The Studio: UW Madison's Creative Arts Community

10/09/2022

Happy October to our wonderful residents! Here’s a look back at some of our favorite moments from this past September, including our Alumni Mixer at Wheelhouse Studios ✨✨

09/09/2022

A recap of The Studio orientation and Mocktails Over Mendota ✅🍹

We had a great time getting to know our residents, and can’t wait for the events to come! Be sure to join us for our Alumni Mixer THIS SUNDAY at Memorial Union (4pm-6pm).

08/30/2022

A huge welcome to our wonderful Studio residents! We know move-in can be a process. We hope you’re able to unwind with our upcoming events this Friday:

We’ll be kicking off the day with our Studio orientation starting at 10am. Get to know your fellow residents, peer mentors and program leads, as well as all of our creative spaces meant just for you. Lunch will be provided!

In the evening we invite you to join us to Mocktails over Mendota - A rooftop welcome party featuring Studio alumni Shane Finesse as our DJ. Get to know residents in other learning communities and enjoy some free food and fun mocktails.

We can’t wait to meet you!

04/28/2022

Thank you to all our amazing residents that got to share their art at our Final Showcase!

It has been a pleasure to watch you all grow through your incredible work and dedication to your individual craft ❤️

04/20/2022

We are back with a brand new podcast episode of the Mind Set! In this week’s episode, 2019 Studio alum and current senior, Sophia Abrams and host Dawry discuss the need for Black Art throughout the pandemic and legacy on campus, funding for the arts, and finding your spaces on campus. To support Sophia check out her gallery at the Madison Public Library until July 1st!

To listen click here:

2019 Studio alum and current senior, Sophia Abrams, and host Dawry discuss transitioning out of the Studio, the need for Black Art throughout the pandemic, funding your art, and creating spaces on cam

04/07/2022

We're gearing up to our last Showcase of this academic year - and we're sharing the highlights of our Feburary Showcase:

Current and residents of The Studio shared their work with The Studio community at the Showcase. Videography: Aaron GranatCopyright UW–Madison Division of th...

04/06/2022

UPDATE: The Showcase has been postponed to April 25th in the Blackbox at Ogg Hall at 6 PM

The time has finally come for our last showcase of the Spring semester which will be on Monday, April 11th at the Play Circle in Memorial Union!

All Studio residents and Alumni are encouraged to attend and share their art. Food and drinks will also be provided!

We hope to see you there 💫💃

03/30/2022

Ever wondered what it’s like to be in the Studio?

Here’s a little taste of what we offer in our Fall seminar where we invite campus faculty and community artists to share their skills and resources with our residents.

We visited Professor Marianne Fairbanks at the School of Human Ecology to learn about weaving, and AJ Juarez from the Barrio Dance School came to our location to introduce us to Dance.

Click here to check out the full videos of these seminars along with other Studio content: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsPCfRNJmNPTONyZ5lti1FriPHuf9Rghf

03/28/2022

This month we dug into the amazing work of Loveis Wise, a nonbinary illustrator that captures pure joy in the black and brown community with their stunning visual pieces.

Wise pours themselves into their work with an approach that invokes beauty with the shapes, colors, and people present in their art. Many of Wise’s works are inspired by memories of conversations and interactions that gave them a sense of freedom. Their pieces tell a nostalgic narrative that moves people to interact with the vibrant figures and patterns. Their work speaks to the times and gives comfort to those seeking a voice they can hold on to.

“When you’re telling your own truth, it makes for the best pieces, because people will connect with them.” - LW

You can find their art on some of the biggest companies' front pages and walls, including Google, Target, Warby Parker, and the New Yorker just to name a few. Swipe to check out their work!

03/02/2022

Thank you to all of our Studio Residents and Alumni that got to share their work for the first Showcase of the Spring semester! It is always a pleasure to see growth through your art and we hope to see more from you at the next one. Here are some flicks of our artists! ✨

Photography and Video by Aaron Grant

02/28/2022

Judy Frater (spring 2022 interdisciplinary artist-in-residence) and Jenny Angus (lead faculty for the residency and Professor, Design Studies Department) led an indigo workshop with The Student residents in the spring seminar course taught by Helen Lee (Professor, Art Department). They met in the Print and Dye lab in the School of Human Ecology. They learned more about indigo fabrics from around the world along with seeing samples of different techniques for dyeing. They then created their own patterns using different types of resists and dyed their scarves.

Thank you to Judy Frater and Jenny Angus for leading this indigo dyeing workshop!

Photography: Mats Rudels | Copyright UW–Madison Division of the Arts

02/21/2022

The first Showcase of the Spring semester is next week and we are incredibly excited to see everyone's artistic growth since the last time we met! You can check out the last Showcase we held in Fall 2021 here:

Current and residents of The Studio shared their work with The Studio community at the Showcase. Videography: Aaron GranatCopyright UW–Madison Division of th...

02/16/2022

We are incredinbly excited to see all of the amazing talent for the upcoming Spring semester Showcase, but until then here is a little throwback to the very first Showcase ever from our 2021-2022 Studio cohort!

Current residents of The Studio shared their work with The Studio community at the Showcase. Videography: Aaron GranatCopyright UW–Madison Division of the Arts

02/09/2022

To kick off the Spring semester we have artist of the week Bailey Whisler! Here is a quick interview with the talented visual artist and Studio alum:

Give us a short bio of yourself: I am an illustrator and graphic designer from Madison, WI. I have been making art since before I can remember, but I have really started taking it seriously as both a hobby and a profession in the last 3-4 years. My illustrative work is heavily influenced by my childhood icons: shows like Sesame Street and the Muppets, Mickey Mouse, as well as comics like The Far Side, Get Fuzzy, and Calvin and Hobbes. Much of my design work is inspired by marketing materials from the 70s through the 90s, and architecture by people like Frank Lloyd Wright and Charles Eames. I'm always listening to music so that is something that has a great influence on my art as well. I also run a small clothing business with two friends who I met through the Studio, Dawry Ruiz and Malcolm Mccanles. The name is Collidge, and you can check it out at

Studio Year: 2019-2020

Major: Art

What was your best Studio memory?: My best Studio memory was easily Project Thrift. Without it, Collidge would have most likely never been formed. Malcolm and I created 6 different looks, all coordinating with one another, and had some friends wear them on the runway. Dawry was the DJ for the whole event, and after the show we talked and he brought up working together, and the rest is history!

How has your artistic practice changed over time?: I have really only started to come into my own in my art practice over the last couple of years. Before I developed my current style, I did a lot of work that was very unrelated to one another and I couldn't seem to find what worked for me. I still feel this way a lot of the time, but I enjoy the task of weeding out what works for you and what you like, and mashing it all together into something that truly feels like you.

What inspires you?: Seeing the ways other artists push the limits of their individual fields, hoping one day I can do the same.

Best Advice you ever received?: Stop caring so much about what other people think of you.

12/14/2021

Our Artist of the week goes out to Studio Alum and Poet Sydney Bobb! Check out our interview with them below:

Give us a short bio of yourself: I was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. I have been writing poems since I was 11, went to my first spoken word show at 13, and joined the world of slam poetry at 16. I had always loved writing, but didn't know anyone who was super successful at making a career in writing poems. After going to multiple open mics in the Boston area and competing in international slams, I began to see poetry as a viable and fun way of expressing myself, and a way to share love and space with others. You get to talk your s**t and leave it on the stage. It's now my favorite thing to do. My work centers around my adventures as an awkward, clumsy, tragic black femme being raised by Vincentian immigrants.

Studio Year: 2019-2020

Major: Classical Humanities w/ Certificates in Gender and Women's Studies and African Studies

What was your best Studio memory?: My best Studio memory was definitely the last showcase of the fall 2019 semester, my housefellow hosted and I got to be in community with the rest of my floor.

How has your artistic practice changed over time?: I went from writing as a hobby, to slamming competitively, to writing for joy again. I'm happier when I write with no pressure involved.

What is the best memory of your art practice?: Making the CUPSI team in 2019 with my fellow First Wavers.

Favorite or most inspirational place for your art practice?: Most inspirational place? Sencha. Caffeine and sugar inspire me daily.

What inspires you?: My mom. My friends. Thiahera Nurse.

What can't you live without?: Double-stuffed Oreos

Best Advice you ever received?: "Do you."

12/10/2021

The third episode of “The Mind Set” is out now featuring a conversation about building an independent clothing brand on campus with Bailey Whisler and Malcolm McCanles!

Listen here!:

In the third episode of The Mind Set Podcast from the Studio, learn from the Collidge team, consisting of Studio alumnus Bailey Whisler, Dawry Ruiz, & Malcom Mccanles. They tell their story of how the

12/08/2021

Hey everyone! Episode 2 of the Mind Set is out now!

In this Episode, Dawry speaks with Studio Alum Shane Finesse on their experience with the arts as a multi-instrumentalist/artist at UW and leaving an impact on the overall Madison community.

listen here:

In the second episode of The Mind Set Podcast from the Studio, learn from Shane Finesse, a Studio alumn from 2019 about what it feels like to come from a very different place than Madison and make you

12/06/2021

Hey everyone! We are introducing our first-ever Studio podcast called "The Mind Set"! In this podcast, our LCPA Dawry interviews the Studio's most amazing alumni to get a closer look into their work!

In the first episode of The Mind Set Podcast, learn about from students who now work for the studio, your LCPAs. From transitioning on to campus, how they took art into their own hands, and what they think is still missing from campus.

The link to episode 1 is here to listen: https://soundcloud.com/user-286795599/themindset-ep1?si=9c644a2e84244dcc966e249b118d54f6

We will be posting these podcasts throughout the semester, so stay tuned for more future episodes!

In the first episode of The Mind Set Podcast from the Studio, learn about from students who now work for the studio, your LCPAs. From transitioning on to campus, how they took art into their own hands

11/30/2021

The Studio would like to honor the passing of UW Alum and design legend, Virgil Abloh. He left behind an incredible example that will forever pave the way for young creatives everywhere. His artistic limit was boundless as he balanced a life of being a CEO for Off-White, Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton, and a creative director for some of the world’s most renowned artists.

May he rest in peace 🕊❤️

11/23/2021

Here is a recap from our very first Studio Showcase of the 2021 fall semester!

This is always an exciting time as we get to see our community show off their undeniable passion and love for the art they create! Swipe to see some of our amazing performers ❤️

📸 by Mats Rudels

10/01/2021

This week we took the Studio seminar to UW’s Glass Lab! Our Faculty Director Helen Lee is Associate Professor at the Art Department and heads the Glass Lab. She and her team introduced us to Neon and gave us a glimpse into all the crazy things glass can do!

09/28/2021

Last week The Studio Seminar had a reunion!

We went to see The Studio’s former Faculty Directors Faisal Abdu’Allah and John Hitchcock in the Art Department! Polaroid and screen printing workshops ensued! So did laughter and camaraderie ❤️

04/15/2021

The Line Breaks Festival is happening tomorrow - tune in! And our last Showcase of the year is happening on Monday - sign up!

As the second semester comes to a close, everyone is looking for somewhere to show off what they have been working on. From long projects, to just something that you worked on in your free time in the midst of a pandemic, here are two events that will be showcasing amazing art and artist.

03/26/2021

The deadline for the Studio's Creative Arts Awards is approaching soon! Studio residents can win up to $500 towards a creative project of their design.

One of the things an artist is always trying to figure out is: how do I get paid to do what I love? We’re glad you asked! By being a current Studio resident, you are eligible for awards and money for your art.

03/03/2021

We're pumped about Project Thrift this year! We've adapted and expanded our annual thrift fashion event to keep it engaging and fun - take that, COVID. Read our blog post to learn more!

You’ve heard of Tyra Mail? Well here is your Studio Mail! While we can’t do a whole Project Runway, we can do our own thing… with some COVID adjustments.

02/11/2021

Our program assistant Dawry Ruiz describes what's in store this semester in his most recent blog post:

While we are still in the least ideal circumstances for activities on campus, with constant testing, regulated quarantine, and online classes, The Studio has a range of ways to get you creating and keeping you creative.

02/04/2021

Artists always find a solution. The pandemic is not going to stop us from having our Showcase! See the highlights of our most recent Showcase below.

(video credits: Gracie Wallner and Aaron Granat)