Forget the cake, the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design celebrated its 40th birthday with something bigger to cut into – the “not so traditional” ribbon for Two50Two, MIAD’s state-of-the-art (and design) residence hall. More than 80 ribbons cascaded down Two50Two as part of the stunning Ribbon Cutting. Watch the video here.
Helping make the cut was Mayor Tom Barrett, who joined the participatory and visually thrilling Ribbon Cutting Wednesday, August 27, 3:30 p.m. at 252 E. Menomonee Street, across from the college’s main academic building.
“In gathering for the ribbon cutting,” said MIAD President Neil Hoffman, “we celebrate the vision of the college’s founders, the generosity of its supporters and partners, the accomplishments of its alumni, the hard work of its students, faculty and staff, and the trust and support of its parents.”
Pooling $100 of their own money and taking no salaries, seven founders established a college known for a tradition of education excellence and lifelong dedication to students and alumni.
The applied creative talents of MIAD alumni and students are widely acknowledge to have fueled the growth of the Historic Third Ward neighborhood, and played a key role in its naming as one of America’s Top Twelve ArtPlaces in 2013.
They are also key to MIAD being the only college in the U.S. included in a 2014 book by the international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) based on its impact beyond the Third Ward to the region’s design cluster and creative economy.
MIAD’s most recent milestone – Two50Two – was designed specifically for the college’s students by Engberg Anderson Architects and developed by General Capital Group.
The Ribbon Cutting celebrated the impressive five-floor sustainable building, complete with fully furnished two-bedroom suites, each accommodating four students with a living room, kitchen, two bathrooms and state-of-the-art amenities.
Two50Two also has areas for display of student and other works included within suites, hallways and floor lounges. Enhancing the student experience further, Blick Art Materials (now open!) is a major business on the ground level. Blick will help celebrate the Ribbon Cutting and its own August 27 Grand Opening with a variety of activities, including vendor demonstrations.
Brief MIAD history & 2013-2014 milestones
The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design was founded in 1974. It is the successor college to the Layton School of Art, founded in 1920. Seven faculty members from Layton pooled $100 of their own funds and took no salaries to establish the college (briefly known as the Milwaukee School of Art), exemplifying the legendary dedication of MIAD faculty to their students.
Since its founding in 1974, MIAD – with its students and graduates – has been a creative catalyst for the thriving Historic Third Ward.
The seven founders:
Joe Mendla
Paul Nelson
Tom Hall
Guido Brink
Jack White
Roland Poska
Frank Lukasavitz
Read more about MIAD milestones in the past year, including:
- MIAD alumni internationally recognized for economic impact
- Creative Fusion raises a record $429,000 for scholarship support
- MIAD Creativity Series reaches its highest attendance with designer Dana Arnett
- Associate Professor Christiane Grauert wins the Second American Batik Design Competition
- Associate Professor John Caruso is recognized for Design Thinking leadership
- MIAD students sweep the United Adworkers Milwaukee 99 Awards for the third consecutive year
- MIAD Chair of 3D Design Eric Vogel co-authored the well-received “Layton’s Legacy: A Historic American Art Collection, 1888 – 2013”
- ID students win international and national competitions
Blick Art Materials Grand Opening August 27
Additionally, Blick Art Materials, the nation’s largest provider of art supplies, will celebrate its newly opened location at the MIAD residence hall. The new store, located across the street from the campus’ main academic building, offers students easy access to Blick’s expansive product selection of over 13,000 items. The progressively styled location, with sustainable systems and details, was designed to meet the needs of MIAD students as they prepare to return to the Third Ward’s studios and classrooms this fall.
A continued supporter of art education nationwide, Blick will present a $10,000 donation to MIAD’s President Neil Hoffman in honor of the new building and the store’s 10-day grand opening celebration. Those attending the grand opening will also be provided gift bags (available to the first 100 guests only), raffle prizes, product discounts and free product demonstrations.
About Blick Art Materials: Founded in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1911, Blick Art Materials is one of the largest and oldest providers of art supplies in the United States, with 72 retail stores nationwide. Its products cater to the full spectrum of artists – from the youngest child ready to scribble with his or her first crayon to well-known, gallery-represented professionals. The company’s extensive selection, competitive prices and superior customer service make Blick the best choice for art educators, students, artists, architects, designers, hobbyists, or anyone requiring quality art materials for work or leisure. A long-time advocate of art education in the U.S., Blick also provides support of scholastic, collegiate and professional art shows, borsht financially and through a variety of materials that emphasize the benefits of art education. Blick also supports the communities in which it does business by sponsoring in-store events, local schools, art leagues and community groups across the country.
Visit www.dickblick.com for more information.
Top image: Photo taken by Mark Fetherston
Second image: MIAD Board Chair Madeleine Kelly Lubar in front of the new Two50Two Residence Hall. Image courtesy of Madeleine Kelly Lubar.
