About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
Founded in 2025 as a 501(c)(3), Adams Garden Park Arts (AGPA) connects youth and neighbors
to art, cultural exploration, and environmental stewardship. In 2020, a collective of artists,
educators, and community developers activated a rehabilitated building at 1836 W. Fond du Lac
Avenue in Milwaukee’s Lindsay Heights neighborhood, an area impacted by historic
disinvestment. Owners Larry and Sharon Adams committed to transforming vacant properties
into vibrant community spaces to spur local commerce and fellowship.
The collective curated art exhibitions supported artist residencies and teen engagement, hosted
music events, installed sculptures and a poetry walk. Collaborators include M.S.O.E.,
UWM–Peck School of the Arts, Milwaukee Water Commons, and BID32. Building on the initial
success, AGPA is expanding to provide programming for a vacant sub acre site, contiguous to
the sculpture garden.
The AGPA Yard, House, and Gallery project is designed as a destination to art, nature,
culture and fellowship. The Yard activation encompasses nature programming, sunflower
cultivation for both promotional purposes and revenue generation, initiatives to explore African
and African American cultural identity, and the introduction of a portable blacksmithing studio
in partnership with Adams Forge. The House and Gallery transform a vacant 2,832 square
foot duplex into a gallery, residences for local artists and studios.
The Yard, House and Gallery project results in attracting talent and cultivating art
appreciation, nature stewardship, and a gallery for exhibitions and classrooms to
enhance outreach to historically unengaged audiences.
Our Belief
We believe art, culture, and nature hubs spur commerce and fellowship.
We believe welcoming and safe spaces create lasting community assets and
a sense of belonging.
We believe the interconnections of housing and workspaces sustain social
cohesion.
