MILWAUKEE (November 10, 2026) – Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) and the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) have once again partnered to introduce an exciting new art installation for MKE travelers to experience.
MIAD’s latest art installation can be found on Concourse D, near Delta Air Lines. This is MIAD’s third installation at the Airport as part of a long-term partnership with MKE. “Our longstanding partnership with MIAD reflects our commitment to celebrating local creativity and showcasing the incredible talent we have right here in Milwaukee,” said Airport Director Brian Dranzik. “Each installation brings a fresh perspective for MKE travelers to experience while giving MIAD a unique opportunity to share their work with those coming in and out of our city.”
The newest artwork is part of a collection called Threads of Flight by Wisconsin artist and MIAD alumna Kelly Alexander Wendorf. Wendorf created each piece using intricate layered papercutting, bold color, and dynamic forms. The series explores air travel as a shared human experience shaped by wonder, transition, and connection.
Wendorf’s work has been exhibited throughout Wisconsin and Illinois, including at the Museum of Wisconsin Art, Gallery 224, Arts Mill, Plymouth Art Center, and the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau. “Our continued partnership with Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport celebrates the power of art and design to connect people and strengthen community,” said Jeffrey Morin, MIAD president. “Showcasing the work of a MIAD alumna highlights the lasting impact of creative education while enriching the travel experience and celebrating Milwaukee’s vibrant arts community. We are grateful for this meaningful partnership and the opportunity to share the talent of MIAD students and graduates with audiences from around the world,” said Morin.
Wendorf has participated in artist residencies and taught screen printing, papercutting, figure drawing, and portfolio development through MIAD’s Continuing Education program. She currently works in MIAD’s Admissions Office as Office Manager & Events Coordinator, following several years as an Admissions Counselor helping prospective students navigate the process of pursuing an education in art and design. Wendorf created this installation drawing on childhood memories of flying and watching her own children experience air travel for the first time. Wendorf considers the airport as a place of discovery, which is represented in her artwork.
For 100 years, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport has been connecting travelers to destinations across the country and around the world. Today, MKE offers nonstop flights to more than 30 U.S. cities, with access to over 200 international destinations available via one convenient connection. The airport is served by Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country, and United. A complete list of nonstop cities can be found at flymke.com. MKE, the recipient of the 2021 and 2022 ASQ Best Airport – North America awards for outstanding customer experience, is owned by Milwaukee County and operated by the Department of Transportation, Airport Division, under the policy direction of the Milwaukee County Executive and the County Board of Supervisors. MKE is funded entirely by user fees; no property tax dollars are used for the Airport’s capital improvements or day-to-day operation.
The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) was founded in 1974, born from the nationally acclaimed Layton School of Art, which was established in 1920. The college fosters innovative, entrepreneurial, and disruptive thinking that benefits our students and our corporate and nonprofit partners. MIAD brings robust career pathways and college readiness experiences to underrepresented and low-income high school youth, educates future art and design leaders and provides cultural experiences and events to the Greater Milwaukee community. MIAD is an accredited, nonprofit college offering the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and the only private art and design college in Wisconsin.
