First-Year Exhibition 2023 winners announced
Four winners and three honorable mentions were selected at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design’s (MIAD) First-Year Experience Student Exhibition opening reception on Friday, March 24, 2023. Renato Umali, Mariah Tate Klemens and Gabrielle Banzhaf, the three jurors, commended all the participating students for their strong work.
Singer_Olivia
Olivia Singer, “Grace,” 2022.
Smithvias_Amanda
Amanda Smithvias, “Chomp,” 2022.
Dreher_Laken
Laken Dreher, “☆My Room! ^_^☆”, 2022
Johnson_Mo
Mo Johnson, “The All-Seeing Furby,” 2022.
Perez_Daniel
Daniel Perez, “this half of the dichotomy,” 2022.
Van-Dornick_Kleo
Kleo Van Dornick, “Cardboard Box,” 2023.
Haas_Erin
Erin Haas, “Operation Cake,” 2023.
Olivia Singer won Best in Show for Grace, a graphite drawing on paper. “This drawing basically clutched me by the throat, it was amazing,” says Banzhaf. Mo Johnson won for The All-Seeing Furby (white ink and Verithin colored pencil on mix-media paper), Amanda Smithvias for Chomp (stained glass), and Laken Dreher for ☆My Room! ^_^☆ (paint pens on Bristol). “Our winners brought us to this beautiful place of nostalgia,” said Banzhaf, noting overarching themes of the contemporary in conversation with the historical. “I think that everybody put their stamp on these iconic pieces,” Banzhaf continues.
Honorable mentions were awarded to Erin Haas for Operation Cake (stop motion), Kleo Van Dornick for Cardboard Box (cardboard and hot glue) and Daniel Perez for this half of the dichotomy (watercolor on paper). “These honorable mentions were chosen because they exhibit exceptional technical skills,” said the jurors. They noted the skillful use of materials, the beautiful craftsmanship and attention to detail. “It speaks to the inability of language to address some of the things we have to deal with as humans,” said Umali of Perez’s work.
Winners received gift cards to BLICK Art Materials. The installation, which celebrates the creative and personal growth that students experienced over the course of their first year at the college, will be on display on MIAD’s second floor until September 2023.
Keep up with MIAD’s First-Year Experience on Instagram or learn more about the program!
News
‘GQ Rebranded’ series is a hit for MIAD alum’s new studio
When Justin Thomas Kay ’04 (Communication Design) opened his own studio, JTK Studio, Inc., in New York City early this year, he hoped that his work “would contribute positively to helping to make things look nicer and more enjoyable and speak honestly to people broadly.” The new GQ Sports series “GQ Rebranded” turned out to be a good fit to do just that.
MIAD student support system receives national SMILE Award
Choose Mental Health, the national voice for children’s mental health, named the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) the 2024 SMILE Award–Organization Winner for the college’s commitment to promoting mental health and well-being among its students.
Senior’s passion for Illustration and Natural Sciences thrives at MIAD
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) senior Lilly Zbiegien’s two passions – Illustration and Natural Sciences – flourished at an early age and have continued through college. Recently Zbiegien presented her Natural Science Independent Study research, “Junkyard Nests,” showing not only the impact of plastic pollution on birds, but also her skill in portraying the environment through Illustration.
Reducing food insecurity at MIAD’s People’s Pantry
Students, staff and faculty at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) are addressing short-term food insecurity on campus with direct action. One of the college’s newest resources, the People’s Pantry, provides free food for anyone in the MIAD community who needs a meal, no questions asked.
Intergenerational sharing as knowledge building at MIAD
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) instructor Hj Bullard continued a longstanding collaboration with House of History this semester in their First-Year Experience “Community Connections” class.