News
Senior’s passion for Illustration and Natural Sciences thrives at MIAD
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) senior Lilly Zbiegien’s two passions – Illustration and Natural Sciences – flourished at an early age and have continued through college. Recently Zbiegien presented her Natural Science Independent Study research, “Junkyard Nests,” showing not only the impact of plastic pollution on birds, but also her skill in portraying the environment through Illustration.
Reducing food insecurity at MIAD’s People’s Pantry
Students, staff and faculty at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) are addressing short-term food insecurity on campus with direct action. One of the college’s newest resources, the People’s Pantry, provides free food for anyone in the MIAD community who needs a meal, no questions asked.
Intergenerational sharing as knowledge building at MIAD
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) instructor Hj Bullard continued a longstanding collaboration with House of History this semester in their First-Year Experience “Community Connections” class.
gener8tor Art x Sherman Phoenix announces 2024 Fall Cohort
Of the seven Milwaukee artists selected for the gener8tor Art x Sherman Phoenix 2024 Fall Cohort, three are part of the community at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD). Assistant Professor Morgan Bouldes, current senior Nomka Enkhee ’25 and Photography & Digital Media Lab Technician Grant Gill ’13 (Photography) were selected as part of the grant and mentorship program.
Painting is alive at the Painting is Dead Gallery
It’s over 20 years and 30 miles from a figure drawing class at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design to the new Painting is Dead Gallery in Fredonia, Wis., owned by Katie Musolff ’04 (Painting) and Andy Fletcher, who first met in the class.
MIAD alum publishes picture book for neurodiverse children
MIAD alum Morgan Tillisch ’24 (Illustration) wrote and illustrated a book to help neurodiverse kids feel comfortable sharing. With the help of her professors and the Lubar Innovation Center, Tillisch recently published “I Can Share My Toys” through Barnes & Noble.
WI LGBT Chamber of Commerce names MIAD Nonprofit Business of the Year
The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce has named the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) Nonprofit Business of the Year as part of its 2024 Business Awards. The awards honor members for their contributions to build a more inclusive and diverse business community.
Innovation Center designs branded wall for M3 Insurance
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design student Sarah Madden ’24 and Candice Roth, director of workplace experience & corporate administration at M3 Insurance, agree that collaboration was key to the success of M3’s branded wall project with MIAD’s Lubar Innovation Center. The finished graphic mural was placed in M3 Insurance’s new headquarters in downtown Milwaukee.
Product Design students design custom tap handles
Juniors in a Product Design class at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) partnered with two local industry leaders to work on a unique product—they designed custom tap handles in collaboration with manufacturer Hankscraft AJS for Third Space Brewing’s iconic Happy Place brew.
Service Learning class hosts military cultural preservation experts
Anna Hillary’s “Service Learning: Art, Culture and Community” class at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) hosted two special guests recently: Colonel Andrew Scott DeJesse, Director for the U.S. Army’s Monuments Officer program, and Captain Blake Ruehrwein, Cultural Heritage Preservation Officer for the U.S. Army.
MIAD alum designs ‘beautiful’ horror posters
Creating “something that’s beautiful and terrifying at the same time” is not only possible, it’s a “fun and favorite challenge” for Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) alum and staff member Kyle V. James ‘15. James’ latest horror movie poster, “Forgive Me,” is front and center as the film premieres in Spain.
MIAD Values Recognition Award: Grant Gill
Grant Gill ’13 (Photography), Photography & Digital Media Lab Technician, received the August 2024 MIAD Values Recognition Award at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD). Gill’s nominations speak to his values of Community and Integrity.
Lubar Innovation Center brings MKE history to Brix Apartments
The one thing Alivia Rapp ’24 (Illustration) would change about working with MIAD’s Lubar Innovation Center is getting “involved with staff Drew Maxwell and Kyle James even earlier in my college experience to really milk it for all it’s worth! It is one of the things I truly miss about MIAD post-grad.”
MIAD students win International Sculpture Center awards
Recent MIAD graduates Caroline Calvano ’24 and Chad Alexander Matha ’24 (New Studio Practice: Fine Arts) each received a 2024 Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award from the International Sculpture Center, publisher of Sculpture magazine.
MIAD’s MAKE! program helps artist Maysen realize new exhibit
For multidisciplinary artist Claudia Maysen, MIAD’s MAKE! For Educators program in June helped her “to explore and materialize ideas” for “Playthings” – a new solo exhibition on gun violence on view at Milwaukee’s 5 Points Art Gallery + Studios through October 27.
MIAD receives transformational Title III grant
The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) has been awarded a prestigious Title III grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the first Title III grant in the college’s history. The grant provides $2,242,315 million over five years, and MIAD will contribute $350,000 over the five years.
Veolia North America mural highlights native plants and fish
In a recent project through the Lubar Innovation Center at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), three students worked with Veolia North America to research, concept and install a mural of native plants and fish.
Animation Career Review ranks MIAD Communication Design program top in state
In its 2024 rankings, Animation Career Review named the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) the top college for graphic design in Wisconsin and among the top 15 in the midwest. The rankings considered over 700 schools with graphic design programs from across the United States.
MIAD interns aim high at Bucks; offer internship advice
Two Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) students interning for the Milwaukee Bucks are thrilled with the variety of their work, the collaborative brainstorming and brand support skills they are gaining and the joy of seeing their work in use by the Bucks organization.
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.
Angeline Garvey: Director of Design at Stone Creek
When Angeline Garvey ’22 (Illustration) decided to attend the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), she originally planned to focus entirely on illustration. But almost immediately, she was challenged to start expanding her creative horizons. Now, she is the Director of Design at Milwaukee’s Stone Creek Coffee.
MIAD Pre-College 2024 sees record-breaking enrollment
The Summer Pre-College program at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) returned with record-breaking enrollment in 2024.
MIAD instructor selected to produce work for Farm/Art DTour
Matthew Vivirito, adjunct instructor at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), is one of eight artists and artist teams selected to create site-responsive art for Wormfarm Institute’s annual Farm/Art DTour.
Lubar Innovation Center concepts for Harley-Davidson Museum
Two students from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) worked together to concept and develop fresh ideas for the Harley-Davidson Museum on a recent project through the Lubar Innovation Center.
MIAD alum named designated artist for ABCD gala event
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) alum and employee Cheryl Klein ’98 (Drawing) was selected as the designated artist for the After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) 25th anniversary gala on June 15, 2024.