Art Walk Middleton

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The 2025 Art Walk Middleton.

Art Walk Middleton

The fifth annual Art Walk Middleton turns Terrace Avenue into a showcase featuring about 70 artist booths and artist demonstrations. But that’s not all; the day features music from local groups and Madison Music Foundry student bands at the Capital Brewery biergarten; free kids' activities; and nine food trucks covering everything from cheese curds to Caribbean cuisine. The day wraps up with an all-ages dance-and-bubbles afterparty at Stone Horse Green. The event is hosted by the Middleton Public Arts Committee.

media release: The Middleton Public Arts Committee is planning the Fifth Annual Art Walk Middleton, a one-day art fair held downtown..

Art Walk will take place May 16 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Terrace Avenue. In addition to display and sales by regional artists, festival events also include art demonstrations, live music and food trucks.

Musicians this year will include student bands from Madison Music Foundry, Blue Spruce and Some Assembly Required and music is located on in the bier garden at Capital Brewery. 

Each year there are art demonstrations that encompass many types of media, including glass blowing, pottery, wood carving and caricatures. 

“We try to offer a variety of art experiences for visitors of all ages, through visual art, music and even storytelling,” Michelle Phillips, Middleton Public Arts Committee Chair. “We hope that when people leave the event, they take away a positive feeling about what we have created through the festival and community.

This year the event will feature nine food trucks, with a wide variety of cuisine, including vegetarian options. “We have will have everything from curds to cotton candy as well as Mexican, Thai, BBQ and Caribbean cuisine,” Phillips explained.

Artists who would like to display and sell their work should fill out the online application and submit three photos of their work. The entrants are limited to fine art such as painting, ceramics, wood or metal work, jewelry, fiber etc. Crafts will not be considered for Art Walk.

Artists will be displaying works outdoors and are responsible for set-up and take-down of their booths. There is a $200 fee to exhibit for selected artists. Payment will be requested upon acceptance to the show. The fee includes online listing, listing on the City of Middleton Facebook page and website.

The deadline to apply for Art Walk is April 15, and the online application can be found at: bit.ly/4tuIVzz

“We have been growing the festival slowly and organically, and the first year we only had 33 artists. This year we are offering 70 spaces,” stated Phillips, who added that there are still about 15 spots up for grabs.

Art Walk ends the day in Stone Horse Green, at the heart of downtown, with Bubbles & Beats. “Bubbles & Beats is in its third year, and is a fun dance and bubble party organized by Arts Committee member Katy Nelson. It is a fun way for kids and adults alike to blow bubbles and move to some dance classics,” said Phillips.

Phillips said that the goal has always been to showcase art and artists from around the state, and now it is becoming regional with a handful of artists making the trip from other states. “We want to bring people to the city so they can experience not only the festival, but the many shops and restaurants downtown as well as Middleton hospitality. Hopefully, if that experience leaves a good impression, they will come back and explore the area more.”

Another goal of Art Walk has been to work with different organizations that support art and artists. Some of those groups include Middleton High School art classes, Madison Art Guild, Artworking, Inspiring Hope and Madison Music Foundry. In addition, the Arts Committee works with Middleton CDA, Middleton Tourism and Middleton Area Historical Society to help make Art Walk success. “Our working group has always felt that the more groups that are involved and work together, the better the festival will be. Building these relationships is important in the art community and community as a whole as many of these connections have led to other art events, such as the digital MHS student art exhibit that is currently available to view on the city’s website, artists who conduct classes and, really, just basic networking,” stated Phillips. 

The Art Walk working group is accepting volunteers to work on festival planning. If you are interested in joining the planning committee, contact Phillips at 319-521-4486 or starbrightgraphics@gmail.com

To volunteer the day of the event, visit: bit.ly/4tbU6wI

If you would like to be an Art Walk sponsor, donations can be made by sending a check to the City of Middleton, 7426 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, WI 53562, with Art Walk Sponsorship in memo. Donations can also be made through the city’s bill payment portal.