MIAD students win International Sculpture Center awards

Recent MIAD graduates Caroline Calvano ’24 and Chad Alexander Matha ’24 (New Studio Practice: Fine Arts) each received a 2024 Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award from the International Sculpture Center, publisher of Sculpture magazine.

Selected from among 197 nominees, Calvano and Alexander Matha are among 13 award recipients, the majority of whom are students receiving master’s degrees. Their work is on view through November 8 in “Shaping the Future: National Showcase of Emerging Sculptors,” presented by the International Sculpture Center in Pittsburgh.

“It is truly astounding that this year two MIAD students are recipients,” says MIAD Professor of Fine Arts Will Pergl. “In the 30 years the award has been given, there have only been eight instances where two students from the same sculpture program received the award in the same year.”

“Being recognized by the International Sculpture Center is such a great honor and strong motivator for my art practice,” says Calvano. “I feel inspired to keep creating, taking risks and staying true to myself in my practice.”

“Sculpture means many different things at MIAD,” says Pergl. “Our fine art department challenges students to work with their most compelling ideas and experiment to find appropriate methods and mediums to explore their viewpoints. We are proud to support our self-directed students who often express themselves in unconventional ways…. Our program also supports the freedom to acquire advanced technical skills, thanks to MIAD’s well-equipped facilities.”

Calvano agrees. “The Sculpture Lab was an inviting and encouraging space for me to push boundaries and keep learning outside of class,” she says. “Faculty Mira Rychner and Will Pergl really helped encourage and support my interest in metal sculpture through one-on-one demos and free scrap metal. The classes and the culture within the sculpture lab has left such an impactful mark on my current metal sculpture practice.”

“Caroline’s work demonstrates exceptional skill in cast metal and TIG welding; Chad’s portfolio highlights his expertise in textiles and leatherwork; and Seth’s pieces [Ter Haar ‘23, who won an Honorable Mention in 2023], showcase his talent in woodworking,” says Pergl.

In addition to creating and exhibiting work, mixed-media sculpture artist Calvano works as an assistant in MIAD’s sculpture lab and has worked as a studio assistant for acclaimed area sculptor Niki Johnson. Calvano also received a Best in Show award during MIAD’s first Latine Student Exhibition in 2023.

Milwaukee-based sculptor and textile artist Alexander Matha is the recipient of a 2024 Gener8tor Art x Sherman Phoenix grant and a 2024/25 artist-in-residence of Bridgework 10: Plum Blossom Initiative. In 2023, he was one of 26 students selected nationwide for the Yale Norfolk School of Art Summer Program.

Keep up with Calvano and Alexander Matha on Instagram and learn more about MIAD’s New Studio Practice: Fine Arts major.