Calling all artists, performers, and more!

We’ve all heard how beneficial it is to be situated “between Milwaukee and Chicago.” However, nestled between these two bustling cities, Kenosha’s expansive local art scene offers abundant opportunities to hone your craft (and show it off), as long as you know where to look.

From art galleries to acting classes to live music, here’s the inside scoop on how to make the best of your creative experience when you Go Downtown, complete with a guide for each day of the week

 

Behold:

Whether or not you consider yourself a visual artist, taking a stroll through Kenosha’s many galleries and shops will inspire you.

Running some artsy errands in the downtown area?

ArtWorks is a one-stop shop for all of your framing needs and home of the Pencillarium, where you can find vintage and specialty pencils that are hard to track down at your run-of-the-mill art supply stores. Then, peruse the volunteer-run Pollard Gallery for unique gifts on any budget, or just to appreciate the work of artists from a wonderful community.

Just looking?

Head to the Anderson Arts Center, Kenosha’s hub for fine arts. Located on the south end of the Kemper Center, Anderson boasts a spectacular view of the lake, historic architecture, and most of all, a rotating array of exhibits showcasing masterful works in a variety of mediums.

 

 

And don’t forget to head upstairs at the good old Kenosha Public Museum, which features a rotation of exhibits from local as well as world-renowned artists. Don’t miss the upcoming family-based exhibit “Together Again,” which opens on January 27th and runs through March 10th.

The Public Museum also facilitates several art workshops, from glass to painting to mixed media and more! Speaking of workshops…

Develop:

Kenosha has a plethora of resources for you to master your medium or explore a new form of creative expression.

Lemon Street is more than a gallery – their class schedule includes painting, pottery, stained glass, and more! Ranging in length from one day to 4 weeks, you’ll be sure to find something that lights your fire.

Once you get the hang of it, there is no limit to what you can learn by practicing on your own. Writers can purchase a day pass or monthly membership to The O, Kenosha’s only Coworking space, where they can work individually and collaboratively without worrying about amenities like printers or coffee. Alpaca Art, on the other hand, is an ideal place to practice your visual arts skills by painting your very own ceramics.

Performers, we got your back.

Offering acting, public speaking, improv, and more, Actor’s Craft has a long history of providing both group and individual classes. If you’re the musical type, Havenly Arts Studio operates out of the Kenosha Creative Space, offering private vocal lessons as well as several instruments. If you’re looking to get moving and embrace music in other ways, Em’s Dance Center offers a variety of dance classes that cater to all experience levels.

  

Now, all you need is an audience! Well, I have some good news…

 

Perform:

All the world’s a stage, but here are some actual stages where you can demonstrate your talent and hard work. Downtown Kenosha is a hub for open mic nights – take a look at the schedule below for more details on these opportunities to share your poetry, music, comedy, and more!

If you’re quite ready for the open mic but want to show off your vocals, great news – Kenosha loves karaoke! Stop by Union Park Tavern on Tuesdays, or check out Ono Late Night every Friday!

Last but not least, we all deserve to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. After all, the audience is the engine that powers the performing arts! There’s almost always a show to be seen at the historic Rhode Center for the Arts, home of the Lakeside Players – right now, you can get tickets for Avenue Q opening in February. And if you’re in need of a laugh after a long week, you can catch a stand-up show at Kenosha Comedy Club located at Wyndham Garden – Kenosha Harborside . If you’re looking for a fun new venue to enjoy live performances- make sure to get tickets for an upcoming show at The White Lilac!

The Lineup:

You may not believe it, but this is hardly an exhaustive list of what Kenosha has to offer to the creative mind. Dip your toe in, and see what you find!

One Day at a Time: Art is everywhere, all the time – sometimes, it helps to see a schedule.

 

Tuesday –

Salsa & Tacos @ Kenosha Creative Space – 7 pm ($5 suggested donation)

Open Mic @ Rustic Road Brewing Company – 8 pm (free)

Karaoke @ Union Park Tavern – 9 pm (free)

 

Wednesday –

Open Mic @ PUBLIC Craft Brewing Co. – 9 pm (free)

 

Thursday –

Open Mic @ Kenosha Creative Space – 8 pm (free)

Live Music @ Union Park Tavern – 9 pm (free)

 

Friday –

Artsy Afternoon @ The Kenosha Public Museum – select Fridays 2-4 pm (free, registration required)

Kenosha Comedy Club @ The Wyndham Garden Kenosha- Harborside – 8 pm ($varies)

Comedy Show-Open Mic @ PUBLIC Craft Brewing Co. – last Fri each month – 8 pm (free)

Live Music @ Union Park Tavern – 9 pm (free)

Karaoke @ Ono Sushi Kenosha Late Night – 10 pm (free)

 

Saturday –

Kenosha Comedy Club @ The Wyndham Garden Kenosha- Harborside – 8 pm ($varies)

Live Music @ Union Park Tavern – 9 pm (free)