Entry No. 35 — the Milwaukee file — filed under: outdoor
The Catacombs of Neto
Tucked into the basement level of the historic Marshall Building, this bilingual art sanctuary created by Guatemalan-born artist Ernesto 'Neto' Atkinson simulates a subterranean tomb filled with clay mask sculptures, vibrant paintings, and interactive exhibits.
The story
Take the stairs or elevator past the street-level storefronts of the Historic Third Ward down into the basement of the Marshall Building at 207 East Buffalo Street. In Suite LL18, Guatemalan-born artist Ernesto 'Neto' Atkinson—a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago—turned a subterranean room into Milwaukee's first bilingual art museum. Instead of sterile white walls, Atkinson designed the footprint to simulate an underground catacomb, creating an intimate sanctuary where language, sculpture, and Guatemalan-American experience collide.
The gallery relies heavily on atmosphere and texture. Rows of hand-molded, air-dried clay masks from Atkinson's 'Visage #1' series line the dim periphery, while vibrant canvases fill the remaining wall space—including 'Ella in my Mirage,' a portrait depicting his wife, Jenny. Every narrative piece is presented in both Spanish and English, framing an art space built around direct human story rather than academic detachment.
What it's like
Stepping off the basement elevator into LL18 instantly drops you out of the Third Ward's boutique shopping bustle and into a quiet, shadowed cellar. The room is softly lit to emphasize the deep contours of the hand-carved clay faces. Atkinson is often on-site himself, candidly talking visitors through the specific origins of his paintings and sculptures. Because the space is run independently, verify current open hours online before you walk down.
The move: Wander through the dim lower-level gallery examining hand-molded air-dried masks from the 'Visage #1' series before chatting with the artist about the stories behind his paintings.
- 📍 Historic Third Ward
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 207 E Buffalo St, Suite LL18, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Loon Room — Pair one underground space with another by heading 0.4 miles north to this dim, cabin-themed speakeasy tucked below Third Coast Provisions.
- Shaker's Cigar Bar & Hangman Tours — Continue the dark cellar motif half a mile south in Walker's Point with a tour through the historic underground spaces of a 19th-century former speakeasy.
- Grohmann Museum — Contrast Atkinson's raw clay masks and personal narrative canvases with a massive collection of industrial work art located just under a mile north.
Good to know
Where in the Marshall Building is the museum located?
You will find it on the lower level in Suite LL18 at 207 E Buffalo St.
What makes this gallery distinct in Milwaukee?
It operates as Milwaukee's first bilingual art museum, providing all exhibits and text in both English and Spanish.
What specific art pieces are featured inside?
The collection features hand-molded air-dried clay masks from the 'Visage #1' series alongside original paintings like 'Ella in my Mirage.'
Do I need to check hours before heading over?
Yes. Operating schedules for independent art spaces can shift, so confirm current opening hours before visiting.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: historicthirdward.org · travelwisconsin.com · urbanmilwaukee.com · Instagram
last checked: 2026-07-21