The momentum continues this summer with Forward V: Our Wisconsin & Regional Artists, our fifth annual celebration of the exceptional painters, sculptors, printmakers, and mixed-media artists who call Wisconsin and the greater Midwest home.  

This beloved exhibition carries special meaning in 2026 — it will be the first Forward in our beautiful new space, and it arrives at a landmark moment for the Third Ward as the Historic Third Ward Association celebrates its 50th Anniversary.

Forward V gathers artists Marc Anderson, Reginald Baylor, Allison B. Cooke, Al Eickberg, Steve Gerhartz, Bobby Girsh, Michael Guinane, Mutópe J. Johnson, Darren Jones, Shelby Keefe, Antwan Ramar, Jolanta Kinga Rose, Colette Odya Smith, Michael Charles Sutton, and John Waite.

This year we are proud to introduce two emerging artists to the Forward stage: Greta Berens from MIAD and Abigail Tran from UWM — two extraordinary young talents whose inclusion reflects our deep belief in growing and supporting the next generation of Wisconsin artists.