Textiles Lab
MIAD’s Textiles Lab is a textiles based workspace open to students in all disciplines. Located in the sunlit, room 250, the lab houses the following equipment and materials for textile exploration:
- 19 Janome sewing machines
- 4 industrial sewing machines
- 4 sergers
- Cover stitch machine
- Silver Reed knitting machine
- Dress forms
- Cutting tables
- Leather working tools
- Grommet machine
- Donated fabric, yarn and thread for students to use
The lab is monitored and maintained by the Textiles Lab Technician and knowledgeable student workers. Curriculum based sewing, such as the Sophomore Industrial Design Backpack project, Concept to Pattern course, Visual Language embroidery project and a variety of NSP projects including clothing design, felting, quilt making and fabric dyeing are accomplished in the Textiles Lab. This lab, open to all students, is designed for technical skill building, conceptual advancement and exploratory research.
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 Cerda ’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.