Elise Armani
graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2017 with a BFA in Studio Art and a BA in Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies with a minor in Art History. Elise is an artist and an independent curator and was the Weisburg Curatorial Fellow at WAM.
Caitlyn Carr
Caitlyn Carr is a senior at the University of Minnesota majoring in Art History with a minor in CSCL. Originally from Chicago, she is loving her time in the Twin-Cities (though she misses her beloved Cubbies). Her passions include traveling, dancing, communicating only through emojis, and of course, telling anyone who will listen how amazing WAM is. Just back from a semester in Italy, she is thrilled to be more involved with the Collective for the upcoming year!
Asia Cruz
Asia Cruz is a senior studying Marketing and Design, and she is the Events Chair with WAM Collective. She enjoys thinking creatively to answer life’s toughest questions: what is the most efficient way to solve a problem? What are we working on that we can do even better? And how many licks does it really take to get to the center of a lollipop? She also loves weird music, peanut butter, and doodling.
Lexi Herman
Lexi Herman is a cross-disciplinary artist and educator. She has generated a number of independent artistic and curatorial projects and has presented work throughout the Twin Cities in various galleries and programs including Cellular Cinema, 9 x 22, Feminist Video Quarterly, Co-Exhibitions, Quarter Gallery, Yeah Maybe, and SooVAC. Lexi currently holds the position of Education Assistant at WAM. Lexi is finishing her last year as a BFA candidate in sculpture at the University of Minnesota.
Melissa Markay (she/her/hers) PR Committee
Melissa is a senior majoring in Public and Nonprofit Management and Human Resources, with a concentration in Sustainability Studies. After graduation, Melissa plans to pursue nonprofit and development work in the arts. Currently, Melissa works at the University of Minnesota Foundation and is looking forward to finishing up her last year.
Kim David
Kim David is a senior studying Art History with a minor in Art. She is from the northwest suburbs of Chicago and plans to move to downtown Chicago after graduating. Kim is a lover of big cities and can’t imagine ever living further away from one. You can usually find her working or doing schoolwork, but when she is not, she enjoys painting, cooking, being a complete fool with friends, and eating everything in site.
Gina Watylyk
Gina Watylyk is a senior majoring in Technical Writing and Communication and minoring in Chemistry and Art History. She works as an editor and account executive at CLAgency, as a community advisor in Pioneer Hall, and as an office assistant in Frontier Hall. In her free time, Gina can be found going to concerts, riding her bike, eating brunch, or thinking about memes. Gina’s goal in life is to try as many ice cream flavors as possible.
Meg Kelly
Meg Kelly is a senior studying Strategic Communication with minors in Spanish and Design. In her free time she can be found listening to 22, A Million on repeat and watching Modern Family reruns. She thinks Goldy is the cutest mascot in the Big 10 and has been known to get super nervous whenever Goldy is in sight because he is her biggest crush. Go Gophs!
Keith Murphy
Keith Murphy is fourth-year Studio Art and Psychology double major. As a result, he spends a lot of his time is spent walking back and forth over the Washington Avenue bridge. While walking on said bridge his thoughts wonder from cross cultural psychology to types of bookbindings to his next overseas adventure. When he’s not traversing the Mississippi river he’s taking the OED Certificate of Equity and Diversity, or trying to grow something new in the greenhouses.
Olivia Latimer
Olivia Latimer is a junior at the U pursuing an Individually Designed Interdepartmental Major in Art, Anthropology, English and History. Olivia’s using her individualized degree to explore how cultural functions of storytelling shape our perception of the unknown and the other- and the social justice implications. Olivia’s interests include battling both vampires and misogyny, and someday she hopes to contribute her work toward telling responsible, captivating stories.
Lindsey Budde
Lindsey Budde is a junior majoring in Supply Chain Management. Originally from Milwaukee, she has gained a new passion for the cities in her time at the U of M. Outside of WAM, Lindsey spends a lot of time working within MSA and Senate, but also enjoys drawing, online shopping, Chipotle, and watching HGTV.
Caleb Vanden Boom
Caleb Vanden Boom is a fourth year graphic design student with an emphasis in web design and typography. He currently works for local design firm Joyce and workshop/collaborative space Fool Proof.
Kaitlyn Kugler
Kaity is a third year in a Studio Art and Psychology double major with an interest for art therapy at UMN- Twin Cities. Hands filled with six shot americanos, most of her days are scrambling back and forth on the Washington bridge and crafting coffee for mindless airport travelers. In her spare time, she draws odd portraits on "trash", asks herself why she doesn't have a cat or dog yet, and watches Avatar and superhero tv series on an endless loop. Recently from Milwaukee, WI, Kaity is super excited to further her pursuits in art, all while engaging in the new city she calls home!
Madalyn Kay Johnson: She /her/hers Program Committee
Madalyn is a senior studying Strategic Communications and Environmental Science, Policy and Management! Born and raised in Stillwater, Minnesota, she is a natural fan of outdoor activities, tremendous amounts of snow and the Twin Cities. She is incredibly excited and honored to be a part of the vibrant art community in Minneapolis.
Anya Udovik
Anya Udovik is a third year Art History and History major with a particular interest in alternative gallery spaces and museology. Although her primary focus is contemporary Eastern European art history, Anya also enjoys reading up on postwar print culture, transi tombs, and Conceptualism.
LAUREL DARLING: SHE / HER/ HERS. WAM COLLECTIVE PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Darling is a senior studying English and art history. Hailing from central South Dakota, Laurel hopes to one day work as a museum curator. In addition being in the Collective, Laurel works at the Weisman as the Administrative Assistant. In her limited free time, she can be found reading, knitting, drag brunching, or trying new restaurants around the Twin Cities.
Natasha Mara Victa
Natasha is a second year studying Urban Studies. She is very passionately from Cincinnati, OH but considers Chicago, IL her second home. When she has free time, Natasha is probably reading or knitting and watching netflix. Her main focus are how the arts intersect with social justice and community building and development. This is Natasha's first year with the WAM Collective and she is very excited to be a part of this artistic community!
Lauren Gengler
Lauren Gengler is a 3rd year studying Art and Journalism who spends most of her time within the walls of the museum. When she is not at the WAM, she can be found reading a good book or jammin' on her planner. In addition to the campus museum scene, Lauren is active with the university’s comedy club, Minnesota Long Form Improv and Phony magazine.
Rae Barney
Raised among Arizonan prickly pears and tarantulas, Rae Barney is currently a first year at the University of Minnesota. If planning to engage in small talk, please refrain from mentioning the weather. Rae will probably cry.
Kaitie Covey
Katie Covey is the WAM Collective Advisor and Program Specialist at the Weisman Art Museum where she focuses on community engagement and public programming. She has a BA in English Literature and Strategic Communications, with a background in program evaluation, event production, grant writing and archiving. Covey is a Masters candidate in Arts & Cultural Leadership at the University of Minnesota and is focusing her research on museum interpretation and new models for audience engagement. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Cycling Museum of Minnesota and is an active supporter of outdoor and leisure activities.