Latina Siblings Open Co-working Art Space on Milwaukee’s East Side to Change ‘Starving Artist’ Culture

Milwaukee artists have a new resource to utilize on the city’s East Side. La Gente was originally used as a rental space and featured artwork from locals during curated events. But siblings and co-owners, Missy and Olivia Camacho, felt the need to pivot and become more communal. They reintroduced the space, with public events and membership options, during Hispanic Heritage Month.

“Opening week was an exciting week to be more intentional and I can’t wait for this to be the vibe going forward,” said Missy who creates all the graphics for La Gente. “It was celebratory, intimate and vulnerable. We saw other artists for who they are, where they’re coming from and where they want to go. We all got excited about helping each other.” 

Missy’s emphasis on community fueled the inception of the gallery a couple years ago. It was made out of dissatisfaction in the lack of art spaces available to marginalized groups.

“Like a lot of people in our community, the art community, the BIPOC community, the queer community, a lot of it comes out of frustration. For us, and because we’re siblings who have very different art mediums, we just wanted a space where we could both hang out, create and collaborate, and enter into our art career,” Missy said.

Filmmaker and photographer, Olivia, had a previous experience in a work setting where she was the only brown woman and was getting paid the least. “As Latina artists, the first thing we’ve noticed starting a new job, which is frustrating, is going into these rooms and how many non-binary or women are in there? And then how many people of color? We’re sick of having to downplay ourselves and who we are.”

The siblings feel strongly about being able to support people through similar situations or try to make sure they don’t have to experience them at all. “We have the ability to lift us up and lift Milwaukee up,” she said.

With the reintroduction, La Gente is now offering new public programming and membership opportunities.

Membership perks include access to rent video items, lighting and podcast equipment at no additional cost while in the space, or at a discounted price for off-site use. Art supplies are also available for free or purchase depending on use. 

“If we see something you have an idea for, we can help be a part of launching that or if we see something cool, it’s going on our social media,” Olivia noted. 

The environment is welcoming to artists of all disciplines and skill levels and Missy and Olivia are delighted to share their knowledge. “We wanted to offer interchangeable different mediums within the shop for a more affordable price and then we can walk you through how to use them. We want people to be able to try the things they want to try,” Missy explained.

The pair put a lot of effort into their relationship as siblings before they began co-owning a business together. 

“We didn’t have a blueprint so this was the hardest relationship we ever put energy into,” recalled Olivia. An example of their work style is making sure each other feels heard and solving problems together. 

La Gente’s unofficial tagline of “No Starving Artist” comes from Missy and Olivia’s mentality of moving forward collectively. They have been inspired by so many activists and movements that, to them, are already making art less pretentious.

Zakia Wells, a painter and reiki healer, met Olivia and Missy at La Gente a couple years ago at an anime and movie event and immediately felt at home. As soon as memberships were available for the space she signed up. “They welcomed me so easily and lovingly. I came in as a sad person and I left revitalized and recharged and had more hope.” 

Similar to other local artists, Wells desired to invest in herself and her art community. “I’ve had my second exhibition here. I was truly feeling down inside and they gave me a chance to show up and do something,” she exclaimed.

La Gente is located at 2478 N. Murray Ave in Milwaukee. To learn about memberships and upcoming events, visit their website or follow them on Instagram at @lagenteart. 

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