The five best public art pieces on the Milwaukee Riverwalk

The Milwaukee Riverwalk is a three-mile, public walking trail along the Milwaukee River, offering serene views of the water and easy access to many downtown sights. The Riverwalk is also home to a number of public art installations, each of which come with unique histories and significance. Here are five of the best pieces of public art along the Riverwalk and the stories behind them.

1) “The Bronze Fonz”

Between Wells Street and Mason Street

Perhaps the most famous sight (and photo op) on the Riverwalk, the Bronze Fonz depicts Henry Winkler’s famous character of Arthur Fonzarelli from the celebrated sitcom “Happy Days,” set in 1950s and 1960s Milwaukee. It was sculpted out of bronze in 2008 by Wisconsin artist Gerald P. Sawyer, and stands at 5 feet, 6 inches – Winkler’s actual height. The statue has become an iconic Milwaukee landmark, even being recently merchandised by the Brewers as a commemorative bobblehead. 

2) “Dream with the Fishes for Aurora”

Riverside Theater (116 W. Wisconsin Ave.)

If you’ve spent any amount of time on the Riverwalk, you’ll most likely recognize this massive art installation along the back wall of the iconic Riverside Theater. The oceanic scene was commissioned and designed by San Francisco artist Cork Marcheschi in 1998, and was constructed using aluminum, stainless steel, and vinyl. It underwent a renovation in 2015, adding LED lighting that illuminates the side of the building at night.

3) “Supporting the Question”

Mason Street Landing, past North Front Street

Designed by Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design alumni Jeremy Shamrowicz, this boldly abstract sculpture is a recognizable Riverwalk staple. Installed in 2012, the meaning behind the piece is up for interpretation – some see it as a statement about “thinking outside the box,” but like many great art installations, its ultimate message lies in the eye of the beholder.

4) “Dancing Through Life”

Pere Marquette Park (900 N. Plankinton Ave.)

This painted steel sculpture was designed by legendary Wisconsin artist Schomer Lichtner, constructed in 2003 as one of Lichter’s last pieces being he passed away in 2006 at age 101. The angular, dynamic piece depicts a ballerina poised atop a cow – two figures that appear in many of Lichter’s other works. Located at the Riverwalk’s entrance to Pere Marquette Park, a beautiful green space for lounging by the river, the sculpture stands as one of the most vibrant in the entire city. 

5) “Kegnado”

Lakefront Brewery (1872 N. Commerce St.)

A more recent addition to the Riverwalk’s display of public art, “Kegnado” consists of 71 steel kegs that scale 40 feet up Lakefront Brewery. Chaotically strewn along two walls of the building, the piece gives the impression that the kegs are actually being swept away in a violent tornado. All of the kegs are equipped with configurable LEDs, which put on a fantastical light show after the sun goes down. The installation was constructed in 2019 by Milwaukee design firm Retailworks, and can be easily viewed from the Riverwalk.