The power of art, outdoor art murals come to Walker's Point
MILWAUKEE (CBS58) -- Milwaukee is known for its revolutionary industry and brews but it's also home a vibrant art scene, growing every day.
“It’s an experimental mural so we have been live painting and live curating this which is kind of unreal, normally you have a concept before you go into something," said Levar Hoard, Artist.
Fine art is finding a new home in Walker's Point.
"What we’ve found is Milwaukee has some of the largest of ghost signs and ghost murals from decades ago, some of the most amazing walls for fine art," said Hoard.
Chicago based artist Levar Hoard is the lead artist and managing curator of One Arts.
“We are creating a plaza that will really unite the buildings of the Tannery so that people can come together, meet one another and hang out," said Hoard.
Along the way, mentoring local artists and customizing the art to be the perfect fit for the Cream City.
“We worked and trained a number of local artists who assisted on the project as well and gave them the opportunity to learn if they hadn't learned before how to supersize their work," said Hoard. “We’ve spent a lot of time here in Milwaukee visiting the historical society, and various historical spots and talking with people around town trying to find the essence of Milwaukee and this great American City, this all American city."
The team of artists were inspired by the very building they're painting, after finding old letterheads in the former leather factory.
“There’s one thing that’s for certain and that’s art inspires art, and other artists inspire other artist," said Hoard.
It wouldn't be Milwaukee without vintage Harley's.
"These amazing artists of these amazing bikes found their way into the DNA of this art that is meant to capture Milwaukee," said Hoard.
If you can believe it, this is just phase one of Levar's grand plan.
“The vision here if we can get consensus is to put murals on all of the silos you see behind me. They all front the Menomonee River. What we really see is a place for people to kayak and look at art where bikers can bike to and park and even floating walkways that will allow people to enjoy this fusion of old industry, art and nature," Hoard explained.
Levar says Milwaukee has the largest collection of silos of any city in the world and painting these historic pieces would give them new life.
“Cities all over the world have been demolishing them because they don’t know what to do with them or converting them to another use its cost prohibitive but as a work of art as a sculptural piece as a historic example this represents a very attainable vision of what to do with a collection of silos that have largely run into disuse,” said Hoard.
Levar reminds us art has the ability to preserve a culture for generations to come.
“Thats one of the powers of art it has the power to highlight place, and it has the power to education and it has the power to even keep this endangered style of architecture around for a few more years," said Hoard.