Fine arts students from Rockford, IL make big community impact
Lain Weickert ’21 (New Studio Practice: Fine Arts) was awarded a $1,250 commission from the Our City Our Story initiative in Rockford, IL for a public art commission. The initiative is based on re-sparking community interest and investing into community culture. The winner was chosen by ballot from the community. Weickert is making a large-scale welded pillar with 42 laser-cut portraits of community members.
Tyler Yomantas ’19 (New Studio Practice: Fine Arts) was nominated in the Individual Artist category for a Rockford Area Art Award, as an artist who has made a meaningful impact through their artwork. The awards are through a partnership with the Rockford Arts Council and Rockford Art Museum.
News
Product Design class uses virtual reality for shoe design
Product Design students at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) are keeping up to date with the emerging technologies that are becoming industry standard. In the junior Advanced Digital Modeling course, instructor Frank Savage has incorporated Gravity Sketch, a virtual reality platform, into a shoe design assignment.
Senior Communication Design project wins national GDUSA award
Cultivata, the 2025 Senior Exhibition project by Frankie Mallerdino ’25 (Communication Design) at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), was named a Gold Foil winner in Graphic Design USA’s 2025 Digital Design Awards. Only 10 percent of the more than 3,000 entries earn this national distinction.
Meet Desharr Saddler and 2025 Senior Exhibition project ClubHaus
Meet Desharr Saddler and 2025 Senior Exhibition project ClubHaus. Desharr Saddler ’25 (Product Design) is from Milwaukee.
Yale Norfolk Summer Program accepts Fine Art junior
Greta Berens ’26 (Fine Art + New Studio Practice) was accepted to participate in the summer Yale Norfolk program in Norfolk, Connecticut. The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) junior is one of 25 students who will attend the six-week program.
MIAD alum is state fair Grand Champion Fairtastic Artist
Wisconsin State Fair has named Lauren Marvell ’16 (Integrated Studio Arts) the 2025 Grand Champion Fairtastic Artist for her hand-painted poster featuring this year’s theme, “youth enjoying the state fair.”