Lakeland Graphic Design students shine at public event
This semester, Amy Moua, a senior from Sheboygan, Wis., double majoring in psychology and writing, is creating content for the Lakeland blog. This is the latest in a series of blog stories she’s written.
Lakeland University graphic design professor Kate Prange and her LU students made a strong impression at this year’s Sheboygan Gallery Night, held at Jake’s, A Lakeland Community, in downtown Sheboygan earlier this fall.
This marked Lakeland’s second year participating in the Sheboygan community art exhibition, where students showcased their work, bridging the gap between the university and the city’s art scene.
Since joining Lakeland, Prange has focused on connecting her students with the local community, helping them build networks and gain real-world experience. Jake’s offered the perfect venue.
“I reached out to (fellow LU faculty member) Stephanie Hoskins, who manages Jake’s, and proposed an exhibition for our graphic design and art students,” Prange said.
The location gave the public the opportunity to explore multiple exhibitions, including those at the art center and cafes like Paradigm. “It’s about being part of the Sheboygan community,” Prange added.
Eight Lakeland students from Prange’s Graphic Design 3 and Typography classes presented their designs alongside local artists. For the students, the experience was invaluable, with works ranging from digital to studio art. Beyond the technical skills, Prange emphasized the importance of students learning to speak about their work.
“They have to write their own artist statements; communication and art are very much the same,” she said.
One of the highlights was senior Dakota Ashenbach, a graphic design major, who caught the attention of an art collector interested in purchasing one of his pieces. Ashenbach, who had no prior professional experience, said the encounter shifted his perspective.
“I tend to undervalue myself,” he admitted. “It made me raise the standards I’ve set for myself. I’ve been taking it a lot more seriously and have changed my mind set about this being something I can do in the future.”
For Prange, this kind of esteem boost is exactly what her students need, particularly those hesitant to showcase their work publicly. Compared to last year, she made participation a requirement for her class, stressing the importance of exposure. “It’s like pulling off that Band-Aid, and they did. A lot of them did,” she said.
For many students, participating in Sheboygan Gallery Night was more than an assignment; it was a chance to step outside their comfort zones.
Prange hopes to expand Lakeland’s involvement in future Sheboygan Gallery Nights. “Somebody told me they didn’t even know Lakeland had an art and design program,” she said. “And now they do.”
Prange is also collaborating with Jake’s on a project to provide freelance design services to local businesses, aiming to create a design and entrepreneurship studio. Prange sees this as another opportunity to foster more connections for Lakeland and its students with the community and real-world experiences.
