BRE’S CREATOR STORY

‘The intersection of communication, art, and

social justice’

Masters student, Bre Legan shares with us a wide range of impactful initiatives that have formed a fascinating meeting point with art, poetry, and expression. I don’t know about you, but I was amazed at the work Bre has done in this world so far— and it looks like that will only continue to grow through the platform of Student-Made Marquette!

Howdy! My name is Bre Legan, and I am a multimedia artist, writer, and dreamer. I hold a Summa Cum Laude Bachelor of Art Degree in graphic design, photography, & writing with a Leadership Certificate from Drury University in Springfield, Mo. (2018), a Photography Certificate from Santa Reparata International School of Art in Florence, Italy (2017), and a Grant Writing Certificate from Seattle Central College in Seattle, Wash (2019). I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Communication at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis (2023).

I was born and raised in a rural farming community of 700 in Missouri and can trace my farming lineage to the same town for seven generations. I’ve had the privilege of living and working abroad in Dharamsala, India and Florence and Rome, Italy, working in development and communications for small organizations and conducting research on the refugee crisis and international politics. Domestically, in Seattle, Wash. I was doing marketing, communications, and development for an education access nonprofit called Alexander Hamilton Scholars before moving to Milwaukee for graduate school!

The intersections of communication, art, and social justice deeply interest me because everything is connected — we cannot (and should not) conduct our work with an isolated or singularly focused mindset.

I am an avid artist, writer, and community organizer! I run a graphic design business and frequent popup typewriter poetry events whenever I can. I was awarded the inaugural Milwaukee Emerging Poet Fellowship through Woodland Pattern Book Center for the 2022–23 year, where I have the privilege of creating and facilitating a community-based poetry and art project (picture this: poetry spray painted on sidewalks!!)

I also am a member of Midcoast Collective, a grassroots, multimedia, anti-capitalist artist collective. I have learned and grown alongside beautiful and dedicated artists in the Milwaukee community, refined my art practice, and became a better organizer for social change. We host benefit concerts to highlight local musicians and raise funds for local organizations, organize community events, and collaborate with other grassroots organizations to facilitate rallies and marches.

Taking all of my interests and experiences and mixing them with Student-Made has given me the opportunity to more consistently engage with my art-making practices while in school. As a graduate student, I struggled during my first year to feel included and connected to my campus and peers, but after joining Student-Made, I not only have been able to forge connections with other student creatives on campus, but I have a deeper sense of school pride.

The support I’ve received and the connections I’ve made through Student-Made have been invaluable. I hope to continue growing my business, expanding my collection of illustrations, poetry, and weavings!