Project Spotlight: The Trout Museum of Art & Lawrence University
In August 2024, I was hired by The Boldt Company to photograph the construction of a project that will leave a lasting imprint on downtown Appleton—the new Trout Museum of Art and Lawrence University building. As someone who grew up here, this assignment felt like far more than documenting a jobsite. It was an opportunity to witness and capture the evolution of a city I know and care for deeply.
Both the Trout Museum of Art and Lawrence University have long served as cultural and educational pillars in Appleton. Their partnership on this new shared space marks a major milestone for the community—one rooted in creativity, innovation, and a commitment to the future. Being onsite throughout the build allowed me to watch that vision come to life frame by frame, from the earliest stages to the final images completed in October 2025.
My first visit to the site was to take photos of a unique crane lift of 46, 72ft x 13ft modular units to construct the top two floors of the building. These modular units now make up market-rate apartments over a first-floor museum, and potentially for Lawrence University student housing in the future.
My second visit was a more traditional on the job shoot for me and focused on Boldt employees at work, interacting with each other, and the job site in progress.
In October 2025, I had the privilege of photographing the final project of the new Trout Museum of Art and Lawrence University building.
The design is filled with natural light, open spaces, and thoughtful details that clearly reflect a forward-looking purpose. Every angle reveals intention—a structure built not just to house art and learning, but to inspire them. Photographing the finished space was a privilege, and seeing it rise over the months has deepened my appreciation for the care and craft behind the project.
This building has truly reshaped the downtown landscape, creating a new focal point for residents, students, and visitors. To have played even a small part in documenting its story is something I’ll carry with me for a long time.
Thank you to the Boldt Company for the opportunity to watch and document the landscape of my hometown change in such an impactful way over the last year and a half. I am excited to see what opportunities this new building will bring for both organizations!