University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee art student Madeline Martin uses her art as an avenue for social dialogue and critics. Last fall she completed an integrated triptych depicting a loss that occurs when mothers are incarcerated. She planned on making them a part of a series regarding social justice issues.

The paintings of other students are displayed in Mitchell Hall for others to enjoy and critique.

Martin’s paintings and another student’s canvas were stolen on Dec. 13. This was not the first time that a work of art was snatched off the wall.

On Feb. 7, 2005, alumna Breena Wiederhoeft, then a student, went to class to discover that her painting, a stylized self portrait, was taken over the weekend. Since the loss, she is wary of sharing her artwork, which is something she once enjoyed.

Denis Sargent, professor of painting and drawing, said that this was the first time in 16 years of teaching on campus that a student’s artwork was stolen. He noted that in the public space of a large urban environment there will always be some risk of this kind of an incident.

“It was a very sad thing when this student’s work was stolen,” Sargent said. “It is a loss for her, and all of us, because we will no longer be able to enjoy the time and talent invested in the quality of artworks that we have been displaying.”

Martin said that having her paintings on display is a very integral part of being and learning as an artist.

“When things like this happen, our way of sharing our work has been sabotaged,” she said. “Displaying work is often the primary goal of artists, and we need to protect our right to share with the university community without fear of theft.”

Martin said that security needs to be increased in Mitchell Hall.

Theft is the biggest problem on campus, according to Sgt. Art Koch of the UWM Police Department. In the past year, there have been 155 thefts inside of buildings on campus, totaling $70,177.75 in losses.

“Mitchell is one of those buildings that are opened early and closed late,” he said. “It’s open for the students to utilize, unfortunately other people go in there.”

He also noted that the doors of Mitchell Hall are often left open because people do not close them tightly enough when they leave.

“I see this crime triangle over and over again,” he said, “thieves have the ability to steal, the desire to take it and they have the opportunity.”

Koch urges anyone who sees anything suspicious to contact the UWM Police Department.

“There are yellow phones located everywhere on campus — use them,” he said. “I’d rather have an officer called out and not needed than needed and not come out.”

Since the thefts, the art department is exploring some secure display possibilities.

One option is to invest in display cases, although this would limit the size and number of artworks that can be displayed. They have also discussed placing locked protection behind the backs of paintings.

In the meantime, Koch and his officers are patrolling buildings after hours and doing routine security checks.

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