New Bradley Gallery show spotlights two seniors
The artwork of a pair of Lakeland University seniors will highlight the final Bradley Gallery show of the 2024-25 season.
Graduating seniors Frida McKeown and Emma Wigand will discuss their work at the opening reception, which begins at 4:30 p.m. on April 4.
The exhibit runs through May 2 in the Bradley Fine Arts Building on the Lakeland campus. The Bradley Gallery is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, when Lakeland is in session.
McKeown will graduate with a bachelor's degree in studio art with a minor in graphic design. She works in a digital/social media management role at Siebkens Resort, Elkhart Lake, Wis., doing ad and web design, social media management, data analytics and event photography.
In November 2021 she started her own business, Foto Haus by frida LLC, which offers portrait photography and editing. She specializes in headshots, pet and family photos.
She was also an instructor at The MadPatcher Studios in Elkhart Lake, teaching students in basic and intermediate technique with watercolor paints.
McKeown's senior show will have work divided into sample sections of a series she hopes to exhibit on a larger scale.
"I invite you to immerse yourself in them, to feel them, and to see the pieces for what they are—pieces of me," she said.
She also shares these thoughts regarding her work for this show: "So I ask you—look at my body of work and ask yourself, Is this replaceable? Have you ever stood in a museum or gallery and overheard someone say, ‘I could do that'? You probably have. But the truth is, they didn't. And they wouldn't. But we did.
"These are works that cannot be replicated—by AI, by another artist, by anyone. Because as artists, our job is to take what is within us, pour it into the world, and say: I am irreplaceable."
Wigand will graduate with a bachelor's in studio art and a minor in Cooperative Education. She is beauty advisor at Sally Beauty, and previously was education coordinator at Above and Beyond Children's Museum in Sheboygan and a senior youth Development Professional at the Boys & Girls Club of Sheboygan County.
Wigand said her creative journey spans various mediums, including colored pencil, graphite, acrylic, oil paint and occasionally photography.
"I thrive on exploring the interplay of texture and color, often starting with a loose concept and allowing the artwork to evolve organically," she said. "One of my signature elements is glitter, which I love incorporating into nearly all my pieces. The sparkle of glitter, combined with whimsical themes, evokes a playful sense of childhood wonder in my work.
"Art is a powerful source of healing for me. It allows me to let go and embrace the joy of creation. Each piece uniquely expresses beauty, reflecting my passion and playful spirit."
