Now in its third season, Sculpture Milwaukee, the annual outdoor urban sculpture exhibition along Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Milwaukee, has incorporated as its own organization and is seeking 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
Brian Schupper, who previously founded and led the consulting firm 113 Strategies, has been appointed as the organization’s executive director. Earlier in his career, Schupper was director of policy at Greater Milwaukee Committee, and policy and economic development advisor at The Water Council.
Steve Marcus, chairman of The Marcus Corp., established Sculpture Milwaukee in 2017 as an annual gift to the community,
“This is an extremely exciting time for us,” Schupper said. “Organizationally, we’re growing up in a big way. As we define our foundation, we’re better able to carry out our mission — through creative placemaking, we’re transforming Wisconsin Avenue into a world-class art experience. And in doing so, we’re contributing energy to the community and local economy.”
Sculpture Milwaukee also announced it has a new office in the Two-Fifty building on East Wisconsin Avenue.
Its third season kicks off on June 7. The exhibition, which runs along Wisconsin Avenue between O’Donnell Park and North Sixth Street, is free and open to the public through Oct. 27.
The organization has also named a board of directors to provide governance, oversee planning and spur fundraising efforts. Marcus will serve as board chair.
“Sculpture Milwaukee is unique. It is the only outdoor exhibition where world-renowned art is showcased and available for purchase as part of a mile-long, urban gallery that is free to the public to explore,” Marcus said. “We are committed to downtown Milwaukee long-term; our board is a testament to that pledge. The excitement is building for the 2019 season and we’re already hard at work bringing this monumental project to life for its third year.”
Board members include: Marcus; Wayne Morgan of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP; Beth Weirick of Milwaukee Downtown; Ian Abston of Millenian LLC; Griselde Aldrete of Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee; Donald Baumgartner of Paper Machinery Corp.; philanthropist and arts patron Donna Baumgartner; Tina Chang of SysLogic Inc.; Stephen Chernof of Godfrey & Kahn; Kelli Gabel of Good Karma Brands; Cecelia Gore of the Brewers Community Foundation; Michelle Grabner of the Art Institute of Chicago; Robert Greenstreet of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Mark Irgens of Irgens Partners; Ray Krueger of Michael Best & Friedrich; Alex Lasry of Milwaukee Bucks; David Marcus of The Marcus Corp. Foundation; Justin Mortara of Mortara Instrument; Andy Nunemaker of Dynamis Software; philanthropist Sue Selig; and John Utz of Associated Bank.
