Milan Zori

dwellephant, the creative alias of one of the most recognizable Milwaukee-based artists, is an illustrator, creative director and our next featured speaker! dwellephant’s work has become woven into the fabric of Milwaukee’s cultural identity, drawing after quirky drawing. Since arriving in Milwaukee in 2003 with 12 of his friends, dwellephant has built a prolific body of work in his stinky little lifetime spanning gig posters, album art, logo design, apparel, ad campaigns, live art and even paper coffee cups — with clients ranging from local neighborhood staples to internationally recognized artists like MF DOOM.

His freelance illustration work under the dwellephant name is a genuine fixture in the Milwaukee scene. You've likely encountered his art without knowing: the branding for Bay View Bash, merch for The Vanguard and Goodkind restaurant, camp T-shirts for Girls Rock MKE, visuals for Classic Slice, Lion's Tooth bookstore and 88.9 Radio Milwaukee, among many other local favorites. He also created the campaign artwork for the 2023 Milwaukee Film Festival — the latest chapter in a long relationship with the organization that now has him serving as their Marketing Director.

Beyond illustration, dwellephant has spent over two decades in marketing and creative leadership, including roles as Marketing & Content Strategist at CI Design and Creative Director at Margle Media. His dual identity — the strategic creative director and the beloved neighborhood artist — reflects someone who genuinely lives and invests in the city he calls home.

Distinctive, community-minded and deeply Milwaukee — dwellephant is one of those rare artists whose work you recognize before you know the name behind it.

Join us on Friday, May 15 as dwellephant speaks on May’s theme of “CREATE” with our Milwaukee morning community.