Feature image: Terrence J Scheve. Courtesy of Cream City Gallery & Garden.
Submitted
Milwaukee, WI – On Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18, 2026, Cream City Gallery & Garden, will open a new exhibit featuring outside artist Terrence J Scheve (April 2, 1954 – May 8, 2026). The exhibit will showcase over 50 pieces of Scheve’s 300 plus sculptures. Although these curated creatures are composed from a collage of influences including the cosmos, pieces of nature, discarded mechanical mechanisms and broken toys, each resonates with a personality and is hand crafted with soul.
The birth of these creatures began during COVID when Scheve started passing time by letting his creative juices boil over with “creative exuberance” in his workshop in AZ during quarantine. Scheve explained, “Everyday I’d find parts while exploring the desolate world outside and then find new and exciting ways to combine those parts as I breathed life into these curated creatures”. Many of the creatures sparked deep conversations with his wife Jo, who in turn, gave a name to the various series of sculptures Terry went on creating well after Covid. “My creations were designed to evoke a response, and that they have,” says Scheve. “Some have said my sculptures seem a bit scary. Quite the contrary, what could be more frightening than outsourcing our individuality and creativity to AI?”
In January of 2026 the gallery was having preliminary talks with Scheve about sharing his art with the public. He was excited to do just that. Then in early February, Scheve was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer. It was then he realized it was time to release his curated creatures into the world. However, these just weren’t dolls he created, their meaning and origin needed to be explained. So, he concocted a story of an adventurer named Terrenzo Schevez who discovers these curious curated creatures and reveals their story. The tale invites you to come and play in Schevez’ world, explore absurd possibilities with an open mind, imploring you not to surrender your imagination and sense of purpose in life to the impending AI.
Scheve was originally from Kenosha, Wisconsin. He was always a creative person. He played piano, wrote, and taught himself the many modeling and sculptural techniques needed to design his pieces. He worked his entire life at the AMC/Chrysler plant in Kenosha. Upon retirement he moved to Prescott, Arizona. He enjoyed his new home in the Southwest with its beautiful view of Thumb Butte, hiking daily in the desert and guiding people into the Grand Canyon. He logged over 500 hours below the rim. Prescott was where Scheve felt most alive, met the love of his life, Jo, and where his creativity truly blossomed. Every July when AZ heat becomes unbearable, Scheve would head home to Wisconsin to visit with family and friends, so the timing of the show marks a homecoming of sorts.
On the morning of May 8, 2026, Scheve passed away peacefully, with his wife and their two dogs, Elsie and Jaz, at his side. His wife Jo and sister, Noreena Scheve, felt the best way to honor and remember their dear husband and brother would be to finish pulling together his sculptures and show his work in his home state of Wisconsin. This exhibit serves to honor Scheve’s wishes to share his art and promises to spark conversations relevant to our times.
Terrenzo Schevez and The Battle of the Curated Creatures Over AI will be featured at Cream City Gallery & Garden, 1036 S 5th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the citywide Gallery Night & Day, Friday, July 17, from 5 to 9 PM, and Saturday, July 18, from 10 AM to 3 PM. The show will remain open for special viewings and by appointment through October 3, 2026. Scheve’s sister, Noreena, will present an Art Talk on Friday, July 17 at 7 PM and Saturday, July 18 at 1 PM, providing insights into Scheve’s process and how the series of curated creatures evolved. She’ll also share the tale of “The Intergalactic Adventures of Terrenzo Schevez.
” For more information contact the gallery at (414) 671-1512 or visit Terrenzo Schevez Gallery Show.