Fine arts senior creates clothing collection inspired by her Chinese culture and identity
Anna Siemsen ‘21 (New Studio Practice: Fine Arts) created a clothing collection inspired by her cultural background and identity for the MIAD 2021 Senior Exhibition. Anna’s seven-garment collection reflects on her connection to Chinese culture and diaspora.
Each article of clothing correlates with differing themes such as the Chinese New Year and a Chinese proverb known as The Red Thread. You’ll notice bold color variations, fringe accents and unique details featured on each design.
In addition to the clothing collection, Anna created a video and lookbook. Anna’s photographs for the lookbook were taken with 35 millimeter color film and the video was recorded on Super 8 film.
This project, along with the projects of more than 160 MIAD seniors, are on view in the virtual MIAD 2021 Senior Exhibition. The exhibition is generously sponsored by BMO Harris Bank. View online at: seniorexhibition.miad.edu.
News
Keith Negley: Award-winning illustrator and writer
When award-winning illustrator and author Keith Negley ’00 isn’t completing projects like his most recent book of “forgotten trailblazers,” he’s creating portraits of celebrities like Taylor Swift, Emma Stone and Chelsea Clinton, and doing editorial illustrations on topics like neurodivergence, organ transplants and the opioid crisis.
Two MIAD alumni named Mary L. Nohl Fellows for 2025
Two alumni from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) have received Emerging Artist fellowships from the 2025 Mary L. Nohl Fund for its 2025 cycle: Margaret Griffin ’23 (Fine Art + New Studio Practice) and Open Kitchen, co-founded by Rudy Medina ’12 (Integrated Studio Arts).
FYE Juried Media Arts Festival 2024 celebrates first-year student works
Seven students received awards at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design’s juried FYE Media Arts Festival – an in-house screening and celebration of video, animation and sound design works by current and former First-Year Experience (FYE) students held on November 26. The 56 entries were judged by multimedia and filmmaking professionals Emma B. Barany, Gabe Leistekow and Sara Sowell.
MIAD professor brings love of branding to projects and students
Brian Bowles ’01, professor of Communication Design at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), finds freelance projects “deeply fulfilling” and beneficial to himself and to his students.
Independence First and MIAD students produce adaptive clothing
Students in a junior-level Fashion and Apparel Design class at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) collaborated with Independence First to design adaptive clothing. Two Independence First employees worked closely with MIAD students on customized outfits specific to their needs and preferences.