InterContinental Milwaukee, 139 E. Kilbourn Ave., is using Gallery Night as a chance to unveil its year-long fundraising public art campaign, "Guest Expressions." The campaign encourages all hotel visitors to sketch their own artistic expressions on mini canvases and easels, which will then make their way to the walls of guest room, lobbies and bars throughout the hotel.

"Events like Gallery Night are important in helping to showcase and advance the progressive art scene in Milwaukee," says Tim Smith, General Manager of the InterContinental Milwaukee. "A main floor art gallery was part of the initial concept for the (hotel) to incorporate art as an ongoing component of the hotel's heart and soul. Since it's opening, the art gallery has rotated several exhibits from many popular local galleries."

For every piece up to 2,000 pieces, the InterContinental Milwaukee will donate one dollar to the Milwaukee Institute for Art & Design. At the end of the campaign, the top voted pieces will be showcased within the hotel's own gallery at next year's summer Gallery Night event. The piece voted as best by the public will win an InterContinental give-away package and up to $2,000 will be donated to MIAD in the winner's name.

"Guest Expressions" kicks off Friday, July 27 with a Gallery Night event featuring wearable art by local designers and boutiques on living mannequins in the InterContinental Art Gallery, Ikebana (floral arrangement) art in the Clear Lobby Lounge and an interactive art expression with paint and canvas by a local martial artist in the hotel lobby.

Third Ward
Made In Milwaukee V
320 E. Buffalo St.
For the last four years Made In Milwaukee has been Riverwest's one-stop Gallery Night smorgasbord of art -- from fashion design, to photography, to paintings to music, all created by some highly talented locals. This year, MIM hits the Third Ward -- the heart of Gallery Night -- for a diverse night of creativity from 26 local artists, 15 fashion designers and nine bands.

Bay View's Fashion Ninja host a fashion show and the musical stage awaits performances by Fever Marlene, J. Todd, Rusty P's, Element C. Everest, The Championship and the No Request DJs. The Wicked Hop provides tasty libations.

This year the Made In Milwaukee team has joined forces with Camp Heartland, a Milwaukee-based national and nonprofit organization. Camp Heartland strives to enhance the lives of children impacted by HIV/AIDS through year-round support of recreational programs and community awareness efforts. The artists involved in the event will each donate one piece to be auctioned off. The proceeds of this auction will go to help the children, families and programs of Camp Heartland.

Bay View
Paper Boat Gallery
2375 S. Howell Ave.
Summer Gallery Night in stands as the opening of a mixed media collaboration between Mike Brodie (aka The Polaroid Kidd) and Oakland-based artist Monica Canalio -- who is showing in Milwaukee for the first time -- at Paper Boat Gallery. Both artists will be in attendance for the event on Friday from 7 to 10 p.m.

"Brodie and Canilao will be debuting two new collaborative works as well as Brodie's full body of new 35mm photographs, featured in this months' "American Photo Magazine," hung with Canalio's dreamy mixed media works," says Paper Boat owner Faythe Levine.

The untitled show stays up at the gallery through Aug. 31.