Select Page
MIAD alum, faculty member recognized locally and nationally

MIAD alum, faculty member recognized locally and nationally

In his journey from a student at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) all the way to instructor at the college, Paul Druecke ’87 has flourished as an artist both in Milwaukee and nationally. Most recently, Druecke was honored as a 2023 Mildred L. Harpole Artist of the Year for the City of Milwaukee.

Children’s books and food illustration: MIAD alum finds her niche

Children’s books and food illustration: MIAD alum finds her niche

For Amira Humes ’22 (Illustration), food illustration was always a passion. From her Senior Exhibition project at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) to her social media presence, Humes specializes in illustrating delectable scenes of mainly Filipino cuisine. This specialization paid off in an unexpected way last summer: Humes was approached by Karen Chan of Gloo Books to write and illustrate a new book for children about Filipino food.

Museum and educational design at Discovery World

Museum and educational design at Discovery World

Milwaukee’s iconic science and technology museum, Discovery World, unveiled two new exhibits to mark the start of the summer season. Shaping the visual landscape of the museum is Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) alum Lily Johnson ’22 (Illustration). As the museum’s graphic designer, Johnson had a pivotal hand in the creation of both “Block Party” and “Me, Undersea.”

Trust the artist: MIAD alumni talk curation and art

Trust the artist: MIAD alumni talk curation and art

Two alumni of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) have forged a partnership in art and in life. Justin Witte ’99 (Painting) and his wife Olivia Schreiner ’98 (Drawing) live and work in Chicago at the College of DuPage. Schreiner works as an occasional adjunct instructor of drawing at the college, while Witte is the curator for the esteemed Cleve Carney Museum of Art.

Exhibition at Hawthorn Contemporary curated by MIAD alum

Exhibition at Hawthorn Contemporary curated by MIAD alum

Monica Miller ’13 (Integrated Studio Arts) has their hands full, from opening and managing the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design’s (MIAD) new offsite Gallery at The Ave to keeping up with their own artistic and curatorial practice. Now, Miller will curate Grasping Tenderness: Explorations of Queer Joy & Freedom, In Spite of Everything at Hawthorn Contemporary in Milwaukee’s historic Walker’s Point neighborhood.

MIAD alum on maximizing college and intuitive making

MIAD alum on maximizing college and intuitive making

From teaching pre-college classes at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design to planning international residencies, Alan A. Peralta Martinez ’21 (New Studio Practice: Fine Arts) relies on his intuition. The multidisciplinary fine artist also known as pinchegato recently hosted a solo show at TASK ahead of his two-month residency in Guadalajara.

Remembering Adam F. Nilson, Fine Art alum

Remembering Adam F. Nilson, Fine Art alum

Adam F. Nilson ’03 (Drawing) passed away on March 5, 2023. He was the owner of nationally recognized Nilson Studio, where he created many beloved Milwaukee area murals. Generous with his community, Nilson also hosted art supply drives and mentored students to ensure children had access to the arts.

Product Design alum talks disability and design

Product Design alum talks disability and design

Emily Siira ’17 (Industrial Design) started her education in mechanical engineering, but discovered industrial design (also known as product design at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design) unexpectedly through a journey of disability as a young adult.

Layton School of Art alum passes away

Layton School of Art alum passes away

Leon Emidio Travanti ’56 (Painting), a graduate of Layton School of Art, passed away on January 21, 2023. The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design currently houses work by Travanti from his time as a student. The prodigious artist also donated two of his works to MIAD’s annual gala Creative Fusion.

Alumni-run Grilled Cheese Grant in its eighth year

Alumni-run Grilled Cheese Grant in its eighth year

Arguably Milwaukee’s most delicious fundraiser, the Grilled Cheese Grant is in its eighth successful year of supporting art and design students’ senior projects. This year’s leadership is composed entirely of Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design alumni: Rachel Hausmann Schall ’15 (Integrated Studio Arts), Alyssa Anderson ’15 (ISA), Joe Acri ’17 (Sculpture) and Sal Nicholson ’19 (New Studio Practice: Fine Arts).