Representation and identity among themes addressed in Society for Photographic Education Midwest Juried Exhibition
MILWAUKEE … September 19 – The Society for Photographic Education (SPE) Midwest Juried Exhibition, on view in the Brooks Stevens Gallery at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), September 20 – October 27, highlights professional and student works reflecting the various approaches and concerns of photography today.

Setting off by Julie Jones
The Opening Reception is Friday, October 25, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. to coincide with SPE’s October national conference in Milwaukee.
“There is evidence of multiple current trends in contemporary photography, including themes of representation, identity, the changing landscape, and the manipulation of both new and antiquated imaging tools,” said Jon Horvath, a MIAD New Studio Practice: Fine Arts professor.
Professional works in the exhibit were selected by Jennifer Murray, Executive Director of Filter Photo. Student works were chosen by Alejandro Cartagena, a photographer and educator based in Monterrey, Mexico.
MIAD’s galleries are free and open to the public, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. More information at miad.edu/galleries [add link].
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.
News
MIAD Values Recognition Award: Leslie Fedorchuk
Leslie Fedorchuk, Professor of Writing & Humanities and Director of Service Learning, received the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) MIAD Values Recognition Award for February 2026. Leslie received nominations that highlighted her embodiment of MIAD’s Core Values, especially Integrity, Kindness and Community.
MIAD Innovation Center and MAM provide career experience
Through a partnership with the MIAD Lubar Innovation Center, stunning campaign artwork by a student at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) once again is helping to launch Art in Bloom – the Milwaukee Art Museum’s annual celebration of art and spring. Illustrations by senior Emily Porven ’26 are both vibrant and subtle, colorful and evocative, capturing the essence of the event.
Nohl Alumni Award propels lasting impact for MIAD professor
Receiving a Ruth Arts Mary L. Nohl Alumni Award has both immediate and longer-term impacts for Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Professor Jon Horvath; for himself as an artist, for the arts community and for MIAD students. Horvath, who teaches in MIAD’s Fine Art + New Studio Practice major, was one of three artists and one collective recently given the award, which provides $25,000 in unrestricted funds to each.
Arts education lays groundwork for MIAD alum curatorial role
Nikki Ranney ’22 (Illustration), the new curator of the Cedarburg Art Museum, says she “is so grateful that I went through my Bachelor of Fine Arts and got to experience a traditional art education at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design because it laid the groundwork for the more academic side of the curatorial field.”
Museum Studies class: Hands-on exhibition and career experience
Last fall’s Museum Studies class at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) has solidified a career choice for at least one of the 16 students who took it. The class was on the go all semester, visiting museums throughout Milwaukee, meeting with professionals and thinking critically about the role of museums in our society.