Art 64

media release: If you are looking for a unique outdoor experience this summer and also appreciate the arts, consider a trip to Wauwatosa for ART 64. ART 64, presented by Discover Wauwatosa, is a two-day bracket-style live performance painting tournament and street festival that takes place in The village of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Artists from around the country are selected to participate in the competition and are paired up in a head-to-head competition for a $20,000 cash prize. Think March Madness, but with artists.

The one-of-a-kind event consists of four rounds of painting. Visitors to the event vote for their favorite artists after each round of the competition. The artist with the most votes from each pairing advances to the next round. So it is the public who determines not only which artists advance, but also the grand prize winner. Artists paint on a defined topic and are allowed 60 minutes per round to complete their work.

During the event, the streets in The village of Wauwatosa are closed to vehicle traffic. The village is a walkable, European-style district that is home to a variety of dining options as well as upscale boutiques. Artists participating in the event are placed at tables in the streets, covering about a 4-block area. This provides you with the opportunity to walk up to each artist, watch them paint, and interact with the artists as they work.

The timed element of the competition creates energy and excitement felt by all when voting for their favorite artists. The direct interaction with artists is an experience most people have never had before. After each round, paintings are displayed and made available for immediate purchase. All painting sales are completed through an online auction with 70% of the proceeds going to the individual artists, 20% supporting the Wauwatosa Parks Improvement Fund, and 10% going back to ART 64 to help with funding for future events.

In the periods between painting rounds, while votes are calculated, visitors can enjoy performances by local musicians. Additionally, many boutiques and locally-owned restaurants have tents in the streets selling their merchandise as well as food and beverage options. A dedicated children's area provides age-appropriate activities for families looking to keep their younger members entertained and happy. The Tosa Farmers Market, a long-time favorite destination for many, takes place in The Village on Saturday mornings and is a great place to grab a coffee, a bite to eat, and other locally-made and grown products. After votes are tallied everyone gathers to hear which artists advance to the next round and cheer for their favorites.

Plan for an overnight stay, so you will be sure to be able to follow your favorite artist throughout the two-day event and vote in every round. To make sure you get your fill of public art, visit the city's North Avenue Mural Arts District (NoMAD). NoMAD is centered in East Tosa and is currently home to seven unique and colorful murals, with two new murals scheduled to be installed summer of 2023. There are lots of different options for you to round out a Wauwatosa weekend including golf at Milwaukee County Golf Courses, a trip to the Milwaukee County Zoo, taking in a baseball game at American Family Field, and dining at numerous locally-owned restaurants.

ART 64 is an annual event that is unique to Wauwatosa. In 2023, artists from 20 different states and 6 different countries applied to participate in the event. This second year of the event is supported by Travel Wisconsin. For more information on planning a visit to Wauwatosa, check out DiscoverWauwatosa.com.