Beth Borgen President at Lakeland University | Lakeland University
Beth Borgen President at Lakeland University | Lakeland University
Artwork by Ellen C. Raines will be featured in the opening exhibition of the 2025-26 Bradley Gallery series at Lakeland University. The exhibit will open with a reception on Friday, September 19, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Bradley Gallery, located on Lakeland’s Sheboygan County campus. The show will remain on display through October 24.
The gallery is accessible from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, when classes are in session.
Raines, who grew up in Milwaukee, developed an interest in art early in life and credits her father for encouraging her creativity by sharing his drawing materials. During high school, one of her works was chosen for display at the Quarles and Brady building in downtown Milwaukee.
While attending Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), Raines was involved during a period when the animation program was merging with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s film program. "Raines was attending both schools at the time when they chose to use her curriculum as the blueprint for other students to gain a four-year degree," according to information provided about her background.
Since 2020, Raines has focused on digital art and held solo exhibitions throughout Wisconsin. That year she began combining wordplay with visual art in what she calls play-on-word (POW) style pieces. Her first work in this style featured a blue apple titled “BRUISED APPLE,” referencing both its color and common fruit bruising. In two years, she produced over 100 POW art pieces.
Raines’ animated short film “Dream Escape” won awards at the Silicon Valley Awards and MY HERO International Film Fest and was officially selected for the Rumschpringe Short Film Festival. Her screenplay “The Next Time Minutes” received recognition at several festivals including Honolulu Film Festival, Indie Gathering Film Festival, and L.A. Comedy Festival.
She holds an associate degree in applied science in animation from MATC and a bachelor of fine arts in film from UW-Milwaukee.
More information about Ellen C. Raines can be found at www.ecraines.com or via Instagram @AnimatedSpirit.
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