Art Gallery Will Open in Milwaukee Building
Matt Kuhlman plans to open the Oxbow Projects art gallery in a historic Milwaukee building by spring 2027.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Artist and developer Matt Kuhlman is transforming a 116-year-old property at 3718 W. Vliet St. into a new art gallery called Oxbow Projects. The space will host rotating six-week art exhibitions following extensive renovations to the historic building.
Why it matters
The project aims to revitalize the local business corridor and invigorate the Milwaukee gallery scene. By updating a mixed-use space to meet modern codes, the development seeks to preserve historic architecture while providing a new cultural destination for residents.
The gallery project occupies a 116-year-old mixed-use building located at 3718 W. Vliet St. The space is designed to support rotating exhibitions that will run for six-week intervals.
The players
Matt Kuhlman
He is the developer and artist overseeing the renovation of the Oxbow Projects gallery space.
The details
Kuhlman is currently performing structural renovations to bring the property up to ADA standards, including comprehensive updates to walls, floors, ceilings, and bathrooms. The exterior of the building is also being repainted from red to yellow to prepare for its future as a cultural hub.
Timeline
Matt Kuhlman purchased the building in 2024.
Drywall installation is scheduled for the coming months.
The gallery is expected to open in spring 2027.
Market Landscape
This development follows the precedent set by the Milwaukee business corridor revitalization initiatives aimed at repurposing historic structures. It represents a broader trend of independent developers using adaptive reuse to spur economic activity in older urban neighborhoods.
Once opened, the gallery will offer local residents a new space to engage with rotating art exhibitions. The renovation of the 116-year-old property also signals potential for improved aesthetics and increased foot traffic within the Vliet Street commercial district.
The takeaway
Adaptive reuse projects like this can serve as significant anchors for community revitalization efforts by repurposing aging architecture for modern public use. Residents looking to support the local arts scene should monitor the progress of the renovations leading up to the 2027 launch.
Further reading
For more updates on local commercial developments, visit the Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Urban Milwaukee.
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