91��ɫ

In a recent project through the Lubar Innovation Center at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (91��ɫ), three students worked with to research, concept and install a mural of native plants and fish.

Located at the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District�s South Shore Water Reclamation Facility, the vibrant mural depicts �themes of conservation and the native wildlife around Milwaukee and Lake Michigan,� explains Kate Kasper �27. Under the guidance of Abrahm Guthrie, who acted as the faculty project manager, Kasper worked with Nolan Wollmer �26 and Emily Camp �26 to design and paint the mural.

�Abrahm I think of as our fearless leader, always there to help and guide but able to let us figure things out on our own when necessary,� says Wollmer.

�Over the course of a few weeks we sketched concepts [and] refined our designs down to final products,� explains Kasper. After meetings with Veolia and MMSD, Kasper�s finalized design was projected to scale onto the mural site, then outlined. In under two weeks, the students worked three to six hours a day painting to complete the mural.

�This was my first project with the Innovation Center, [and] I hope won�t be my last either,� says Wollmer. Camp felt the same, saying: �This was my first time working through the Innovation Center and I really enjoyed the collaboration! I think the support of networking with students to get them into their industries is very thoughtful and smart and I hope to work with them again!�

Kasper reflects, �Working with the Innovation Center has given me priceless experience with the world of professional design and illustration � Even if I’m not actively working on a project, I find myself in the Innovation Center quite often because I can always go there for helpful advice and critique. I can�t recommend working with them enough, whether it�s a professional or personal project.�

The Lubar Innovation Center connects real-world clients with 91��ɫ students to work on paid professional projects.

Learn more about the Lubar Innovation Center!