. Murphy was last year’s live painter at the event.  "This piece is meant to be a celebration of art and music, of WMSE, and of the unique event that supports all three,” said Murphy. “I used a flower pattern inspired by Alphonse Mucha, surrounding a space scene encapsulated within the shape of a 45 record with an adapter in the middle. The piece was originally going to contain a portrait with a circle behind it in a warped art-nouveau style, but the circle was reminiscent of a record and this seemed more appropriate. From a conversation with my mother about the aesthetic appeal of a 45 adapter, it seemed a fitting focal point to merge art and music and make a more solid reference to a record."  

"This is our 4th year of combining art and music under one event. We have been so lucky to work with the greatest artists both locally and nationally. We truly appreciate everyone’s support of this incredible event and we hope to see new faces at this year’s Art & Music," said WMSE General Manager Tom Crawford.  

WMSE’s Art & Music is supported by The Pritzlaff as well as Bliffert’s Lumber and Hardware, Enlightened Brewing Company, Great Lakes Distillery, and Ticket King. A very special thanks to Cori Coffman and Brett Waterhouse for helping to make this event possible. Tickets to this artful event are $25 in advance and can be purchased online at wmse.org. Tickets are $35 at the door.  This year WMSE is offering a VIP experience which includes early entry, a classic cocktail from Great Lakes Distillery, and parking – 2 tickets for $150. Purchase VIP tickets online in advance.