Bree Elisabeth Scholl

For La Crosse-native Bree Elisabeth Scholl, Madison’s natural scenery helped her feel at home. 

“Where I’m from there is so much nature and wildlife. I immediately fell in love with how much nature was incorporated into campus,” Scholl says. “A big connector for me was Lake Mendota and Lakeshore Path because it was the perfect mix of water and forest.” 

Scholl is majoring in art, and was drawn to UW’s No.1-ranked printmaking program. She is also pursuing certificates in entrepreneurship and textiles and design, and brought some experience to campus: As a senior in high school, she illustrated a children’s book by author Jolene Goodman called “The Big Barn Dance.”

“It was such a cool and unique experience for me and taught me so much about bouncing ideas with peers, taking feedback, and creating a connection with people you’re working with,” Scholl says. 

Scholl found both friends and creative collaborators on campus after she, like most art majors, was encouraged to enroll in the Art and Artists First-Year Interest Group (FIG) learning community.

“Having the same twentyish students in every class made the transition to a huge campus so much easier, “ Scholl says. “You can have lunch with the same people almost every day and it helps you build those connections 10 times faster. I would recommend everyone, no matter if you’re in art or not, to do a FIG.” 

For Scholl, opportunities to experience art and creativity expand far outside the walls of a classroom. 

“The arts are all over Madison. There are house shows, live music venues, murals in public spaces, people sketching in parks, and so much more,” Scholl says. “You don’t have to be an art major to enjoy the arts at UW–Madison.”