160 Artists & Makers
Fine Art & Handmade Goods
Local Food Trucks
Outdoor Event
Adults: $10 Entry
Kids (12 & Under): FREE
September 7th 2025
10AM - 4PM
Mount Mary College
2900 Menomonee River Pkwy
Milwaukee, WI 53222
More About Make Art MKE
Make Art MKE is an outdoor event on the Mount Mary campus sponsored by re:Craft and Relic and Lit MKE. The Mount Mary Starving Artists' Show was a staple in the Milwaukee art community for over 50 years and like many others, Mike Bate, the owner of local business Lit MKE, didn't want to see it go. Seeing an opportunity to step in and revive this long lasting art fair, Mike's vision for Make Art MKE is all about honoring the history of the Mount Mary event, while pulling in local makers of handmade goods, and a focus on supporting the surrounding neighborhood. A portion of proceeds from the 2023 art fair will go to revitalizing Cooper Park. re:Craft and Relic is passionate about connecting small businesses to the community around them and is excited to help breathe new life to this art fair. As a new event with new, outside organizers, we want to carry on the spirit of the Starving Artists Show and fill the Mount Mary grounds once again with artists, makers and creatives, supporting one generation while inspiring the next.
The Morning Blend, TMJ4
September 4, 2024
Be Part of the Revival of a Long Lasting Milwaukee Art Fair!
Make Art MKE is an outdoor event at Mount Mary, organized by re:Craft and Relic and Lit MKE, to revive the historic Mount Mary Starving Artists' Show. Mike Bate's vision focuses on honoring the event's history, supporting local makers, and the surrounding neighborhood. A portion of the 2024 proceeds will benefit local art programs and Cooper Park. Kids 12 and under are free and receive an art kit.... read more
Interested in volunteering?
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Do you have any vendor spots left?We have each application listed on our Apply page. If it says "APPLY NOW", there are spaces still available. If it says "APPLY FOR WAITLIST", that event is only accepting vendors to the WAITLIST. If it says "COMING SOON," check back later because we haven't opened the application yet for that event. We send an email to our vendor email list and post on social media when we open event applications. We fill up quickly in certain categories, but we're always adding to our waitlist. Feel free to apply if you are interested in participating, even if the event is a week away. We'll reach out ASAP if there's a spot open and you're a great fit for it.
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How long does the application approval process take?It depends a little on when we receive your application. We typically approve applications within 2-3 weeks. You will receive notification of an approval, denial, or addition to the waitlist.
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How/when is payment taken?All payment goes through the application in Booth Central with check card/ credit card. Some events require payment in full upon approval, others require half down with remaining balance due later. Spaces are NOT confirmed without payment.
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What is my booth number?For applications that let you request a specific spot, you can see your booth number in BoothCentral at any time after you've been approved. Open BoothCentral and click View Application, then scroll down and you'll be able to see your booth number, and Add-Ons (tables, chairs, etc.), and the payments that you've made.
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What are the setup hours for MKE County Sports Complex events?Friday - 1:00PM-7:00 PM Saturday - 7:00-8:00 AM (MUST load in before 8AM on Saturday) Sunday - 8:30-9:30 AM.
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Do you accept direct sales vendors?We're sorry, but we do not accept direct sales vendors.
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What does it mean if I'm "waitlisted" / Why was I added to the waitlist?We have many more applicants than spaces available. You may wonder why you were added to our wait list when it looks like we have plenty of spaces left. This market is carefully curated and certain categories do fill up quickly. We might not have room for you no matter how many times you've joined us in the past or how awesome you are. If you are added to our wait list, NO PAYMENT will be taken unless you are approved with your consent at a later date. If a spot in your category opens up, we'll reach out to you to see if you're still interested and available. There's no knowing if or when a spot WILL open up until one does. No need to send emails asking if a spot opened or asking to be removed from the waitlist. *No food artisan vendors will be contacted within 2 weeks of the event due to the time it takes to communicate with the health department in regards to this category.
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What are your booth sizes/prices?Each event has different types of booths and booth pricing. Some events have multiple booth options with a variety of pricing. Click on each application to see this information. You can see the information without having to submit the application.
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Can I share a booth space?Yes. Two vendors are welcome to share one booth space but must apply together on one application.
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How do I apply? Do I have to apply online?We only accept applications through our website, which takes you to Booth Central. Each of our events has a separate application, but with Booth Central you can apply to multiple events without having to start your profile from scratch each time.
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Can I do one day of the event and not the other?We require all vendors to participate in all hours of the event. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
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What if I don't have a booth display photo?Booth display photos are required and are a huge part of our application process. A mock set up of a display in your home or back yard is acceptable. We are looking for professional, thoughtful displays that match the vibe/atmosphere of our markets.
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What if I don't have a Wisconsin sales tax number?We are required by the state of Wisconsin to provide either a Wisconsin sales tax number for each vendor OR their reason for exemption. This number must be provided by the date of the event. If your sales in WI are under $2,000 for the year , your business qualifies for the occasional sales exemption. Please mark your application appropriately.
Interested in Being a Vendor?
Find all the vendor info and
Applications for Make Art MKE here:
Application period: March 26th, 2025 - April 16th, 2025
Applications received after April 16th will be added to our list of Wait List artists. If a spot opens up ahead of the event, which happens frequently, we will reach out to the artist who is the best fit to fill that space.
Booth Map 2024
Event Sponsors 2024
This event is brought to you by re:Craft and Relic and Lit MKE.
A portion of the proceeds will go towards Cooper Park improvements and art programming at Milwaukee German Immersion School.
Become a Sponsor
A Message From Mike Bate
My name is Mike Bate and I am the other half of Make Art MKE and owner of local candle business, Lit MKE.
When I heard the starving artist show at Mount Mary was going to be discontinued after it got rained out in 2022 it really bummed me out after the long standing history it held on the grounds of the university. I refused to let it fall by the way side and recruited my friend Sue of re:Craft and Relic to help bring something together so it would not take a lapse or a year off. We urged the university to consider letting us carry on the legacy to which they agreed but under a new name,
Make Art MKE. Some of you were with us last year as we are so so thankful and we're proud of what we built in a short amount of time and through the challenges that were presented.
The community really stepped up to show their support and costs were aided from surrounding businesses and supporters from the community in which Make Art MKE takes place. The goal of Make Art MKE is to provide a place for all those joining to share their art and passion through their work with the community near and far as well as highlighting the great small businesses doing big things in the neighborhood and beyond.
Last year I was able to donate close to $6000 dollars to worthy organizations in the community.
If you would like to become a sponsor of the show, please reach out via email: litmilwaukee@gmail.com
Many Thanks,
Mike Bate
Make Art MKE & Lit MKE
Thank You, 2023 Sponsors!
