Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Press Release

MIAD’s 2016 Senior Exhibition focuses on physical, mental wellbeing

Over 120 of Milwaukee’s emerging artists and designers exhibit their work in MIAD’s 2016 Senior Exhibition.

By - Mar 10th, 2016 11:24 am
Amanda Millman: Thesis image. Photo courtesy of MIAD.

Amanda Millman: Thesis image. Photo courtesy of MIAD.

MILWAUKEE… From devices that aid children with Cerebral Palsy to the exploration of humanities self-destructive tendencies, seniors at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design create innovative projects that emphasize wellbeing, both mental and physical.

Over 120 of Milwaukee’s emerging artists and designers exhibit their work in MIAD’s 2016 Senior Exhibition. Students seek to provide solutions to complex problems, creating innovative projects that illustrate the power of art and design.

On view April 15 – May 14, throughout MIAD galleries, the exhibition is generously sponsored by BMO Harris Bank.

Students will be available to discuss their work during the Opening Reception, Gallery Night, Friday, April 15, 5 – 9 p.m., and during the college-wide MIAD DEFINE, Wednesday, April 27, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Three students were awarded Alumni Thesis Scholarships for their projects:

  • Elizabeth Rath (Integrated Studio Arts) utilizes video recorded scripted performances to explore the internets effect on our identity. The central character is caught between two realms, digital and physical, and she must reconcile the two identities in order to find a balance.
  • Pip Atkinson (Integrated Studio Arts) utilizes props sourced from 1960s and ‘70s pornography to recreate ancient works of art; most are representative of Ancient Greek Sculpture and Baroque painting. Atkinson pulls the images directly from the screen and recreates them as physical manifestations, bringing these lost works back to life.
  • Emelie Troedson (Industrial Design) builds a device that helps children with Cerebral Palsy to walk, and participate in everyday activities. Troedson works with a physical therapist to help design the product, which she hopes to use for Jeremiah, a four-year-old with Cerebral Palsy.

Among the innovative works this year:

  • Sara Petrolis (Communication Design) creates ‘Pawsitively Perfect,’ a campaign that encourages dog adoption, and features a handbook to help families confront potential issues associated with their new pets.
  • Jean-Marc Bastien (Industrial Design) creates a sustainable process for developing nations, Haiti in particular, to manufacture shoes in order to increase health and promote activity.
  • Hannah Lundgren (Photography) explores her past, her lost memories and the events that shaped her childhood through self-portraiture.
  • Jade Schmidtke (Illustration) draws from her brother’s experience with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue and joint disorder, and seeks to raise awareness of lesser known diseases and disorders. Schmidtke creates ‘Odds & Extraordinarys,’ a series of dolls which represent various conditions, with the proceeds of each doll assisting families with medical bills and funding ongoing medical research.
  • Gabriela Riveros (Illustration) creates an illustrated anthology of Latin American poetry titled ‘Alma y Hueso’ (Soul and Bone). Riveros works to highlight the underrepresented, providing a source of education on art and culture in the Latin American tradition. The project is aimed at Latino young adults, who, like her, want to learn about history as it relates to their own identities.
  • Amanda Millman (Drawing) turns paint peelings into small, abstract worlds on microscope slides. Each slide entrances the viewer, allowing them to look directly at the work through a microscope, bridging the gap between art and viewer.
  • Debbie Sajnani (Communication Design) creates #FirstGenMKE, an online resource for first generation college students at Milwaukee Public Schools. #FirstGenMKE is designated by year and offers tips, exercises and important registration information.
  • Lauren Glomski’s (Communication Design) campaign aims to promote health and wellness to MIAD students, providing motivation to partake in physical fitness and possess a positive self-image.
  • Katelyn Haseker (ISA) explores humanities self-destructive tendencies, researching the motives behind human action and transforming her findings into mixed media sculptures.
  • Caitlyn Doran (Drawing) creates drawings that feature young adults, objects and animals from various clashing cultures, melding them to tell stories of positive cross-cultural exchange. Doran draws from her experience as an American visiting Japan.

MIAD DEFINE – a day dedicated to senior presentations, discussions and TED-like lectures and presentations – happens within the 2016 Senior Exhibition, and is open to the public Wednesday, April 27, 9 a.m. – noon and 1 – 4 p.m. During the morning session, seniors discuss their capstone projects and academic paths. The 2016 Senior Exhibition is on view April 15 – May 14, in throughout all MIAD galleries, it is free and open to the
public. Gallery hours are Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

At the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, students driven to become creative professionals have the freedom to develop their talents beyond traditional boundaries while immersed in a transformative studio, academic and career-driven curriculum. On graduation, they join thousands of successful MIAD alumni whose talents are continuously in demand, and whose lifework is driven by the passion to inspire, problem solve and innovate for our economy and society.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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