Lee Matz, Author at Milwaukee Independent

Michelle Obama takes break from book tour for intimate conversation with Milwaukee students

Posted by Lee Matz | Mar 18, 2019 |

Michelle Obama and Conan O’Brien surprised juniors from local high schools at Milwaukee Collegiate Academy on March 14, as part of her nationwide “Becoming” book tour. The private event was hosted by Reach Higher, and initiative launched by Mrs. Obama in 2014 to inspire every student in America to take charge of their future by completing their education past hight school. The high school juniors had gathered from different Milwaukee high schools to have an intimate conversation about education and social issues, when Mrs. Obama arrived unannounced. The students were speechless and excited. Mrs. Obama was in the city...

Milwaukee’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade highlights Celtic tradition for 53rd year

Posted by Lee Matz | Mar 15, 2019 |

The Shamrock Club of Wisconsin’s 53rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade returned to Downtown Milwaukee on March 9, displaying Irish pride along the length of the 1.25-mile route. The Shamrock Club of Wisconsin and the Westown Association have collaborated for the past 17 years on Wisconsin’s oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Although the Shamrock Club is celebrating its 53rd anniversary of producing the parade, the event dates back to 1843. It predates the incorporation of the State of Wisconsin and the City of Milwaukee, making it the sixth oldest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the nation. The...

“Veterans Light Up the Arts” showcases local creative skill and builds community bonds

Posted by Lee Matz | Mar 14, 2019 |

The Milwaukee Art Museum hosted the 3rd annual Veterans Light Up the Arts event on March 8, a creative showcase highlighting veterans in Wisconsin’s arts and cultural landscape. Organized by the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce and with the support of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, the program was created to empower veterans and military families, build community and creativity, and enrich Milwaukee’s thriving arts community. “Many people are not aware of the contributions military veterans make to our community’s arts and cultural landscape,” said Saul Newton, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce. “Veterans Light Up the...

Photo Essay: Examples of how Milwaukee is fighting back with vibrancy and enthusiasm

Posted by Lee Matz | Mar 12, 2019 |

“The State of our City continues to improve. Overall, our economy is stronger, our neighborhoods are safer, and our future is brighter. Of course we have challenges, and we need people across Milwaukee, and beyond, to come together to address these challenges, and make sure Milwaukee is an inclusive, respectful, and fair city. There are many partners energizing our work: community groups, schools, churches, and business people. But today, there is one group in particular I want to highlight: city employees who dedicate their time to improving our community.” – Mayor Tom Barrett Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett delivered his...

Analysis of editorial imagery produces Top 10 photographic colors of Milwaukee

Posted by Lee Matz | Mar 3, 2019 |

Inspired by Cinema Palettes, an art group that uses a screen shot from a Hollywood movie and translates the frames into its core color palette, the Milwaukee Independent applied the same idea to editorial photos taken around the city to find the most common colors of Milwaukee. #95311C #38251C #E0900D Using the published 2018 photo library, 24 featured images were selected for their composition and subject representation. Each image was then evaluated by Adobe software for color harmony to determine the 5 most common hues of that photograph. The digital evaluation produced a color palette representing each picture. The...

Margaret Muza: Melding history and art into a magic recipe for capturing light

Posted by Lee Matz | Mar 1, 2019 |

With uniquely historic roots to Milwaukee and a passion for creativity, Margaret Muza challenged herself to learn a forgotten art form. In that process, her work has developed into a business that inspires others with its craftsmanship and beauty. In the digital age of sensors and pixels it is easy to forget that capturing light is the heart of photography. Muza uses the most basic elements of chemistry to make images that are both fine art and testimonies to vintage technology. While most people are mesmerized by and fascinated with the collodion wet-plate process, it is easy to miss...