Joy Engine Announces the Return of ArtBlaze

MILWAUKEE – It’s getting hot in Milwaukee, which only means one thing: It’s time to get to the beach! Today, Joy Engine, a local public art nonprofit, announced the return of the popular new ArtBlaze series, with a new day and location. ArtBlaze will move to Thursdays instead of Wednesdays and to the recently revamped McKinley Beach after debuting at Bradford and South Shore last Summer. The all-ages programming includes concerts by artists like The Quilz and DJ Gemini Gilly, vendors, arts activities, performances, waterside s’mores, and the return of the beloved Silent Disco with live DJs. Full entertainment line-up to be announced soon. All ArtBlaze gatherings will occur on Thursdays: July 24th, August 7th and August 21st from 4pm–9:30pm at McKinley Beach.

Watch 2024 ArtBlaze recap by Samer Ghani

At the center of each ArtBlaze party will be new, ginormous temporary inflatable “HydroBloom” sculptures by FuzzPop Workshop and UW-Milwaukee Architecture students. The HydroBloom sculptures will stretch nearly 1,000 feet and stand 25’ tall with enchanting loops and curls that sprawl from sand to water, forming an open space to gather and play. If walking or dancing by, your movements will be noticed by the HydroBloom’s bioluminescent membrane and will awaken and respond in pulses of color that ripple into the lake. This site-specific art piece will blur the boundary between land and water, human and myth, reality and dream.

“When considering where to host ArtBlaze this year, we went with McKinley Beach because of its central location so everyone can feel welcome at this celebration of local art and summer fun,” said Steph Salvia, Joy Engine’s Executive Director. “McKinley Beach also feels so new and exciting after its three-year renovation.”

ArtBlaze’s achievements last year included:

• 5,000+ estimated total attendance
• 65+ entertainers, performers, and musicians booked across a wide variety of genres
• 600+ s’mores made and consumed by attendees
• 110 people practiced yoga together at the beach
• 1 monstrous 5’ x 12’ sand dragon sculpted by a master sand artist in collaboration with volunteers.
• 3 larger-than-life inflatable “Cosmopods” created by FuzzPop Workshop

ArtBlaze is made possible thanks to the support of Visit Milwaukee, Miller Coors, Gruber Law, Herb Kohl Philanthropies, Bader Philanthropies, Astor Street Foundation, The Kubala Washatko Architects, Robertson Ryan Insurance, Fund for Lake Michigan, Bosley-Green Foundation, Milwaukee Arts Board, WE Energies Foundation, Milwaukee County Parks, Milwaukee County Parks Foundation, Beach Ambassador, Milwaukee with Kids, Travel Wisconsin, Wisconsin Arts Board, Radio Milwaukee, Titos and the Roundhouse Beer Garden.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.