MIAD alumni, faculty featured in Baird Center art collection
MIAD alumni are well represented in the We Energies Foundation Art Collection at the Baird Center, as are MIAD Professor Emerita Jill Sebastian and acclaimed artist Dawoud Bey, who created ”Milwaukee Portraits” of MIAD students. The collection was introduced to the public under its new name at the Baird Center in May 2024.
The alumni are Mark Brautigam, Nova Czarnecki, David Najib Kasir, kathryn e. martin, Brandon Minga and Tom Uttech (Layton School of Art).
“The We Energies Foundation Art Collection has been carefully curated to portray the characteristics, culture, people and landscapes of Milwaukee and the surrounding region,” according to the Baird Center website.
A-Pattern-of-Families-Divided-by-the-Greater-Than
David Najib Kasir, “A Pattern of Families Divided (diptyque),” 2024. Image courtesy of the Baird Center.
Honeyed-by-Nova-Czarnecki
Nova Czarnecki, “Honeyed,” 2024. Image courtesy of the Baird Center.
Uttech-Mikwendamowin
Tom Uttech, “Mikwendamowin,” 1998. Image courtesy of the Baird Center.
Milwaukee-Rising_Brandon-Minga
Brandon Minga, “Milwaukee Rising,” 2024. Image courtesy of the Baird Center.
Transformation-kathryn-e-martin
kathryn e. martin, “Transformation,” 2024. Image courtesy of the Baird Center.
Lake-Michigan_Mark-Brautigam
Mark Brautigam, “Lake Michigan, Photographs (diptych),” 2023. Image courtesy of the Baird Center.
On the site, Brandon Minga describes one of his several works on view: “Milwaukee Rising was created to welcome people into Milwaukee and specifically [the] Baird Center. With modern Milwaukee rising out of the past through its heavy metal and industrial trades the piece looks towards the city’s future being built on the strong backs of the people who made it the machine shop of the world.”
Nova Czarnecki’s “Honeyed features a young woman whose dress is made of water as the central focus, standing within a Wisconsin summer forest just beginning its transition into autumn. The folds of her gown meld into water that holds native Wisconsin fish, floating flowers, fruits that have fallen from the trees above and a fawn coming to drink.”
The artist’s statement continues with the “hopes the viewer can see themselves in the painting and see themselves as royalty.”
kathryn e. martin’s “Transformation, framed in ten pieces, is a snapshot of Milwaukee as it has transformed over the years through a compilation of census data and Milwaukee names, with acknowledgement to the Native American Indians. In each frame, set behind conservation glass, is a 4” low-relief mixed-media work.”
martin is also one of the co-curators of “Viewpoints on ARTservancy: An artists’ residency that supports artists and partnerships with land conservancy,” on view August 19 – October 5, 2024 in MIAD’s Brooks Stevens Gallery.
The Baird Center is open to visitors Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 400 W Wisconsin Ave.
News
MIAD professor founds nonprofit for Tourette support
With its gently sloping lines evocative of individuals celebrating and embracing their identity together, the logo designed by MIAD Professor Nicole Hauch for Tourette Support & Education, the non-profit she founded, reflects the values of Community & Belonging; Personal Growth & Acceptance; Mindfulness & Understanding.
MIAD writing instructor publishes critically acclaimed book
Sean Enfield, critical studies and writing instructor at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), published Holy American Burnout! in December 2023. Since then, Enfield’s collection of essays has received critical acclaim and widespread support.
MIAD professor Lee digs dinosaurs to paint human condition
For 10 years, MIAD First Year Experience Assistant Professor and painter Matthew Lee has visited and worked in a 66-million-year-old dinosaur bonebed near Ekalaka, Mont. On three occasions, he’s taken MIAD students with him as part of MIAD’s Study Abroad Programs, to dig and create art there.
Between Space & Place: Cultural narratives of the BIPOC community
MIAD faculty Lexi S. Brunson ’14, one of ten faculty and staff members who received a Ruth Arts + MIAD Grant for the 2023-24 academic year, recently shared with the college a presentation of her year-long project, “Culture: Between Space & Place.”
MIAD professor’s work supports community
A self-described artist, social practitioner and storyteller, MIAD Service Learning and Critical Studies faculty Hj Bullard leads a life of community support, within MIAD and beyond.