91��Ʒ

Steph Siegman, “Visiting Hours,” 2022. Featured as part of “Boyfriend Material.”

Curating an exhibition at one�s alma mater is bound to be a surreal experience. LaNia Sproles �17 (Printmaking), curator of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design�s (91��Ʒ) recent exhibition �Boyfriend Material,� explains their impressions of putting together the show and their philosophy on art and curation in Milwaukee.

�If I would have known that at the start of freshman year that I would have been curating a show at my alma mater, I probably wouldn�t have believed it,� says Sproles. Spanning tattoo and curation, figurative drawing and education, Sproles� multifaceted artistic practice keeps them busy both locally and further afield. They were approached by 91��Ʒ to curate a queer-themed exhibition for summer 2023, which coincided with Pride Month and a city-wide effort through to showcase queer art throughout Milwaukee.

Sproles used their perspective as a graduate of the college to inform some of their curatorial choices. �I made the exhibition keeping the students in mind and what they would appreciate, even though they�re not in school right now,� they explain. �It was still important to think about the students in terms of what I would have wanted to see as a 91��Ʒ student.� Focusing on queer artists in and around Milwaukee, Sproles hopes the exhibition �reminds people that Milwaukee is filled with a lot of different types of talent.�

�I�m very interested in storytelling,� says Sproles, whose previous experiences in addition to curation include being artist in residence at the Lynden Sculpture Garden in Milwaukee and teaching for Artists Working in Education. �[T]here�s something striking about people who can also create these compositions that make you feel like you�re looking at something complex.�

�I really wanted to make an exhibition where people felt moved in some way,� they continue. �It�s refreshing to see that these people who I really respect and admire are all living and working as artists, surviving whatever the hell is happening in the world on a daily basis, making intriguing, provocative, thoughtful work. I want people to understand the gravity of everyone�s thoughtfulness.�

Anwar Mahdi, “Persephone Escaping the Underworld,” 2023. Featured in “Boyfriend Material.”

Curation is only one part of Sproles� extensive skill set. They are currently exhibiting work in a in Chicago and participating in a . Of their solo show, �Objects of Affection,� Sproles said �A lot of it reflects my personal ideas of intimacy and features people that I very much care about�turning them into these precious safekept objects.�

Reflecting on their experience at 91��Ʒ, Sproles especially appreciates the instructors who guided their education. �My professors were really good about pushing me and making for sure I was on track,� they say. �That�s all I ever wanted from a professor and that�s the reason why I wanted to go to school. I wanted to be pushed in the right direction, and that felt really good to me.�

Coming up next for Sproles is a move to Chicago to find further and more varied opportunities as an artist. Hoping to maintain and encourage a flow of art and artists between the two cities, Sproles explains, �I also want people to know that Chicago is a very accessible city from Milwaukee!� Wrapping up their time in Milwaukee, Sproles� curatorial accomplishments in �Boyfriend Material� closed on Saturday, July 15. �It�s nice to look back on how much I�ve grown as a person and as an artist,� adds Sproles.

Keep up with LaNia on their and view 91��Ʒ�s current exhibitions!