locust street
riverwest, mke
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)
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 (they/them) - EKHproductions
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 (coming soon; formerly klinger’s)
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)
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)
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.”