Artist Talk: Chris Cornelius

Chris Cornelius, an acclaimed architect and citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, will speak at the Milwaukee Art Museum as part of the museum's celebration of the Quadracci Pavilion's 25th anniversary. Cornelius is a professor at the University of New Mexico and founding principal of studio:indigenous, a practice dedicated to contemporary Indigenous design. During this Artist Talk, he'll discuss how architecture goes beyond basic function to tell stories about identity, memory, and community belonging. Using examples from his own projects—including the Indian Community School campus and the Chipstone Foundation's Knowledge Beings—he'll explore the ways buildings can connect people to places and reflect shared values. The museum's Artist Talk series invites creative professionals at all career levels to share their perspectives on their work, including what inspires them and how they approach their craft. This is a wonderful opportunity for families interested in architecture, Indigenous culture, and how design shapes our communities. Cornelius's work has been recognized internationally and exhibited at major venues including the Venice Architecture Biennale and the permanent collections of MoMA and SFMOMA.