YPSILANTI, Mich. – Eastern Michigan University revealed its state-of-the-art Windgate Arts Complex.
Officials held a dedication ceremony Thursday, Sept. 12 in the Chris Kaufman Critique Atrium. The event celebrated the Windgate Foundation’s $3.4 million gift, pivotal in funding the cutting-edge facility.
“We are incredibly grateful for the Windgate Foundation’s generous contribution to the Windgate Arts Complex,” said EMU President James Smith. “Their support not only strengthens our commitment to providing top-tier arts education but also ensures that our students have access to cutting-edge facilities that inspire creativity and innovation.”
The university broke ground on the complex in April 2023.
The 23,000 sq. ft. facility on the northwest corner of campus houses various art programs such as ceramics, sculpture, digital fabrication, and furniture design, offering students fresh resources in a state-of-the-art environment.
The complex will also welcome students of all ages and skill sets to enhance partnerships with organizations such as the Riverside Arts Center in offering summer workshops to Washtenaw County residents. Teachers from across the state will also be able to participate in a summer institute led by EMU Art Education faculty to refresh and expand their skills in the studios.
In addition to the new facilities, the ceremony showcased a student-designed bench that will be a fixture in the Christopher Kaufman Critique Atrium. EMU student Leah Popyk, winner of the GameAbove Student Furniture Design Challenge, created the sleek, bent-wood bench. Her design was selected for its creativity, functionality, and seamless integration with the building’s architecture.
Popyk and her classmates produced ten benches based on her design. The project was a hands-on learning experience in a Furniture Design class that aligns with EMU’s strategic plan of promoting student success and engagement in real-world applications of their studies.
The new Windgate Arts Complex, completed in just 15 months, represents EMU’s forward-thinking approach to art education, providing a collaborative environment for students to develop their skills across multiple disciplines.