160 Artists & Makers
Fine Art & Handmade Goods
Local Food Trucks
Outdoor Event
Adults: $10 Entry
Early Bird Price: $8 (Ends 8/31/25)
Kids (12 & Under): FREE
September 7th 2025
10AM - 4PM
Mount Mary University
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?
Hat Burning Workshop @ Make Art MKE on 9/7/25
FREE ADMISSION TO MAKE ART MKE WITH A PAID CLASS REGISTRATION
Choose your project; learn to burn your own rancher, western, trucker hat, or tote. No art skills necessary! Choose from our customizable stencils, learn to burn, then accessorize with ribbons and charms.
Register now to get your free admission to Make Art MKE!
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 2025
Event Sponsors 2025
(Thank you to our past sponsors!)
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
Make Art MKE is dedicated to preserving community connection while providing a space for artists to exhibit, sell, and share the love of their craft.
Your investment as a sponsor will ensure the success of Make Art MKE for this year as well as provide a prime opportunity to showcase your business to thousands of community members.
Reserve your spot today as a sponsor of the 3rd Annual Make Art MKE!
To secure your sponsorship, contact Mike Bate with Lit MKE at:
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 that first year, and we are so so thankful and 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.
In 2023 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
