Alumni Stories

Feature film by PSOA alum gets major streaming release 

Seven Days by filmmaker Corey Kupfer (BFA 2008, Film) has received a major streaming release. A fully self-funded and produced seven-part anthology, Seven Days is Kaufer’s first feature film. A Wisconsin native, Kupfer grew up in Ozaukee County before studying film and creative writing at UWM.  “I don’t think there’s a better program in the world for cultivating a young artist’s creative voice than the Peck School of the Arts film program,” said Kupfer. 

Lecturer and alum Rich Ashworth reflects on choreographing piece for Springdances

The PSOA Department of Dance is set to present Springdances: Surfacing, an evening of original choreography by Dance faculty members and guest artist Vershawn Sanders-Ward. Among the choreographers is Dance MFA alum Rich Ashworth ’21 (Lecturer, Dance). Ashworth will be presenting a piece that incorporates tap and body percussion to celebrate the working class, conveying themes of craftsmanship and connection. Ashworth recently took the time to reflect on Surfacing and his time as a PSOA graduate student.

Milwaukee Film Festival Roundup: Alumni and Student Edition

The 2024 Milwaukee Film Festival is underway, and Peck School of the Arts has a lot to be proud of. Nineteen alumni and a current MFA candidate will have their work screened across 15 unique works, including shorts, features, and music videos. The PSOA community of artists is excited to highlight the incredible work screening at this year’s festival. Check out the impressive list of films and filmmakers with strong ties to PSOA.

PSOA alum Jeremy Novy’s urban koi fish and queer street art featured on CBS 58

UWM alum Jeremy Novy was recently featured in a comprehensive piece by CBS 58. Novy is best known as the artist behind the black, white, and orange koi fish that get painted throughout city sidewalks, starting in Milwaukee but now branching all around the world. The idea came to Novy following a study abroad trip to China that he took while studying at Peck School of the Arts.

An arts education led to unique careers for two PSOA alums recognized on “40 Under 40” list

Two Peck School of the Arts alumni were chosen for the Milwaukee Business Journal’s annual “40 Under 40” awards, which honors Milwaukee’s brightest young leaders and professionals. Both leveraged their arts education to pursue unique careers. Nathan Zimmerman ’13 is the founder and owner of ZimKnives, a business that focuses on making prestige precision knives, swords and other metal tools and implements. Meagan Johnson ’09 is the founder and executive director of Milwaukee Diaper Mission.

ArtsECO alum who uses art to make a difference in her community receives national award

Jeanette Arellano, an alum of UWM’s ArtsECO program, uses art in her classroom to make a difference in the Milwaukee community.  Recently, the National Education Association award Arellano with their César Chávez Acción y Compromiso Human and Civil Rights Award. The award acknowledges her for embodying the spirit of César Chávez and making “noble contributions to the labor movement through commitment, action, negotiation, and art.” 

Film alumni debut new festival to increase diversity in Milwaukee cinema  

The world of independent film in Milwaukee is expanding with the Milwaukee Illuminate Film Festival, a new event spearheaded by festival director and Peck School graduate Amber McNeill (BFA 2023, Film). McNeill, who is also lead programmer, is joined by fellow PSOA alum Zoe Lufman (BFA 2023, Film), who serves as operations manager and programmer. McNeill and Lufman met at UWM during their senior-year film course and immediately embraced their commonalities.

Theatre alum brings ghostly features to life in world premiere production 

In Milwaukee’s recent World Premiere of The Forgotten Girl, production design is more important than ever. Viewers are immersed in the world of the main characters Iris and Daniel as they discover the abandoned grave of a girl in their grade and begin interacting with her ghost. Scenic designer Amaya Rockett (BFA 2022, Theatre Production) is the one responsible for creating the world where these features come to life.

Film and Animation alumni, faculty, and staff represented in screenings around the world

From current graduate students to esteemed alumni and faculty members, the Peck School of the Arts Department of Film, Video, Animation & New Genres was well represented on the international film festival circuit this Fall. We’re excited to showcase the achievements of some of our very own who are currently screening their works across the globe.

MFA alum and lecturer Allison Calteux explores family’s history in archival project

Allison Calteux (MFA 2023, Art) has been receiving attention for her recent photography project Remnants // relics // remembrance. The impressive body of work examines her family archives through self-portraits and still-life interactions with books, jewelry, and images, creating representations of her ancestors. Calteux is now a lecturer in photography and imaging lecturer at PSOA.

Alumni Spotlight: A “Top 10” Designer to Watch

In the dynamic world of graphic design, Naomi Dable stands as a testament to the power of creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit. As the proud owner of Naomi Paper Co., Naomi has been named a “Top 10 Designer to Watch” by an industry magazine.

Art alum exhibits at Museum of Wisconsin Art’s venue at Saint Kate—The Arts Hotel

Los Angeles-based artist Vaughan Larsen (BFA, Art: Photography, 2019) has exhibited their award-winning work in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and New Orleans, and internationally in Germany, Italy, and Russia. And now, they are returning to Wisconsin for their first solo exhibition, “Everything I Could Ever Want.” In advance of their exhibition, Vaughan reflected on the inspiration behind their work, their time at Peck School of the Arts and Milwaukee as an “incubator and nest.”