MIAD seniors honored with the Sarah Ball Allis Thesis Award
The Sarah Ball Allis Thesis Award is a one-time award to four Spring 2021 MIAD seniors. The awards support thesis projects by feminist artists that help propel the feminist movement forward, and is generously funded by the feminist artists of the Sarah Ball Allis Art Museum Exhibition.
Congratulations to the winners: Jesse Cardenas-Trejo (Illustration), Rita Richardson (Illustration), Madeline Walker (Illustration) and Britt Westveer (New Studio Practice: Fine Arts).
View the winning projects:

Jesse Cardenas-Trejo ’21 (Illustration) illustrated a comic about a relationship between two sisters living together and what it’s like having an older sister.

Rita Richardson ’21 (Illustration) designed a collection of infant clothing called “Lil Bugs” based on moths and plant life.

Madeline Walker ’21 (Illustration) designed based on ideas of expression, motivation and life experiences from different people.

Britt Westveer ’21 (New Studio Practice: Fine Arts) created a work to demystify the myths of the Old West and generate a discussion about people who identify as women or non-binary during an era that was populated with cis male folklore and glamorization.
News
Meet Kas Cook and 2026 Senior Exhibition Project Mcallaster’s Special
Cas Kook ’26 (Animation Track in Illustration) is a Dean’s List student from the Greater Chicago area and a recipient of a 2026 Alumni Thesis Award. “Project Calvin Sazerac” is about Calvin Sazerac, a seasoned barkeep, who creates new cocktails for his favorite regulars. When he is challenged to meet the demands of a picky saloon patron, he creates something life changing.
Meet Mac Bronnson and 2026 Senior Exhibition Project MENd
Mac Bronnson ’26 (Communication Design) is a President’s (Honor) List student from Milwaukee and a recipient of a 2026 Alumni Thesis Award. MENd – No Bro Left Behind is a men’s mental health app that is not designed as a mental health app.
MIAD faculty designs for Brewers Wisconsin Artist Series
Faculty member Ric Stultz, who teaches Illustration at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, has designed what is sure to become iconic apparel during the Milwaukee Brewers 2026 season.
Meet Cyrill Reyes and 2026 Senior Exhibition Project NECROZOIC
Cyrill Reyes ’26 (Illustration) is a President’s (Honor) List student from the Greater Chicago area. My thesis is game concept art and visual development of the world of NECROZOIC, a prehistoric fantasy that retells the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Meet Bailey Staerkel and 2026 Senior Exhibition Project Stitched Together
Bailey Staerkel ’26 (Fashion and Apparel Design) is a Dean’s List student from Vancouver, Wash., and a recipient of a 2026 Alumni Thesis Award. My thesis, Stitched Together, is an exploration of Gothic horror through fashion, taking classic horror archetypes and reinterpreting them into a collection of fully realized couture looks.