Guitar program Area Head honored with Distinguished Professor title

Professor and performing artist Rene Izquierdo (Area Head, Guitar) has been honored with the title Distinguished Professor for his outstanding work in the Department of Music. Fewer than 60 professors throughout UW-Milwaukee’s history have received the title, and he is …

Film professor Joel Benjamin achieves great success with first VR film

As virtual reality technology continues to become more prevalent, so does the practice of using VR to make short and feature films. Recently, Joel Benjamin (Assistant Professor, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres) made his first foray into VR filmmaking with …

Two PSOA faculty expand work thanks to UWM CLACS fellowships

The UWM Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) awarded fellowships to two PSOA faculty members for the 2024-25 academic year. Simone Ferro (Professor Emerita, Dance) and Alex Wier (Assistant Professor and Area Head, Percussion) both received fellowships that helped them …

Theater faculty Robin Mello joins UK-based education group

Professor Robin Mello recently partnered with Innoplay Studio, housed at the University of Exeter, in the UK. This program is focused on creating playful and story-rich classrooms to drive innovation. This new role will allow Mello to engage as faculty …

docUWM documentary among the many PSOA connections to Milwaukee Film Festival lineup

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.

PSOA professor and alums receive 2025 Civic Music MKE awards

Civic Music Milwaukee has announced its 2025 award recipients, and there are several honorees with ties to the Peck School of the Arts. Timothy Klabunde and Dr. Zachary Durlam will receive Citizen Awards, while Trinny Schumann and Cassie Wilson were …

How the Experimental Tuesdays lineup stays fresh after 20 years

As the Spring semester rolls on at PSOA, so does the latest run of Experimental Tuesdays, a free weekly screening series that showcases artist-made films and videos. Founded by the late Carl Bogner, Experimental Tuesdays has been hosted by the …

Fall 2024 Film Faculty Festival recap

Throughout the second half of 2024, several faculty members took their films across the country and abroad for a variety of film festivals and screenings. These screenings exemplify how PSOA film faculty stay engaged in the independent film market.

Mourning the loss of teaching professor Carl Bogner

We are deeply saddened by the passing of teaching professor and dear friend Carl Bogner, whose tenacious fight against cancer came to an end on Sunday.  In recent days, countless former students, colleagues, and friends have assembled in his honor …

Faculty bring multi-faceted global partnership to new heights

For many years, UWM has welcomed senior students from Hubei University of Technology (HBUT) in Wuhan, China, to complete their Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts at PSOA. This global partnership not only offers a unique degree pathway for HBUT …

Dr. Newman named dean following national search

Winifred (Elysse) Newman has been named Dean of the College of the Arts and Architecture, effective June 2, 2025. Dr. Newman comes to UWM from Clemson University where she serves as the Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs, Mickel Professor of Architecture, and Director of the Institute for Materials, Systems, and Environments in the College of Architecture, Art, and Construction.

Associate professor of film receives biennial creative research award

Mike Gibisser (Associate Professor, FVANG; Director, Film Graduate Program; Co-Chair, Tech & Facilities Committee) was recently awarded the UWM Office of Research/Outstanding Creative Research Achievement Award. Gibisser has accomplished many years of success in filmmaking, with his most recent film “A Common Sequence” being a self-described “labor of creative research.” For many years, Gibbiser has blended his love of film with education, sharing a collaborative space with his students.