Exhibitions
16
Mar
A Century from Sopra Mare
March 16, 2024 – December 22, 2024
(Happening Now)
Uncover the hidden histories of the Villa Terrace — from private residence to iconic Milwaukee landmark.
Read MoreEvents
17
Apr
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
April 17, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
18
Apr
Free Opening Night Reception for "Dyed Well"
April 18, 2024 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Celebrate the opening of "Dyed Well" with exhibiting artist Emily Robertson and the Villa Terrace Art Museum.
Read More
21
Apr
Yoga at the Terrace: Winter Series
April 21, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Join us on Sundays in the Villa's great hall from 9-10 a.m. for guided yoga led by a local yoga instructor.
Read More
21
Apr
Chess Class with Chessbox Academy
April 21, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Learn chess with Chessbox Academy teacher Kanei Jackson at the Villa.
Read More
24
Apr
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
April 24, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
25
Apr
Guided Tour of the Villa
April 25, 2024 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Enjoy a guided tour of the Villa Terrace from its history to its exhibitions.
Read More
28
Apr
Yoga at the Terrace: Winter Series
April 28, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Join us on Sundays in the Villa's great hall from 9-10 a.m. for guided yoga led by a local yoga instructor.
Read More
28
Apr
Chess Class with Chessbox Academy
April 28, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Learn chess with Chessbox Academy teacher Kanei Jackson at the Villa.
Read More
1
May
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
May 01, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
5
May
Yoga at the Terrace: Winter Series
May 05, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Join us on Sundays in the Villa's great hall from 9-10 a.m. for guided yoga led by a local yoga instructor.
Read More
5
May
Chess Class with Chessbox Academy
May 05, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Learn chess with Chessbox Academy teacher Kanei Jackson at the Villa.
Read More
8
May
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
May 08, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
12
May
Yoga at the Terrace: Winter Series
May 12, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Join us on Sundays in the Villa's great hall from 9-10 a.m. for guided yoga led by a local yoga instructor.
Read More
12
May
Chess Class with Chessbox Academy
May 12, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Learn chess with Chessbox Academy teacher Kanei Jackson at the Villa.
Read More
15
May
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
May 15, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
19
May
Yoga at the Terrace: Winter Series
May 19, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Join us on Sundays in the Villa's great hall from 9-10 a.m. for guided yoga led by a local yoga instructor.
Read More
19
May
Chess Class with Chessbox Academy
May 19, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Learn chess with Chessbox Academy teacher Kanei Jackson at the Villa.
Read More
22
May
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
May 22, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
29
May
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
May 29, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
5
Jun
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
June 05, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
12
Jun
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
June 12, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
19
Jun
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
June 19, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
26
Jun
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
June 26, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
3
Jul
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
July 03, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
24
Jul
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
July 24, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
31
Jul
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
July 31, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
7
Aug
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
August 07, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
14
Aug
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
August 14, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
21
Aug
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
August 21, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
28
Aug
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
August 28, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
4
Sep
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
September 04, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
11
Sep
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
September 11, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
18
Sep
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
September 18, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
25
Sep
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
September 25, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
2
Oct
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
October 02, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
9
Oct
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
October 09, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
16
Oct
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
October 16, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
23
Oct
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
October 23, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
30
Oct
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
October 30, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
6
Nov
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
November 06, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
13
Nov
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
November 13, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read More
20
Nov
Work from Home Wednesday: coworking session at the Villa
November 20, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Co-work at the Villa Terrace Art Museum with fellow remote workers on Wednesday afternoons.
Read MoreExplore Villa Terrace
Mercury Courtyard
The Mercury Courtyard is a charming cloister now dominated by the statue of Mercury, the mythical messenger of the gods. It’s surrounded by a vaulted loggia with Tuscan columns and grilled Italian windows.
Take a TourGreat Hall
The Great Hall was the Smiths’ family room and was often used to entertain guests. The ceiling beams in the room are Georgia Pecky Cypress with white, blue and yellow stenciling.
Take a TourDining Room
Like that of the Great Hall, the dining room's ceiling is made from beamed Georgia Pecky Cypress.
Take a TourLibrary
The Queen Anne-style wood paneling in the library is walnut and was installed by the Matthew Brothers of Milwaukee.
Take a Tour
Colnik Collection
Overview
The Cyril Colnik exhibition, located in the second-floor south-wing galleries, is a showcase of metal works made by Milwaukee ironsmith Cyril Colnik (1871–1958).
Sconce
This sconce with three candleholders was constructed from a deer antler wrapped in iron.
Iron, deer antler 20 Inches high 1938
Masterpiece
Pictured is the centerpiece of a large grille that was Cyril Colnik’s “Masterpiece,” which demonstrated the mastery of metalworking techniques an apprentice was required to show to be named a master craftsman.
Iron 48 x 35 x 7.5 inches c. 1893
Dancing Dragon
This dynamic iron figure is dubbed the “Dancing Dragon.”
Iron 28 x 16 inches n.d.
Our Story
Lloyd and Agnes Smith
Lloyd Raymond Smith was born in 1883. He attended West Division High School in Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, before following his father into the family business — the A.O. Smith Corporation. Agnes Gram was born in 1893. Lloyd and Agnes married in 1915, two years after Lloyd had become president of A.O. Smith. It is said that Agnes wanted to build a unique house that reflected her love of architecture and design.
See the Whole StoryDavid Adler
The Smiths hired the renowned architect and Milwaukee native David Adler (1883–1949) to build their dream home. The idea to build a home in the style of a sixteenth-century Northern Italian villa came on a trip to Italy after their marriage in 1915. Choosing between two Milwaukee sites, they settled on its present location, with Adler reportedly saying, “Let Lake Michigan be my Mediterranean.” Fittingly, the original name for the home was Sopra Mare (“above the sea” in Italian).
See the Whole StoryRose Standish Nichols
Rose Standish Nichols (1872–1960) was a landscape architect, writer, suffragist, and peace activist. She collaborated with Villa Terrace architect David Adler on the design of the Sopra Mare garden and its water stairway, which were probably adapted from the layout of the sixteenth-century Villa Cicogna-Mozzoni garden that she described in her book, Italian Pleasure Gardens, published in 1928.
See the Whole StoryThe Villa Today
Today Villa Terrace and its Renaissance Garden are zoned as Milwaukee County parkland. Together, they serve the citizens of Milwaukee through the creation and promotion of local, regional and international visual and decorative arts, and a wide range of intergenerational community arts programming that includes theater, music, arts and crafts, creative writing, poetry, and gardening.
See the Whole StoryA.O. Smith Corp.
The story of the A.O. Smith Corporation is one of experimentation, research, and innovation. From humble beginnings as a small machine shop located in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood, to its growth into a global corporation, A.O. Smith was one of the first to put significant resources into research and development, constantly seeking out new technologies and their practical application for new products and services.
See the Whole StoryHost Your Event
From weddings that hearts remember to meetings that accomplish missions, Villa Terrace is the perfect place for your next event. The unparalleled beauty of a Mediterranean-style villa will surround your guests, as they appreciate tranquil views of Lake Michigan from the Terrazzo della Luna or stroll through the Renaissance Garden.
