Donna Lexa Art Centers

We want to take a moment to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the incredible sponsors supporting this year’s Gotta Have Art Gala.

Because of your generosity and commitment, Donna Lexa Art Centers is able to continue providing a welcoming and creative space for adults with disabilities, veterans, and individuals living with memory loss. Your support helps ensure that our artists have access to the materials, opportunities, and encouragement they need to thrive.

Events like Gotta Have Art would not be possible without the businesses, organizations, and community members who believe in the power of creativity and inclusion. Your partnership truly makes a lasting impact on our artists and our community.

From all of us at DLAC, thank you for believing in the importance of accessible art and for being such an important part of what we do.

Show your support by visiting our page to learn our story, share our mission, or treat yourself to a special night out by purchasing a ticket to our Gotta Have Art Gala.
https://www.donnalexa.org/gha26

Important Studio Update from DLAC 🎨

Starting today, all artwork created at Donna Lexa Art Centers must be made using only one color. After much consideration, we have selected the most exciting, inspiring, and dynamic color possible…

Beige.

That’s right. Beige paint. Beige pencils. Beige everything.
We look forward to seeing our artists explore the endless creative possibilities of… beige.
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April Fools! 😄

Let’s be honest, our artists would never allow that. Our studios will always be filled with bold colors, creativity, and unique expression. We at DLAC hope your day is filled with silliness and joy!

We’re excited to celebrate one of our own!!

Our staff member, Rose, officially has her artwork on display in the front lobby of the Waukesha Civic Theatre. Her work will be on view March 26 through May 20, with a closing reception on May 2 from 5–7pm at the theater.

Rose’s work is inspired by color, texture, and pattern, often drawing from the folk art of cultures around the world. She finds inspiration in unexpected places, whether it’s a thrift store find, something tucked away in a junk drawer, or even an object discovered on the sidewalk. Her pieces invite viewers to look twice, wonder about her creative process, and ultimately find joy in the details.

If you’re in the area, stop by the theater lobby and check out her work. On top of that, she also has a permanent spot at the Almont Gallery in downtown Waukesha.

Waukesha Civic Theatre:
264 W Main St, Waukesha, WI 53186

Almont Gallery:
342 W. Main Street, Waukesha, WI 53186

Last week, our Executive Director and Program Manager traveled to Washington, DC as part of the Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant program.

This initiative supports the health and well-being of military-connected individuals who have experienced trauma by funding arts programs that foster creativity, connection, and resilience.

While there, we had the opportunity to connect with fellow grantees from across the country who are doing similar, inspiring work in their communities.

Thanks to this grant, we’ve been able to continue and expand our veteran program. If you are a military veteran looking for a creative outlet, visit our website to apply: https://www.donnalexa.org/participant-application

We’re honored to be part of this program led by the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Mid-America Arts Alliance, and excited to continue growing this work.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Elm Grove Woman’s Club for their continued support of our Gotta Have Art Gala!

For many years, the Elm Grove Woman’s Club has been a generous sponsor of this special event. Beyond their sponsorship, they have also provided a wonderful abundance of art supplies throughout the years, helping ensure that our studios remain full of creative possibilities for our artists.

Their ongoing support helps make it possible for the artists at Donna Lexa Art Centers to explore, create, and thrive. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication to our mission and for the many ways they continue to uplift our community.

Thank you, Elm Grove Woman’s Club, for being such a meaningful part of the DLAC family!

If you're also interested in supporting our mission, visit our page to learn our story, share our mission, or treat yourself to a special night out by purchasing a ticket to our Gotta Have Art Gala.
https://www.donnalexa.org/gha26

If you frequent our page, you most likely already know our artist Dan Lindenberg. Dan has been coming to our studio for many years, but before his time at DLAC, he never truly saw himself as an artist. Even today, he sometimes doubts that others will enjoy his work, but he could not be more wrong.

Dan’s artwork has been sold and displayed throughout the greater Milwaukee and Waukesha areas, and in the last three years alone, he has sold nearly 50 pieces. His talent and dedication continue to leave a lasting impression wherever his work is shown.

Dan is legally blind, and to help with the fine details in his paintings, he uses a grid system, which you can see captured in the image below. His work often centers around animals and nature, a reflection of his love for being outdoors and connecting with the world around him.

Dan is a perfect example of how many brushstrokes truly do make a masterpiece, and we are so proud to celebrate him.

If you’d like to support artists like Dan, please visit our page to learn our story, share our mission, or treat yourself to a special night out by purchasing a ticket to our Gotta Have Art Gala this April.

>>> https://www.donnalexa.org/gha26

A big thank you to WaterStone Bank for their continued support of our Gotta Have Art Gala!

For many years, WaterStone Bank has been a valued sponsor of this special event and a wonderful supporter of Donna Lexa Art Centers. In addition to their sponsorship, they have taken the time to visit our studios and invest directly in our creative space.
Their generosity helps ensure that our artists continue to have access to the materials, environment, and encouragement they need to explore their creativity. We are incredibly grateful for their ongoing commitment to our mission and to the artists we serve.

Thank you, WaterStone Bank, for being such an important part of our community!

If you're also interested in supporting our mission, visit our page to learn our story, share our mission, or treat yourself to a special night out by purchasing a ticket to our Gotta Have Art Gala.
https://www.donnalexa.org/gha26

Donna Alexa Art Centers will be closed Monday 3/16 due to weather. Please stay warm and stay safe. ❄️

We couldn’t be more grateful to have welcomed our very first Marquette University High School senior student who volunteered with us for his Senior Shared Life Program! As part of their Senior Shared Life Program, seniors step away from the classroom at the end of the third quarter to spend two full weeks volunteering with community organizations. It’s an opportunity for students to step into the world beyond school walls, learn through service, and reflect on how they want to engage with their communities.

For these past two weeks, Peter has brought incredible kindness, curiosity, and eagerness into our studios. He jumped right in, helping artists and staff, lending a hand wherever it was needed, and becoming a wonderful part of our creative community. It has been a joy to have him with us, and we’re so thankful he chose to spend his Senior Shared Life experience at DLAC.

Thank you, Peter, for sharing your time, energy, and positivity with us. We wish you all the best in everything ahead!

To volunteer at either of our studios, visit our website and fill out an application today:
>>> https://www.donnalexa.org/volunteer-application

We are monitoring the forecast for Monday. At this time we have no plans to close due to weather. If we do make that decision we will post on social media, our outgoing voicemail at our main Waukesha phone number (262.521.2292) and TMJ4's weather closings.

As a reminder we do not contact students individually, so we encourage you to double check before heading out on Monday if the weather isn't looking great.

We base our closures off of if the local school districts where our studios are located close due to weather (Waukesha & West Milwaukee).

Thank you and have a wonderful weekend - stay safe, and stay warm!