WMU College of Fine Arts

Every semester, Saturday Morning Art fills the Frostic studios with kids ages 7 to 15, and WMU students lead every class. The professor behind it all? Dr. Christina Chin, who just won WMU's Distinguished Service Award for SMArt. That's her second distinguished service honor this year, after the MAEA gave her theirs in November.

Congrats, Dr. Chin. Our future art teachers are in good hands. 🎨

Summer break looks a little different for a music ed major. Noah Vorholt is spending his on the field with the Madison Scouts — learning what it takes to build a world-class ensemble from the inside.
Rehearsing with intention. Holding the line on accountability. Chasing excellence every single day. Lessons he'll carry straight into his own classroom.

Out of 1,046 applicants worldwide, only 69 were selected for SCHMUCK 2026 in Munich, Germany. WMU's Frostic School of Art had two of them.

This spring, Lecturer Joshua Kosker traveled to Munich to show three works from his Non-noble series at one of the most prestigious contemporary jewelry and metalsmithing exhibitions in the world. His pieces explore what happens when silver, steel, and titanium — metals that naturally resist each other — are joined together through welding and careful craftsmanship into something entirely new.

We're also proud to share that WMU alumna Lynn Batchelder (BFA '09) was selected from that same global pool. Two Frostic artists, one international stage.

At WMU's Frostic School of Art, students learn from working artists who are active in their fields at the highest levels. Joshua's selection for SCHMUCK is a reflection of that commitment, and we couldn't be more proud to celebrate this achievement with him.

Dr. Rebecca Brienen has been named Associate Dean of the College of Fine Arts following a national search.

Currently an Associate Dean at Oklahoma State University, Dr. Brienen brings extensive experience in academic leadership, teaching, and community engagement. She is an internationally recognized art historian specializing in 17th-century Dutch and colonial art.

✨Learning beyond the lecture hall ✨ In the inaugural academic year of Dr. Henning Schröder's MUS 4520: Asian Music and Martial Arts course, students had the unique opportunity to explore the cultures of Asia through both music and hands-on martial arts training. From practicing in the dojo to participating in orange belt testing, students experienced discipline, creativity, and cultural connection in an entirely new way. After an incredible first year and nearly 60 students impacted, this course continues to show how experiential learning can create meaningful and rewarding experiences both inside and outside the classroom. There's still room to join the Dojo in the Fall, they will be meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. and Wednesdays at 10 a.m.!

How do we bridge the gap between scientific research and public action? We do it by putting artists and scientists in the same room.

In celebration of Earth Day, we are proud to announce the grand opening of the IDEAS Collaboratory. Founded by Jacklyn Brickman (Assistant Professor of Kinetic Imaging) and Dr. Sharon Gill (Professor of Biological Sciences), this dedicated hub allows students from biomedical sciences to kinetic imaging to tackle ecological challenges through a holistic lens. Whether they are exploring the Anthropocene or experimenting with biomaterials, these Broncos are gaining the cross-disciplinary confidence needed for the modern workforce.

As student Antonia Kistler Ellis puts it: "We need more communication and connection with each other in order to change our pathway."