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WIU alumnus Jesse Bernhardt, a history major and art minor, recently sold some of his artwork to the Pabst Blue Ribbon Company. The work will be used in a variety of ways including the downtown Milwaukee billboard his is posing with above.
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WIU Alumnus Sells Artwork to Wisconsin Beer Company

August 23, 2012

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MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University alumnus Jesse Bernhardt developed a passion and talent for silkscreen printing while studying in Macomb that has translated to design work for a Wisconsin brewing company.

Bernhardt, a 2012 graduate, recently learned of a Pabst Blue Ribbon (PRB) beer company artwork contest and he submitted several silkscreen prints that he completed under the direction of art Professor Susan Czechowski.

A few weeks later, the PBR company contacted Bernhardt about buying some of his prints for $250 each. The prints will become part of the PBR Art Gallery, which travels the United States to promote the brand.

"I became aware of the PBR opportunity when I saw artwork from the past that PBR used to promote their products," Bernhardt said.

Bernhardt, who now lives in Janesville, WI, has been coaching swimming and working for a painting company.

"I know screenprinting is the field of work I want to pursue in my future," he said. "I have great ideas, but I am just waiting for an opportunity to come my way."

Bernhardt credits his artistic passion to the WIU Art Department, which he says is "unlike any other on campus."

"I owe all of my success to my printing professors Susan Czechowski and Bill Howard, and all of my classmates who gave me feedback and supported my work," he said. "I only got to be part of this printing family for a year and only started to see my potential come out during the last five months or so. I am truly grateful to be a part of a University where professors like Bill and Susan push you to find what kind of potential you have."

Czechowski said after students learn the basic silkscreen techniques, she encourages them to create art that has personal meaning.

"Jesse found a way to incorporate PBR imagery into all of his prints," she said. "I witnessed his enthusiasm and energy in the silkscreen studio grow. His work habits serve as a good example for how passion for silkscreening became infectious in the studio."

During a class trip to the Southern Graphics International Print Conference in New Orleans, LA, Czechowski said Bernhardt realized "printmaking is bigger than WIU."

"He is a part of something with a rich tradition and history," she said. "Printmaking has a voice and is constantly gaining momentum. Upon returning from New Orleans, Jesse was unstoppable in the studio. He was an active participant in his own education and an energetic fixture on the first floor of Garwood Hall. Clearly, he is a dedicated artist. I believe he will flourish in an environment such as this where he can test himself and grow to be the artist he is so clearly capable of becoming."




Posted By: Jodi Pospeschil (JK-Pospeschil@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing