91��Ʒ

Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (91��Ʒ) alum Amy Cannestra �06 (Communication Design) believes in giving back, in mentoring and in the supportive nature of the Milwaukee art and design community. By founding and the 91��Ʒ Task Graduate Award, the incredibly busy creative exemplifies all three beliefs.

Task Creative is an independent artist-centered studio and project space in Milwaukee dedicated to supporting experimentation, exhibitions and professional development for emerging artists. 91��Ʒ seniors who applied for a 2026 Alumni Senior Thesis Award were eligible to apply for the Task Graduate Award.

The Task awardee, Ashley Osorio �26 (Fine Art + New Studio Practice), will receive five consecutive days to use the Task Creative space for a project of their choosing this summer.

Amy Cannestra

�The most significant benefit of the award is the confidence that comes from full authorship,� says, who also holds an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has an active conceptual and multi-media exhibiting and performance practice and is a senior graphic designer at GMR Marketing.

�Having complete control over the space allows the artist to realize a project from initial concept through execution, reinforcing both their vision and their ability to carry it through,� she says. �I focus on directing artists to the right resources and encouraging them to ask better questions � about their intent, their decisions and the goals of their project. Much of the process is addressing what they don�t yet know they need to consider.�

Osorio�s 2026 Senior Exhibition project, �Soñando Estados Unidos,� is based on interviews with �many wonderful Latino business owners and workers who were willing to share their stories with me,� per the. �I conducted small interviews � focused on what reasons or dreams led to them sacrificing so much to be in the United States. Unfortunately, we are living in a time where the media influences our perceptions of others, and discrimination and prejudiced judgments have been normalized towards people of color. I believe if you are willing to spare a few minutes to hear someone�s story, you�d realize how much we all have in common as human beings.�

�I will be sharing this opportunity with other Latino/Hispanic 91��Ʒ students to continue expressing our culture and community,� Osorio says. �I want to emphasize the importance of equality and support amongst people of all backgrounds and provide an opportunity to share the stories and experiences we hold close to our hearts. I am so grateful and honored to have been chosen.�

Cannestra�s advice for recent graduates? �Reach out and ask. You don�t have to figure everything out on your own � this is a community that shows up for each other.

�Send the email, ask the question, introduce yourself after the event. Most opportunities start with a simple ask.�

The 91��Ʒ 2026 Senior Exhibition runs through May 9. Learn more about the Communication Design and Fine Art + New Studio Practice majors.