Lakeland University Seniors Showcase Artwork at Bradley Gallery

Discover the Creative Journey Behind This Exhibition

When the campus lights dim and the last visitor steps out of the Bradley Gallery, it’s easy to assume the hallway has settled back into routine. But for two senior students from Lakeland University, the gallery becomes a stage for a personal narrative of resilience, creativity, and the intersection of life’s fragility with the power of art.

Meet Amy Kafka – A Studio Art Visionary

Amy Kafka, a Cleveland, Wis. native, is finishing her Bachelor’s in Studio Art this May. Though she has five years of artistic experience, her journey is anything but ordinary. Born with a congenital heart defect (CHD), Amy’s medical challenges have shaped not just her personal story but the very language of her work. Her canvases express the tension between mortality and metamorphosis, often posing flowers, butterflies, and animals in delicate, almost ethereal compositions.

“Each piece becomes a reflection on impermanence while also honoring the beauty and strength that can exist alongside it,” she explains. Amy’s work is a dialogue between her lived experience—surviving near‑death moments—and the visual symbolism that transforms vulnerability into impact.

Learn How Coaching with Clients Transforms Commissions into Narratives

Prior to university, Amy graduated from Lakeshore Technical College in 2013. Since then she’s leaned heavily on commissioned art. She famously collaborates closely with clients, translating a personal vision into a tangible, emotionally charged piece. This skill relies on a balance of technical precision, intuitive storytelling, and a deep understanding of iconography. Her commissions demonstrate how art can be a living record of individual stories—useful insight for any aspiring professional artist.

Meet Dakota Aschenbach – A Graphic Design Trailblazer

Dakota Aschenbach is completing a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design at the same time as Amy and will also graduate in May. With a background that ranges from wrestling to working groundskeeper at Whistling Straits Golf Course, Dakota’s path to the art studio has been unconventional. He currently apprentices at a local tattoo shop, a unique environment that informs his meticulous approach to detail and color.

Dakota’s motif centers on existential themes: nature, space, and the human psyche. Transcending a single style, he pushes between realism, abstraction, surrealism, and landscape expression. The result is an individualized portfolio that portrays a “commentary on my worldview and the feelings experienced as I walk the path of life.” Through this lens, his artwork invites viewers to pause, reflect, and consider everyday beauty.

Why the Bradley Gallery Matters for Students and the Community

Located on the Sheboygan County campus, the Bradley Gallery is a cultural hub that highlights local talent and fosters conversation. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the school year, the gallery provides students with a platform to present their work to a broader audience. For Amy and Dakota, the exhibition is not just an artistic display; it is a chance to document the culmination of their academic journey and to inspire others on the campus.

Educational Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

Shows like this one offer more than aesthetic pleasure. They provide case studies for future educators, peers, and collaborators to:

• See how technical skill converges with personal storytelling.
• Understand the value of visiting art from multiple disciplines—studio, graphic design, and more.
• Explore post‑graduation pathways, from commissioned work to applied design roles.

Engagement for Students, Faculty, and Alumni

Hosting a student exhibition cultivates an environment of mutual critique and support. Faculty members often attend the opening, offering constructive feedback that sharpens future alumni. Alumni who have gone into studio art or graphic design return as mentors, letting current students see tangible career avenues shaped through community ties.

How Aspiring Artists Can Leverage This Experience

For students who want to build a portfolio outside of coursework, the Bradley Gallery presents the following actionable steps:

• Develop a Niche: Focus on a theme that resonates personally, mirroring Amy’s exploration of mortality or Dakota’s existential motifs.
• Seek Commissioned Projects: Reach out to local businesses, non‑profits, or private collectors to translate their ideas into art—exactly what Amy does.
• Embrace Multi‑Medium Techniques: Experiment with color pencils, oils, digital tools, and more, as Dakota showcases.
• Document Your Process: Keep a visual journal; future exhibitions, like those at Bradley, ask for documentation of inspiration and evolution.
• Network with Peers and Professionals: Use exhibition openings and gallery events to meet mentors.

These steps translate academic training into marketable skills, a mark that distinguished graduates entering a competitive field.

Get Involved – From Student to Spectator

Between November 7th and December 5th, Amy and Dakota’s bodies of work will be on display. Visite the gallery before it closes on 5 p.m. to experience the depth of their artistic voices in person. Attendance is free, so gather friends or invite faculty – the gallery’s open doors are an excellent way to deepen your own appreciation of visual storytelling.

Explore Lakeland’s Studio Art and Graphic Design Programs

Students looking to replicate this level of creative impact may consider Lakeland’s robust curriculum. The University’s Studio Art program emphasizes foundational techniques, while the Graphic Design track focuses on commercial relevance—both designed for a balanced skill set.

Conclusion: The Power and Purpose of Showcasing Student Art

Senior exhibitions highlight more than aesthetic value; they validate a student’s personal growth and provide a mediated conversation between the art and its audience. The Bradley Gallery reaches beyond the campus walls, inviting visitors to witness the intersection of resilience, technique, and narrative.

For those planning the next steps in their creative career, this exhibition offers concrete routes to build an audience, refine a niche, and apply seasoned professional practices.