School of Art & Design

114 Ford Hall

Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197

Phone: 734.487.1268

Fax: 734.487.2324

Letter from the Director

Welcome to the School of Art & Design at EMU

Director of the School of Art & Design, Sandra Murchison

It's a joy to serve in an art school that incorporates as many studio areas as we do, teach future art educators and provide a curriculum anchored with art history. The School of Art & Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD) and exists within the College of Arts & Sciences at EMU. 

We have over six buildings that make up the art school: Ford Hall (Ford Gallery, graphic design, art history and the art office), Sherzer Hall (digital fabrication lab, drawing, fibers, painting, photography, printmaking, time based media and watercolor), Briggs Hall (metals and furniture design), Ceramics Building (ceramics) the Sculpture Studio (sculpture) and a portion of Sill Hall (simulation, animation and gaming). The University Art Gallery and the student-run Intermedia Gallery Group (IGG) gallery are both in the Student Center.  Graduate students have studios in various builidngs, including King Hall. 

I have been thrilled with the progress we have made to ensure the new 3D Arts complex at EMU.  With the generosity of the Windgate Foundation, EMU and from friends of the Art School, we expect to break ground on our new 3D Arts Complex this December 2022.  We aim to start teaching in the beuatiful new space in the WInter of 2024.  The 3D Arts Complex will have specialized studios built for: Furniture Design, 3D Design, Ceramics, Digital Fabrication, Metalsmithing, and a new wood shop and wet lab.  We will build new graduate studios and a lovely critique and display area.  

In the Fall of 2021, we welcomed Simulation, Animation & Gaming (SAG) into the School of Art & Design.  We are excited for enhanced future possible overlaps between our programs in SAG, Graphic Design and New Media.  

In 2015 the University committed $900,000 towards the renovation and remodel of the sculpture building. Construction began in Winter 2015 and in Fall 2015 class resumed in the 6,380 square foot newly renovated facility.

In Summer 2015 the Art School made improvements to the Woodshop / Furniture Design studio by reconfiguring the electrical system to accommodate a more flexible and open work space.  In spring 2018, Briggs Hall which houses metals and furniture design, was re-roofed.

2018 marked the retirement of four of our faculty members:

  • Metalsmith and art educator Gretchen Otto
  • Ceramicist Diana Pancioli
  • Art Historian Ellen Schwartz
  • Ceramicist, former Department Head and prior Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Tom Venner

I hope you'll stop in to see me in 117 Ford Hall.

Sandra Murchison 

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