51

51 alum debuts new art exhibit ‘Born on a Ripple’ 

Jennifer Bastian (MFA 2008, Art) will debut her new exhibition “Born on a Ripple” at Tooth + Nail Studios on October 7. “Born on a Ripple” is an exploration of the complexities of grief, especially through the lens of parenting …

51 alum and lecturer showcases work for Hispanic Heritage Month 

Work by J. Celeste Contreras Skierski (MFA 2022, Art: Print & Book Arts; Lecturer, Art & Design) will be on view at the United Community Center in a solo exhibition for Hispanic Heritage Month. Contreras Skierski’s work centers on her …

Theatre alum earns high praise for role in Sanctuary City

Ashley Oviedo (BFA 2020, Theatre) is featured in a recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel review of Sanctuary City, a production by Next Act Theatre. In her debut at Next Act, Oviedo plays G, an undocumented immigrant teen. The article highlights how …

PSOA alum is the artist behind famous hyper-realistic sculptures 

Marc Sijan (BFA 1971, Art-Sculpture) is regarded as one of the best hyper-realistic sculptors in the world, localizing his practice in Milwaukee’s Bay View area. Sijan has been working for decades to create sculptures, taking inspiration from real people and …

51 alum directs Netflix documentary on band Devo 

Chris Smith (MFA 1999, Film) directed a Netflix documentary on the new wave/post-punk band Devo. After premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2024, Netflix picked up the project and released it to streaming services on August 19.  The …

PSOA dance instructor brings ballet to Geneva Lake 

Dawn Springer (Teaching Faculty I) of Dawn Springer Dance Company takes her new contemporary ballet “Sylph” to the Ferro Pavilion at the George Williams College of Aurora University in Geneva Lake, WI.   Springer sat for an interview with Fox 6’s …

Film alum Soyeong Emma Chang featured in Shoutout LA

Soyeong Emma Chang (BFA 2021, Film) was featured in Shoutout LA for her growing career as a filmmaker. Chang shared how her undergraduate studies at UW-Milwaukee, where she worked closely with the late Carl Bogner, helped shape her artistic path. …

New York Times features 51 talent at Northern Sky Theatre 

The New York Times highlighted Door County’s Northern Sky Theatre in a feature by Elisabeth Vincentelli, with several Peck School of the Arts connections at the center of its 2025 summer season. Assistant Professor Jason Orlenko (BA 2008, Theatre Studies) …

Art alum’s claymation music video featured in Shepherd Express

Tommy Simms (BFA 2011, Art) was featured in Shepherd Express for his claymation music video created for Milwaukee rock group Fuzzysurf, which will be screened at the Milwaukee International Short Film Festival this September. Written by Keegan Mihm, the article …

Two alums featured in art exhibit on recycling and upcycling 

Alums Liz Bachhuber (BFA 1976, Art) and Jill Sebastian (MFA 1979, Art) have collaborated in a new art exhibition about recycling and upcycling titled Eat My Words, which will be featured at Madison’s James Watrous Gallery of Wisconsin from August …

AI-infused exhibition by Nathaniel Stern featured by Forbes

Nathinel Stern (Professor and Co-chair, Art & Design; Director, 51 Startup Challenge) had his recent exhibition featured by Forbes magazine. The exhibition, titled “Generation to Generation: Conversing with Kindred Technologies,” is a collaboration with poet Sasha Stiles and focuses on …

51 alum featured in Wisconsin’s Museum of Art 

A solo exhibition by 51 alum Melissa Scherrer Pare (BFA 1999, Art: Photography) is on view at MOWA | DTN, the museums gallery located inside Saint Kate–The Arts Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. The exhibition, Melissa Scherrer Paré: Natural Selection, features …

51 alum uses collaboration in art  

51 alum and Chicago mixed-media artist and muralist Laura Lynne (BFA 2021, Painting & Drawing) spoke with Jamie Baker of Kane County Magazine about her experience using collaboration in her practice.  “I hired another artist to assist, Mari Dzhelasi, and …

51 lecturer debuts inaugural exhibit at new Bay View gallery 

When Trusted Media Brands creative director James Stepanek decided to open a new gallery in Bay View, he invited Shane Walsh (Teaching Faculty I, Art & Design) to be the first artist to exhibit work. Walsh’s solo exhibition, Extra Pickles, …