MATC Community Arts Collection
Client
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Sector
Higher Education, Arts & Culture
Challenge
MATC’s Community Arts Collection commissions local artists to create work that reflects the diverse experiences of its students, faculty, staff, and surrounding community. The challenge was to create artwork that contributes to a larger collection while strengthening connection, representation, and belonging across campus spaces.
My Role
Artist, Concept Development, Creative Direction, Installation
Two-Year Collaboration
Selected for MATC’s Community Arts Collection two years in a row, contributing original artwork to a growing collection displayed across the college’s campuses. In 2024, MATC reviewed 57 submissions and selected 16 artists; in 2025, the committee received 33 submissions and selected 16 artists.
Impact
Research published in 2026 found that exposure to creative coursework was positively associated with students’ sense of belonging in higher education, reinforcing the role creative experiences can play in building connection on campus.
Community Reach
MATC serves 30,000+ students annually, creating an opportunity for artwork to become part of the everyday campus experience.
Interested in bringing meaningful art into your space? Let’s connect.
The Mountain To Your Yourself 2026
This mural explores the winding journey of finding and following your own path. Inspired by the trials, tribulations, unexpected detours, and wrong turns we encounter along the way, the work reflects how growth rarely happens in a straight line. Every small step, setback, and change in direction becomes part of the journey toward where we are meant to be.
At its core, The Mountain to Your Heart is about trusting yourself enough to keep moving forward, even when the path feels uncertain. The mountain represents the challenges we must climb, while the winding journey reflects the many choices and experiences that shape us along the way. Together, they serve as a reminder that following your heart is not about having a perfect path, but having the courage to continue creating your own.
The Golden Cycle of Knowledge 2025
This mural is about the cyclical nature of knowledge and healing through family and womanhood. Through this imagery, I wanted to represent how your family is your first educators in life, teaching and guiding you about the way you should view life, morals, culture, love, and knowledge. The golden spiral represents the cyclical nature of knowledge being passed down through generations, but also the knowledge being passed up through generations as well.
This piece was created in collaboration with my sister, Chelsea Stehling Santacruz, honoring both our shared experiences and the generational threads that connect us.