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From Bath to North Dakota: The extraordinary journey of Milligan Studio founders Nicole and Alan

Tuesday, 14 July, 2026

Every journey for a BSU graduate can be one of uncertainty and surprise, but no story encapsulates this more than that of Nicole and Alan Milligan. The pair graduated years apart but through their shared love for art and adventure, fate had other plans.

Together they went on to build one of the most ambitious studios in the world, spanning Italy, Ireland and the US. They are currently creating one of the largest steel and glass sculptures ever created, Sky/Dream, a 60ft sculpture in North Dakota, as well as working on commissions across Europe and North America.

The journey began when Nicole was completing her PhD in Creative Writing at BSU, just about to publish her 10th book. At the same time, Alan was working on another commission for London’s Arts Across Borders and the Samuel Beckett Estate. This project was the “Samuel Beckett Chess Set," a series of 32 unique sculptures that has been exhibited in many locations including the Metropolitan Arts Centre in Belfast, the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin, and the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris.

The Pair met at an artists' residency in Annaghmakerrig, Ireland, where everything changed. As Nicole described:

“Our partnership began in Ireland during a residency at Annaghmakerrig. There was an immense table of artists having supper, the peat fire blazing, when Alan walked in. He'd arrived late, as he was at a site visit. I offered him a plate of food, and he said, ‘you should never feed strays.’ I laughed and we've never been out of each other's company since.”

The pair went from strength to strength, soon becoming collaborators, life-partners and co-conspirators, together spending the following year traveling across Europe drawing inspiration. Nicole continued:

"Quite by accident, we took a wrong turn and stumbled upon a joyous exhibit of drawings by Marc Chagall. It changed our lives completely. The energy of the work, and the open-hearted love and kindness it represented, had a profound impact on us.”

When Nicole's BSU graduation arrived, she invited Alan to Bath, a city she had completely fallen in love with. In that moment, the pair realised that they had something else in common – ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿. As Nicole recalled:

“It was quite the Richard Curtis' Love Actually moment, as it was an unlikely happenstance that two people from different sides of the Atlantic would end up going to the same art college at completely different stages of their lives and later marrying.”

From Bath, the pair set their sights to the edge of the Irish Sea. Settling in a fisherman's cottage. With the sound of sea lions serenading from the jagged cliffs in the morning. Here, the early inspirations and plans of what would become the Milligan Studio were formed.

Reflecting on the growth of , Nicole said:

“In the early days of the pandemic, it was difficult not to lose hope, but it was difficult. Luckily, Marc Chagall saved us. We found a signed Chagall print at a charity shop and that became our reminder that the world is not as dark as it seems.

The adventure of learning is what a BSU degree prepares you for. Our wedding bands have the word "Adventure" written on them in Irish.

The COVID-19 Pandemic allowed for exploration into ways to expand their practice. As a young adult, before Nicole had turned to creative writing, she experimented with art glass, a material she loved. Even studying briefly in Murano, Italy.  During this time in Italy, Nicole and Alan were able to encounter there now mentor Maestro Quagliata. Reflecting on her time in Italy, Nicole said:

“Maestro Quagliata was teaching a master class online and, even though we didn't have the experience in glass, he was impressed by our work in bronze and steel and took us on. We eventually became friends and colleagues. His gift to us is that he forces us to be bold and trust our vision."

Thanks to Maestro Quagliata's encouragement, Nicole, Alan and Milligan studios are currently fabricating one of the largest steel and glass sculptures in the world. 

 The monumental sculpture is 60ft (L) x 10 ft (H) and was commissioned by the North Dakota Arts Council as part of a revitalization scheme for rural communities. Detailing the sculpture, Nicole said:

“It is a huge feather, with hundreds of pieces of individually made glass, the sculpture is sited on the edge of a former glacier. Beneath the ridge, a herd of 500 bison graze inth the gorge. The feather is to remind visitors that 57% of the North American waterfowl migrate through this spot. Each unique panel has its own sense of archaeology.”

Nicloe and Alan’s story is a reminder that there is no single path after graduation. From studying at ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿, to creating monumental sculptures across Europe and North America, their journey demonstrates how collaboration and willingness can transform ideas into one of the most ambitious studios in the world.