JK Art House, Milwaukee’s newest contemporary fine art gallery, is pleased to announce its official launch and the acquisition of Lily Pad Gallery West from founder Alan Perlstein. Co-owned by gallery director Julia Taylor and Karen Ellenbecker, founder of Ellenbecker Investment Group, JK Art House represents 55 artists working across painting, sculpture, and mixed media—carrying forward a strong legacy of arts in the Historic Third Ward while bringing a fresh vision to the gallery’s future.
JK Art House will relocate to an expanded home at 191 N. Broadway—a space nearly double the square footage of its predecessor—featuring expanded exhibition galleries, dedicated artwork storage, and a private client viewing room designed to deepen the collector experience. Please note that the gallery will be closed May 18–26 for the move and will reopen in the new location for regular hours on Wednesday, May 27.
Grand Opening Reception
The community is invited to celebrate the grand opening of JK Art House’s new space at a Grand Opening Reception on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. at 191 N. Broadway, Milwaukee. The evening will serve as the opening reception for The Studio: A Family Dialogue in Paint, featuring Dan McCaw, John McCaw, and Danny McCaw. Guests are invited to meet the artists, explore the new space, and experience a first look at what JK Art House has in store.
From the Owners
“JK Art House is built on the belief that great art should feel welcoming—that a gallery can be both a serious place for collecting and a home where the community can celebrate.
— Julia Taylor, Gallery Director & Co-Owner
“Investing in the arts is investing in the soul of this city. I’m proud to help bring a gallery of this caliber to Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, and to support the extraordinary artists whose work will fill it.”
— Karen Ellenbecker, Co-Owner
About JK Art House
JK Art House is a contemporary fine art gallery located in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. JK Art House is committed to making art accessible, building meaningful collector relationships, and contributing to the cultural vitality of the Milwaukee region. The gallery is co-owned by Julia Taylor, former President of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and Karen Ellenbecker, founder of Ellenbecker Investment Group.
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We are thrilled to present \"Forward,\" our fourth annual group exhibition featuring an impressive lineup of Wisconsin-based artists: Marc Anderson, Steve Gerhartz, Robert M. Girsh, Michael Guinane, Shelby Keefe, Bruce Niemi, Antwan Ramar, John Waite, and Diane Washa. This year, we are especially excited to welcome Mutópe Johnson, Jolanta Kinga Rose, Michael Sutton, and Alan Eickberg.
Runs July 16 - August 31, 2024
• VIP and Press Preview Night: Thursday, July 17th from 6 to 8 pm
• Gallery Night MKE Receptions: Friday, July 18th from 5 to 8 pm and Saturday, July 19th from 11 am to 4 pm
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