Art Vs. Food

Save the date for our 2nd annual Art vs. Food on June 12th, 2025.

Thank you to all of our supporters and friends who attended the 2024 Art Vs. Food event presented by the Brewers Community Foundation.

More than $55,000 was raised to support our mission in making the arts accessible for all here in our community.

Dinner Artist: Letasha Smith

Milwaukee Painter Letasha Smith

Letasha Smith is a dynamic interdisciplinary visual artist-educator renowned for her ability to inspire artists of all ages to embrace their creativity. Through school residencies, workshops, and community events, she fosters spaces where individuals can confidently explore their voices and identities through painting and drawing. Letasha’s unique gift lies in her ability to cultivate environments where vulnerability and self-expression flourish, leaving a lasting impact on the artists she inspires.

Letasha’s Arts @ Large career includes school residencies with Washington High School, Jeremiah Curtin Academy, and Victory School; workshops with PEAK Initiative, the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition, and the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music; and Arts @ Large Community center workshops such as peace-banner painting, sound bowls canvas painting, and face painting at the Arts @ Large Block Party.

Dinner Chefs: Nicolas Ramos + Citlali Mendiea-Ramos

Nicolas Ramos and Citlali Mendiea-Ramos

Rooted in their Mexican heritage but embracing the diverse flavors of Latin cuisine, Nicolas Ramos and Citlali Mendiea-Ramos founded Antigua Latin Inspired Kitchen in 2006. With a menu showcasing traditional favorites alongside inventive creations, Antigua delights diners with a vibrant array of tapas, soups, salads, and entrees.

Nicolas Ramos is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry. As the head chef and owner, Nicolas ensures each dish reflects his commitment to excellence.

Citlali Mendiea-Ramos is a trailblazing force, dedicating herself to various leadership roles within the Wisconsin Restaurant Association and The Hispanic Collaborative. In 2019 Citlali joined The Milwaukee Area Technical College Board of Directors, where she represents employers with 15 or more employees, shaping the future of culinary education and industry standards.

VIP Cocktail Hour: Create Space MKE

One-part mixology, one-part call to the muses, topped off with a memorable toast to a vibrant evening. Join us for a special VIP cocktail hour experience led by local artist duo, Create Space MKE.

Since 2016, Jeff Zimpel and Nick Schilz have been collaborating on an artistic vision: Create Space MKE. The project is about composing spaces to study and engage the diverse creative ecosystem of the Greater Milwaukee Area. Born out of a recycled university sculpture studio and many coffee-fueled conversations, Nick & Jeff pitched the idea to their alma mater.

They were welcomed in by the art department to design a custom residency experience where the duo learned how to reach out, host, and dream with multitudes, producing numerous bodies of work, a series of exhibitions, events, and
sub-projects.

As artist-educators, Jeff and Nick approach opportunities in the spirit of learning, rooting their practice in participatory installation, thematic dialogue, storytelling, performance, and exhibition. Under the premise that a studio can grow anywhere, they work together to stir the collective minds and imaginations of those
who create the space. Create Space ebbs and flows as a project, always on the lookout for the next site-specific studio station.