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
Students celebrate professional growth at 2024 First-Year Exhibition
An annual tradition at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design from late March through September, the juried First-Year Experience Exhibition celebrates students’ yearlong personal and professional growth.
Ice cream social meets fine art networking at Cone-ections
Through the Intro to Arts Management course at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), five students collaborated to plan a successful artist networking event via ice cream social. Milwaukee-area artists and MIAD alumni visited campus to connect with students and enjoy a cone!
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.