Black Cat Alley

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Black Cat Alley

The Black Cat Alley is a world-class street art destination comprised of over a dozen murals by a va
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The Black Cat Alley will be a new arts destination comprised of outdoor large-scale murals, all in one two-block alley which will serve as an open gallery walkway. It will be located between Kenilworth Blvd and Ivanhoe, in the alley between the Oriental Theatre on Farwell Avenue and Colectivo Coffee on Prospect Avenue in the historic East Side neighborhood of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A dark and quiet space, it is in urgent need of a makeover; in our vision, it will be a beautiful, cultural destination for the public. The alley will become an outdoor gallery, enhancing the local business community by drawing local visitors and tourists. A seven-day installation is planned for September 11-17, 2016, and it will be an exciting media event for the community to enjoy. Artists from around the world will join local Milwaukee professionals and students to create an amazing street art space.

10/05/2026

Black Cat Alley After Dark is back this fall, and this time we're bringing Yacht Week to the East Side! On Saturday, October 24, House & Espresso Presents Black Cat Alley After Dark: Yacht Week Experience at Ivanhoe Plaza and Black Cat Alley.

Part of Yacht Week's global Onshore Tour, this event brings the energy and spirit of Yacht Week to Milwaukee for a day of fitness, wellness, music, art, and community. You don't have to have sailed with Yacht Week to join in. The Onshore Tour welcomes Yacht Week alumni, veterans, newcomers, and anyone ready to experience the party on dry land.

The day kicks off with a community 5K in partnership with City Limits Run Club, ROAM MKE and Uncommon Run Club. After the run, the fun continues with outdoor yoga with Cool People do Yoga among the murals, followed by an afternoon and evening of music featuring a mystery lineup of DJs.

Complimentary saunas and cold plunges will be available throughout the event, while local vendors fill Ivanhoe Plaza with plenty to explore. Fire pits will also be available for guests to enjoy as the afternoon turns into evening.

And since it's October, we're adding a little Halloween fun to the mix with a costume contest. Come dressed to impress and show off your best old-money or Halloween-inspired look.

Whether you're a longtime Yacht Week fan or a first-timer, come experience the Yacht Week Onshore Tour right here in Milwaukee. Expect music, movement, wellness, art, local vendors, and good times all day long.

Free admission | All ages | Dress code: Old Money

09/29/2026

We love seeing Black Cat Alley through your eyes. 🖤🎨

Thank you to for this unique perspective on the corner shared by “Dedication” by ALLDAY PAINTING and “In Full Bloom” by Emma Daisy Gertel. We love experiencing the Alley from angles we might not always notice ourselves!

📸:
🎨: “Dedication” by ALLDAY PAINTING ()
🎨: “In Full Bloom” by Emma Daisy Gertel ()

09/23/2026

If you haven’t visited Black Cat Alley in a while, Doors Open Mural Fest is the perfect time to return! We’ve added and refreshed 10 murals over the past two years, giving the alley a fresh look and plenty of new details to discover. 🐈‍⬛🎨

While you’re there, look for "Up Up and Away" by Arcadia Melster (AIM Creatively), the newest mural in Black Cat Alley, and "Wild Bill" by Brent Schoonover and Hannah Tews (Terrible Tews), the featured Brewers mural celebrating Milwaukee baseball. ⚾🎨

🌟 On Saturday, grab a drink at Star Bar MKE or Shanghai MKE (their gate will be open for walk-up service!) and then make your way to the House Circuit event in Ivanhoe Plaza starting at 5 PM.

☀️ On Sunday, grab a pastry from Poppy Bakery or a smoothie from Baya Bar Wisconsin before strolling through the alley and making a visit to the East Side Market in Ivanhoe Plaza from 10 AM to 3 PM.

There’s plenty to see, sip, and explore around Black Cat Alley during Doors Open Mural Fest, happening September 26-27! Make sure you snap some photos in the alley and tag us so we can see your visit!

09/17/2026

A little koi with a lot of color. 🐟🌈

A smaller take on Jeremy Novy’s iconic koi, hiding in plain sight.

📸:
🎨: “Koi” by Jeremy Novy ()

09/15/2026

POV: You won the goldfish at the fair and it immediately decided to chase bigger dreams. 🎈🐟✨

Up Up and Away by reminds us that sometimes the journey is a little unexpected.

🎨 & 📸: “Up Up and Away” by Arcadia Melster ()

09/10/2026

A smile this good deserves a mural this good. 🖤✨

Plus, we’re loving the little skull-to-cat connection.

📸:
🎨: “Black Cat Alley” by Walker’s Point Creative Collective

09/08/2026

Good conversations belong in good company…and in front of good murals. 🦌🖌

🎨: "Merlin the Albino Buck" by John Kowalczyk ()

09/03/2026

Two style icons. One alley. 🔥😎

A brief but intense stare-down between "Petit Paradis" by Alain Poma and a worthy challenger. We're calling it a draw.

🎨: “Petit Paradis” by POMA Art ()
👕 Apparel Design:
📸 Photography:
🚴 .bike |

08/25/2026

Exploring Black Cat Alley is now even more interactive! New mural plaques have been installed throughout the alley, making it easy to learn the name of each mural and the artist who created it. Simply scan the QR code on each plaque to visit the mural's page on the Black Cat Alley website, where you can dive deeper into the inspiration, story, and artist behind the work.

You'll also find a QR code linking directly to the Black Cat Alley support page. Every contribution helps support the preservation of existing murals, future public art projects, and the continued growth of this one-of-a-kind outdoor gallery.

Thanks for getting this shot of one of the new plaques!

📸:
🎨: “Ongo” by ONGOSF ()

08/20/2026

Art has the power to tell stories that words alone cannot.

Inspired by his own family experiences, David Najib Kasir's "Fraction Mother, Subtract Children" invites viewers to reflect on love, loss, separation, and the ties that bind us together.

What does this piece say to you?

🎨: "Fraction Mother, Subtract Children" by David Najib Kasir ()

Address

Milwaukee, WI
53202

Website

http://blackcatMKE.com/

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