December 2024
December 2nd, 2024
Winter is just around the corner, and even though we all likely want to slow down and hibernate, it is often the busiest time for many of us. We're wrapping up our previous year of programming and moving into planning and preparing for the upcoming spring and summer seasons.
Once the weather starts to warm the WaterMarks team is planning to begin to install multiple new markers, as well as host walks with our Neighborhood Project teams in both the West Basin and Sherman Park neighborhoods.
Staff Spotlight: Meet our research team!
These five people have been integral to the success of the WaterMarks project under the NSF grant, and they work tirelessly to ensure that we collect important data throughout the various aspects of our programming.
Jessica Meuninck-Ganger (she/her/hers)
ARTIST & EDUCATOR
What is your role in WaterMarks?
"I am a member of the Core Research Team and the larger WaterMarks Project Team. I serve as a liaison between the Research Team and Walk Leaders and join planning and follow-up meetings with Neighborhood Associations and Project Teams. Along with members of our engagement team, I often represent WaterMarks/CALL by attending and tabling at a variety of events including markets, festivals, performances, and neighborhood meetings."
How did you get involved with WaterMarks, and what work do you do for the project?
"My initial participation included leading a walk followed by several workshops in the KK River Neighborhood. Since the walk, I have maintained ongoing engagement with the KK neighborhood through environmental activism and volunteerism in tandem, with my role in the WM project."
What are your hopes for the future of WaterMarks?
"As each marker begins as a pin, it represents a location, a destination of activity, a visual representation of the values of a Community. I hope the markers will continue to form a larger map, a vibrant network of unique routes toward a unified effort. I hope WaterMarks will continue to support neighbors in Milwaukee (and beyond) in growing art + science collaborations focused on water issues, environmental stewardship, and fun!"
Ryan Holifield (he/him/his)
PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR
What is your role in WaterMarks?
"I am the Principal Investigator (PI) for the NSF grant and a leader of the research team. I have provided support for neighborhood project teams in the KK River neighborhood and Sherman Park. I am a member of the Community University Working Group (CUWG) as well as the WaterMarks Advisory Board, and I also served on former committees within the WaterMarks project, such as the Expansion Committee and the ACE committee when they were still active."
How did you get involved with WaterMarks, and what work do you do for the project?
"In 2018, I was invited to be part of the team that applied for the initial NSF grant, and I served as PI for the initial proposal, which was unsuccessful. Fortunately, when we reapplied in January 2021 with a second proposal it was successful, and it is the grant the project is under today. I have been involved with just about every aspect of WaterMarks."
What are your hopes for the future of WaterMarks?
"I'm hopeful that it can be a permanent program, guided by a partnership between neighborhoods and city institutions; I'm hopeful that it can grow and expand to encompass more of Milwaukee's neighborhoods, connecting more residents, artists, and organizations with each other and preserving its commitment to equity and inclusion. I'm hopeful that it will become well-known to and widely appreciated by both residents and visitors to Milwaukee. I'm hopeful that it can preserve its core mission and vision while expanding beyond visual arts to encompass other forms of art and performance. I'm hopeful that it will become a widely recognized model for how to bring artists, scientists, and community members together to foster mutual learning about water and the urban environment."
Deidre Peroff (she/her/hers)
SOCIAL SCIENCE OUTREACH SPECIALIST
What is your role in WaterMarks?
"I am a member of the National Science Foundation (NSF) research team and the Adaptable Model Guide team."
How did you get involved with WaterMarks, and what work do you do for the project?
"I first met Mary Miss at a Design Charrette probably eight years ago hosted by the Harbor District to transform the end of Greenfield Ave into a welcoming, inclusive space and better connect it to the water. Shortly after that, I participated in some initial meetings about WaterMarks and what it could mean for the city of Milwaukee to have a way to educate the public about water issues through art and engagement. Intrigued by this concept, I helped write two NSF grants and have been working with the team since."
What are your hopes for the future of WaterMarks?
"I hope we’re able to continue engaging Milwaukee’s neighborhoods through art and education about environmental issues and opportunities in the city. I appreciate that WaterMarks works to empower residents to share the good work going on in their communities and has the potential to bring neighbors together to work towards collective buy-in and positive change lead by communities."
Dulmini Jayawardana (she/her/hers)
GRADUATE ASSISTANT
What is your role in WaterMarks?
"Graduate research assistant"
How did you get involved with WaterMarks, and what work do you do for the project?
"I joined as a graduate research assistant under the NSF grant through my PhD supervisor Dr. Holifield who is one of the PIs of the grant. I am part of the research team and work as a graduate research assistant. I perform a variety of tasks for the research and evaluation teams, including maintaining and organizing materials, developing research plans and agendas for meetings, and setting up the logistics for focus groups and other research activities. I also do my PhD research with WaterMarks as one of my community partners. One of the projects I did was a Photovoice project with the community members of the Lindsay Heights neighborhood that explored aspects of environmental stewardship through photography and storytelling."
What are your hopes for the future of WaterMarks?
"I hope that WaterMarks will spread widely across Milwaukee and there will be more community buy in to engage with and sustain the WaterMarks programming and values. "
Woonsup Choi (he/him/his)
CO-PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR
What is your role in WaterMarks?
"co-principal investigator"
How did you get involved with WaterMarks, and what work do you do for the project?
"I was invited to WaterMarks by Ryan when the successful NSF proposal was in the late stage. I endeavor to understand how people understand the environment via informal and artistic activities."
What are your hopes for the future of WaterMarks?
"more funding!"
Images all sourced from our website or with permission from the owner.
Featured WaterMarks content was completed by Corrigan Eckert.
Partner Events
WaterMarks isn't building an atlas of water alone.
We work with countless organizations and individuals on this endeavor. WaterMarks Community-University Working Group is a collective of residents, artists, community-based institutions, and researchers who assemble to guide the future of water in Milwaukee.
Here are some upcoming events that our partners are hosting:
Santa Cycle Rampage
The World’s Largest Holiday themed costume bike ride for charity! A 12 mile slow rolling holiday party on wheels. Join over 1500 fellow Santas, Mrs. Claus, reindeer, grinch, snowmen, elves, and more.
Location: Wisconsin Bike Fed office, 187 E Becher St, Milwaukee, WI
Date/Time: December 7, 2024 / 9:00AM - 11:00AM
Hopkins Hollow Helper Days
Nearby Nature is hosting Hopkins Hollow Helper Days to help maintain the demonstration trail along Lincoln Creek and learn about the ecology of our urban habitat in this area.
Location: 4350 N. 35th St (at W. Congress St) Milwaukee, WI
Date/Time: December 7th & 8th, 2024 / 10:00am - 12:00pm
NWSCDC's Business Apex Session
Business owners and entrepreneurs, mark your December calendars for the final MKE Business Apex Session of 2024! The December 9th session will be hosted by The Corridor and explore the topic of succession planning, with a presentation by Ryan Kauth from Wisconsin Center for Employee Ownership. Networking and dinner is from 5:30-6pm with the session happening from 6-7:30pm.
Location: St Century City Tower 1st Floor - 4201 North 27th St, Milwaukee, WI
Date/Time: December 9th / 5:30PM - 7:30pm
Questions can be directed to NWSCDC Operations Manager, Ebony Johnson at ejohnson@nwscdc.org
Winter Solstice Celebration Adventure and Exploration Day at Riveredge
Celebrate the Winter Solstice at Riveredge! Awaken your curiosity, engage your body, and explore the beautifully restored Riveredge landscape through self-guided and educator-led activities. Winter Solstice Celebration: Adventure and Exploration Day at Riveredge is designed for folks of all ages to get active outdoors and discover a variety of ways to enjoy nature. Adventure awaits!
Location: 4458 County Hwy Y Saukville, WI 53080
Date/Time: December 21, 2024 / 10:00AM - 8:00PM
Support Local Entrepreneurs
As the winter holidays approach, consider supporting local artists and entrepreneurs!
Here are some upcoming markets that you should check out:
Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market
Fondy's Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market exists to support local producers and to help our community eat local longer. Agricultural vendors offer high quality fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, poultry and dairy products. SNAP benefits are accepted at the market. Local food vendors also bring a wide variety of freshly baked goods, jams, cider, honey, maple syrup, sauces and soups, as well as delicious global cuisine. The market also offers health and wellness, and body products, such as soaps, body creams, and more.
Location: The Table, 5305 W. Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53216
Date/Time: Saturdays, November 9, 2024 - April 19, 2025 (no market on December 28th) / 9:00AM to 2:00PM
Cultural Holiday Market
Join us at the Sherman Phoenix for a week of our first cultural market featuring Djenne Collection from Chicago. Invited Milwaukee-area makers will also be present for your holiday gift-shopping or just to pick up some treasures for your self. You will also be able to support the shops located inside of the Sherman Phoenix.
Location: 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave, Suite 103, Milwaukee, WI
Date/Time: December 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th / 11:00AM to 7:00PM
If you would like to see something included in our next newsletter, please send a request to: watermarksmke@gmail.com
with the subject line "Future Newsletter Content"
November 2024
A newsletter reflecting on our walk at Grasslyn Manor
November 1st, 2024
Come Celebrate With Us!
WaterMarks Day!
November 12th, 2024
11:00am-2:00pm
Lindsay Heights [North 15th Street & West North Avenue]
Join us in celebrating the induction of a WaterMarker in Lindsay Heights! This season has been full of installations of WaterMarkers across the city, and we are gathering together to celebrate this achievement and our community connections. We will have a few speakers starting at 11am, including Milwaukee's Mayor, Cavalier Johnson.
As our celebration is winding down, stick around for the Resource Fair that the neighbors of Lindsay Heights are hosting!
Last month... was very busy for our staff and neighbors here at WaterMarks. We appreciated the opportunities to build community and engage in lively discussions and story sharing throughout the city. One of our biggest events was a walk we hosted in Grasslyn Manor, which is a neighborhood nestled inside of the broader Sherman Park neighborhood. During our walk we engaged in many important conversations about infrastructure, storm drain clean-up, and the history of the landscape.
Meet Our Neighbor: Steve O'Connell and his work with Grasslyn Manor
“Water is everywhere in Sherman Park. Seems that many people talk about water in their basements, in their yards, and flowing down their alleys and streets. In our particular neighborhood many of my neighbors suffer from wet basements and soggy backyards all the time. We have been trying to address this issue for the last 15 years or so, more so since Capitol Court was removed. We have received grants to address some of the problems, but the water just keeps coming.”
Steve (as seen in the photo below) is a leader for the Grasslyn Manor Block Association and acted as representative and neighborhood expert during our walk. Through his dedication to community care and connection, Steve seems to know every person in the neighborhood. He is quick to share the stories of flooding and hardships that his neighbors have experienced, including the rampant issue of reckless driving that unfortunately impacts his community.He has been an integral part of fundraising for reckless driving awareness campaigns and has been interviewed by multiple Milwaukee news sites, which has brought further awareness to this issue.
As a member of the Sherman Park Eco Ambassadors, he became interested in how the WaterMarks project might work with their project and the Grasslyn Manor neighborhood. His hope has been that WaterMarks could be another way to keep neighbors engaged in trying to address these issues while joining a network of other engaged residents in Milwaukee. “It's all about learning from others and joining our efforts with others.” As a resident leader, Steve works with Greenprint Partners, where they join efforts to help manage the water that flows underneath the neighborhood.
Steve has lived in Grasslyn manor for 38 years, and he has been the resident leader (formerly known as the Block Capt) for about 36 years. He was on the Sherman Park Community Association (SPCA) board for many years as well as the ED for 6 years. He has worked with older adults at the Sherman Park Gathering Place which he helped start when he was at SPCA. They now drop off food for the week on Wednesdays for those who cannot drive or who don't have family around to assist them. He is also an Eco Ambassador with Lauren Poppen representing Grasslyn Manor. He is also a big advocate for voting, “Oh yes, I have worked at the polls since George Bush Sr. was elected. It is one of my passions--encouraging and making sure that folks can vote and are proud to take an active role in our democracy.”
With his previous success in this area, we are confident that he will help support our efforts in his community, and ensure that his neighbors' voices are heard.
Grasslyn Manor Walk Leaders
Scientist: Michael Timm (he/him)
Michael is a writer, editor, researcher, and designer who manages the Milwaukee Water Stories program for the nonprofit Reflo.
When City as Living Laboratory (CALL) came to town almost a decade ago, they were looking for place-based digital content and experience designer to connect and activate, the then-proposed, network of WaterMarkers. CALL connected with Reflo and Michael with the goal to reveal hidden water stories in a fun and motivating way. Michael subsequently supported WaterMarks' Voices initiative, which involved interviewing dozens of local partners throughout the pandemic and after.
Over the past year as part of his work with WaterMarks, he has attended "Build the Ark" meetings in Milwaukee's Grasslyn Manor neighborhood to help document the residents' story of advocating for action to reduce the risk of flooded basements. His research into the history of the area and its underground infrastructure informed the walk he co-led with artist Debbie Sajnani on October 12, 2024.
Artist: Debbie Sajnani (they/them)
Debbie is the artist that was selected through an artists open-call by the Sherman Park neighborhood for the WaterMarks funded public artwork. Their role in this project is to bring their creative perspective and help facilitate discussions between the community and our science experts. Ultimately, they will use their walk experiences, discussions, and maps as inspiration to create an art piece in the spring. They center their practice in creating artwork that celebrates diversity and promotes inclusivity. Through creating colorful and dynamic illustrations, they capture their own cultural intersections and identities.
The activity that Debbie brought to the walk at Grasslyn Manor was to take portrait photos of the participants using a polaroid camera. Those of us that got a photo taken by Debbie got to experience their bright and positive personality.
We look forward to seeing what Debbie learns about the Grasslyn Manor neighborhood, and what artwork comes out of their experiences with the community.
Some images of our time together.
Taken by our walk leader and artist, Debbie.
Partner Events
WaterMarks isn't building an atlas of water alone.
We work with countless organizations and individuals on this endeavor. WaterMarks Community-University Working Group is a collective of residents, artists, community-based institutions, and researchers who assemble to guide the future of water in Milwaukee.
Here are some upcoming events that our partners are hosting:
ANNUAL FETE GHEDE RIDE & ANCESTOR CELEBRATION
Join the Lindsay Heights neighborhood for a community bike ride and celebration. The celebration will include prayers and leaving flowers at street memorials throughout the area. The ride is 5 miles and at the end there will be food, drink, music, entertainment, and dancing. All are welcome!
Location: 1743 N 33rd St / Milwaukee, WI 53208
Date/Time: November 2nd / 10:00am - 1:00pm
MAKER FAIRE
Come to this free event at Discovery world! It has been described as "part science fair and part county fair." A family-friendly festival that showcases the intersection of 21st-century technology and skills with education, science, arts, crafts, sustainability, and more. Meet educators, civic leaders, entrepreneurs, and others who want Milwaukee to be a Maker City.
Location: Discovery World 500 North Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Dates: November 2nd & 3rd / 9:00am -3:00pm each day
COLLAB LAB 64: PLACE BASED ENGAGEMENT
Come see us at our table at Harbor fest, which is made possible by the Harbor District, Riveredge, and UWM's School of Freshwater Sciences. We will be celebrating the beautiful inner harbor of Milwaukee and Riveredge will be releasing baby sturgeon!
Location: 600 E. Greenfield Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Date/Time: September 29 / 11:00am - 3:00pm
If you would like to see something included in our next newsletter, please send a request to: watermarksmke@gmail.com
with the subject line "Future Newsletter Content"
Autumn 2024
A newsletter all about CUWG and what they do for WaterMarks
October 10th, 2024
Fall is here, and at WaterMarks, we have been making a lot of progress on the installation of WaterMarkers, as well as growing our outreach programs. We are hopeful that in the next couple of months we will continue to strengthen our connections with many partners and make plans for exciting future events.
If you are new to receiving our newsletters, welcome! In this space we like to share what we have been up to, future events, and highlight some of our neighborhood partners. If there are specific updates you would like to see, please reach out and we will see what we can do
WaterMarks Walk
Grasslyn Manor Community Walk
Date: October 12th, 2024
Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Location: Albright United Methodist Church
5555 W Capitol Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53216
Community-University Working Group
Amplifying CUWG Members Voices:
WaterMarks provides a meeting place for Milwaukee's artists, residents, and scientists. We would like to highlight some of the community voices that contributed to its development.
Sarah Gail Luther
Sarah Gail Luther is a modern ‘Flower Child’ and practicing Milwaukee-based artist documenting and exploring the familiar, average, or forgotten. She identifies overlap in her practice between being an artist, present in nature, and a thoughtful human being. Public projects include Milwaukee: Spaces To Places, The Hank Aaron Trail Exchange, Three Bridges Park, My Grandma is a Living Legend, and Portrait Booth. Her work is interconnected with community involvement and care, creating exhibits that provide and relate to their sites.
For WaterMarks, Sarah developed artistic street signage welcoming people to Harbor View Plaza along E. Greenfield Avenue.
Travis Hope
KK River
Travis Hope created funky benches inspired by his own children’s designs to be placed in Pulaski Park in a community effort to renovate it. He found his appreciation for the river by getting involved in a river clean-up. After participating in several other community activities he became an active member of the KK River Neighbors in Action.
Maria Beltran
Lindsay Heights
Maria Beltran is a proud home-owning resident of Milwaukee’s Lindsay Heights neighborhood, and is active in efforts to improve the community. Maria participates in the health and wellness challenge, the Neighborhood Improvement District (NID), as well as the city’s lead abatement program, and opens her home to community gatherings.
“I love my house and I don’t want to leave from it. Because it’s a family house. It’s somewhere where everyone gathers, even neighbors.”
WaterMarks Staff Spotlight
Ellie Jackson (she/her/hers)
PROJECT MANAGER, Community-University Working Group (CUWG)
What is your role in WaterMarks?
WaterMarks Project Manager. I work to make sure that WaterMarks is rooted in Milwaukee so that it’s an accessible and long-lasting project by working with CUWG members throughout the year and co-creating an Adaptable Model Guide so this project can inspire other informal science learning projects in other cities.
What about CUWG makes you the most excited?
I’m always excited about the ideas and brainstorming that happens at CUWG meetings. Each conversation is different, but always really helpful for making sure that WaterMarks is successful for Milwaukee.
What do you hope the future of CUWG looks like?
I hope that the relationships that have been growing between CUWG members are long lasting, and I hope that CUWG becomes more central in decision making for WaterMarks moving forward.
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Outside of WaterMarks, Ellie is a practicing singer, songwriter, and musician in multiple bands, including a solo project. She is also a part owner of Kuumba Juice and Coffee. Which is a local coffee shop, that serves as a community gathering space near the Beerline Trail.
Their mission is: "To always do as much as we can, in the way we can, to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it."
They are open Wednesdays through Sundays, go check them out and try their healthy juices or a hot chai!
Check out Ellie's Instagram and Kuumba's website at the buttons listed below!
Laurie Marks (she/her/hers)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of the Center of Student Experience and Talent (SET)
What is your role in WaterMarks?
My role in the WaterMarks Project is to be a champion of the CUWG side of the work. Also, my role as a UWM employee is to support community engaged faculty on their projects, so part of what I do is engage with Woonsup, Ryan, and Jessica as they see fit.
What about CUWG makes you the most excited?
The thing that is most exciting about WaterMarks and CUWG, is that the markers are starting to pop up around the city. When I drive by them I feel a sense of excitement and take the opportunity to tell anyone around me who will listen about the art and markers and purpose of the project. This past weekend I met a retired school teacher from the UCC school and we talked about the 'A' marker at Acosta, and she remembered it but wasn't sure what it was for, so it was a cool moment to chat about the first marker.
What do you hope the future of CUWG looks like?
From a practical perspective I hope CUWG becomes part of the fabric of understanding of water conservation during storms in Milwaukee, but more broadly, my hope is that WaterMarks helps to better connect myself and all others who grew up here in a more intimate way to the water around us. Lifelong Milwaukeeans might have been raised with the idea that the lake and the rivers were viewed as barriers, or dangerous, or borders. What I hope is that WaterMarks helps us to see the water around us as part of what defines Milwaukee's beauty and a critical part of our natural resources to be honored. I hope as part of this shift all kids are given a chance to explore the water more, from the shore and on boats on the lake.
Partner Events
WaterMarks isn't building an atlas of water alone.
We work with countless organizations and individuals on this endeavor. WaterMarks Community-University Working Group is a collective of residents, artists, community-based institutions, and researchers who assemble to guide the future of water in Milwaukee.
Here are some upcoming events that our partners are hosting:
FALL PUMPKIN FEST
Join NWSCDC for an annual fall celebration at the MMSD West Basin with free pumpkins, music, kids' games, coloring, chalk, and other activities! Bring your family to the pop-up pumpkin patch and learn more about MMSD's proposed stormwater basin project!
They have run out of pumpkins in past years, so they have decided to limit pumpkins to a maximum of three per family so they can serve more people. Pumpkins will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until they run out. Children must be present in order to receive a pumpkin. Learn More!
Location: MMSD West Basin
4350 North 35th StreetMilwaukee, WI, 53216
Date/Time: October 11th / 3:30pm-6:30pm
THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCARE
We hope to see you at the Environmental Scare! Halloween celebration, hosted by Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, and KK River Neighbors in Action in collaboration with City of Milwaukee NIDC.They encourage you to dress up in your Halloween costumes and come to Pulaski Park to safely trick-or-treat at local groups' decorated tables! There will be free pumpkins, hot chocolate, and sweet bread!
Location: Pulaski-Milwaukee Park, Pavilion, 2677 S. 16th St., Milwaukee, WI 53215
Date/Time: October 19th/ 11:00am-1:00pm
DATA DAY
Data Day is an annual event, hosted by Data You Can Use, which provides an opportunity for leaders from neighborhoods, nonprofits, universities, the public sector, and beyond to better understand what data is available, the implications of data on community revitalization, and how to increase connections between research and practice. This year’s theme is Measures and Movements: Using Data to Spark Change. We hope you can join us! Learn More!
Location: Italian Community Center, Inc., 631 E Chicago St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Date/Time: October 23rd/ 8:30am-4:00pm
Farm/Art DTour October 5th - 14th
Join Wormfarm Institute for a free self-guided excursion through 50 miles of scenic farmland in rural Sauk County, Wisconsin, punctuated by site-responsive artworks, pasture performances, roadside poetry, local food markets and more. Inviting thousands to appreciate the art of what farmers do everyday, the Farm/Art DTour invites you to come closer to the land that supports us all.
September 2024
Special Update: WaterMarks being Installed
September 5th, 2024
The Autumn Equinox is fast approaching and we have some big events coming at the end of the month that we couldn't wait to share with you!
WaterMarkers Being Installed!
Exciting Update...
After 10 years of the WaterMarks program, we have installed four markers in various locations across the city. Now, we are completing the final steps for the installation of 6 more markers.
This could not have been accomplished without the unwavering support of our Neighborhood Project teams and the many community partner organizations.
The markers are located along Greenfield Avenue at Rockwell (M) and the School of Freshwater Science (S) -- as well as neighborhood markers at Melvina Park (C), Lindsay Heights (L) and along the Beer Line (H). There will also be a downtown Marker (W) to celebrate the overall project along Wisconsin Avenue as part of Sculpture Milwaukee!
We will share more updates as we get closer to the final installations, and we hope to be a part of activation events at these locations in the near future! Once the next 6 markers are installed, we will be hosting an Installation Celebration stay tuned for details!
Community Art Events
WORKING FOR WATER:
WORKING FOR EACHOTHER
Come see Melanie Ariens, Watermarks very first artist, present some of her artworks at the UWM Union Art Gallery. Her art is centered on the concept that water connects us. The exhibition is open from September 3rd to September 27th.
Location: UWM Union Art Gallery, 2200 E Kenwood Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53211
Dates/Times:
Opening Reception: Friday, September 6, 5:00 – 8:00 PM Remarks: 6:00 PM
Artist Talks: Thursday, September 12, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
GO GREEN FOR PARKS
Join the Milwaukee Parks Foundation fundraiser Go Green for Parks and celebrate our beautiful parks and everything they provide us!
As a part of the Go Green for Parksevent, Mikal Floyd-Pruitt will be hosting a special parks edition of his interactive variety show SPLASH!
Location: South Shore Beer Garden, 2900 S Shore Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Date/Time: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Partner Events
WaterMarks isn't building an atlas of water alone.
We work with countless organizations and individuals on this endeavor. WaterMarks Community-University Working Group is a collective of residents, artists, community-based institutions, and researchers who assemble to guide the future of water in Milwaukee.
Here are some upcoming events that our partners are hosting:
WALNUT WAY HARVEST DAY
Join the Lindsay Heights neighborhood at Walnut Way's annual harvest day. They will be gathering at the newly christened Clarence and Cleopatra Johnson Park
Location: Clarence and Cleopatra Johnson Park 1919 W Fond Du Lac Ave Milwaukee, WI 53205
Date/Time:September 21 / 11:00am - 4:00pm
DOORS OPEN MILWAUKEE
Have you ever been curious what lays behind the doors of our city's historic buildings? Well this is your chance to check them out! We also encourage you to use this opportunity to get outside and explore the WaterMarkers that we have already installed! We look forward to seeing you out there!
Location: see list of locations by following the button below!
Dates: September 28-29
HARBOR FEST
Come see us at our table at Harbor fest, which is made possible by the Harbor District, Riveredge, and UWM's School of Freshwater Sciences. We will be celebrating the beautiful inner harbor of Milwaukee and Riveredge will be releasing baby sturgeon!
Location: 600 E. Greenfield Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Date/Time: September 29 / 11:00am - 3:00pm
Summer 2024
Summer 2024 Community Highlight: Sherman Park
August 8th, 2024
This is a very busy Summer!
Over at Sherman Park we have been working alongside a group of neighbors planning multiple locations for future water markers, community walks, art works, and activation events. We are in a pivotal stage of community work where we are getting to know each other and seeking to better understand how we can work together to continue environmental education through the unique lens of community artworks. Sherman Park is a vibrant community that is dedicated to community care and support. In 2021 Sherman Park was named an ECO neighborhood, because of their tireless work to make their neighborhood a safe and healthy place to be.
We're lucky to be able to build on that tireless work and are excited to have WaterMarks in Sherman Park! Read on for more information about Shermans Park events and some community partner highlights.
Community Highlight: Sherman Park
Bus Tours and Earth Day in May
In February, WaterMarks offered a bus tour to show interested Sherman Park residents around our various Water Marker sites, explaining what work has been done in other neighborhoods.
The Bus Tour was created in response to a community request and increased participation on the Sherman Park Neighborhood Project Team, the decision-making body for WaterMarks walks, workshops and other programming.
We're hoping to run more WaterMarks Bus Tours for other neighborhoods in the future!
Sherman Park Community Association invited WaterMarks to table at their Earth Day in May event. We had the great opportunity to introduce everyone to the process of paper making. We used recycled paper pulp, food coloring, and native wildflower seeds.
The seed paper can be planted anywhere an attendee helping to grow native flowers around the neighborhood and around Milwaukee!
You can expect to find fun art projects like paper making at other WaterMarks tabling events. Come say hi!
Amplifying Neighborhood Voices:
WaterMarks provides a meeting place for Milwaukee's artists, residents, and scientists.
We would like to highlight some of the community voices that contributed to its development.
Artist: Jessica Meunick-Ganger
Jessica is an artist on the WaterMarks research team, her prints, time-based, and sculptural works have been exhibited in museums and both experimental and commercial galleries regionally, nationally, and internationally. Jessica earned a BS degree in Art Education from Ball State University and MFA in Studio Arts from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She is currently the Print and Narrative Forms Area Head, Associate Professor, and co-Chair of the Department of Art and Design at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. For WaterMarks, Jessica has conducted numerous printmaking, bookmaking, paper making, and screenprinting activities in and for many neighborhoods, including Sherman Park.
Resident: Esperanza Gutierrez
She believes that setting an example is the first step towards collective climate action, she is an unapologetic climate activist. She recognizes the importance of keeping our water clean, as clean water is a vital element for a healthy environment - and a healthy community. Gutierrez has been an active community member for over ten years! Learn her story and take on her example.
Watch and interview with Esperanza below:
Scientist: Dr. Kristin Beyer
Last November, Kristin worked with WaterMarks in collaboration with KK River Neighbors in Action, on a walk along a stretch of the Kinnickinnic River to discuss how water can positively impact our mental health.
Dr. Beyer is on the faculty in the Division of Epidemiology in the Institute for Health & Equity at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Her current research looks at the impacts of environmental attributes on neighborhoods, such as residential racial segregation as well as how green spaces can have impacts on cancer outcomes. She pays special attention to the ways that stress, time spent outdoors, social interactions, and physical activity are impacted by the presence of green spaces. (Medical College of Wisconsin)
Images all sourced from our website or with permission from the owner.
Featured WaterMarks content was completed by Corrigan Eckert.
WaterMarks Staff Spotlight
Katie Avila Loughmiller:
WaterMarks Project Manager for Programming and Engagement
Katie has been working with the art community in Milwaukee for many years. In 2017, she co-founded an artist collective for Latinx artists in Milwaukee which has grown into a for-profit business, LUNA, LLC. They work to support artists of color by connecting individuals with opportunities as well as educating prospective clients on equitable pay. Katie's deep commitment to community and collaboration, makes her a perfect fit to manage programs and engagement for WaterMarks. We are so excited to see how our efforts will continue to grow under her guidance.
Corrigan Eckert
WaterMarks Graduate Assistant
Corrigan is a current Masters of Fine Arts student at UW-Milwaukee, and a new member of the Milwaukee community. Her art focuses on the many species we share space with. She seeks to create art that aligns with WaterMarks mission of encouraging education and compassion for the environment. In her role with WaterMarks, Corrigan supports community programming and works closely with our NSF and CUWG teams.
Upcoming WaterMarks Events
Back-to-School WaterMarker Community Event
Skate Night
Please join us for a fun night out at the MMSD West Basin! In addition to skating, the Public Arts Working group led by Northwest Side Community Development Corporation (NWSCDC) and Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), will have a survey to select an artist to install a public artwork, which will be paired with a Water Marker in the near future. The survey will also gauge interest in water related issues that will be the topic of conversation for an upcoming community walk led by a local expert and the selected artist.
Date: August 15th, 2024
Time: 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: 4350 North 35th Street (the former Bee Bus Line site)
Back-to-School WaterMarker Community Event
Join us and our partners, Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee Water Commons, and KK River Neighbors in Action, to celebrate and prepare for the beginning of the new school year.
There will be free school supplies and ice cream while supplies lasts! We hope to see you there!
Date: August 31st, 2024
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: At the Ñ Marker, across from Pulaski Park, on South 16th Street & West Harrison Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53204
Partner Events
WaterMarks isn't building an atlas of water alone.
We work with countless organizations and individuals on this endeavor. WaterMarks Community-University Working Group is a collective of residents, artists, community-based institutions, and researchers who assemble to guide the future of water in Milwaukee.
Here are some upcoming events that our partners are hosting:
Regando Raíces: Coexisiting with Community
Join us for a dance performance and workshop, story time by the river, building a piñata, nature themed activities and crafts, environmental education stations, mini-market and local food vendors.
Location: Harbor View Plaza, 600 E Greenfield Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Date/Time: August 10th / 11:00am-3:00pm
We are Water
Join Milwaukee Water Commons at their 10th annual Beachfront Celebration. We Are Water is more than just an event; it is a profound reminder of water's essential role in taking care of us and the recognition of our duty to safeguard its existence. Now more than ever, this connection to one another and the water is needed as we strive to be united as a community.
Location: McKinley Beach 1750 N Lincoln Memorial Drive
Date/Time: August 11th/ 5:00-9:00pm
District 2 Southside National Night Out
Join the KK River Neighbors Association for a free family event full of family friendly activities with free food and resources, community and law enforcement coming together in a safe fun environment to build community.
Location: Pulaski Park, 2677 South 16th Street
Date/Time: August 13th/ 4:00-8:00pm
2nd Annual Emmitt James & Big Band BBQ
Join us for a free admission concert, good food, and drinks in a local brewery. Bring your checkbooks and donate to Future Urban Leaders to help further their important work in Milwaukee.
Location: Third Space Brewing, 1505 W St Paul Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233
Date/Time: August 16th / 7:00pm
Spring 2024
Spring 2024 Community Highlight: GreenTech Station
April 4th, 2024
Spring is here!
With the Green Tech Station being our focus of this newsletter, we'd like to highlight an upcoming opportunity to further impact and engage with the G WaterMarker Site. Northwest Side Community Development Commission (NWSCDC) is calling for volunteers to help with their Green Tech Station Volunteer Workday & Bench Unveiling on Saturday, May 4, from 9:30 AM - noon, at the Green Tech Station (4101 North 31st Street). In addition to beautifying the space for spring and summer, volunteers will be the first to see 12 new benches painted by ArtWorks for Milwaukee interns! Supplies and lunch will be provided.
Community Highlight: Green Tech Station
Gather, Growth, Gritty, Garden Homes
WaterMarks provides a meeting place for Milwaukee's artists, residents, and scientists. In recognition of the Grand Opening of the Green Tech Station in September of 2023, we would like to highlight some of the community voices that contributed to its development.
Artist: Emily Thao
Emily is an artist who designed and painted one of the many Leopold benches at the Green Tech Station. Emily, who at the time was a student at the Hmong American Peace Academy and an intern with ArtWorks for Milwaukee, channeled her inspiration for the bench from a trash clean-up along the nearby Lincoln Creek. Emily hopes that the bench will tell visitors a story about the effects of pollution and its impact on water quality.
Click below to learn more about Emily’s art practice
Resident: Ashanti Weeks
Ashanti is a longtime resident of the Garden Homes neighborhood and became involved with the Green Tech Station through her work with ArtWorks for Milwaukee. In 2021, Ashanti co-led a virtual WaterMarks Walk in Garden Homes. Ashanti interpreted various ArtWorks murals that have been installed in Garden Homes and reflected on the community-informed process that the murals were developed through.
Click below to learn more about Ashanti’s work
Scientist: Pam Ritger
Pam is a Milwaukee native who became involved with the Green Tech Station through her position with Clean Wisconsin. Working alongside MMSD to install and promote stormwater infrastructure, Pam co-led a virtual WaterMarks Walk in 2021 to highlight the water management efforts in the 30th Street Corridor. While Pam has transitioned to a role in the City’s Environmental Collaboration Office, she is still active in advancing sustainability efforts.
Click below to learn more about Pam’s work
Image of Green Tech Station is courtesy of NWSCDC.
Featured WaterMarks content was completed by Michael Timm.
Upcoming WaterMarks Events
See What We See: Stories of environmental stewardship in Lindsay Heights
A Photovoice Exhibition
Join Lindsay Heights neighbors in the City Hall Rotunda for the opening reception.
Dulmini Jayawardana, WaterMarks' Graduate Research Assistant at UW-Milwaukee, worked with Lindsay Heights residents to develop a photovoice exhibition. With photographs taken by Maria Beltran, Teresa Thomas-Boyd, Ramona Curry, Cheryl Ferrill, Marie Gordon, Geneva Jones, Rasammar Nsoroma, Christal West, and Jarvis West, the exhibition represents lived experiences, stories, memories, emotions, perspectives, and knowledge of environmental stewardship in Lindsay Heights.
Dates on Display: April 8 - April 12, 2024
Location: Milwaukee City Hall Rotunda, 200 E Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Opening Reception: Monday, April 8, 6 PM - 9 PM
KK River Neighborhood WaterMarks Walk
Join Yesi Perez, Dr. Kirsten Beyer, Travis Hope, and the KK River Neighbors in Action on a community walk in the KK River Neighborhood. With varying areas of expertise, the walk leaders will discuss water and art's special relationship to one another. Specifically, when public art and water quality are prioritized, they work together to empower and heal residents.
Following the walk, there will be refreshments and an optional focus group at the Pulaski Park Pavilion. All walk participants are encouraged to participate in this interactive group discussion regarding their walk experience, connection with art, and what they learned about Milwaukee’s water. Participants who choose to stay will receive a $25 gift card for their time and feedback.
Spanish interpretation will be provided throughout the entire event.
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Walk: 1 PM - 2:30 PM
Optional Focus Group: Immediately after walk, approx. 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
Location: Pulaski Park Pavilion, 1819 W Windlake Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53215
Partner Events
WaterMarks isn't building an atlas of water alone. We work with countless organizations and individuals on this endeavor. WaterMarks Community-University Working Group is a collective of residents, artists, community-based institutions, and researchers who assemble to guide the future of water in Milwaukee.
Here are some upcoming events that our partners are hosting:
Milwaukee Riverkeeper Spring Clean-up
Join Milwaukee Riverkeeper for their annual Spring Clean-up! With many WaterMarks partners hosting clean-up sites, this is a community-wide effort to remove over 100,000 pounds of trash from our river system. Gloves, trash bags, and free t-shirts are provided to all participants. Registration is required.
Location: 90+ sites in Ozaukee, Washington, Milwaukee, and Waukesha Counties
Date/Time: Saturday, April 20, 9 AM - noon
Earth Day in May
Join the Sherman Park ECO Ambassadors for Earth Day in May! Enjoy food, giveaways, and learn about the many environmental and community wellness initiatives that are happening in the Sherman Park neighborhood.
Location: Sherman Park (3000 N Sherman Blvd)
Date/Time: Sunday, May 19, 1 PM - 4 PM
Bike & Play Fest
Join NWSCDC for the 2nd annual Bike & Play Fest at the West Basin featuring free food from local vendors, free bike repairs, kids' games, art activities, music. giveaways, organizations with resources, and more!
Location:
Garden Homes Park
(2600 West Atkinson Avenue)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 29, 11 AM - 2 PM
Fall 2023/Winter 2024
Fall/Winter 2023 Community Highlight: Melvina Park
December 14th, 2023
To kick this newsletter off, we want to let you know that WaterMarks is hiring! The position is Project Coordinator for Programming and Engagement and it'll be based out of the Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) working full-time on WaterMarks!
We're so excited about this partnership with MPM and to meet our new Project Coordinator! You can view the position description HERE.
To apply, please send a PDF resume and brief cover letter highlighting your relevant experience, why you’re interested in this project, and what you love about Milwaukee to watermarksMKE@gmail.com by 12/31/2023.
Community Highlight: Melvina Park
Community, Century City, Connections, Collaboration
WaterMarks provides a meeting place for Milwaukee's artists, residents, and scientists. In anticipation of Melvina Park's finished expansion and redevelopment, we look forward to our spring 2024 artist and WaterMarker installations in the Century City neighborhood.
Artist: Mikal Floyd-Pruitt
Mikal Floyd-Pruitt is a Milwaukee-based artist who works with various mediums of artistic expression - including visual, performance, media – through a community-engaged lens. As a Harvard University alumni, Mikal returned to Milwaukee to create. Among many successful projects and exhibits, Mikal is currently the co-director of Homeworks: Bronzeville – a cultural development project that will provide housing and working spaces for local and visiting artists.
Mikal co-led a virtual WaterMarks walk of the Garden Homes Neighborhood in 2021 and has been selected to complete an art installation at Melvina Park. His installation will feature multigenerational superheroes who embody the ideals of environmental stewardship. The installation will remind neighbors that no matter one’s age, each person is capable of caring for their environment.
Resident: Lois Love
Lois Love is a Milwaukee resident who has lived on 27th and Capital for 22 years. Because of her neighborhood’s location, her home experiences an extensive amount of stormwater runoff. As an individual, she feels a sense of accomplishment due to the amount of water she is able to keep out of her basement and her community with the help of her rain garden and her rain barrel.
Living near Melvina Park and Green Tech Station, Lois has witnessed extensive transformation over the years in the 30th Street Corridor. With the recent revitalization and redevelopment plans, she sees lots of possibilities for Melvina Park to continue to be a gathering place for the neighborhood.
Click below to learn more about Lois Love’s rain garden work.
Scientist: Wilniesha Smith
Wilniesha Smith is the intern and outreach coordinator for the nonprofit, Reflo. Joining Reflo in 2017, Wilniesha brought years of experience, as well as an environmental health water quality technology degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College. As a former MMSD intern herself, Wilniesha uses her position to inspire and guide new cohorts of Reflo's environmental interns every summer.
Wilniesha co-led a virtual WaterMarks walk of the 30th Street Corridor in 2021, bringing a green infrastructure perspective to how stormwater can be better managed. As a walk leader, she used Benjamin Franklin School and Melvina Park as examples of redevelopment projects that encompass green infrastructure - such as rain gardens, bioswales, and cisterns - in their planning.
Click below to learn more about Wilniesha Smith’s work:
Featured WaterMarks content was completed by Michael Timm. Photo of Wilniesha Smith by Jade Iseri-Ramos.
Community Events
WaterMarks isn't building an atlas of water alone. We get to work with countless organizations and individuals on this endeavor. WaterMarks Community-University Working Group is a collective of residents, artists, community-based institutions, and researchers who assemble to guide the future of water in Milwaukee.
Here are some upcoming events that our partners are hosting:
The Table Open House & Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market
Join Mystic Phoenix Art Studio, At Peace Designs, Full Circle Healing, Alice's Garden, Herbs-N-Lather, Laura Swift (Art Therapist), Sankofa Village, The Red Tent, Yoga FloWellness, and Redefining Life Services for a joint open house at The Table. The open house extends to the entire building, where you can explore businesses and make new connections!
For more shopping, the Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market will be happening simultaneously.
Location: The Table (5305 W. Captial Drive)
Date/Time: Saturday, December 16th, 9 AM - 2 PM
Hopkins Hollow Service Day
Nearby Nature Milwaukee will be continuing their stewardship work in Hopkins Hollow. With permission of MMSD, they are building new trail, continuing prairie restoration, and expanding invasive remediation. Work will be dependent on weather and the number of volunteers, with the priority being to spread wood chips on an area infested with invasive plants.
Click here to RSVP.
Location: 4410 N. Hopkins St.
Date/Time: Saturday, December 16th, 11 AM - 1 PM
Friends of the Beerline Trail Open House
Please join us for the first Friends of the Beerline Trail Open House at the new Connector Building.
Enjoy refreshments and meet your neighbors while learning about the existing projects and the future developments on the Beerline Trail!
Click here to RSVP.
Location:
The Connector Building (274 E Keefe Ave)
Date/Time: Saturday, January 20th, 10 AM - 12 PM
Summer 2023
Summer 2023 Community Highlight: Harambee & Riverwest
September 7th, 2023
"The 53212 zip code has been my home since moving to Milwaukee in 2013. Before choosing to live and work in these neighborhoods, I attended the Riverwest 24 - a 24-hr long bike race and community party lovingly referred to as the Peoples' Holiday. One of the selling points for me was a block party style breakfast at All Peoples' Church. I remember thinking, "Wait, wait, wait, we eat *breakfast* together here?" and that was that.
I'm excited to be part of the team growing WaterMarks within the Riverwest and Harambee neighborhoods, as a WaterMarks staffer, a Harambee homeowner, and a soon-to-be co-owner of a small business in The Connector Building.
Hope you enjoy this issue of the WaterMarks Newsletter - Thanks for your continued interest and support with WaterMarks!" - Ellie Jackson, WaterMarks Project Manager
Come celebrate the grand opening of The Connector Building!
Community Highlight: Riverwest & Harambee
WaterMarks provides a meeting place for Milwaukee's artists, residents, and scientists. In reflection of our 2022 walks and workshops in Harambee and Riverwest, we look forward to our upcoming artist and WaterMarker installations throughout the neighborhood.
Artist: David Najib Kasir
David Najib Kasir is a Milwaukee-based contemporary oil-painter who currently works out of his studio space at Var Gallery, located in the Walker’s Point neighborhood. David has been selected to create a mural on the Connector Building on the Beerline Trail.
David’s art is driven by his identities as an Arab American and a father. Being the son of two parents from the Middle East (Syria and Iraq), David has been especially concerned with the Syrian civil war. Having two daughters of his own, David recognizes the harm in Syria from his perspective as a father. David explains, “I don’t know if I was a good artist before I became a father, but I know I became a better one after.” Reflected in his art, David expresses themes of empathy for international refugees and displaced people.
Upon a trip to Syria in 1999, David discovered Zellige, an Arabic geometric design. Since then, David has used Zellige in his work to redefine public perceptions of Arab people by highlighting their abundant culture and humanity.
Click below to learn more about how David is challenging Arab stereotypes through his artwork.
Resident: Kavon "KJ" Cortez-Jones
Kavon Cortez-Jones, or "KJ" is a lifelong Milwaukee resident and prominent writer and poet who has spent most of his life between Harambee and Riverwest.
From growing up on the North side, to finding a vision along each side of the Beerline Trail, KJ is continuously inspired by the city that brought him up. “I feel I lived through certain different angles of Milwaukee, through the traumatic inner city and then diving into the community," KJ explains. KJ reflects on these experiences in Club Noir, a collection of poetry that KJ self-published in 2016. While his words are intriguing, KJ captivates audiences in his live performances. In 2022, KJ performed his poetry at the Bucks halftime show to kick of Black History Month.
Around the neighborhood, KJ is an avid biker, biking around 30 miles a day. With a love of Milwaukee and a motivation to connect with residents around him, KJ is a steward of his community.
Click below to watch KJ perform his piece Love Letter to Milwaukee at Snail's Crossing Park in Riverwest.
Scientist: Cheryl Nenn
Serving as the Riverkeeper of Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Cheryl Nenn has spent 20 years at the Milwaukee organization working to protect water quality and wildlife habitat in the Milwaukee River Basin. In 2022, she collaborated with WaterMarks to co-lead a neighborhood walk along the Beerline Trail.
Prior to Cheryl's arrival in Milwaukee, she worked with the U.S. Peace Corps and Crisis Corps, U.S. Forest Service, City of New York Natural Resources Group, as well as a Milwaukee-based environmental consulting firm. With a vast range of experiences, Cheryl continues to utilize her platform, as Riverkeeper, to speak for local waterways. Her role involves monitoring the Milwaukee River Basin, identifying community concerns, reviewing permits, and achieving collaborative solutions and unified solutions to issues affecting water sources.
Outside of her Southside Chicago roots, the time spent at her family cabin inspired Cheryl to "become a biologist and pursue this professionally."
Click below to learn more about how Cheryl became interested in water-related work.
Featured WaterMarks interviews and videos were completed by Michael Timm.
Recent Marker and Art Installations
Gather, Growth, Gritty: G WaterMarker at Green Tech Station
At the end of May, our G WaterMarker was installed at Green Tech Station in the 30th Street Industrial Corridor — a unique site that advances Milwaukee’s global leadership in green infrastructure technology and practice. The Marker at Green Tech Station has been in development dating back to 2020 — working directly with the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation (NWSCDC) to celebrate an oasis of green space intentionally designed on a remediated slice of abandoned industrial wasteland.
This marker is the first on the Northside and stands a beautiful educational amenity. The letter G is for gather, growth, gritty and the marker at Green Tech Station, an award winning project designed to capture over 100,000 gallons of stormwater every time it rains.
A Mix of Immigrants: Ñ WaterMarker along the Kinnickinnic River
Our Ñ WaterMarker was installed at the end of May, near the intersection of S16th Street and W Harrison Avenue — across from Pulaski Park. This marker has been in development since 2019 — working in collaboration with the KK River Neighbors in Action (KKRNIA), Sixteenth Street Community Health Center (SSCHC), and Metropolitan Milwaukee Sewerage District (MMSD) to identify the location, letter, and develop the content.
The Marker stands a beacon of pride in the positive changes tied to a transformed river and a beautified Pulaski Park. The letter Ñ represents “A Mix of Immigrants” and was selected for this WaterMark site to reflect, celebrate, and recognize the Latinx community. When you see this WaterMark, the KKRNIA hope you share in their pride in a place that has welcomed hard-working immigrants from the days when the South Side was an ethnic Polish enclave to the present mix of Latinx and other ethnic groups.
Un Paseo El Agua: An Art Installation by Sarah Gail Luther
In Early August, artist Sarah Gail-Luther completed the installation of her Un Paseo El Agua installation — displaying a series of 16 road signs installed from 10th and Greenfield moving East towards Milwaukee’s Harbor District. The signs depict the unique and diverse landscapes of the Harbor District - illuminating its industrial past, its critical role in the transportation of people and goods, and its more recent development of spaces for public recreation and water access. Development of this work began after months of exploration and research for a virtual tour of the Harbor District developed in partnership with green builder and historian, Stephen Servais
Photo credit: Michael Timm
Community Events
WaterMarks isn't building an atlas of water alone. We get to work with countless organizations and individuals on this endeavor. WaterMarks Community-University Working Group is a collective of residents, artists, community-based institutions, and researchers who assemble to guide the future of water in Milwaukee.
Here are some upcoming events that WaterMarks or our partners are hosting:
Harbor Fest
Join Harbor District Milwaukee, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, and Riveredge Nature Center at Harbor Fest for a variety of free, family-friendly activities related to boats, fish, rivers, art, and science. Harbor Fest is continuing to grow with more educational, hands-on experiences for children and adults.
Sturgeon Release with Riveredge Nature Center
Boat Parade presented by Milwaukee Riverkeeper
Live Music Stage
Free boat tours of the Inner Harbor and Rivers
Children’s Makers Tent with hands-on activities
Food from local vendors
Kiss a Donkey Booth from Urban Stables
Rock Wall and Bounce House
Fishing lessons from Wisconsin DNR
Tours at UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences
Location: UWM’s School of Freshwater Sciences (600 E. Greenfield Avenue)
Date/Time: Sunday, September 24, 11 AM - 3 PM
Green Tech Station Grand Opening
While Green Tech Station had a soft opening/open house for educators and organizations in July 2021, the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation (NWSCDC) is now ready to showcase the site being complete with solar panels, test cells, active research, art installations, and the 30th Street Industrial Corridor’s first WaterMarker.
The Grand Opening is an opportunity to celebrate completion of the project, thank supporters, highlight the new artwork installations, and emphasize that the site is open and available for field trips and tours (free of charge).
Click here to RSVP.
Location: Green Tech Station (4101 N. 31st Street)
Date/Time: Thursday, September 28, 10 AM - 11:30 AM
Beerline Shuffle
Shuffle along the 3-mile Beerline Trail with family, friends, and neighbors, as we take a deeper dive into the art and culture of this one-of-a-kind trail that bridges 53212.
This year, the Beerline Shuffle will showcase the amazing art and artists that contributed to the uniqueness of the Beerline. Shufflers will be given a map of the trail as well as a schedule of artist presentations and list of youth activities.
Location: Beerline Plaza (3350 N. Holton St)
Date/Time: Saturday, October 7, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, After party from 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Spring 2023
Spring 2023 Community Highlight: Lindsay Heights
May 11th, 2023
Welcome to the WaterMarks Newsletter! Cassandra Flagg, CALL Community Engagement Project Manager, wrote the introduction for this Spring issue with a focus on Lindsay Heights, a WaterMarks partner neighborhood and future WaterMark location.
"Lindsay Heights is a vibrant neighborhood located in the heart of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with zip codes of 53205-53206. This community is known for its rich history, diverse culture and strong sense of community. It is home to approximately 8,000 residents, who live in a variety of housing options, including single-family homes, duplexes and apartments.
Lindsay Heights has a strong history of activism and social justice, with residents fighting for fair housing, education, environmental justice and employment opportunities, just to name a few. Today, the community remains engaged in these same efforts, working to improve access to healthy food, affordable housing and quality education for their children.
One of the defining features of Lindsay Heights is its vibrant arts and culture scene. The neighborhood is home to a number of community organizations that promote the arts, including the Walnut Way Conservation Corp, which operates a wellness center that approaches issues in a holistic manner and the Fondy Farmers Market/Park, which hosts a variety of cultural events and activities throughout the year.
Overall, Lindsay Heights is a unique and dynamic neighborhood that continues to evolve and grow. Its residents are committed to creating a vibrant, sustainable community that is welcoming to all."
Community Highlight: Lindsay Heights
WaterMarks provides a meeting place for Milwaukee's artists, residents, and scientists. In reflection of our 2022 walks and workshops in Lindsay Heights, we look to the second half of 2023 for our upcoming artist and WaterMarker installations throughout the neighborhood.
Artist: Yasmeen Henderson
Yasmeen (Yaz) is a multi-faceted artist that will be completing an art installation in the Lindsay Heights neighborhood during fall of 2023.
Yaz is a resident of the Riverwest neighborhood and has been engaged with creating art since her teens when she leaned on music as her main forum. As a survivor of intense family trauma, Yaz understands her artistic expression to be an outlet. After experiencing a brief period of alcoholism, Yaz reflects on how her sobriety journey led her to lean on drawing and painting as a new medium for her art. Yaz explained that “The longer my sobriety continued, the more intricate my art was getting, and I started painting more… That became a very positive outlook for me, something to focus on.” In her painting, she often uses vibrant colors to display the "masks" that she's worn throughout her life to suppress her emotions.
Click below to learn more about Yasmeen's artistic process.
Resident: Shamikka Smith
Shamikka moved to Lindsay Heights after she purchased a home in the neighborhood in November of 2021.
Feeling called by God, Shamikka quickly became an active resident in Lindsay Heights. Through fostering relationships between her neighbors and her church, Global Outreach, Shamikka has helped to create uplifting community programming in the neighborhood. With the understanding that churches are some of the most segregated places in the United States, Shamikka focused her efforts on uniting residents from differing congregations, with various ethnic backgrounds, to address the systemic challenges that the neighborhood faces. When explaining her motivation for transformation in Lindsay Heights, Shamikka says, “It’s the residents. It’s the people in their homes. The kids around the neighborhood. We want them to see something positive.”
Click below to learn more about Shamikka's ministry.
Scientist: Detaya Johnson
Detaya is a scientist who grew up around Milwaukee, however was brought to the Lindsay Heights neighborhood by Ras `Ammar Nsoroma, a local painter and artist who collaborated with Detaya to lead the WaterMarks Lindsay Heights Community Walk in May of 2022.
Detaya attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for her undergraduate and graduate careers, studying Geology. She has experience interning for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey (WGNHS), and the Racine Health Department, and spent years as a Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant at UWM. In 2022, Detaya was honored at the third annual African American Pioneer Awards, hosted by Nearby Nature. Today, Detaya founded and owns Karma Community Garden (located on 35th & Lloyd) and is continuing to explore the intersection between art and science in the Washington Park area.
Click here to learn more about Karma Community Garden.
Community Events
WaterMarks isn't building an atlas of water alone. We get to work with countless organizations and individuals on this endeavor. WaterMarks Community-University Working Group is a collective of residents, artists, community-based institutions, and researchers who assemble to guide the future of Water in Milwaukee.
Here are some upcoming events that WaterMarks or our partners are hosting:
WaterMarks Open Office Hours at Coffee Makes You Black
We’d would like to invite you to meet up informally outside of WaterMarks meetings to get to know each other.
We have so many questions about your water stories, your involvement in your community, and about the future you’d like to see for WaterMarks. Again, this is very informal and like any coffee date, our conversation can travel anywhere we want to go. Feel free to come for the full two hours, or pop by to say “Hi!”
Location: Coffee Makes You Black, 2803 N Teutonia Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53206
Date/Time: Thursday, May 18, 10 AM - Noon
Spring Fest
Friend's of Lincoln Park will have its Spring Fest, featuring art activities, guiding nature walks, snacks, and other community resources.
The Friend's of Lincoln Park is a dedicated non-profit that cleans up the Milwaukee River around Lincoln Park, often working with youth and Milwaukee environmental groups.
Location: Blatz Pavilion, 1301 W Hampton Ave. Noon -3pm.
Date/Time: Saturday, May 13, Noon - 3 PM
BioBlitz
BioBlitz is part contest, part festival, part educational event, and part scientific endeavor where MPM brings together a group of scientists in a race against time to see how many species they can count in a 24-hour celebration of biodiversity in a Wisconsin natural area.
The public is invited to observe the scientists’ activities, to interact with them, and to participate in other activities that are presented by the Museum and a host of invited nature-oriented organizations.
Location: Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N Hopkins St, Milwaukee, WI 53209
Date/Time: June 10th, 10 AM - 3 PM
Winter 2023
January 2023: Introduction to our Newsletter
February 14, 2023
Hello and welcome!
My name is Ellie Jackson – I’m the WaterMarks Program Manager. If you’re getting this newsletter, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with WaterMarks because you consider how water, art, and community shape and impact your daily life.
One of my favorite aspects of WaterMarks is the creative lens we choose to look through to address issues such as flooding, sewer overflows and plainly, the effects of climate change through the arts.
With creativity in mind, I wanted to share the album “Paddle to the Sea” by Third Coast Percussion to set the tone through the rest of this newsletter until the next one. We imagine that future newsletters will include WaterMarks updates, community highlights, upcoming partner events, and more!
If you'd like to learn more about WaterMarks or want to find ways to engage, including sending more water related music my way for the next newsletter, please don't hesitate to send me an email at jacksoew@uwm.edu.
Happy New Year!
In Flow,
Ellie
Upcoming Partner Events
Monday, February 20th -
4th Annual African American Environmental Pioneer Awards
Nearby Nature and partners are proud to announce the 2023 African American Environmental Pioneer Awards to honor those in Milwaukee’s African American community working for a better environment.
Time: Doors open @ 5:30 PM for refreshments, program will begin promptly @ 6:30 PM
Location: Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum (2620 W Center St, Milwaukee)
Saturday, February 25th -
Bike Bazaar
MKE REC is proud to present the 2023 Bike Bazaar to sell new and used bikes, parts, and accessories from a variety of vendors. Arts and crafts vendors will also be on site to sell products. Tickets for VIP and general entry are on sale in advance (online) and at the door.
Time: 9 AM - 3 PM
Location: Riverside University High School Community Center (1615 E Locust St, Milwaukee)
Sunday, March 5th -
Girls & STEM
Discovery World will be inspiring girls to become the future of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math through their Girls & STEM event. Seeking to provide girls with real-life interactions and conversations with female role models in the STEM fields, participating organizations will host hands-on activities to highlight their organization while sharing career pathways for girls in the STEM field.
Time: 9 AM - 4 PM
Location: Discovery World (500 N Harbor Dr, Milwaukee)
