As a kid growing up in southern California, Pavonis Giron dreamed of being an illustrator for the likes of Pixar and Nickelodeon. “I was trying to put together the skills I needed to work at those studios one day… drawing …
Recent classical guitar alums Kevin Loh ‘25 and Chandler Dillingham ‘25 have taken the next steps in their careers by returning to teach at their alma mater. Loh and Dillingham both discovered a passion for music education while studying under …
The job of stage manager is considered one of the most challenging roles in theater. Lillian Hayward, a theatre production major with an emphasis in stage management, knows this well. From running rehearsals to facilitating communication between the director and the actors, Hayward has to do a little bit of everything as a stage manager.
Mike Driscoll, a Peck School of the Arts alum and teacher at Bay View High School, has been named one of five national recipients of the 2025 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. The award includes $100,000 to support Driscoll’s continued impact on students through hands-on learning and skilled trades education.
Between costumes and candy, many celebrate the Halloween season by watching horror movies. Throughout the years, many students’ senior thesis films have had spooky undertones, making them perfect to rewatch this time of year. Kelly Kirshtner (Associate Professor, Film) and …
UWM alum and popular street artist Jeremy Novy (BFA 2008, Art: Photography) returned to Milwaukee as the artist selected to design and paint rainbow crosswalks in Walker’s Point, honoring the neighborhood’s historical significance to the queer community. Novy’s design also …
Geo Rutherford (MFA 2021, Art) is an artist, author, and TikTok creator with more than 1.8 million followers. She’s best known for her viral series Spooky Lake Month and for using her platform to share stories about the Great Lakes …
UWM alum Thomas Trudeau (BFA 2012, Film) joined the New York Times as a video production coordinator. Trudeau’s new position entails facilitating video production and managing NYT’s video equipment and production studios. In a warm welcome from NYT’s Solana Pyne …
Ashley Oviedo (BFA 2020, Theatre) stars in Sanctuary City at Next Act Theatre, a play exploring the experiences of young immigrants in post-9/11 America. Oviedo plays G, one of two teenagers navigating impossible choices in a country they call home. …
Kevin Loh (MM 2025, Classical Guitar; Graduate Certificate 2025), an alum and now classical guitar lecturer, was recently featured in a PBS Wisconsin interview highlighting his global career and unique perspective on the art of classical guitar. Originally from Singapore, …
The Peck School of the Arts guitar program is recognized for its distinguished faculty and the achievements of its students and alumni. Led by internationally renowned artist René Izquierdo, the program continues to produce musicians who thrive on competitive stages around the world. We recap several summer successes from students and alumni.
Nellie Vance (BA 2013, Art), artist and co-founder of Black Space, was featured in Shepherd Express for her creative work and community impact. Black Space is a free mental wellness resource for Milwaukee’s Black community, and Vance extends that mission …
Lenore Rinder (MFA 1986, Film) has built a long and accomplished career as an experimental documentary filmmaker. Her work has earned international acclaim and reflects a lifelong commitment to both artistic expression and humanitarian values. Rinder began her filmmaking journey at UWM’s Peck School of the Arts, laying the foundation for a practice that has taken her across the globe.
Senior dance student Megan Holzhauer visited Washington, DC, to present her original choreographic work, “BEHIND THAT GLEAM,” at the 2025 National College Dance Festival hosted by the American College Dance Association (ACDA). Held every two years, the festival showcases the nation’s …
Several alums and faculty are screening films this spring as part of the 2025 edition of the Milwaukee Film Festival. The Peck School of the Arts is excited to highlight the incredible work that our filmmakers and artists are bringing to the Milwaukee community. We’ve rounded up some PSOA connections among the festival selections.
