MIAD @ MKE

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport

The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) is honored to partner with Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) to showcase the work of the college’s students and alumni.

A mock-up of an airport wall with many framed printed posters.

MKE Prints

This collection of hand-pulled screen prints was created by Communication Design students at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design.

Each piece offers a unique perspective on Milwaukee—its culture, landmarks and spirit—transformed through bold design and the tactile process of screen printing. Together, the works celebrate both the city and the power of print to tell visual stories.

The exhibition is curated by Brian Bowles ‘01, Associate Professor of Communication Design at MIAD.

Meet the Artists

A poster with iconic Milwaukee graphics like the Bucks logo, beers, Summerfest, and cheese. Text says "Milwaukee"

Leo Rodriguez ’24, “Milwaukee,” MKE Prints.

Text says "Come visit the beautiful Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse est. 1872." A red lighthouse emits a yellow beam of light; seagulls circle it.

Sammi Micklewright ’24, “Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse,” MKE Prints.

An illustrated portrait of Trixie Mattel. Text says "Trixie Mattel, This is It, MKE WI"

Megan Dooley ’24, “Trixie Mattel,” MKE Prints.

A scrapbook-inspired poster with Milwaukee icons like Summerfest, the Hop and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Text says "Only in MKE"

Nathan Butler ’24, “Only in MKE,” MKE Prints.

Text says "Milwaukee has more bars per capita; one bar for every one people -Mike Stoklasa." Graphic shows people at a bar.

Johanna Yim ’24, “Bars Per Capita,” MKE Prints.

A red, orange and yellow poster with a hand holding a wedge of cheese. Text says "Milwaukee, Where cheese found its home"

Ben Commer ’23, “Where Cheese Found its Home,” MKE Prints.

A poster listing the rules for playing Milwaukee Bar dice with an illustration of bar dice.

Sophia Holmquist ’24, “Milwaukee Bar Dice,” MKE Prints.

Abstract blueish gray shapes behind text that says "The lake is a sea."

Erin Fagen ’24, “The Lake is a Sea,” MKE Prints.

A risograph-inspired image of swan boats on the water. Text says "Wanna join my swan boat ride? Meet me at Veterans Park"

Odessa Dalton ’24, “Swan Boats,” MKE Prints.

A photograph of a Milwaukee sewer cover colored with pink yellow and green.

Megan Huss ’24, “City of Milwaukee Sewer,” MKE Prints.

A cheese wedge throwing a peace sign holding a beer and wearing a Brewers hat. Text says "Milwaukee, Wisconsin."

Sarah Madden ’24, “Milwaukee, Wisconsin,” MKE Prints.

A poster with an abstract sculpture of a figure sitting. Text says "Milwaukee the city of sculpture"

Theo Lindstrom ’24, “The City of Sculpture,” MKE Prints.

A retro-inspired yellow poster of a shelf of 12 labeled food jars. Text says "Save Money & Reduce Waste, Buy in bulk in Milwaukee WI."

Abigail Molitor ’25, “Buy in Bulk,” MKE Prints.

Two figures with long ears dance wearing red shirts, yellow shorts and red boots. Text says "Come on and dance! Turner Hall Ballroom."

Mara Howes ’25, “Come on and dance!,” MKE Prints.

A mermaid steers a boat against the backdrop of the Milwaukee Art Museum. Text says "Set Sail for the Good Land."

Rhiannon Lammert ’25, “Set Sail for the Good Land,” MKE Prints.

A sketchy, motion-filled poster with logos for Harley-Davidson, the Hoan bridge, Art Museum. Text says "This is MKE"

Arahin Beltran Gonzalez ’25, “This is MKE,” MKE Prints.

A white goose and five goslings walk across a bridge. Text says "Wisconsin Avenue Bridge, Milwaukee."

Kalle Leyden ’25, “Wisconsin Avenue Bridge,” MKE Prints.

A retro-inspired poster with red and gray blocks and outlines of Frank Lloyd Wright houses. Text says "Burnham Block, Milwaukee WI"

Delaney Regan ’25, “Burnham Block,” MKE Prints.

A spaghetti junction of elevated highways. Text says "The Milwaukee roller coaster."

Tatum Woodcock ’26, “The Milwaukee Roller Coaster,” MKE Prints.

A colorful risograph print of the red and orange sunrise under the Hoan Bridge above the lake. Text says "Milwaukee"

Ethan Pierce ’25, “Milwaukee Sunrise,” MKE Prints.

A dog sits in front of a can of beer. Text says "Mil-Walk-Me to the Bar!"

iqra kahn ’25, “Mil-Walk-Me to the Bar!,” MKE Prints.

A green background with a brat in a bun. Text says "brät"

Lily Patenaude ’25, “brät,” MKE Prints.

Milwaukee's skyline above the Hoan Bridge. Text says "Welcome to Milwaukee Wisconsin."

Max Marlow ’25, “Welcome to Milwaukee,” MKE Prints.

A red motorcycle steams against a gray background. Text says "Fuel the Fire Milwaukee."

Michael Salgado ’25, “Fuel the Fire,” MKE Prints.

A vibrant yellow and red art museum and gray clouds. Text says "Take a seat under the Bruke Brise Soleil."

Landon Bork ’25, “Take a seat under the Burke Brise Soleil,” MKE Prints.

Ships sail on the lake in front of the Milwaukee skyline.

Trent Stuefen ’25, “Sailing,” MKE Prints.

A sunset and waves are illustrated within the outline of a lake. Text says "Life is better on the lake, Okauchee Lake."

Abbie Tessmer ’24, “Life is better on the lake,” MKE Prints.

Milwaukee's skyline at night featuring the public market, art museum and Fiserv Forum.

Brittany Tello, “Milwaukee at Night,” MKE Prints.

Past Projects

Project Reframe

Project Reframe

In response to the negative impacts of pandemic life on mental health, and as part of their senior capstone project at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) in 2021, artist Liz Geoffrey created PROJECT REFRAME, a series of 1,000 positive affirmation postcards printed using letterpress printing. Viewers were invited to personalize and mail these postcards, spreading encouragement and fostering connections through the postal service during a time of isolation. 

This MKE Airport iteration reimagines the original project, which was on view April 16 – May 8, 2021, further exploring Liz’s passion for both analog printing and mental health. As a MIAD graduate with a B.F.A. in Illustration, Liz currently works as a freelance graphic designer, keeping their hands inky through volunteer work at printing museums and local shops. Watch a video about Project Reframe! 

A gallery wall filled with colorful screenprinted postcards with positive affirmations on them.

Liz Geoffrey, “Project Reframe,” 2021.

Airport Partnership

MKE Airport is one of many Milwaukee area businesses and organizations that partner with MIAD to create engaging spaces for travelers. MIAD also offers the opportunity to collaborate with students in all majors to create innovative solutions for business and organizational challenges, such as the airport did for its new wayfinding map in 2021. MIAD is proud to continue its partnership with our hometown airport and to help provide the best possible travel experience.

Interested in partnering with MIAD? Let us know!

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