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 Bria Jones to speak further on the development of her project. For Springer, a central part of this piece was the shared experience ballerinas have with gender expectations.
To watch the full video, visit Fox 6.
Art MFA candidate Jack Lehtinen is the artist behind In the Lab: Poking Fun, a solo exhibition that recently closed its successful run at the Krasl Art Center in Michigan. The interactive installation explored how artificial intelligence has shifted physical and social interaction in a screen-mediated world.
Lehtinen, who earned his BA from the Peck School of the Arts and is now in the early stages of his MFA, drew inspiration from automatic drawing techniques pioneered by surrealists in the 1930s. He prompted a computer to generate random lines, which were then executed by a wall-mounted plotter, which he called his own personal drawing robot.
Lehtinen completed the pieces by hand using crayons and other classroom materials to highlight human touch in contrast to the machine’s gestures. His work intentionally exacerbates the distortion commonly associated with AI-generated images.
“I really want people to be critical about AI,” Lehtinen said. “I want to highlight the mistakes and to make people aware about what is or isn’t AI.”
Lehtinen’s show opened the same weekend as a concurrent exhibition by his mentor, Dr. Nathaniel Stern (Professor and Co-Chair, Art & Design). Their shared opening drew a crowd of more than 200, including a group from UWM.
The two artists have been closely connected since Lehtinen’s undergraduate days, when he worked as a research assistant for Stern and helped install an earlier solo show of Stern’s at Krasl.
“I get a lot of inspiration from looking at his [Dr. Stern’s] work,” Lehtinen said. “I think he was incredibly influential in helping me get connected in the art world, which helped me land this solo exhibition.”
Although it’s rare for a graduate student this early in their program to land a solo show at a respected venue, Lehtinen viewed the opportunity as the result of years of dedication. He made the leap into art during uncertain times and hasn’t looked back.
“I switched my major to art in 2020 during the pandemic. That’s when I really started dedicating myself to my practice,” he said. “Just the fact that 5 years later I have a solo show is crazy.”
He credits graduate school for providing the space to not only explore his creative practice but also explore new perspectives about social topics.
“Graduate school has been the most influential thing in my practice,” Lehtinen said. “Just being given the opportunity to dedicate the past few years to my practice and spend time with my work is the biggest thing. Being given the praise and advice of my professors and time to develop my work has changed me greatly.”
Payton Murphy ’27 (BFA, Film)
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.
After earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film, Chang continued on to UCLA for her MFA and is now building her career as a film director and producer in Los Angeles. “The more I learned, the more excited I became,” Chang said of her journey into filmmaking.
Read the full story on Shoutout LA.
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) contributed to the productions, which also featured students Owen Foulds and Saana Harper, both juniors, and senior Nathaniel Contreras in acting and camp leader roles. The article explores the rewards and challenges of producing theatre in a unique outdoor setting, from post-COVID recovery to the artistry required to bring productions to life.
Read the full story on The New York Times.
Guitarist, composer, and UWM alum Ben Dameron (MM 2017, Music) is co-leading the emerging jazz ensemble Heirloom as they prepare to release their debut album Familiar Beginnings this September. Rooted in the classical foundations of jazz, the record offers a contemplative sound driven by Dameron’s compositions, weaving together original works that explore personal and musical memory.
“We wanted the record to evoke the feeling of discovering something new that still feels like home,” says Dameron. “It’s about cycles and moments that echo through our lives.”
With its blend of reflection and experimentation, Familiar Beginnings marks a strong debut for the quartet and a meaningful step forward in Dameron’s creative career.
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 highlights Simms’ lifelong passion for art, his discovery of animation while studying at UWM, and his continued success as a filmmaker. His past projects include Sucky and his senior animation film The Legend of Leatherface Larry, which was screened at the 67th Festival de Cannes.
Read the full story on Shepherd Express.
UpStart is an experimental project choreographed, researched and performed by Dance MFA students at the Peck School of the Arts. Each performance reflects deeply personal themes and self-exploration by the individual artists.
Led by dance professor and graduate program director Maria Gillespie, the project features eight first- and second-year MFA students, each taking a unique approach to their work. The performances also include dancers from both UWM and the Milwaukee dance community.
Alex Hlavaty, a first-year MFA candidate, created a piece centered on the poetry of Ocean Vuong alongside his own poetic techniques. After discovering a love for poetry during his undergraduate studies, Hlavaty found space in the MFA program to blend his writing practice with movement, while exploring how personal experiences of art can resonate with others.
“I was researching Ocean Vuong, and he writes a lot about his cultural background, his relationship with his parents, and his relationship with himself and his culture, and I thought, well art exists in everything,” said Hlavaty. “I thought about how I can put myself into his shoes and how can I relate to this experience?”
Kelly Williamson, also a first-year MFA student, brings a background in comedy and a lifelong fascination with costuming—sparked by watching Solid Gold dancers as a child. Her piece, Divorcing Cindy Sherman, began as an exploration of the artist’s photography but evolved in response to a key question from Gillespie: Why costumes?
“Originally my piece was about the photography of Cindy Sherman, but then Maria Gillespie posed the question ‘why costumes?’,” said Williamson. “So, why costumes? Why do you have these things? Then it became a little bit less about Cindy Sherman and a little bit more about the idea of being addicted to costuming.”
The MFA cohorts drew heavily on resources at PSOA to research and develop their pieces, from access to studio space to support for academic inquiry. But for many, the collaborative spirit has been the most impactful element of the process.
“The feedback and help I’ve received is very beneficial,” said Williamson. “It’s great to have feedback from amazing artists who have never seen my work. The whole concept is amazing to me.”
A central goal of UpStart is to foster community connections. While the performances reflect each choreographer’s vision, the cast includes undergraduate dancers and community members who serve as performers, designers, and collaborators, many taking on multiple roles.
“I’ve been taking my ideas and proposing the questions to my dancers: how do you fit into these ideas?” said Hlavaty. “They are really a great bunch. They are so open to my ideas and trying new things. I’ve even using some of the movements they’ve created and incorporating them into my performance.”
As UpStart takes shape, it becomes more than a showcase of individual choreography. It’s a space for dialogue, risk-taking and mutual influence. For the dancers involved, it’s both a performance and a research practice, one that’s helping define what it means to make dance in community.
UpStart is July 30 at 7 p.m. at UWM’s Mitchell Hall Studio 254. Tickets and more information are available on the PSOA events calendar.
Story by Payton Murphy ’27 (BFA Film)
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.
Rinder describes herself as a humanitarian and animal rights activist, with her films often focusing on animal conservation and extinction. Much of her work centers on endangered species in India and the environmental challenges they face.
“I’m just as concerned with animal extinction as I am with human extinction,” Rinder said. “We’re killing them and poisoning them with fertilizers and chemicals.”
Her filmography includes People of the Wild Tiger (2017), which explores the plight of India’s endangered tiger population—a project for which she received the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Mary Nohl Suitcase Travel Grant. She also directed Kagaraja (2019), a film about the illegal trade of animals and animal goods in Bangalore. Rinder is the filmmaker behind the award-winning Monkey Eden (2023), which examines human-animal conflict as monkeys increasingly encroach on urban environments. Her most recent project, Island of Elephants (2024), documents the challenges elephants face as their habitats disappear.
“I like to dream and shoot film of whatever animal I’m studying,” said Rinder. “I’m studying the conflict with people and their conflict with animals.”
Throughout her career, Rinder has developed strong ties in India, working closely with local guides and communities. She also maintains connections to UWM, having collaborated with alumni such as Yinan Wang (BFA 2017, Film), now a lecturer. Her repeated trips to India have deepened her understanding of the country’s culture and ecology.
“There are all kinds of surprises and wonderful things. I love India; the people are really kind and helpful to me,” Rinder said. “As an artist, I think the colors are beautiful, and everywhere you go—from the markets to the parties—celebrations are always happening.”
The Peck School’s Department of Film, Video, Animation & New Genres is recognized for its focus on experimental, non-commercial film. Rinder was among the first to attend and graduate from what is now known as the Cinematic Arts MFA program. Her time at UWM shaped her artistic approach and understanding of the medium.
“What I learned about film from UWM was a huge eye-opening experience about what film is, what is okay to do in film, and what the media is possible of doing,” Rinder said.
Rinder began her studies at UWM at age 29, after earning a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Macalester College and working a series of photography jobs. When she started graduate school, she had little exposure to experimental film.
“When I started graduate school, I didn’t know anything about experimental films,” Rinder said. “There was a lot of work that went into manual filmmaking. It was a lot of independent black and white filmmakers. I just loved it; it was like photography but moving.”
Since earning her MFA, Rinder has explored several other art forms in addition to film. She is a graphic artist, a published poet and continues to pursue photography. She integrates these creative practices into her filmmaking, seeing them as interconnected expressions of her artistic vision.
A lifelong learner, she encourages others to embrace the creative process, even when it feels uncertain.
“If you’re frustrated or don’t like something, let it sit for a while,” Rinder said. “If you can, leave it for a week. Keep trying and making mistakes, try different things.”
Payton Murphy ’27 (Film BFA)
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 1 until October 12.
Bachhuber and Sebastian met during their time at UW-Milwaukee and have been close collaborators ever since. Bachhuber, who lives in Germany, and Sebastian coordinated the exhibition digitally, communicating online and alternating between shared studio time. Both artists explored ideas behind sustainability, doing their own research while still working together.
To read the full article, visit Isthmus.
This summer, the Peck School of the Arts is hosting the Kids From Wisconsin, a popular performing arts troupe, for their pre-season production camp. The group kicks off their 57th tour with a premiere performance of “The Heat is On” at the UWM Mainstage Theatre.
The Kids from Wisconsin troupe travels across the state showcasing young musical talent, including high school and early college-aged singers, dancers and musicians. It is the only pre-professional performing and touring experience of its kind in the nation.
For young artists, the experience mirrors what professional tours look like, complete with intensive rehearsals, a tour bus and compensation for their work. Kids are also awarded academic scholarships at the end of the performance season.
Nathaniel Contreras is a musical theatre student at UWM and alum of Kids from Wisconsin. He joined the program in 2022 and continued as a member until aging out at 20.
“It’s a crazy experience. You’re learning a two-hour Las Vegas style show in two weeks,” Contreras said. “It’s like a chariot; it goes straight on.”
Practice days are comprised of rehearsals and performances, working under the direction of seasoned theatre and music industry professionals.
“It’s a long day,” said Contreras. “You’ll be dancing and singing in the morning, until later in the evening. Preparation was basically getting my endurance and physicality up.”
Kids come from hometowns across the state, giving them an opportunity to experience many different communities along the way. That includes Milwaukee, where one of the highlights of the season is a week of daily performances at the Wisconsin State Fair.
“Because we’d perform at State Fair in the middle of the day, we’d have the afternoon to explore Milwaukee,” said Contreras. “That was a blast, and I feel like it helped with my transition to Milwaukee and Peck School of the Arts.”
For Contreras, Kids From Wisconsin gave him skills that he now uses as a college student pursuing a degree in performance and beyond. Contreras credits his time in the program, especially in his last year as a Student Leader, for improving his communication and relationship building skills.
“It built me personally,” said Contreras. “I’m a stronger individual now, and if I hadn’t been a part of this, I feel like I wouldn’t be who I am now.”
Every show is memorable and intricate, and for Contreras, his most memorable performance was in his hometown of Wausau.
“When we’d go to your hometown, you’d be announced at the end of the show,” said Contreras. “It’s impactful because your friends and family would get to see all the hard work you’d done all summer.”
“The Heat is On” premiere show is on June 25 at UWM’s Mainstage Theatre. The show is described as a summer playlist to accompany the season, bringing together the most iconic and sun-drenched medleys that transport you to lazy beach days, family road trips, backyard barbecues and late-night sing-along bonfires. Tickets and more information are available on the PSOA Event Calendar.
Payton Murphy ’27 (BFA Film)
Nathinel Stern (Professor and Co-chair, Art & Design; Director, UWM 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 human-AI interactions.
Writer Leslie Katz describes the exhibition as an exploration of “how humans and technology evolve side by side, inextricable and directly reflective of one another.” Six interactive installations focus on different elements of the relationship between humans and technology.
“We want to nuance and complicate and deepen the dialogue,” Stern said in the article. “We’re looking at the history of technology materially, in many ways to get people to understand and engage with AI as something that is not so foreign, as something that is all of these previous technologies, feeds all of these previous technologies, feeds into them.”
“Generation to Generation” is on view at the Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph, Michigan, and will run until July 27. To read the full article, visit Forbes.
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 the first from the College of the Arts & Architecture, according to former dean Kevin Hartman.
The Distinguished Professor title is a distinction awarded to educators for conducting scholarship that has garnered national or international recognition. Izquierdo was awarded the title following a review by a board comprised of peers.
“I was nominated by the Executive Committee from Peck School of the Arts’ music department into the chair,” said Izquierdo. “After that, it goes to the dean, and they send out requests for external reviews. It takes a while for them to come back with their letters of support.”
Izquierdo came to the United States from Cuba’s Superior Institute of Art Havana to study for a Master of Music in guitar at Yale University School of Music, later going on to also receive a Master of Music in education from Lehman College in New York. After moving to Milwaukee in 2004, he formed UWM’s guitar program.
“Before I came to Milwaukee, there was no guitar program in the music department. We actually started the program from scratch in 2004,” Izquierdo said. “I created a model of what I thought was needed.”
Izquierdo has been overseeing the successful Guitar Studio and its students since then.
When school is not in session, Izquierdo tours the world performing and engaging with the community. He serves on the board for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, conducts the Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra, and performs research for the Milwaukee Classical Guitar Society, which he formed.
For Izquierdo, being an educator is not just a role but also a passion. He encourages students to pursue their goals and take risks, drawing from his own experiences and unconventional paths.
“My career was very different when I was in Cuba, so when I came to the United States, I happened to audition to Yale University for a master’s degree in Guitar,” Izquierdo said. “My credits from the university in Havana did not transfer, so I had to audition. And I passed! I became a guitarist all of a sudden.”Izquierdo works one-on-one with students in the program, providing them with private lessons and tailoring his lessons to the needs of individual students. His performance career, personal life, and academic career are intertwined.
“My life is at the university. I’m a professor and a teacher at heart… I have the teaching bug,” said Izquierdo. “That’s what I like doing the most, and that’s my calling.”
Payton Murphy ’27 (BFA Film)
A solo exhibition by UWM 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 silk paintings and paper pulp vessels, inspired by the artist’s feelings and experiences in her childhood home.
In an article written by Judy Steffes for the Washington County Insider, the techniques Pare uses in her work are explored more in depth, including hot soy wax batik techniques and pulp paper creation.
“Viewers should expect a vibrant and cheerful assault of unexpected color combinations, shapes, and materials when entering the gallery,” said Dr. Jane Aspinwall, the Deputy Director of the Wisconsin Museum of Art. “Pare creates an organic world related to reality but very much its own magical space.”
To read the full article, visit the Washington County Post. “Natural Selection” is on view until August 31.
UWM 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 the whole project went so much faster,” Lynne says. “It made me think back to my first few murals where I made so many rookie mistakes, like not planning out the colors first or not mixing enough of the colors beforehand and not using a projector. I’m definitely still learning, but doing the last mural really made me realize how far I’ve come and how much I’ve developed my mural painting process.”
To read the full article, visit Kane County Magazine.
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, marked the official opening of No Instructions Gallery in May.
The gallery name refers to Walsh’s tendency to “do what his heart leads him to do, even if it means going overboard,” according to an article by Shepherd Express’s David Luhrsen. “Shane likes to keep a sense of humor in his paintings,” Stepanek added about the artist and educator behind the inaugural exhibition.
To read the full article, visit the Shepherd Express. Extra Pickles is on view until July 4.