This stellar team of lighting designers, artists, marketing/branding specialists, and horticulturists enhances the Gardens' natural beauty, bringing the wonder and enchantment of light to life - transcending all expectations.

Ben Smith

Director of Operations, UW-Whitewater

Ben Smith is a lighting designer and video projection artist from Madison whose colorful and eye-catching work has enchanted audiences in theatre, film, and public art spaces around the world.

Zach Zweifel

Co-owner, Traditions Lighting

Zach has co-owned and operated Traditions Lighting, a company specializing in Christmas lighting and holiday decor, low voltage landscape lighting and event lighting services across Wisconsin, since 2011. Traditions Lighting combines high-quality products with a unique design and personal touch, taking pride in the ability to produce eye-catching designs that meet client needs.
www.traditionslighting.com
www.facebook.com/traditionslighting
www.instagram.com/traditionslighting

Cricket Redman

Principal, Cricket Design Works

Cricket Redman is an artist, gardener and owner of Cricket Design Works. She has created art installations and wayfinding for MMoCA, UW Hospital and Gleam. Cricket Design Works is a creative agency based in Madison, WI that employs user-centered design processes to improve experiences online and in the real world. Cricket Design works has been certified as a B Corporation , since 2016.
www.cricketdesignworks.com

Mark Penisten

Theatre Technical Manager, Madison East High School

Mark is a Madison native and previous GLEAM artist who is happy to be joining the team to support this event in a new way. His real job is managing the theatre at Madison East High School, as well as supporting the other three MMSD high school theatre programs. He also sometimes does lighting design for a handful of local dance companies, and dabbles in whatever other opportunities arise to play with light and color.

Chase Zimmerman

Co-Founder, Ragtag Ventures

Chase has had a passion for lighting design since high school. He’s worked on lighting design for local productions from his time at UW-Whitewater as well as numerous festivals in the greater Madison area. As a new Madison resident, Chase is excited to explore all that Madison offers and support great programs like GLEAM!

Matt Webb

Matt and his family have found their home in Madison since moving here in 2021, and he's thrilled to be apart of the Gleam team, and contribute to the awesome community that makes Madison so great!