Forty-one years of employment in the arts in various capacities, coupled with ongoing independent study, has given me a solid working knowledge of art and architecture and their relative forms and functions. My goal is to use my creativity and knowledge to invent spaces within which the layperson and connoisseur may coexist in the transcendence that occurs when one is engaged by art. My pursuit of a Master of Arts degree and furthering doctoral studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will make it possible to extend the reach of my working life and the reach within the career that has become my vessel.

My lifelong interest in the traditional disciplines of drawing, painting, sculpture and the decorative arts will be greatly enhanced in studying in your MA program. I also look forward to immersing myself in InterMedia and Digital Fabrication & Design as these programs will enable me to take full advantage of current concepts and technologies. After completing the MA at UWM’s Peck School of the Arts, I will bring all of my potential to bear in combining the various disciplines into a career that can bridge into the arenas of public artwork and the fine art industry. Ultimately, I will found a company with my son who graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Architecture in the spring 2021 from his mother’s alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Education has had a tremendous effect in creating quality of life for me and those with which I interact. In spring of 2021 I returned to finish my Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design and I have gained what I had hoped for, that being the capacity to view the world with fresh eyes. In 1985 I graduated from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design with their Diploma of Fine Art - Drawing. MIAD’s curriculum was solidly founded in the fundamentals of art creation and the structure inherited was the impetus which allowed me to achieve more than I could have ever expected. It led me to a career wherein I produce art in architecture of historic note nationally. The caliber and scale is impressive, the impact on the people who experience it is profound.

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Sincerely,

Willard H. Kolstad

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Curriculum Vitae

2002 - present

Decorative Artist/Conservator

Conrad Schmitt Studios, Inc., New Berlin, WI

Inspect and document historic sites. Consultations with company representatives and clients giving revitalization recommendations based on aesthetic and historical considerations. Managed the institution of designs using classical and modern techniques producing fine finished work. Worked on 120 projects, some of which have received awards, notedly from the American Institute of Architects.

2009

Decorative Artist/Conservator

John Canning Studios, Inc., Cheshire, CT

Worked with Arthur Page Conservation and John Canning Studios to replicate original decorative designs at the United States Capitol and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Department of Treasury in Washington, DC

1999 - 2002

Artist-in-Residence

Quad Graphics, Sussex, WI

Worked with Executive, Interior Design and Curation departments toward the development of artworks that played a cohesive role in a corporate/manufacturing environment. Designed and executed artworks for Sussex Administration Building, Pediatric Center, Quad/Tech Lobby. Executed a 500th anniversary “Johannes Gutenberg” mural for Drupa 2000, the world printing trade fair in Dusseldorf, Germany.

1998 - 2001

Curator

Saint John’s Uihlein Peters Gallery, Milwaukee, WI

Produced exhibitions based on consultation with the Arts Board. Set schedule, curated exhibitions, maintained public relations, conducted lectures and worked with staff to install and dismantle exhibitions. Scheduled out two years ahead.

1991 - 1995

Sculptor’s Assistant

Blue Heron Forge,

Carbondale, CO

Worked in conjunction with sculptor’s specifications towards the production of decorative and fine art objects.

1985 - 1991

Illustrator GS07, Media Technician GS09

Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, IL

Produced traditional board graphics, illustrations and portraiture. Transitioned from traditional graphics to computer technologies.

1979 - present

Fine Artist

Commissions private and public. Individual and group exhibitions. Awarded.

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Education

1980 - 1985

Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

Milwaukee, WI

MIAD Diploma of Fine Arts

Major: Drawing

Merit Scholarships 1981-83. Magna Cum Laude, GPA 3.80

2013

University of California-San Diego

OSHA 30, Lifetime Certification

2021

Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

Milwaukee, WI

Work toward a Bachelor's Degree, Spring 2022 semester, then on to graduate and doctoral studies.

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Willard H. Kolstad - Past Projects - Art in Architecture

University

University of Illinois - Chicago, Chicago, IL

Northwestern University, Library, Evanston, IL

Northwestern University, Chapel, Evanston, IL

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, Mural conservation, Evanston, IL

Notre Dame University, Administration Building, Dome gilding, South Bend, IN

Notre Dame University, Administration Building, Interior restoration, South Bend, IN

Notre Dame University, Morrissey Manor, South Bend, IN

Indiana State University, Normal Hall, Terre Haute, IN

University of Saint Francis, Brookside (Bass Mansion), Fort Wayne, IN

Michigan City Elementary School, Michigan City, IN

Tulane University, Administration Building, New Orleans, LA

University of Michigan, William W. Cook Legal Library, Ann Arbor, MI

University of Minnesota, J. Walter Library, Minneapolis, MN

University of Minnesota, Cyrus Northrop Memorial Auditorium, Minneapolis, MN

Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ

Southern Methodist University, McFaddin Auditorium, Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University, Highland Park Methodist Church, Dallas, TX

Mount Mary University, Milwaukee, WI

State

United States Capitol, Washington, DC

Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC

Federal CourtHouse, Cedar Rapids, IA

Iowa State Capitol, Des Moines, IA

Illinois State Capitol, Springfield, IL

John Wise Building, New Orleans, LA

Maryland State House, Old Delegate’s Chamber, Annapolis, MD

Minnesota State Capitol, Saint Paul, MN

Ottawa County CourtHouse, Port Clinton, OH

Philadelphia City Hall, Philadelphia, PA

State Capitol of South Dakota, Law Library, Pierre, SD

Vatican

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Springfield, IL

Cathedral of Saint Mary, St. Cloud, MN

Cathedral of Saint Peter, Jackson, MS

Saint Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Cathedral, Green Bay, WI

Basilica of Saint Mary, Sacristy, Minneapolis, MN

Basilica of Saint Mary, Shrine, Minneapolis, MN

Basilica of Saint Mary, Natchez, MS

Basilica of Saint Mary, Community Center, Natchez, MS

Basilica of the Little Flower, San Antonio, TX

Saint Stanislaus Church, Milwaukee, WI

Holy Hill, Hubertus, WI

Saint Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, Sheboygan, WI

Holy Name Catholic Church, Wausau, WI

Saint Ladislaus Catholic Church, Bevent, WI

Mary Queen of Saints, Fennimore, WI

Holy Assumption Parish, Superior, WI

Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Westminster, CO

Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Brooklyn, IA

Saint Bridget Catholic Church, Victor, IA

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Naperville, IL

Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Richmond, IL

Saint Mary Chapel, Gilberts, IL

Saint Hyacinth Catholic Church, Chicago, IL

Saint Thomas Catholic Church, Peoria Heights, IL

Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Joliet, IL

Saint Anne Catholic Church, Monterey, IN

Saint Michael Catholic Church, Lebanon, IN

Holy Family Catholic Church, Columbus, GA

Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, Savannah, GA

Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Investigation, Topeka, KS

Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Murals, Topeka, KS

Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church, Painecourtville, LA

Our Lady of Eternal Succor, Vachery, LA

Saint Michael Catholic Church, Crowley, LA

Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, Abbeville, LA

Saint Anthony of Padua, Bunkie, LA

Saint Paul the Apostle, Mansura, LA

Saint Genevieve Catholic Church, Lafayette, LA

Saint Gregory Barbarigo Catholic Church, Houma, LA

Saint Mary Assumption Catholic Church, Cottonport, LA

Our Lady of Fatima, Lafayette, LA

Saint Michael Catholic Church, Convent, LA

Manresa Jesuit Retreat Center, Convent, LA

Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Perkins, MI

Saint Martha Catholic Church, Okemos, MI

Monastery of the Infant Jesus of Prague, Traverse City, MI

Church of the Ascension, Minneapolis, MN

Saint Charles Borromeo, Saint Anthony, MN

Annunciation Catholic Church, Columbus, MS

Saint Michael Catholic Church, Spalding, NE

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Omaha, NE

Saint Peter Catholic Church, Omaha, NE

Blessed Sacrament Church, Rochester, NY

Saint John the Baptist, Glandorf, OH

Saint John Neumann Catholic Church, Sunbury, OH

Saint Mary Catholic Church, Portsmouth, OH

Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Salem, OR

Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Oklahoma City, OK

Saint Joseph Cathedral, Sioux Falls, SD

Saint Mary Catholic Church, Salem, SD

Saint Mary Catholic Church, Galveston, TX

Saint Elizabeth Seton Catholic, Church, Keller, TX

Saint John the Apostle, Virginia Beach, VA

Holy Family Catholic Church, Vancouver, WA

Religious

Westminster Cathedral, Dayton, OH

Saint Spyridon, New York, NY

Lutheran Seminary, Milwaukee, WI

Saint John Lutheran Church, Marion, WI

Trinity Lutheran Church, Howards Grove, WI,

Municipal

Thirty Five E. Wacker, Chicago, IL

Union Station, New Orleans, LA

Wachovia Bank (Wells Fargo Bank), 123 S. Broad, Philadelphia, PA

Corporate

Quad Graphics, Administration Building, Sussex, WI

Quad Graphics, Quad/Tech, Sussex, WI

Quad Graphics, West Allis Plant, West Allis, WI

Quad Graphics, Quad Pediatric, West Allis, WI

Theatre

Colonial Theater, Boston, MA

Temple Theater, Saginaw, MI

State Theatre, New Brunswick, NJ

State Theatre, Sioux Falls, SD

Julie Rogers Theater, Beaumont, TX

Lincoln Theatre, Marion, VA

Paramount Theater, Charlotte, VA

Stefanie Wilde Theater, Sheboygan, WI

Estate

Bourn Mansion, San Francisco, CA

Paderta Residence, Burr Ridge, IL

San Francisco Plantation, Garyville, LA

Blackpoint Estate. Lake Geneva, WI

Resort

Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, CO

French Lick Resort and Casino, French Lick, IN

West Baden Resort, West Baden, IN

Waldorf Astoria, New York, NY

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Exhibitions

Competitions, solo and group art exhibitions in museums and galleries. Selected Exhibitions:

“Willard Kolstad, Paintings and Drawings”, Miller Art Center, Sturgeon Bay, WI, 1985

“Street People”, R.H. Love Gallery, Chicago, IL, 1985

“Willard Kolstad, Recent Works”, Judith Posner Gallery, Milwaukee, WI, 1987

“Willard Kolstad, Recent Works”, Gallery 124, Waukegan, IL, 1988

“Extraordinary Men”, Cissie Peltz Gallery, Milwaukee, WI, 2000

“Willard Kolstad”, Cissie Peltz Gallery, Milwaukee, WI, 1999

“Willard Kolstad, Recent Works”, Charles Allis Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI, 2004

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Commissions

Private and public commissions, including a Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Percent for Art commission for the Kenosha Armory.

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Representation

David Barnett Gallery, Milwaukee

Susan Broden Gallery, Madison, WI

Marty Lazer, Chicago, IL

R.H. Love Gallery, Chicago, IL

Charles Lyons, Paint Box Gallery, Ephraim, WI

Cissie Peltz Gallery, Milwaukee, WI

Judith Posner Gallery, Milwaukee, WI

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Interests

Liam, my son, and I have an interesting and involved relationship. Our common interests include the arts, particularly art and architecture. I hope to collaborate with him in the future.

Hiking and biking are of interest to me. I finished a hike/bike of Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail in 2020 for a total of 2500 miles. I hike the Riverwalk and the lakefront in Milwaukee daily.

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Willard H. Kolstad

414-412-9883

1858 N. Commerce St., Apt. 209, Milwaukee, WI 53212

willkolstad@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100023490873342

www.instagram.com/willardh.kolstad, http://linkedin.com/in/willardhkolsta

Website - https://willkolstad.wixsite.com/website

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