“It’s their first time coming to this museum, and they didn’t even know this gem existed.”

While art and engineering are rarely associated with each other, the Milwaukee School of Engineering seamlessly blends the two at the on-campus Grohmann museum. The museum dedicated to the “evolution of human work”, according to their website, features an impressive collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures all celebrating human progress. Kathleen Miezio, a regular volunteer at the museum, is also an adjunct professor at the MSOE, where she teaches engineering management.

Layla Czaplewski:  What’s your favorite piece here at the museum?

Kathleen Miezio: This is my favorite piece. This is the only Asian piece in the museum, and this is particularly beautiful. You can see the detail of the work, the actual work that this man is doing. You can see his calf contract under the strain, you can see the tendons in his toes and hands and fingers. It’s just an amazing piece. It’s made out of ivory, iron and wood. I think it’s just gorgeous.

Layla Czaplewski: Are there any other notable pieces here?

Kathleen Miezio: I like sculptures. Upstairs, on the third floor of the museum, there’s an altarpiece of Saint Eligius and is probably the oldest piece here at the museum. He is the patron of blacksmiths. It’s quite beautiful.

Layla Czaplewski: Why did you choose to volunteer for Doors Open Milwaukee?

Kathleen Miezio: Well I’m a docent here at the museum, so I help out whenever. This is just another chance to help out at the museum. It’s an amazing place. MSOE has 2,700 students, and they have access to classrooms and faculty offices here, they have access to this all the time. They’re interacting with art, these nerds are interacting with art all the time, and it’s pretty cool. Dr. Grohmann has been a fabulous benefactor to this university.

Layla Czaplewski: Do you think that Doors Open is a good community builder for the city?

Kathleen Miezio: Everything is a good community builder, that gets the community out of their houses and their noses out of screens. It gets people seeing what’s available. Most of the people that are here, it’s their first time coming to this museum, and they didn’t even know this gem existed.