Milwaukee PBS Digital

Send us Fan Mail10 years ago Milwaukee artist Nemo Edwards lived in an empty apartment. He decided fill the emptiness with art by his own hand. That decision led him to being a full-time artist and share his message of acceptence and belonging.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailArt Intersection MKE continues to grow on Milwaukee's Near West Side. CEO and founder Derrick Cainion talks about the new artworks added to it's outdoor gallery.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailVoting is our voice, and for that voice to be strong, we need organization. Donna Spars, from the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County, tells us about a new initiative called "Unite and Rise 8.5," aimed at defending democracy.El voto es nuestra voz, y para que esa voz sea fuerte, necesitamos organización. Nos dice Donna Spars, de la Liga de Mujeres Votantes del Condado de Milwaukee, quien nos habla de una nueva iniciativa "Unite and Rise 8.5”  a favor de defender la democracia.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailConocemos al artista Tony Macias a través de la cerámica, Tony conecta con sus raíces y nos muestra cómo el barro puede convertirse en un lenguaje de identidad y cultura. Esta es una historia de nuestro talentoso colega de The Arts Page, Adam Lilley.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailMany young people in the DACA program face legal barriers to practicing their professions. To discuss Wisconsin Act 240—which grants occupational licenses to DACA recipients. Representative Ortiz-Velez and the push for professional equity in Wisconsin. A necessary conversation for the economic future of thousands of families.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailArt meets environmental action! In this archival feature from The Arts Page, we follow ArtWorks interns as they use murals to beautify the city's storm drains and draw attention to freshwater management. (2023)Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailIn this edition of Adelante! State Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, discussing key legislation for Dreamers; Donna Spars from the League of Women Voters on Unite and Rise 8.5; and ceramic artist Tony Macías.En esta edición de Adelante! La Representante Estatal Sylvia Ortiz-Velez quien habla sobre una legislación clave para los Dreamers. Donna Spars de la Liga de Mujeres Votantes y Unite and Rise 8.5. El y el artista de la cerámica Tony Macías.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailWhat do glass art, corn, and genetic modification have in common? Artist Mick Meilahn explores the intersection of science, agriculture, and creativity in this thought-provoking piece from The Arts Page archives (2023).Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailWe remember three influential members of our community: Dr. William Finlayson, activist Lucille Berrien, and artist Muneer Bahauddeen, whose legacies continue to inspire future generations.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of Black Nouveau, we preview upcoming Juneteenth celebrationsFind more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailWe examine the rising number of suicides within the LGBTQ+ community during Pride MonthFind more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailRosie Phillips was feeling unsatisfied with day her job. She wanted to do something more hands on. To fill that role she learned how to make art using neon glass.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailIn this show special, we present coverage of the May Day mobilization led by Voces de la Frontera. In this episode, we take a look at the role of labor unions and the Voces de la Frontera team as they face a situation threatening the stability of thousands of families and key sectors of our economy.Voces de la Frontera has become a pillar in the defense of immigrant workers' rights and their families. We speak with the team working to achieve the organization's goals in an ever-changing landscape.En ese programa especial presentamos una cobertura de la movilización del Primero de Mayo dirigida por Voces de la Frontera. En este episodio, una mirada al papel de los sindicatos y al equipo de trabajo de Voces de la Frontera ante un escenario que afecta la estabilidad de miles de familias y sectores clave de nuestra economía. Voces de la Frontera se ha desarrollado como un pilar en la defensa de los derechos de los trabajadores inmigrantes y sus familias. Conversamos con el equipo que trabaja para alcanzar las metas de la organización frente a un escenario en cambio constante.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailArtist Salem Indie likes to keep themselves busy. Between running 2 small businesses, they make time to volunteer at an area animal sanctuary.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailSelf taught artist Alexis Rivera Luna gives us a tour of her cozy indoor/outdoor home studio.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailInterdisciplinary artist Jason S. Yi gives us a tour of his art studio inside this redeveloped industrial factory.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailThis week Amber Thomas of "A Brush Box," gives us a tour of her Milwaukee studio, a converted living room filled with materials of all shapes, sizes, and colors.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailReynaldo Hernandez was born and raised on the South Side of Milwaukee. As a child he loved to draw and would doodle all the time. One of his earliest creations was the mascot for his middle school, the Walker Wildcat. Realizing his talent, Reynaldo was encouraged by his teachers and parents to pursue art. He did and went on to have a long and prosperous career in the arts.In the late 70's he started doing murals. At that time public murals were not very common. His first public mural was on the side of a liquor store on the North Side of Milwaukee. "People were like, 'Why are you doing that? They're just gonna mess it up,'" Reynaldo said referring to street taggers. But Reynaldo wasn't deterred and continued making murals. In the early 90's he created one of Milwaukee's most iconic murals, The Mural of Peace. Located on 6th and National in Walker's Point, The Mural of Peace has stood the test of time...mostly. "There was a real bad wind storm in the early 2000's that knocked all the panels off so I had to re-do it," Reynaldo told us. The mural is painted on over 280 individual panels and attached to the wall. A logistical feat almost as impressive as it's message. The Mural of Peace represents a world that is united. One that celebrates all the different cultures that make us unique. It represents a community that respects one another's heritage and champions equality. We are lucky to have such a magnificent work of art in our city and we are lucky to have Reynaldo Hernandez.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailThe Bronzeville Center for the Arts and Sculpture Milwaukee partner together to bring public art to Bronzeville. What will certainly be the first of many partnerships, the installation showcases work by celebrated artist Martine Syms.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailAt the Jewish Museum Milwaukee this exhibition explores diversity within Judaism and challenges what information you can trust from the internet.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailProfessional and amateur artists, schools and community groups turn this iconic candy into works of art at RAM PEEPS® Brand Art Exhibition 2026.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailArtists often say they make art as a means to escape. In stained glass artist Allie Fritsch's case, it was literally an escape. Late in high school she didn't want to take another science or a math class so she elected to take a stained glass art class. She fell in love with the medium. After high school Allie went to college and had to take an extended break from stained glass to focus on her education.Then the pandemic hit and, like the rest of us, she had more time than ever. Allie started working with stained glass again. She rediscovered her passion for it and her imagination started running wild. Allie now runs a small business called coolAFglass. She makes small pieces, big pieces, simple pieces, complex pieces, personal pieces, and commissioned pieces. She can be found at a lot of the art markets and craft fairs around town. "When people think of stained glass they think of church windows. I want them to imagine something else entirely," Allie says. A lot of her work is inspired by Milwaukee. Her pride for her hometown is on full display along with her beautiful, sparkling art.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Arts Page, we explore the intersection of movement, identity, and expression. Dancer, Choreographer and Creative Director Richard Buda Brasfield learned to dance because he needed an escape. That escape led to a passion for dance and performance art. As the owner of a dance company for many years Buda, as he is known by, started by creating a story. The main themes of those stories were often acceptance, representation and resilience.Those themes were at the forefront of a show Buda was recently featured in called Care: Illuminating Milwaukee's Queer and Trans Communities. Together with the UWM Peck School of The Arts and renowned American choreographer, writer, director, and filmmaker David Roussève they created a show made by and for the Milwaukee BIPOC LGBTQ+ community. The show featured a Ballroom performance. Ballroom culture is a subsection of the Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ communities. Buda, David and everyone involved in the Care project wanted people to experience Ballroom culture and celebrate it's positive aspects such as self-expression, familial bonding, and escaping discrimination through performance, fashion, and dance.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailJames Causey sits down with Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius for an extended conversation about the future of MPS.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailFormer Wisconsin Poet Laureate Dasha Kelly Hamilton returns home to discuss her latest projects, including “A Line Meant” and “Makin’ Cake”Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailVisit the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay to explore the history and legacy of Pullman Porters and America’s first Black labor union.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailCelebrate nearly 100 students at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee’s 13th annual College Signing Day.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailAlthough immigrants contribute $23 billion annually to Wisconsin's economy, the community faces unprecedented political hostility. To address this urgent situation, Christine Neumann-Ortiz, director of Voices of the Border, details the mobilization strategy for this May Day and the plan to consolidate community power.Aunque los inmigrantes aportan $23 mil millones anuales a la economía de Wisconsin, la comunidad enfrenta una hostilidad política sin precedentes. Para abordar esta urgencia, Christine Neumann-Ortiz, directora de Voces de la Frontera, nos detalla la estrategia de movilización para este Primero de Mayo y el plan para consolidar el poder comunitario.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailLocal organizing and activism are key to change. We welcome Jean Grow from Indivisible Milwaukee, who has joined the community front to discuss transparency and justice in our city through immigrant rights initiatives.La organización y el activismo local son claves para el cambio. Recibimos a Jean Grow de Indivisible Milwaukee, quien se ha unido al frente comunitario para discutir la transparencia y la justicia en nuestra ciudad a través de iniciativas por los derechos de los inmigrantes.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailBlack Nouveau sits down with poet and community activist Kwabena Antoine Nixon to discuss his new book, “Dear Black Boy, Futures Not Funerals.”Ty Williams, Black Lens Programmer for Milwaukee Film, highlights films featured in the 18th Annual Festival.This year marks the 40th anniversary of Vivent Health and the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin. "Black Nouveau" profiles the organization, a Milwaukee-based provider on the front lines of the fight against HIV.Wilbur and Ardie Halyard are featured in Milwaukee’s “Movers and Shakers” digital series, where we share part of their story.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailWe begin with an analysis of immigration policy in Washington. Vanessa Cárdenas, executive director of America’s Voice, joins us to understand how the current political climate directly affects our Latino families, as she continues her work advocating for immigrant rights.Iniciamos con un análisis sobre la política migratoria en Washington. Nos acompaña Vanessa Cárdenas, directora ejecutiva deAmerica’s Voice, para entender cómo el clima político actual afecta directamente a nuestras familias latinas. Mientras sigue su labor de defensa de los derechos de los inmigrantes.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailAs a Norwegian immigrant, sailing ran deep in Ole Evinrude’s blood. Maybe it’s no surprise then that he would go on to invent the outboard motor as we know it today. Testing his breakthrough design on the rivers and lakes of Wisconsin, Evinrude’s ingenuity set the stage for a lasting legacy in boating. His son would later build on that foundation, taking the company to new heights and cementing the Evinrude name in American innovation.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailGrowing up in Shorewood, William Rehnquist once told his grade school teacher that he was “going to change the government.” His influential tenure on the U.S. Supreme Court helped shape the direction of the country for generations, sometimes controversially, yet those who knew him say he remained humble, never shedding the connection to his Midwest roots. Discover the story of a local kid who rose to one of the most powerful roles in American government.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailTony Macias has been a long time resident at the House of RAD. The House of RAD, which has been in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood since it's inception, is in the process of moving to a new, bigger location in the Menomonee River Valley. They have doubled the space of the original location and, consequently, Tony has doubled the space of his studio, Looking Wolf Studios. This has allowed Tony to start teaching classes to help others realize the joy of ceramics. He believes that ceramics have power to communicate ideas and concepts the same way paintings or sculpture can. A vase or a plate, done the right way, can be just as emotionally moving as more traditional forms of art.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailBLACK NOUVEAU reminds viewers about their rights for the upcoming Spring Election. We also feature poetry by Jonah Denae, and preview the Milwaukee Rep's "Ain't Misbehavin'." And, a profile of Rev. Joseph Ellwanger, a Lutheran minister minister who worked with Dr. Martin Luther King during the Civil Rights Movement before coming to Milwaukee.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailDonzaleigh Abernathy, daughter of Rev. Dr. Ralph Abernathy and goddaughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., talks about her experiences growing up in the Civil Rights MovementFind more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailWho were those who were helping freedom seekers travel through Wisconsin on the Underground Railroad? What were their motivations and why they were willing to risk violating federal law to do it?Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailExplore the story of Joshua Glover, and learn how with the help of the citizens of Wisconsin he was broken out of jail and escaped to freedom in Canada.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailDiscover the history of Caroline Quarlls, the first documented freedom seeker to travel through the state of Wisconsin, as told by her great, great, great granddaughter.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailPete Klockau is a cartoonist, illustrator, and life long collector. He loves vintage toys, classic horror movies, and vinyl records. Several years ago Pete and his wife developed a fondness for tiki bars. The ambience and aesthetic of these establishments captivated both of them.  Tiki bars offered an experience that transported them to a different world and a different time.Together they started collecting tiki mugs and tiki decor with the goal of opening their own bar. The timing of the endeavor did not pan out. This was in late 2019 just before the coronavirus pandemic. They never opened that bar but it was not all for nothing. For the grand opening of the bygone bar, Pete used his illustrations skills to design a signature tiki mug to raise funds for the opening. Even though their business plans didn't come to fruition, Pete's tiki mug was a huge success.Demand soared for Pete's mug, The Creature From The Crab Rangoon, a delightful little one-eyed, tentacled monster in a Chinese takeout box. "My brain works in puns." Pete says. Pete has gone on to create several different mugs usually with a classic horror movie slant but always with a fun-filled title. The Black Lagoon Room is the name of Pete's studio and it's where vintage inspiration meets modern execution. The Black Lagoon Room has developed a strong following. Pete and his wife travel to over 15 tiki and horror conventions a year and return each time with very little merchandise. Pete says, "To know that it resonates so much with people makes me feel so GOOD. I couldn't do it without their support."Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailLearn the history of the Fugitive Slave Act, the law that would change what slavery looked like and how the bill empowered an anti-slavery movement in Wisconsin.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailIn the wake of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, freedom seekers began fleeing North, following Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers through the state into Canada to safety. Join Milwaukee PBS as we explore National Historic Landmarks, hear accounts of what empowered those who fled to escape and uncover what still remains of Wisconsin’s role in The Underground Railroad.Thank you to the assistance of the following partners:Wisconsin Historical SocietyCivil War Museum, KenoshaMilwaukee County Historical SocietyMilton House MuseumRacine Heritage MuseumWisconsin Black Historical SocietyUW-Milwaukee Old World WisconsinWaukesha Historical SocietyFirst Presbyterian Church of RacineFind more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailWilbur and Ardie Halyard founded Columbia Savings and Loan, Wisconsin’s first Black-owned bank, to help Black families access credit and buy homes in segregated Milwaukee. Beyond their groundbreaking work in finance, the Halyards were deeply involved in community activism, including revitalizing local chapters of the NAACP. Their legacy lives on today through the streets that bear their names and through Halyard Park, the Bronzeville neighborhood shaped by their commitment to a more just and equitable city.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailNeto Atkinson, a bilingual Art Therapist and Professional Counselor,uses the creative process for healing and self-discovery, focusingon building cultural bridges in Milwaukee. Today, he will discuss his artistic philosophy, his new space, the "Catacombs of Neto" gallery, and his vision of art as medicine. This story is a production with Adam Lilley, director of The Arts Page on Milwaukee PBS.Neto Atkinson, Arteterapeuta bilingüe y Consejero Profesional, usa elproceso creativo para la sanación y el autodescubrimiento, enfocándoseen construir puentes culturales en Milwaukee. Hoy, discutirá su filosofíaartística, su nuevo espacio la galeria "Catacumbas de Neto" y su visióndel arte como medicina.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailThree conversations on Adelante! Greisa Martínez-Rosas (United We Dream) on immigration justice; Luis Noe-Bustamante (Pew Research Center) analyzing Latino opinion on Donald Trump; and activist Kayla Kuo from Milwaukee Anti-War on peace activism.Hoy en ¡Adelante!, tres conversaciones: Greisa Martínez-Rosas (United We Dream) sobre la justicia inmigratoria;  Luis Noe-Bustamante (Pew Research Center) analizando la opinión latina sobre Donald Trump; y la activista Kayla Kuo de Milwaukee Anti-War sobre el activismo por la paz.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailEdna Ferber, the Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist who grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin, sharpened her storytelling skills as a reporter for the Milwaukee Journal. From her Midwest roots to the Hollywood adaptations of her bestselling books — including the iconic “Showboat” — we explore how Ferber’s sharp wit, bold characters and sweeping narratives made her one of America’s most celebrated literary voices.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailBlack Nouveau  speaks with Element Everest-Blanks, Amplifier in Residence at the Marcus Performing Arts Center.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailStep inside The Catacombs of Neto, a bilingual art museum in the heart of Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. Guatemalan-born artist and art therapist Neto Atkinson talks about his vision for a space where art is accessible to all. Neto uses the creative process as a tool for healing and self-discovery. He transforms ideas big and small into vibrant, soulful masterpieces that invite personal introspection and thoughtful conversation.For Neto every masterpiece begins as "the not yet language of an idea"—thoughts that you have or emotions that you feel that you can't put into words. In this segment of The Arts Page we learn how Neto uses art to cope with  those moments to better understand yourself and others. He aims to end the stigma of those suffering from mental health issues and seeks to create a "more colorful society" starting right here in Milwaukee.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailJimmy Banks discovered the game of soccer while growing up in the Westlawn Housing Project and soon became an All-American player at Custer High School. He then went on to play for the U.S. national team in the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. But he's most remembered for returning home to grow the game in Milwaukee's Black neighborhoods and for all he did off the field.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream

Send us Fan MailCharlotte Partridge and Miriam Frink have been called the “matriarchs of Milwaukee modernism.” The two visionaries founded the Layton School of Art, which would eventually become the spiritual predecessor of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. Their bold ideas left an indelible mark on the city’s creative landscape — even after the women were coerced to step away from the very institution they built. Their legacy, however, proved far more resilient than the forces that tried to diminish it.Find more programs at https://www.milwaukeepbs.org/stream