Art and Hops Arrives at Doctors Park Traveling Beer Garden

What started as a grassroots idea next to a neighborhood park has grown into a full-fledged creative tour across Milwaukee County. In this Q+A, artist and small business owner Mike Bate shares how Art and Hops—a fusion of local makers and Milwaukee County Parks—is coming to the Doctors Park Traveling Beer Garden, offering families a unique mix of hands-on art, local vendors, and community connection.

First, can you explain Art and Hops? What's the origin story? 

I am a small business owner, Lit MKE, and have been participating in events for 10 years. When I moved to the Cooper Park neighborhood in 2020 the house I am in is right next to the park and became a board member in its friends group so I became more involved.

When I saw that the Traveling Beer Garden would be making a stop at our park, I thought I could bring some fellow small business owners, artist/maker friends together to come set up during a night while the beer garden was here and create an event that is community engaging, bring people to the beer garden and park, and also provide an opportunity for artists and makers to express themselves and to be supported/ recognized in front of community who may not know them yet.

It was a hit and beer sales went up big time that night and received great feedback from the community. Since then my community called for it every year and have been organizing them at Cooper Park for the past four years. 

What inspired the collaboration between Art and Hops and the Traveling Beer Garden for this first-time event at Doctors Park?

Since it has become an annual tradition in my neighborhood of Cooper Park, I thought why not spread my wings and use what I started in Cooper as a blueprint and apply it to more stops along the tour of the traveling beer garden. When they announced the schedule of where the TBG would be, I checked what I could realistically pull off with my schedule and aligned a 5 stop tour to bring art and small businesses into new parks and into new communities. 

The MKE county parks loved the idea and thus Art and Hops became a series and really excited to be coming to Doctors Park for the very first time. 

What can families with children expect when they visit Art and Hops? Are there activities specifically designed for kids?

I'm very proud of the collection of artists that will be coming to the Doctors Park stop. They are all very high-quality businesses , but also high quality people and I know them all personally. I really would love for the youth to be inspired and a great way to make connections with the artists and put a face to their work in all different mediums. There's going to be something there for everyone and all age groups.

One in particular, The Creative Social, is a booth that will have a place where they can teach you how to create their own work of art for any age. Take home art kits or create on site. Tables and supplies will be there for them to spend some time while adults can join in and help or give you a chance to grab a beverage and see what else there is to see. 

Can you highlight some of the unique local vendors that families might not find elsewhere? 

There will be booths there that are just breaking onto the artist scene but also some who have been working on their craft for years-decades. If you love sustainabilty a fun new business is ECO MKE Refillary that promotes environmentally friendly household supplies and you can bring your own vessles to fill up with hand soap, detergents, and other cleaning supplies that are healthy for your home and the planet in a non-waste way. 

Are there any Wisconsin-themed artisans that showcase local culture?

Patrons can check out Midwest Shores (who specialize in stones, crystals, and gifts) and they let it be known to me that a lot of the stones they present have come from the north shore park area and  this very community. All of the artists are from southeastern Wisconsin mostly and all have a story with a passion behind it that they all would be excited to share. I personally will have soy/coconut wax scented candles repurposed from liquor, wine, beer bottles and cans, many representing Wisconsin. 

How can families continue supporting these local artisans after the event?

I encourage you to follow their social media pages to stay connected and see where else they will be coming up. Visit their website and browse when the inspiration hits you to support small for your gift giving or when you want to treat yourself. All of the artists with their websites are listed on the Facebook event page, Art and Hops with The Traveling Beer Garden at Doctors Park.

Are there plans to expand family programming at future events?

I hope this is just the beginning of big things to come and would absolutely love to get communities involved and use this as a vehicle to heighten departments, organizations, and also heighten community engagement.  The more the merrier philosophy. 

How can families stay connected with Art and Hops throughout the year?

Follow the Instagram page of Art and Hops to check out upcoming stops, news, who will be coming to each stop, and sneak peeks at the art that will be heading your way. Can't wait to see you all there and thank you in advance for your support and advocacy.