Luckystar Studio has been "pushin' paint and pimpin' art" in one form or another in numerous places since opening in 1999, including Riverwest, the Third Ward and, most recently, in Chicago.

Gallery founders Gene Evans and Bridget Griffith Evans were only absent from Milwaukee for a short time before they realized they missed it, and now are back to re-open their Luckystar Studio Gallery in its new Washington Heights space at 5407 W. Vliet St.

"We like the neighborhood," says Gene Evans. "In fact, we've lived in this area for a few years before we moved the studio to Chicago. The neighborhood association seems to have a genuine interest in the arts. It was a no brainer."

The gallery opens Friday, April 27 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the West Side Artwalk -- the twice annual event is held on Vliet Street and through the Tosa Village. Regular hours -- Thursday though Sunday, 12-5 p.m. -- start with the official opening on June 1.

The opening show in June, "One of a Kind," features the original artwork from national and local artists:

Mitch O'Connell (Chicago)
Jon Langford (Chicago)
Rob Elliott / Swizzle Studio (Toronto)
Christine Cosby (Toronto)
Nicole S. / Pop Tarts (Vancouver)
Matt Fink (Milwaukee)
Ilse Klink (Milwaukee)
Stephen Somers (Milwaukee)
Andrea Picard (Chicago)
Ned Broderick (Chicago)
Brian Peterka (Atlanta)
David Van Alphen (Chicago)

In its new space -- its largest permanent space ever -- Luckystar will house The Green Room as "an intimate gallery within a gallery that will feature petite exhibits."

Stay tuned to OnMilwaukee.com feature on the new gallery space coming soon.