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By Alea McHatten
Local artist, animator, and advocate Marz Ezeji will debut their original animated short, Artist Bites: Creativity That Heals, Food That Sustains, at the 13th Annual Youth Art Show Opening Reception at Walker’s Point Center for the Arts (WPCA) on Friday, July 18, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Ezeji is a Black Queer Creative, a current 2D & 3D Animation student at Milwaukee Area Technical College, and Membership Development Specialist at WPCA. Their work combines social justice, visual storytelling, and community healing to uplift Black and Brown voices across the city.
Developed by Marz Ezeji in partnership with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin’s 2024 Food Leaders Lab, Artist Bites uses animation and cultural storytelling to spotlight food insecurity in Milwaukee’s 53204 zip code, home to WPCA and many families navigating systemic inequities.
“This project is about more than animation—it’s about showing how art spaces like WPCA can be cultural safe havens,” said Ezeji. “Spaces where creativity, wellness, healing, and access to basic needs can coexist and uplift entire communities.”
The project embodies community from start to finish with an animation fully created by Ezeji, featuring the talents of Milwaukee-based Black and Brown youth and artists as voice actors, sound designers, project managers, and script collaborators. Contributors include:
- Justin Gonzalez, celebrated voice actor
- Oscar Quinto-Zamudio, bilingual teaching artist and Walker’s Point resident
- Cesar Cornier, founder of Keepnitmil (sound and music production)
- Sydney Romero, community artist and voice talent
- Alea McHatten, founder of In Community, LLC (project management and outreach)
- Students from WPCA, contributing script ideas and vocal performances
The animation will premiere alongside the launch of a bilingual (English/Spanish) hyper-local community resource guide, created by Ezeji, that connects families to critical food support programs and services in the Walker’s Point neighborhood. Copies of the guide will be available for free at the event and will be distributed throughout the summer.
Event highlights include:
- Premiere of “Artist Bites” – an animated short spotlighting food access with youth-friendly storytelling
- Launch of the bilingual Artist Bites Resource Guide – connecting families to food and wellness services in the 53204 zip code
- Curated foodscape
- Creative & wellness workshops for all ages
- Free food and refreshments
- Resource tables from community organizations
Event details:
What: Artist Bites Animation Premiere & Youth Art Show Reception
When: Friday, July 18, 2025 | 4 – 6 p.m.
Where: Walker’s Point Center for the Arts (WPCA)
Address: 839 S 5th St, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Admission: FREE and open to the public
This joyful, family-friendly event is a celebration of youth creativity, community care, and accessible food resources. Hosted at WPCA in collaboration with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and In Community, LLC, Artist Bites shows what’s possible when artistry and advocacy meet.
Come ready to be inspired—and leave with resources, connections, and hope.
Media RSVP & interview requests:
For interviews with Marz Ezeji, Alea McHatten, or youth collaborators, or to receive a press kit with images, please contact: ezejimarz@gmail.com | alea@in-community.org
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