MIAD presents Experience Creative Fusion May 4, celebrating technology and creativity and benefiting the college’s student scholarships
MILWAUKEE (April 2, 2019) …The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) presents Creative Fusion, benefiting MIAD student scholarships and celebrating technology and creativity Saturday, May 4 from 6:30 – 11:30 p.m., in MIAD’s creative studios, 273 E. Erie St., Milwaukee.
This evening celebrates how technology meets creativity, the college’s growing enrollment and the launch of the MIAD Innovation Center, which uniquely benefits MIAD students, small and large businesses, and nonprofit partners.
“Guests share that Creative Fusion is unlike any other event in the city. It’s visual and inspiring, and this year there are new experiences for guests at the event and to take home with them,” said Sarah Zimmerman, MIAD Board of Trustee Secretary and member of this year’s event committee. “The Live Auction showcases unique and fun experiences, and the Buy It Now auction features experiences as well as amazing artwork.”
Creative Fusion annually brings together 320+ Milwaukee civic, arts, and business leaders and advocates. Since 2007, the event has raised nearly $3 million for MIAD student scholarships.

“Sunday Service” by Warrington Colsescott is one of the works available in the Buy It Now auction
A few facts about this year’s event – Experience Creative Fusion:
- Surprising experiences and works by emerging and established artists and designers are for sale.
- Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and the Buy It Now and Live auctions are followed by the After Party in MIAD’s 2019 Senior Exhibition.
- The Leading Sponsor is Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Contributing Sponsors are Associated Bank, Madeleine and David Lubar, Eileen and Barry Mandel, Susan and Bob Mikulay, Quad and Weyco Group, Inc.
- The event committee is Sang H. Kim, Bryan LeMonds, Madeleine and David Lubar, Cynthia and Jim Stoll, and Sarah and Steve Zimmerman.
Creative Fusion was founded in 2007 by Madeleine and David Lubar. Past chairs include Molly Gallagher and Peter Kies, Katie Heil and Peter Mahler, Brenda and Matt Levatich, Jennifer and Tom Florsheim, Susanna and Justin Mortara, Linda and Greg Marcus – among many others.
Creative Fusion is a ticketed event. Tickets are $300 per person. To become a sponsor or to purchase individual tickets, visit miad.edu/creativefusion or call Vivian Rothschild at 414.847.3239. Preview Live Auction experiences and Buy It Now work and experiences.
MIAD recently was named a Top Design School by Graphic Design USA magazine for the fourth consecutive year and Money Magazine ranked the college among the top 15% of colleges nationwide.
About MIAD: As an accredited, nonprofit college, MIAD provides a transformative Bachelor of Fine Arts education that prepares students of diverse backgrounds for fulfilling and financially rewarding careers. MIAD fosters innovative, entrepreneurial and disruptive thinking that benefits our students and our corporate and nonprofit partners. MIAD also brings robust career pathways and college-readiness experiences to high school youth and provides cultural experiences and programming to the Greater Milwaukee community.
Creative Fusion Leading Sponsor:
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.