The Milligan Studio
We Defy Gravity with Joy. The Milligan Studio has worked closely with a wide variety of communities to create Public Art in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Paris.
Category: Collective/Ensemble
Discipline: Public Art
Program Affiliations: Artist Roster
About The Milligan Studio
The award-winning Milligan Studio believes Public Art builds community. "It celebrates and remembers. It binds us to a place with beauty, and grace. Sometimes, it even gives us hope." Irish Sculptor Alan Milligan is well-known for the "Samuel Beckett Chess Set," which was exhibited throughout the world, including a solo exhibit at the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris, France. Historian, visual artist and Yaddo Fellow Nicole Mary Milligan, writing as N.M. Kelby, is the critically acclaimed NYTimes Bestselling author of eight poetic literary novels including "In the Company of Angels" (Hyperion) and "White Truffles in Winter" (Norton). Their work has recently been added to the archive collection at the Corning Museum of Glass. Studio consultant Narcissus Quagliata is an Italian Glass Master and has built one of the largest fused glass domes in the world. https://www.narcissusquagliata.com
www.themilliganstudio.com
“Altitude is a beacon of hope and a symbol of the resiliency of St. Paul as we move forward through some pretty difficult times in our history.” ––YWCA
Altitude
A commission from the City of St. Paul and Springboard For The Arts for the Mayor of St Paul’s Office, St Paul, MN. to celebrate its people during COVID. Stainless steel and kiln-formed glass sculpture of a tight rope walker’s parasol to suggest when we are a safety net for each other, we can rise to great heights. Interactive musical score inspired by the laugh of a child. “The Dreams of Laughing Children” was commissioned by Milligan Studio from Slow Moving Cloud’s Danny Diamond. 6’ (W) x 6’ (H). 2022
A collaboration with the Elders and Artists of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Patchwork designs by Artist Jessica Osceola , sculptural sign translated by Tribe, a historic first.
Sovereign
Commission for Hillsborough County Arts Council and The Seminole Tribe of Florida, Tampa, Florida. Narrative sculpture created in collaboration with Native Artists celebrating The Seminole Tribe of Florida for Riverview Alafia River Park.
"Thank you for the beautiful pieces our community is loving them and were thrilled that they are ours. You two were a pleasure to work with and we love the union of your creativity and vision."
Lake Music
Two related narrative sculptures in stainless steel and kiln-formed glass to celebrate the Dakota Nation’s lake Bde Maka Ska. 20’ (W) x 8’ (H) & 5’ (round) x 8’ H. Commissioned by Parkway Residences for St. Louis Park’s Triangle Neighborhood with Forecast Public Art. 2023
Public Artist Art Roster
We have collaborated with communities worldwide to celebrate their lives in Public Art. In an effort to engage, we often present design workshops, which are family-friendly creative events that provide a safe and welcoming space to explore the themes, colors, images and poetics that are unique to the community and will inspire the final design. As we are both educators, we share each step of the commission on our website so the process can be understood and progress can be followed by the community. See www.themilliganstudio.com for examples.
We believe Public Art builds community. It celebrates and remembers. It binds us to a place with beauty, and grace. Sometimes, it even gives us hope.
Our sculptures are safe, ADA accessible, low-maintenance, and made with graffiti-resistant materials. The kiln-formed glass is fabricated for architectural applications using Bullseye Glass, the industry standard for Public Art, and “laminated” with an organic shatter protection coating, which is UV resistant and manufactured without the use of heavy metals. It is safe, durable and the color does not fade. We are always on-time and on-budget.
At The Milligan Studio, we are interested in making beautiful objects that evoke a sense of belonging.
