Sommer Ferguson

My name is Sommer (they/them) and I am a U.S.- based printmaker and educator working in Wisconsin. In my studio, I utilize a wide variety of printmaking techniques, as well as papermaking, bookbinding, and drawing to create works. 

I moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2014 to pursue my fine arts degree from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. My passion for art and making started when I was very young. Although they might not call it art, my family is full of makers and creatives. From a grandma who quilts and bakes, to my dad’s talent for woodworking, all the way down to a young Sommer who loved anything they could make with their hands.

My passion for making and creating is matched only by my desire to share things with others. In my art practice, the act of sharing is very important.  Printmaking’s ability to create multiple, near identical, handmade prints is influential in how I present my work. Often, the audience is given a printed item as a keepsake from the project. These ideas that fuel my art making process, also influence my approach to education. My passion for education stems from my desire to share skills and techniques with others. 

My experience as a teacher is vast and varied, from early childhood education through adult education, as well as inside and outside the traditional classroom. My experiences with different age groups, subjects and settings has made me highly adaptable to different situations. I am currently an Educator at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, where I work with young children, families and elementary-aged children. 

I graduated from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in 2018 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.