By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published May 31, 2022 at 2:30 PM

This content is in parternship with Newaukee

Earlier this year, OnMilwaukee shared the news that a live painting tournament with a $20,000 cash prize was coming to Wauwatosa. And it's happening this weekend.

The City of Wauwatosa and NEWaukee will host ART 64, a unique bracket-style live painting tournament on Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4 in The Village of Tosa. 

The event runs from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday from 3:30 to 8 p.m. The grand prize winner will be announced at 7:45 p.m. Harwood Avenue, State Street and Underwood Avenue will be closed during  the event.

ART 64 will showcase 64 artists from across the country. The artists will have a set period of time to create their works of art on canvas.

The public is invited to watch the live painting and vote for their favorites on the ART 64 website. The artist in each pairing with the most votes will advance to the next round. In the final round, eight artists will compete for the $20,000 grand prize.

Here's the full schedule:

Friday, June 3 

5:30 p.m.  - Day 1 of competition begins
6-7 p.m. - First round of voting, featuring 64 artists
7:30 p.m. - All voting for first round must be completed
7:30-8 p.m. - Announcement of the 32 artists advancing to the second round
8-9 p.m. - Second round of voting, featuring 32 artists
9:30 p.m. - All voting for second round must be completed
9:30-10 p.m. - Announcement of the 16 artists advancing to the third round
10 p.m. - Day 1 of competition ends

Saturday, June 4 

3:30 p.m. - Day 2 of competition begins
3:30- 5 p.m. - Third round of voting, featuring 16 artists
5 p.m. - All voting for third round must be completed
5-5:30 p.m. - Announcement of the 8 artists advancing to the final round
6-7:30 p.m. - Final round of voting, featuring 8 artists
7:30 p.m. - All voting for final round must be completed
7:30-8 p.m. - Announcement of the winner of ART 64 and celebration
8 p.m. - Day 2 of competition ends

ART 64 will feature live music, two bars from sponsor Lowlands Group and food from numerous local restaurants. It is a family-friendly event with numerous activities geared towards children and families, including:

  • Tosa Block Party

  • Connect Kids Yoga

  • ART 64 Photo-Op station

“We’re very excited to bring this unique event to the Village. It will be a great opportunity to see a group of talented artists create art right on the spot,” says Melissa Weiss, Deputy City Administrator for the City of Wauwatosa.

During the tournament, paintings will be displayed in Root Common Park. On-site sales of the works starts at 8 p.m. on Friday. Seventy percent of the proceeds will go directly to the artist and 30 percent will go to the Wauwatosa Parks Improvement Fund.

“Our local restaurants and shops have been very supportive of the event. And with some special activities for children, there will be something for everyone to enjoy," says Weiss.

For more information about ART 64 visit: www.art64tosa.com.


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.