If you're looking for a way to indulge in some local culture while soaking up the tail end of summer vibes, head on over to West Allis next weekend. The city is putting on a two-day art extravaganza that promises a cornucopia of sensory delights — and it's all free to the public. The City of West Allis and the West Allis Arts Collective are rolling out the red carpet for art enthusiasts with two events scheduled back-to-back on September 5 and 6, according to an announcement they aired yesterday.
Kicking things off on Sept. 5, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., "Art on the Plaza" will decorate Centennial Plaza with an assortment of local creatives. This is a golden chance, to be clear, for patrons to connect with West Allis artists who put their sweat and tears into work and live right in the community. A grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board is injecting the eighth annual installment of this event with new interactive features. Expect to see a lot more than the usual assortment of artisan booths and live music this time around. This includes a public art installation, live demos, and even a chalk artist to get your hands dirty with a bit of coloring outside the lines — figuratively, and perhaps literally.
Shifting gears to Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Inspiration Studios at 1500 S. 73rd St. will host the inaugural "Arts Showcase." This follow-up affair aims to foster deeper community involvement in the arts with various activities and performances to enjoy. Take note, if you've got an opinion about the direction of the West Allis Arts Collective, this will be your platform to raise your voice. In addition to the fun, organizers are soliciting feedback to help steer the collective's future initiatives.
For families or anyone with a young spirit, the weekend is a great fit. Along with theater performances and a visual arts gallery, the Arts Showcase will feature workshops that promise to tap into your inner artist, no matter the age. You might be keen to know there's a "makers market" — hopefully as bustling as a beehive without the sting — and a roster of family-friendly activities to boot. According to the city's official release, one highlight has attendees building musical instruments from recycled materials. A quirky endeavor, indeed, but it certainly tunes into the eco-friendly zeitgeist.
More details and a schedule of events are available at the city's official website.
