Milwaukee, WI-based poetry & Art project
spray painted poems
Spray Painted Poems is a community-centric poetry & art project based in Milwaukee, WI. Poems from the community are sourced and spray painted onto the sidewalks in front of local businesses, creating an asset map of both creatives and organizations in the city.
Click around on our website and have a good time!
Map
Click on a pinned location to see the spray painted poems
Learn more about the creatives who wrote each piece and discover the business or organization located along that section of the sidewalk by visiting the Locust Street & Center Street pages.
Riverwest
Locust Street
Meet our poets, read their work, and check out the local businesses in the amazing Riverwest neighborhood who are part of the asset mapping project!
Woodland Pattern Book Center
Bre Legan | Beedle. the Poet (they/them)brelegan.com & instagram.com/beedle.thepoet
Bre Legan is a multimedia storyteller and dreamer living and loving out of Milwaukee, though they are pleased to have roots in many places. Bre holds an MA in Communication and Digital Media through the Trinity Fellowship at Marquette University and BAs in art and writing from Drury University and Santa Reparata International School of Art. Bre is the 2022 Milwaukee Emerging Poet Fellow through Woodland Pattern Book Center, where they facilitated this yearlong, multi-prong community project that brings poetry into public spaces. When they aren’t busy studying the intersections of art and social justice, you will likely find them fiddling with an ancient typewriter, organizing with Midcoast Artist Collective, and exploring this beautiful world.
“The
becoming
must be
our own
doing.”
Peter Burzyński (he/they)peterburzynski.com & Instagram.com/peter_burzynski
Peter Buzyński, PhD (he/they) works as the Book Center Manager at Woodland Pattern Book Center in Milwaukee. In Fall 2023 Burzyński will serve as a Postdoctoral Fulbright Scholar in the Slovak Republic teaching graduate courses in literature. He is the son of immigrants who call him on the phone every day.
“But No Matter
whatever
does not happen
I still love
the spikey clouds
you make
into poems”
Scardina Specialties
Trisha Young (she/her)
I have a voice I haven't used to speak with other people and that has only served to restrict me. I've been writing poems for most of my life, but have been scared to bare that side of me to the public. That ends this year!
“I speak to ghosts in quiet whispers
in every surface I have ever touched.”
Rockhaus Guitars & drums
Nathan Honore | Next Paperback Hero (he/him)nextpaperbackhero.com
Next Paperback Hero is emotive indie rock by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Nathan Honoré from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Melodic baritone vocals deliver confessional lyrics that are as resilient as they are vulnerable, complementing the guitar-driven sound with an undercurrent of restlessness. Whether performing solo or as a band, Next Paperback Hero retains the intimacy of a singer-songwriter while creating a distinctly soulful, dynamic experience.
“We stop so we can begin again.”
Eugene Strei (he/him)
Eugene Strei is currently studying musical theater and dance. He enjoys sharing stories and hopes that his work can will inspire others.
“It is time to find
happiness in your smile
and to allow yourself
to breathe.”
Black Husky Brewing
Stephanie Anderson (she/her)
Steph (She/Hers) is a creative originally from Vermont. More comfortable with a paint brush and oil paints, she is excited to have reconnected with writing this year! Writing is often her way of exploring different emotions as well as painting pictures of other worlds.
“I got lost in swipes when all I had to do was look up.”
Erin Hastings | EKHproductions (they/them)
avid shoe wearer
“I will love you through life.
I will make that choice every day that you ask of it.
And even if you didn’t,
I would still.”
Lush popcorn
Tavi Unx (they/them)
My name is Tavi Unx and I’m a queer creative based in Milwaukee. My work varies from poetry, art, and also jewelry making!
“Are you ever going to get
full enough
to stop
indulging
in
me?”
Anonymous
“The people who say
I’m entitled
think I owe them
everything.”
Linneman’s riverwest inn
Jorge Vallentine (he/him)
JorgeVallentine.com
Hi! I'm Jorge Vallentine and I'm trying to live, breathe, and spread authenticity and unconditional love, mainly through creating and sharing indie folk music and having meaningful conversations. :)
“Learn to love yourself as you deserve.”
Aryn the Alchemist (they/them)
Instagram.com/errand_boi
Aryn the Alchemist is a word-weaving, spell-casting queer with a penchant for poetic whimsy.
“a path is crossed
our foot prints linger
no matter how brief we walked”
the tracks tavern & grill
Sophie Bolich | sjbolich (she/hers)
My name is Sophie Bolich. I'm a proud Milwaukeean, journalist and jack of many silly little trades.
“I see how you treat
each day as an
opportunity,
planting seeds
in every step
you advance.”
Sophia J. Boyer (she/her)
I'm a student at UWM majoring in English Elementary Education and recently declared a second minor in Writing, Editing, and Publishing. Once I begin producing more work I hope to submit to some of the many fantastic local independent presses based in Milwaukee.
“Varying breaths of life
bloom in even the
tiniest of your
sidewalk cracks.”
Riverwest
Center Street
Meet our poets, read their work, and check out the local businesses in the amazing Riverwest neighborhood who are part of the asset mapping project!
riverwest farmers market (along center st.)
Eliza Woods(she/hers)elizawoods.my.canva.site
I am just a person who likes to dance, talk, and learn as much as I can. These words come from people who've taught me invaluable lessons about healing, love, joy, and the land. A few of these people live right here in Milwaukee.
“on land
she said to
feel the ghosts*—life
lessons linger in seeds.”
Jamai Fisher (she/her)Instagram.com/ijamaicaresse
I'm a student at UWM majoring in English Elementary Education and recently declared a second minor in Writing, Editing, and Publishing. Once I begin producing more work I hope to submit to some of the many fantastic local independent presses based in Milwaukee.
“My ego weighs 100 pounds
I often think I’m too heavy to care about”
Andy Schurman (they/them)Instagram.com/etcetera_naut
I'm all about the transcendence of the human experience through down to earth poems or abstract narratives. While I work in film and stage, I am currently working on a zine/text that is a multimedia narrative of a single experience.
“To those who walk upon
These stones in sorrow
Love you,
See you tomorrow”
high dive
Ryan Sablay (he/him)
Ryan Sablay is a Milwaukee based multi instrumentalist and singer songwriter. Fascinated with storytelling, art, and the relationships between people, he uses his experiences and observations to make songs that will hopefully relate to and move his audience -physically, emotionally, or both.
“The cold inside is gone,
Some coffee and a song
And everything’s alright.”
Morgan Florsheim (she/her)
Anonymous on Sidewalk
“Lake Michigan spills slowly.
I pedal home with sand in my hair.”
Riverwest Tattoo Company
Chloe King (she/they)Instagram.com/4leafchlovers
My work is about keeping a positive outlook when working towards social change, finding the trails prior activists have started packing down before us, and continuing to pack the trails down for future friends. :) this poem is specifically about the identities I’ve found so far in life, the identities i am still developing, and how i change and can relate to many things.
“LIKE FIRE
I FLICKER AND FRAY
DISOBEYING GRAVITY”
Anonymous
“Stand on your hind legs and spit fire!”
(formerly) Company Brewing
Lydia Wojcieszak (she/her)
Lydia is a Milwaukee-based designer with a love for any and all things creative. Design, illustration, writing, music- you name it, she probably loves it.
“You are loved in so many directions;
you just love forgetting this.”
Sevan Cat Mercy (they/she)starryserpent.com & Instagram.com/starryserpent
I’ve been in Milwaukee since I was about 9, and since have spent my years in the music and art scene, in community organizing, and offering medicine and magick as a fullspectrum doula, diviner, and somatic healing coach. I’m a queer nonbinary Mama, of West Asian, Euro, and Latine descent.
“Consider Eden:
Our only mistake
was not eating
more fruit.”
Centro Cafe
Alyx (she/her)
Hi! I’m Alyx, a local Milwaukee creative who dabbles in everything from poetry to acting to mixed media collaging. I love Milwaukee so much and am eager to take part in celebrating Milwaukee’s overflowing creativity.
“Gorgeous,
Volatile Storms
she may be,
Jupiter is a woman,
a woman like me.”
Brit Nicole (she/her)Instagram.com/PoeticallyBrit
Brit Nicole is a spoken word artist, community healer, performer, musician, and facilitator based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She hosts Lyrical Sanctuary at UWM is also the winner for "Best Local Author" in Shepherd Express' "Best of MKE 2022."
“Paint me royal
Crown me in divinity
Color me courageous
Shower me in redemption”
The Daily Bird Cafe
Alyssa Schall (she/they)Instagram.com/alyssaschall
Alyssa is a poet and aspiring astrologer from Milwaukee. She would really like to gently remind you to drink some water.
“11:11
make a wish
take a breath
drink water
listen
carefully
[drink water]”
Emily Hall | Mystic Magnolia Astrology (she/her)flowermoon.substack.com & Instagram.com/mysticmagnoliaastro
Cosmic messenger, storyteller & creator.
“I am human
I deserve nourishment
My body is beautiful”
Riverwest Radio 104.1 WXRW-FM
Jill Capicchioni | #wordhousemke (she/hers)
“You can acknowledge
the voice in your head
without listening to it.”
D. Walk (he/they)
midwest maven.
cultural savant.
storyteller.
“Change is constant.
Change is constant work.
Change is constantly working.”
Quarters
Matthew Hill | Slumber Prince (he/they)Instagram.com/slumber.prince
I am a Milwaukee/ Midwest digital artist just finding their footing in the art scene. I have 10+ years of posting micro poetry but am trying to keep everything central to my new art instagram. I like to post micro poetry alongside my art and hope to eventually publish a book or zine one day :)
“3am People
I am wired by moonlight
Disarmed by your smile”
Celeste Crandal (she/her)www.celestecrandal.com
I share poetry that explores humanity at every level. I will strive to take you on a journey through my personal wrestles with faith, gender roles, motherhood and human connection.
“What beautiful truth are you
afraid to pull
from the cavern of
your heart?”
Yours Truly
Joshua Hembel (he/him)Instagram.com/recluseandthevoyage
Jubilant Little plant is a poem about letting go of the things that a person knows is killing them in order to find rebirth and growth. These lines are a celebration in seeing those changes come about as a culmination of all of their deliberate actions and efforts.
“I am once again
a jubilant little plant
exploding with
so many bright green shoots”
Ari Kohll (they/them)
27 yr old queer Trans enby Jew. Personally and professionally passionate about housing justice and harm reduction.
“I am a whole home;
Perpetually in the act of
Spring Cleaning”
Ebb & Flow
Mikey Cody Apollo (she/they)mikeycodyapollo.com
Mikey (pronounced my-key) Murry, also known as Mikey Cody Apollo, is a Black queer writer, filmmaker, educator, and feminist killjoy from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Most of their work explores themes such as race, gender, sex, and religion. When Mikey grows up, she wants to be the first Black woman to receive the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
“To make and unmake yourself
is the first sign of light.”
Kim Shine (she/her)Instagram.com/MissKimShine
I'm a creative who originally moved to Milwaukee, a few years ago, for work. I published my first book of poetry last year and hope to inspire others to believe in their journey, empower themselves and take control of their lives.
"i miss you
but i don't know
what that looks like
in real life..."
Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts
Elizabeth Feather | Rhymes Come True (she/hers)Instagram.com/rhymes _ come _ true
Elizabeth Feather spends her pastime doing two things she loves the most: teaching and art. PhD student by day and an artsy person by night, she engages in the music scene by writing and performing poetry in two languages, running a DIY music venue with her partner and DJing for Prowl Radio at UWM.
"I am ready to fight Armageddon
If I can see your cheeks redden."
Anonymous
“I do not have
A latchkey heart.
My ribcage will always
be a nest.”
Watch our documentary
Film
Milwaukee is a complex city with a storied past that paints, and sometimes stains, the present. Unspoken histories and underlying currents haunt the city. It is a confusing space to navigate. Walking a block over in specific neighborhoods will present dramatically different results, and zip codes have very defined boundaries. Milwaukee is one of the most segregated cities in the United States, according to data collected from the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau (2018). This deep history of segregation and inequity have produced a vibrant creative scene, filled with many talented artists, writers, poets, musicians, and other creatives.the becoming: the Story of Spray Painted Poems follows an experimental community poetry and art project in Milwaukee, WI. Poems sourced from local creatives are spray painted onto the city sidewalks, creating an asset map / poetry walk of the city that connects poets, poems, businesses, and passerbys together into an intimate yet fleeting moment. This short poetic documentary film uses the frameworks of decolonization and queer theory to explore creative expression in Milwaukee. The filmmaker documents a public art and poetry project in partnership with Woodland Pattern Book Center.
Milwaukee has a deep history of redlining, a term that emerged in the 1930s that describes discriminatory practices within loan and housing opportunities for minority populations (Foltman & Jones, 2019). Historic redlining has caused immense inequities within Milwaukee, and these echoes are still seen today. While not an explicit focus in this film, the historical context of the deep segregation of Milwaukee is important in the storytelling.
Decolonization and queer theory provide the theoretical framework of this film. Queer theory works to deconstruct compulsory heterosexuality (Butler, 1990; Segwick, 1994). It emerged in the early 1990s from earlier works of Michel Foucault, Judith Butler, and Eve Sedgewick, whose work deals with sexuality and gender. Stewart (2017) says, “Queer theory and politics necessarily celebrate transgression in the form of visible difference from norms. These 'Norms' are then exposed to be norms, not natures or inevitabilities. Gender and sexual identities are seen, in much of this work, to be demonstrably defiant definitions and configurations” (p. 62). To be queer inherently is to be a direct departure from the dominate culture of heterosexuality and heteronormative thought.
Queer theory, rather than theories explicitly involving “homosexual,” “gay,” or “lesbian” thought, which are defined by particular identities that can be analyzed sociologically, is defined in relation to mental models that have meaning only in their shared contrast to dominant ideology (Stewart, 2017). Rather than being limited by the binary thinking of heterosexuality/homosexuality, Sedgewick (1994) says, “‘Queer’ can refer to: the open mesh of possibilities, gaps, overlaps, dissonances and resonances, lapses and excesses of meaning when the constituent elements of anyone’s gender, or anyone’s sexuality aren’t made (or can’t be made) to signify monolithically” (p. 8). Queer theory challenges the homo/heterosexual binary that stabilizes and naturalizes heterosexuality. Queer scholars find the cracks in existing systems and expose new sites of resistance and ways of being. It is within these meshes of possibilities that creative expression often lives, and is thus the main theoretical anchor within this film.
Decolonization helps expand queer theory and offers interesting and exciting connections to the physical space of Milwaukee. Decolonization and post-colonial studies call to move beyond sexuality to an intersectional lens of race, gender, class, ability, nation, and the sex/body – e.g. merging postcolonial and queer studies (Asante & Hanchey, 2021). Decolonization, at its core, is the undoing of colonialism, which is the exertion of power from an imperial nation onto another nation to form colonies (Betts, 2012). Decolonization scholars explore decoloniality through analyses of power and knowledge (Tuhiwai Smith, 2013). Decolonization critiques Western worldviews that promote systems of individualism and capitalism. With a focus on community-centric creative projects, this film utilizes decolonization and post-colonial framing.
This project is explored through the documentary form, and more specifically: poetic and performative documentary modes. Poetic modes of documentary filmmaking “emphasize visual associations, tonal or rhythmic qualities, descriptive passages, and formal organization... bearing a close proximity to experimental, personal, and avant-garde filmmaking” (Nichols, 2017, p. 22). The performative mode “emphasizes the subjective or expressive aspect of the filmmaker’s own involvement with a subject; it strives to heighten the audience’s responsiveness to this involvement. It rejects notions of objectivity in favor of evocation and affect. The films in this mode all share qualities with experimental and personal films. They share a strong emphasis on what it feels like to inhabit the world in a specific way or as part of a specific subculture” (Nichols, 2017, p. 22). Through a focus on imagery and form that is poetic and a point of view that evokes performative modes, this film begins to emerge. The filmmaker used an inductive approach where footage (e.g. research) is first captured and analyzed and arranged afterwards. This approach to filmmaking allows for authentic and organic material to be captured and allows the filmmaker to use the theoretical frameworks to connect the footage and bring the story forward. This premise also meant that a precise outline was impossible to create before filming, and many times counterproductive for the process.
Asante, G., & Hanchey, J. (2021). Decolonizing queer modernities: the case for queer (post)colonial studies in critical/cultural communication. Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies. pp. 1-9. DOI: 10.1080/14791420.2021.1907849 Betts, R. F. (2012). "Decolonization". In BOGAERTS, ELS; RABEN, REMCO (eds.). Decolonization: A brief history of the word. Beyond Empire and Nation. The Decolonization of African and Asian societies, 1930s-1970s. Brill. pp. 23–38. Butler, J. (1990). Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. New York: Routledge. Community Access Survey. (2018). United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/ Foltman, L. and Jones, M. (2019, March 5). The Enduring Impact of Redlining. Urban Milwaukee. https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2019/03/05/the-enduring-impact-of-redlining/ Elson, A. (2019). Little Black Book. https://www.lbbonline.com/news/nonos-experimental-short-film-explores-the-heartbeats-of-memory Nichols, B. (2017). How can we define documentary film? In Introduction to Documentary, 3rd Ed. (pp. 1-28). Indiana University Press. Sedgwick, E. K. (1994). Tendencies. London: Routledge. Stewart, J. (2017). Academic Theory. In C. Richards, W. Bouman, & M. Barker (eds.), Genderqueer and Non-Binary Genders: Critical and Applied Approaches in Sexuality, Gender and Identity. (pp. 53-72). Palgrave Macmillan. Tuhiwai Smith, L. (2013). Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. Zed Books.
Director: Bre Legan Producer: Bre Legan Videographer: Andy Schurman Editor: Bre Legan Assistant Editor: Andy Schurman Music (In Order of Appearance) “Believe In You”: John Justus “First Impressions”: Next Paperback Hero “Life is Good”: Jorge Vallentine & the Honest Love “Breaking Down”: Next Paperback Hero “Heavy Eyes”: Next Paperback Hero “Upwards”: John Justus “All in Good Time”: John Justus Poets (In Order of Appearance) Beedle. the poet Aryn the Alchemist Celeste Crandal Alyssa Schall Alyx Chloe King Eliza Woods Emily Hall Erin Hastings Eugene Strei Jorge Vallentine Jamai Fisher Joshua Hembel Elizabeth Feather Nathan Honore Matthew Hill Sophia Bolich Peter Burzyński Stephanie Anderson Andy Schurman Additional Poets in the Project Ari Kohll Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Brit Nicole D. Walk Lydia Wojcieszak Kim Shine Mikey Cody Apollo Morgan Florsheim Ryan Sablay Sevan Cat Mercy Sophia J. Boyer Tavi Unx Trisha Young #wordhousemke Special Thanks to City of Milwaukee Woodland Pattern Book Center Scardina Specialties Rockhaus Guitars & Drums Black Husky Brewing Lush Popcorn Linneman’s Tracks Tavern & Grill Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts Ebb & Flow Quarters Yours Truly Riverwest Radio The Daily Bird Centro Café Company Brewing Riverwest Tattoo High Dive Riverwest Farmers Market With Support and Funding from Woodland Pattern Book Center Milwaukee Emerging Poet Fellowship Shot in Milwaukee, WI May 2023 SprayPaintedPoems.com
Once a dream, now a reality
About
Poetry has the power to bridge divides and unite the most unlikely of forces. it is magical, transformative, & revolutionary. spray painted poems is the manifestation of poetry, art, & community coming together.Spray Painted Poems is, at its core, spray painted poems - specifically, short poems spray painted on sidewalks. The goal was to create an asset map of Milwaukee neighborhoods, starting with Riverwest, in partnership with local businesses and organizations to produce a "poetry walk" through the neighborhood(s) with short poems/pieces of poems spray painted onto the sidewalks. These 36 poems were sourced from the Milwaukee community from artists, poets, musicians, and other creatives.Spray Painted Poems sought poems, lyrics, and short phrases that celebrate and uplift those who read them. We wanted to decorate Milwaukee with messages of hope, not division.This project drew inspiration from an Instagram account called PoetryByBoots, who is a traveling poet that uses stencils to spray paint short lines of poetry onto sidewalks and other surfaces. Constructing intimate lines of poetry that are then situated in highly trafficked areas one can only see when looking down creates profound singular moments of recognition.The physical act of spray painting poems onto the sidewalks of Riverwest took place throughout the month of May 2023. The finished project was presented on June 18, 2023 at Woodland Pattern Book Center, where there were self-guided tours of the poetry walk during the day (with a physical map for folks to follow with details on the poets and businesses) and a formal program in the evening where there was live music and poetry, along with a Q&A about the project.
While we have not spray painted poems beyond this initial two-street project, we are very open to expanding! We are seeking anchor institutions (like Woodland Pattern Book Center) to help situate and support the project in new areas. Reach out if you have ideas or want to chat!
Organizer
Howdy! I’m Bre Legan (they/them), also known as Beedle. the poet. I’m an artist, poet, and community builder based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.I create public art and poetry experiences that invite people to slow down, speak up, and see the world around them a little differently. I’m the creator of Spray Painted Poems, a mobile public art project that brings micro-poetry into everyday spaces - from city sidewalks to community workshops. This project began during my time as Woodland Pattern Book Center’s inaugural Emerging Poet Fellow ('22-'23) and continues to grow through hands-on, participatory workshops and public installations across Wisconsin.Outside of Spray Painted Poems, I write, make zines, design weird little things, and believe deeply in the power of accessible, place-based art. I hold a Master’s in Communication and Social & Economic Justice from Marquette University, where I was part of the Trinity Fellows program.Thanks for being here - I’m so glad you’re exploring the project.Want to see more of my art & design work? Visit brelegan.com!
Media Features
"Art and Community with Spray Painted Poems" by Ben Slowey, Shepherd Express
Interested in learning how to do this?
Where poetry hits the pavement... literally.
Workshops
We lead hands-on workshops across Wisconsin (and virtually) that blend poetry, public art, and radical self-expression. Whether you’re a teen with zero writing experience or a community group ready to get bold, we help people find their creative voice - then spray paint it into the world.
What we do
Each workshop includes:
A short, engaging session about poetry as public art
A writing workshop focused on creating micro poems
A hands-on art portion where we turn your words into spray-painted stencils
We bring all materials: spray paint (or chalk spray for temporary pieces), stencils, and creative support. Depending on your space and needs, we can:
Spray poems directly onto sidewalks (yes, it’s legal, and yes, it’s beautiful)
Create wearable art (shirts, posters, or cardstock)
Use eco-friendly mud paint for a more natural vibe
Workshops can be one-time events or multi-part series. Virtual options available!
Why This Work Matters
We believe poetry is for everyone, not just classrooms or stages. Our goal is that each participant walks away feeling empowered, seen, and proud to call themselves a poet and artist - whether it’s their first time writing or their hundredth.Here’s what one student from a past workshop said:
“I didn’t think I could write a poem, but now my words are on the sidewalk for the whole city to read. That feels amazing.”
— Teen Art Council Member, Museum of Wisconsin Art
FAQ
Is this legal?
Yes! During workshops, we use either removable chalk spray or eco-safe materials that wash away over time. When done on public sidewalks, we work within local regulations, and we can also stencil onto posters, shirts, or other materials if needed.What if I don’t write poetry?
Perfect, this is for you. We guide you through every step, and most participants are total beginners. You’ll be surprised by what you can create.What spaces do you work in?
Libraries, museums, youth centers, festivals, classrooms, parks - we’re flexible and mobile. We’ll work with you to make the setup smooth and safe.How long is a workshop?
Most one-off sessions are about 2-3 hours. Multi-part workshops can be split into writing + art days for deeper engagement.What’s the cost?
Rates vary based on location, length, materials, and group size. Get in touch and we’ll chat about what’s possible!
Reach Out
Want to bring a workshop to your community, classroom, or organization?
Let’s make it happen. Contact us here.