Feast Your Eyes on the Amazing Arts in Green Bay, WI
The arts might not be the first thing that comes to mind when outsiders think about Green Bay, WI, but locals and visitors know that Titletown’s vibrant arts scene includes world-class talent and venues where folks can enjoy a variety of cultural and artistic styles. From live music and murals to theaters and galleries, the arts in Green Bay are red hot when it comes to bountiful options.
“Green Bay has a tendency to punch above its weight as a city,” says Kelli Strickland, executive and artistic director for The Weidner, a performing arts venue in the city.
Ahead find out where you can access different forms of art in Greater Green Bay, WI.
Laid-back Live Music
Black Sheep Pub and Grill: This hidden gem serves up fantastic housemade pub fare and is a popular place to catch live music. You can find local and regional talent playing inside the pub, on its covered outdoor patio or at its events hall next door.
Fox Harbor: Located within the historic Freimann Hotel Building and along the scenic Fox River, this eatery’s stunning views of the water are elevated by live music nearly every weekend.
The Bottle Room: Known for its upscale ambiance and atmosphere, The Bottle Room is an elegant, industrial chic wine bar that showcases local musicians on the weekends.
Plank Road Plate + Pour: Named in honor of the first roadway linking Green Bay and Fond du Lac, this laid-back spot in De Pere has an expansive patio that becomes a lively spot for live music every weekend.
Paradise North Distillery: This Green Bay distillery is known for its variety of exceptional spirits, from rum and whisky to vodka and gin. On select evenings, visitors can enjoy live music by local musicians. The vibrant melodies they create pair perfectly with one of the distillery’s signature cocktails.
Performing Arts Venues in Green Bay
EPIC Event Center: With 25,000-plus square feet, a 72-foot bar, a two-tiered mezzanine and incredible acoustics, it’s no wonder the aptly named EPIC Event Center in Green Bay, WI, delights visitors with national, regional and local performances.
Meyer Theatre: A visit to this historic 1930s-era theater, featuring all original light fixtures, mostly original glass panes, a grand staircase, cherubs and the space’s original Wurlitzer pipe organ, is like a wonderful step back in time, especially during performances.
Resch Center: Open since 2002, this state-of-the-art facility offers a spacious environment with its 10,200-seat multipurpose arena. Located across from the iconic Lambeau Field, the venue hosts large scale events ranging from concerts to sports to kids’ shows.
The Weidner: Located on the sprawling University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus, The Weidner is a beautiful, elegant space that hosts national and international artists and touring productions, including Broadway musicals, comedy shows and holiday specials.
Green Bay Community Theater: Housed in a former century-old church, this hidden jewel has relied on local talent to bring the community exceptionally sophisticated entertainment for more than 89 years.
Evergreen Theater: Billed as the only multigenerational live theater group in northeast Wisconsin, the Evergreen Theater appeals to many, producing a summer show, four adult mainstage productions and three youth productions annually.
Visual Arts in Green Bay, WI
The Art Garage: Since 2006, the Art Garage in Green Bay, WI, has worked to inspire the community to engage with the visual, performing and literary arts through workshops, events and live performances.
Lawton Gallery: Free and open to the public, this intimate gallery is in the Theatre Arts Building of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus. It presents around seven exhibitions a year and invites the community to engage via events, like monthly artist talks and special exhibits.
Mulva Cultural Center: Part art museum, part movie theater, part event space, this state-of-the-art building in De Pere is an interactive learning center that offers lovely views of the Fox River and St. Norbert College. Its modern design features floor-to-ceiling windows, rotating exhibits for all ages, an on-site restaurant and a great gift shop.
Murals: Found throughout the region, area murals pay homage to local luminaries, like Packers legend Bart Starr, vibrant cultures like that of the region’s Ho‑Chunk Nation, and the area’s major industries of yore, like logging and papermaking.
Artstreet Art Festival: For more than 40 years, this free and popular festival hosted by nonprofit Mosaic Arts has featured multiple cultural performances and original works by more than 100 artists across a dazzling array of mediums, including glass, sculpture and live performance.
This article is sponsored by the Greater Green Bay Chamber.