Select Page

Layton School of Art alum passes away

Leon Travanti

Leon Travanti

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.

Displaying an interest in art from an early age, Travanti pursued a degree at the Layton School of Art, MIAD’s predecessor college. His storied career included an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Fine Arts, installations at prestigious locations from the Chicago Art Institute to New York’s National Academy of Design and teaching positions at many respected art colleges nationwide. Travanti’s artistic practice spanned fine art to graphic design.

Preceded in death by his wife Carolyn White Travanti (1934-2021), herself a remarkable artist, Travanti’s legacy of education and artistic excellence continues to nurture the MIAD community. A celebration of life will be held at Saint John’s on the Lake (1840 N. Prospect Ave) at 1 p.m. on April 1, 2023. The family requests memorials be made to the Milwaukee Art Museum or the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum.

Read Mr. Travanti’s full obituary.

News

La Mère Brazier: Phoebe Nelson Senior Exhibition 2025

Phoebe Nelson ’25 (Illustration) came to the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) to study children’s book illustration. Now at the end of her senior year, she is writing and illustrating a children’s book about Eugénie Brazier, the first person to get six Michelin stars, for her Senior Exhibition project.

MIAD Independent Inquiry Program launches with three student grants

Galilea Cerdea ’26, Tina Voith ’26 and Madi Weglarz ’25 are the first three Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students selected to receive Independent Inquiry Program stipends to investigate new technologies and their applicability to art and design education. As first-time applicants, each receives a stipend of $1,200 for a six-week Mini Inquiry this summer.

Grilled Cheese grants propel MIAD seniors

Funds from the annual Grilled Cheese Grant helped Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) awardees Siren Harris, Yo Yo collective and Madi Weglarz complete their 2025 Senior Exhibition projects and future work. All the MIAD awardees are Fine Art + New Studio Practice seniors.

Sebastian Penn: Senior Exhibition 2025

Sebastian Penn ’25 (Animation Track in Illustration), “From Home to Legacy: Black and Queer Bars in Milwaukee.” Sebastian is a President’s (Honor) List student from Holman, Wis.

McKenna Martin: Senior Exhibition 2025

McKenna Martin ’25 (Product Design), “Hyacinth.” McKenna received first place for her design for the 2023 Delta design project/competition at MIAD, is on the Dean’s List and is from Fond du Lac, Wis.