Photo gallery: College of Fine Arts through the years
A promotional poster for WMU Theatre's 1972 production of "King Lear" designed and illustrated by graphic student Patrick Koeller.
WMU Theatre students perform "King Lear" in 1972.
WMU Theatre students perform "Grease" in 1974.
The WMU Design Center has a long tradition of students creating real-world graphic design projects with the community. This project is from the 1970s.
The WMU Design Center has a long tradition of students creating real-world graphic design projects with the community. This project is from the 1970s.
The WMU Design Center has a long tradition of students creating real-world graphic design projects with the community. This project is from the 1970s.
The WMU Design Center has a long tradition of students creating real-world graphic design projects with the community. This project is from the 1970s.
Dancers perform at the University's Diamond Jubilee celebration in 1978.
Musicians perform at the University's Diamond Jubilee celebration in 1978.
The Dalton Center was built in 1982. In this video clip, Wendy Cornish, former Department of Dance chair, describes the new facility's multimedia room.
Erick Hawkins teaches a dance workshop in Dalton in April 1983.
A photo of Western's renowned Gold Company in 1984.
WMU graphic design students developed trail markers for the Kalamazoo Nature Center that are still in use today.
Nina Nelson, Lindsey Thomas and Jane Baas, professors of dance, get dressed up for a performance in 1996.
Graphic design students work on a project circa 2000.
Frostic School of Art students work on a glass-blowing project.
Dance students have fun in the studio.
Gold Company Sextet performs.
Students perform "Temporal Trance," choreographed by Frank Chaves, in 2009.
A student observes artwork in the Richmond Center for Visual Art in 2016.
WMU Theatre's production of "Guys and Dolls" in 2019.
A student crafts a clay creation in a pottery class.
Cheryl Bruey, center, teaches stage management students.
College of Fine Arts and School of Music faculty perform in a Voice Faculty Showcase in April 2019 presented by the Bullock Music Performance Institute.
WMU Theatre presents "Gem of the Ocean" in 2019.
Music students play during a mixer at the Richmond Institute for Design and Innovation in April 2019.
James Richmond attends an exhibit featuring the work of late instructor Dwayne Lowder at the Richmond Center for Visual Arts. Richmond and his wife have been strong supporters of the College of Fine Arts for many years. Lowder's work is part of the University Art Collection.
Students help to install the work of late instructor Dwayne Lowder in a gallery at the Richmond Center for Visual Arts. Lowder's work is part of the University Art Collection.
Patricia Villalobos Echeverría, professor and Area Coordinator of Printmedia at WMU, is one of many teachers who had to adapt their classes to distance learning. As the COVID-19 pandemic changed the learning landscape, Echeverría worked on recording a video for her machining class students in May 2020.
The College of Fine Arts found creative ways for students to continue learning during the pandemic, like taking music class outside in September 2020.
Product design student Jacob Faculak converted his basement into an art studio to continue his work during the pandemic.
Choir students sing while masked and socially distanced in February 2021.
As they say, "The show must go on." And WMU Theatre kept the arts alive during the pandemic by hosting outdoor performances like this one, staging "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" in Miller Fountain Plaza in May 2021.
Theatre students pose with late alumna and Broadway star Marin Mazzie's Tony Award in April 2022. A large collection of her memorabilia, including gowns, awards, photos and scripts, was donated to the University.
Late Broadway star Marin Mazzie's diploma and student ID. A large collection of her memorabilia, including gowns, awards, photos and scripts, was donated to the University.
A large collection of Marin Mazzie's memorabilia, including gowns, awards, photos and scripts, was on display during the 2022 WMU Theatre run of "Head Over Heels."
Western Michigan University's College of Fine Arts celebrates 50 years in 2022. This gallery is a compilation of memories and works from students, faculty and staff throughout the years.