In previous years, MKEfest was an annual one-day event that celebrated diversity in Milwaukee through art, music and culture in a festival-like setting. This year, like so many live events, it's moving online as the MKEfest Virtual Art Walk Series, but will undoubtedly fulfill a similar goal.
"The mission of the MKEfest Virtual Art Walk Series is to provide a unique digital platform for artists to talk about and showcase their work, while engaging with other artists and members of the community," says MKEfest organizer, Samantha Mitchell.
Every Saturday at 3 p.m., Mitchell will virtually host 2-3 Milwaukee artists in The ArtWalk Series. OnMilwaukee is a partner of the new series.
The first event is scheduled for Saturday, May 16 and can be accessed here.
"The Art Walk Series will showcase a plethora of artists and art forms. We will explore recent work, tour through studios, and view some live art," says Mitchell.
Mitchell is a community champion with over 10 years of marketing and brand development experience. She currently works as the Engagement Manager, Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives for the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County. Mitchell is also the founder and CEO of SamanthaStarr Events, and a board member of the Cream City Foundation.
"MKEfest allows artists and the community to connect through art and creative dialogue," says Mitchell. "One of our main goals is to showcase the hidden talent that the average person may not normally get to see. I take pride in cultivating new relationships and collaborations, and MKEfest definitely promotes that."
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
