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Academic Metals Directory · program

Eastern Michigan University

university art department · Active
last checked 2026-05-29

As archived

Degrees
B.S, B.F.A, M.A, M.F.A

Now (checked 2026)

Status
Active

What happened
Continuation with significant investment, not closure. The archived record (Thomas S. Madden, 1990-1993) predates the program's most recent era by decades. The jewelry/metalsmithing program has remained active continuously. Long-serving metals professor Gretchen Otto (present at least through ~2011) appears to have since retired (her papers are in EMU Archives). Since ~2014 the major development is the 3D Arts Complex initiative: Board of Regents approved a 3D Arts capital project, Windgate Foundation gifts (totaling ~$3.4M), groundbreaking April 2023, and grand opening/dedication of the Windgate Arts Complex on Sept 12, 2024 — consolidating metalsmithing with the other 3D disciplines under one roof for the first time. Students also have the Eastern Silversmiths Guild and ties to the Michigan Silversmiths Guild.

Link
www.emich.edu/art/areas-of-study/metalsmithing/index.php

People

Faculty
Thomas S. Madden · 1990 to 1993

Trained here

John WittersheimJuan Carlos Caballero-PerezPhil RenatoTara J. Nahabetian

Sources

https://www.emich.edu/art/areas-of-study/metalsmithing/index.phphttps://www.silversmithing.com/schools.htmhttps://today.emich.edu/story/story/12818https://today.emich.edu/story/story/11793https://www.easternecho.com/article/2024/09/emu-unveils-new-windgate-arts-complex-in-dedication-ceremonyhttps://catalog.emich.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=41&poid=17841https://www.emich.edu/art/programs/graduate-programs/mfa/index.phphttps://aspace.emich.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/71532

From the original Tyler “Academic Metals Directory” (≈2014), brought current in 2026.

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