A tangible tingle in the air could be felt while wandering through the labyrinthine halls on Erie Street. A precipice of ingenuity, Senior Exhibition provided an experience entirely unique unto itself.

There’s something simultaneously frightening, yet undeniably envious about the notion of displaying the culmination of your education and talent for all to see. For the students at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), the weekend of Gallery Night provides the jumping off point for their creativity to be shown to the world.

April 18 and 19 played home to what the Historic Third Ward website describes as the, “Two-day premier art event in Milwaukee for both the experienced artist and most beginning admirer.” While the entire neighborhood was packed with various businesses and establishments participating in the display of innovation, the epicenter of this quake undoubtedly lay in halls of MIAD.

Seniors at the Institute have spent countless hours perfecting their craft, and the result is nothing short of stunning. Throughout the 145 exhibits, one can richly fill their pallet on any of the 11 Bachelor of Fine Arts majors, each one filling out a section of the gross creative formula.

A tangible tingle in the air could be felt while wandering through the labyrinthine halls on Erie Street. A precipice of ingenuity, Senior Exhibition provided an experience entirely unique unto itself.

While dozens of pieces were more than worthy to be pondered over and wholly absorbed, there were three standouts that reaffirmed the notion that our generation has the ability to create works of art that will become timeless long after we’re gone.

Greg Schmidt, a senior with a focus on illustration, stood proudly next to his art. His illustrations provided a refreshing juxtaposition from the heavy burden that seemed to propel so many of the pieces at MIAD.

Foregoing dark and somber subjects, Schmidt instead channeled a muse from his childhood and created a picture book through the creative lense of a 21st century twenty-something. The result was a series of images that would feel right at home alongside any of the modern cartoons that pop up on Saturday mornings.

Throughout the entire night, kids would approach Schmidt’s exhibit and gaze wide-eyed at his various drawings. The illustrations seemed to transcend generations due to the fact that they surged with an energy we all remember from our youth.

When asked how he felt standing alongside the fruition of his higher education, Schmidt gave a relived laugh and simply replied, “I’m glad it’s over, glad I’m done with it, and hopefully I can get a job in Milwaukee.”

Schmidt’s ambitions of exploring his creativity in the city of Milwaukee were echoed by fellow artist Katie Donoghue. A resident of the Eastside, Donoghue, armed only with her camera, set out with the intention to, “make something intangible, tangible.”

Utilizing a shutter that stayed open for two minutes and a model that stood still for the entire duration, Donoghue maneuvered around the frame with a flashlight. By staying in constant motion, the camera never picked up her image; only that of the light in her hand. The result is a series of photographs that Donoghue sums up as, “...light-hearted, childlike and magical.”

Like pages ripped out of a children’s book, each picture theatrically gives life to the intangible. By placing the photographs in front of a light box, a physical form is given to the rays that leave the viewer engrossed with a feeling of youthful mysticism and wonderment.

The final hallmark of the night belonged to sculptor Colin Dickson. Nearly hidden away at what felt like the highest point in a castle’s tower, his installation piece became the center of attention.

Called “3 ½ miles to the center of somewhere else,” Dickson set out with the intention of, “bridging the gap between gallery art and how the individual interacts with a piece.” What ended up being created was an experience that is quite difficult to put into words.

Throughout the course of 450 man-hours, Dickson crafted a space where cloth tubes hung from the ceiling. The countless fabric cylinders each had a wooden disc at the bottom, providing individual base stability that still allowed the entire piece to maintain it’s malleability.

The exhibit was one of the few that encouraged audience interaction. As soon as one would enter the space, they would be immersed in a fabric forest that deprived the senses, yet enhanced the imagination.

Dickson made it clear that his initial goal when embarking on this piece was to, “Explore why we choose to move the way we move.” From the looks of sheer enjoyment on the everyone’s face, it would seem as if his exploration was a success.

While Gallery Night has already come to a close, MIAD’s Senior Exhibition has just begun. Held on the MIAD campus at 273 E. Erie Street, it’ll be open through May 10 on Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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