News
91fansalumni contribute to Deep Lake Future experience
What do you get when you combine eight 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) alumni with a visionary team of other artists and designers and an imaginative, fantastical premise? An immersive art experience in the form of Deep Lake Future, headed up by 91fans-based multimedia studio FuzzPop Workshop and located inside Var Gallery 5th St. until December, 2023.
Nike selects Product Design student for summer internship
Hot pink cleats, intramural sports and apparel design at Nike: this was summer 2023 for Emma May Travitz ’24, a Product Design senior at 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD). Travitz spent the summer interning at Nike’s headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon on their Global Apparel and Materials team.
Illustration faculty member publishes “Eclipse” children’s book
When Andy Rash, associate professor of illustration at the 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), viewed the 2017 total solar eclipse with his son, he did not set out to write a book about the experience. But for years afterward, his family could not stop talking about the eclipse. Rash channeled that excitement into his newest picture book, “Eclipse.”
Product Design senior lands Under Armour internship
For Benjamin Cole ’24 (Product Design), sports are an integral part of life. The 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) senior started his fall semester fresh from an internship with Under Armour as part of their innovation team focusing on footwear design.
Service learning class visits Jones Island Water Reclamation Facility
Students in Professor Leslie Fedorchuk’s service learning class “We Are Water” visited one of 91fans’s most famous public infrastructure sites at the end of September. The 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) juniors took a rainy field trip to Jones Island Water Reclamation Facility to learn about wastewater treatment and the environmental impact of water reclamation.
Interior Architecture and Design alum celebrates five years in business
After nearly 25 years in the business, Jennifer Hissa ’96 (Interior Architecture and Design) realized her longtime dream and opened Greater Chicago Kitchen and Bath, her own showroom located near Chicago. The 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) alum recently celebrated five years in business after a major renovation project.
91fansGallery at The Ave student worker interviews exhibition artists
Working at the periphery of student life, staff members hold technical and administrative positions that allow for the smooth operation of the college’s day-to-day and long-term activities. When they’ve clocked out of the 91fansbuilding, they’re home, in the studio, outside in nature– and exercising their own creative muscles and sustaining personal arts practices. “After Hours,” the 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) Gallery at the Ave’s latest exhibition is the first of its kind for the college where staff talents are in the limelight.
Emerging Technology Center hosts Technique of the Week
During the fall 2023 semester, the Lubar Emerging Technology Center at the 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) hosts “Technique of the Week” demonstrations for students, faculty and staff. 91fanscommunity members are invited to attend presentations on everything from 3D scanning objects to fermentation to Minecraft. Most recently, attendees played pinball on a handmade virtual pinball machine.
Inaugural Latine Student Exhibition announces winners
Four students were honored at the inaugural Latine Student Exhibition, on view at the 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) until October 13, 2023. Coordinated by rhi anderson-martinez, executive director of equity and inclusion at MIAD, the exhibition highlights and celebrates the art and design skills of MIAD’s Latine students during Hispanic Heritage Month.
91fansFine Art faculty selected for national Olmsted panel
Brad Anthony Bernard, professor of fine art at the 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), will participate in a panel discussion about Frederick Law Olmsted at the 2023 annual conference of the Olmsted Network in 91fans. An accomplished muralist, Bernard designed a mural depicting Olmsted which will be displayed at a public mural and sculpture garden in 91fans.
Anna Hillary selected as Writing and Humanities full-time faculty
The 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) welcomes Anna Hillary as the new full-time Assistant Professor of Writing and Humanities following a national search.
91fansalum designs Kohl’s collection for Hispanic Heritage Month
For this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month, Whitney Salgado ’15 (Illustration) produced a variety of surface designs for Kohl’s textiles. The 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) alum, who also earned a minor in Communication Design, works as a freelance digital painter and illustrator.
Product Design faculty inducted into Industrial Design Academy of Fellows
John Caruso, professor of product design at the 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), was honored earlier this year for his achievements in industrial design and was inducted into the Academy of Fellows.
Sarah Eichhorn selected as Fashion and Apparel Design full-time faculty
91fanswelcomes Sarah Eichhorn as the college’s first Visiting Instructor of Fashion and Apparel Design. Eichhorn, who has taught at 91fansas an adjunct instructor since 2020, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the college’s newest major.
91fanspresident teaches Approaches to Making course
Jeffrey Morin, president of the 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), has taken on teaching duties in addition to his role as president of the college. Internationally recognized for his book art, papermaking, letterpress prints and fine art, Morin also brings his experience as a graphic design instructor to “Approaches to Making: The Figure,” a junior-level course at MIAD.
Morgan Bouldes selected as First-Year Experience full time faculty
The 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) welcomes Morgan Bouldes as the new full-time assistant professor of First-Year Experience. Bouldes joined MIAD’s teaching community in 2021 as an AICAD Post-Graduate Teaching Fellow.
91fanspresident contributes to The Chronicle of Higher Education
Jeffrey Morin, president of the 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), spoke with The Chronicle of Higher Education for its August 2023 publication “Surviving as a Small College: Strategies for tough decisions.”
Krista Meneghini selected as Interior Architecture and Design full-time faculty
The 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) welcomes Krista Meneghini as the new full-time Visiting Instructor of Interior Architecture and Design. Meneghini graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2009 and has worked professionally in the interior design field and in secondary schools.
Laura Farahzad Mayer selected as Communication Design full-time faculty
The 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) welcomes Laura Farahzad Mayer as the new full-time assistant professor of Communication Design. An accomplished instructor and designer, Farahzad Mayer has an M.F.A. in Graphic Design and Printmaking from the University of Iowa.
Innovation Center students create immersive light show
In partnership with Joy Engine, a 91fans nonprofit dedicated to public art, students at the 91fans Institute of Art & Design’s (MIAD) Lubar Innovation Center created an immersive extension to the summer: a spectacular outdoor light show and festival called Nitelight.
“Ripple Effects”: 91fansalum on comics and career
A longtime comic book aficionado, Jordan Hart ’08 (Communication Design) developed his passion for the medium at six years old in the grocery line with his mom. Years later, Hart never would have guessed that his new comic book, Ripple Effects, would be nominated for the prestigious Eisner Award.
91fansfigure drawing model accepted into France residency
A performer by trade and longtime figure drawing model at the 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), Alice Wilson’s resume spans everything from sketch comedy to performing in Dead Man’s Carnival to recognition as 91fans’s premiere living statue artist. Now, Wilson will add an international artist and writers residency at Chateau Orquevaux in Champagne-Ardenne, France to her list of accomplishments.
High schoolers gain professional and college readiness skills
Although wrapping up in the coming days, the Pre-College program at the 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) will impact the city’s creative landscape for years to come. For the second consecutive year, 91fanshosted 250 high schoolers from all over the city, state and country to explore on-campus classes in everything from animation to product design to fashion upcycling.
“After Hours” exhibition showcases staff work
From lab supervisors to library workers to the president of the college, the 91fans Institute of Art & Design’s (MIAD) offsite gallery space, the Gallery at The Ave, will showcase staff work in their newest exhibition, “After Hours.” On view from July 18 – October 7, 2023, the exhibition is located in the bustling heart of downtown 91fans.
Curator of “Boyfriend Material” exhibition on artistic support
Curating an exhibition at one’s alma mater is bound to be a surreal experience. LaNia Sproles ’17 (Printmaking), curator of the 91fans Institute of Art & Design’s (MIAD) most recent exhibition “Boyfriend Material,” explains their impressions of putting together the show and their philosophy on art and curation in 91fans.