Artist-designed posters of Milwaukee County Parks unveiled
November 27, 2018 | Topics: Spotlight
At a press conference on Monday County Executive Chris Abele and Parks Director Guy Smith officially launched a new online store with parks-inspired merchandise. The site offers such typical products as T-shirts, patches and stickers. However, the highlight among the offerings is a series of colorful artistic posters from the 2018 ‘Maptacular’ Project. The posters depict maps of a variety of Milwaukee County Parks. Each map in the series is illustrated by a different local artist, and each is designed in their own unique artistic style.
Washington Park by Lauren Marvell
The posters were designed by the following local artists: Linda Bleck, Dwellephant, Lauren Marvell, Jeff McAvoy, Gabriela Riveros, Rozalia Singh. Artists wishing to participate in the on-going series may apply for the 2019 Maptacular Project.
Humboldt Park by Gabriela Riveros
The merchandise is available at www.ParksforGood.com. All sales will help fund future Milwaukee County Parks projects. The initiative is part of a new partnership between Milwaukee County Parks and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation (GMF) to create a dedicated parks improvement fund. The GMF fund will also provide an option for individuals and businesses to make tax-deductible donations to support future park improvements.
“This new parks fund is a big win for Milwaukee County” says Guy Smith, Executive Director of Milwaukee County Parks, “we’ve been working with Milwaukee artists to create exclusive designs, Milwaukee businesses to create the merchandise, and sales will support Milwaukee parks projects too. Plus, of course, the merch will make perfect gifts for anyone who loves Milwaukee parks!”
Profits from merchandise sales will go directly to the fund. Purchasers and donors will be able to choose one of seven key areas of need to support: playgrounds, trails & natural areas, community centers, aquatic facilities, parkways & bridges, athletic facilities or engagement. The GMF will manage the funds and provide grants for future projects within those areas. Klement’s Sausage, the official sausage of Milwaukee County Parks, made the inaugural donation to the fund with a $25,000 contribution.
Grant Park by Rozalia Singh
“Milwaukee County residents are passionate about our parks and eager to find ways to support them,” said County Executive Chris Abele. “This is a great way for everyone to get involved in making our fantastic County Parks even better and help us improve these critically important community spaces.”
You can see all of the new posters, as well as the other merchandise, at the new store: www.parksforgood.com .
You can donate to the GMF parks fund at http://greatermilwaukeefoundation.org/donors/give-online/mke-county-parks-fund .
Gordon and Riverside Parks map designed by Jeff McAvoy.
Information provided by Ian Everett, Marketing & Communications Manager for Milwaukee County Parks. All images courtesy Milwaukee County Parks. Milwaukee County Parks is a project partner of A Wealth of Nature.