Student

A group of people is painting handprints in colorful paints on a white, sculptural object outdoors. They wear gloves and appear focused and collaborative.

Student-Built Mobile Microgalleries Add New Public Art to East Lansing

May 15, 2026

Two new microgalleries from Michigan State University’s Department of Art, Art History, and Design (AAHD) will be featured at the 2026 East Lansing Art Festival on May 16 and 17, completing a three-part public art project designed and created by MSU students during the 2025-2026 academic year. The two new microgalleries are freestanding, mobile galleries designed to move between multiple sites and events. They will join the Honeycomb…

A smiling person in a blue hoodie stands in front of abstract orange and brown sculptures in a well-lit gallery, conveying a relaxed and content mood.

Yeroham Ashagre: Winner of the 2026 MFA Prize

May 13, 2026

Yeroham Ashagre is the 2026 Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Prize recipient, capping three years of intensive study as an MFA student in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design at Michigan State University. Ashagre received the MFA Prize for his thesis exhibition, “Womb of Tomb,” that is part of the 2026 MFA Exhibition on view at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum through May 17, 2026.

A man with a beard, sunglasses, and cap stands pensively beside an abstract wall art piece with beads. The scene exudes a creative and thoughtful atmosphere.

AAHD / Art, Art History, and Design / Arts MSU / Exhibition / News / Student / Student

MFA Artist Uses Art as Activism to Challenge Stereotypes and Celebrate African Culture

May 12, 2026

For Vadu Rodrigues, there is no separating art from activism. Growing up in Cape Verde, an island nation off the coast of West Africa, he uses his art — and the Positive Africa creative movement he founded — to challenge negative stereotypes about the continent and its people by highlighting its history, culture, and communities.

A bustling science fair with diverse participants discussing poster presentations. The venue is filled with detailed posters and engaged attendees.

Student / Student

College of Arts & Letters Students Earn First-Place Awards at Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum

May 11, 2026

Eight students whose primary majors are in the College of Art & Letters received first-place awards for their research and creative scholarship presented at Michigan State University’s 28th annual University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF). Several other MSU students who received first-place awards were mentored by faculty within the College of Arts & Letters.

A woman with long brown hair stands indoors, looking at the camera with a composed expression. Behind her is a colorful, layered sculpture.

AAHD / Alumni / Art, Art History, and Design / Arts MSU / Exhibition / News / Student / Student

MFA Artist Expands Painting Beyond the Canvas and Understanding of Persian Art

May 10, 2026

Niloufar Fallahfar’s paintings are not confined to the canvas. As her artistic practice has evolved, her work quite literally has expanded into space through the inclusion of three-dimensional objects that become part of the narrative itself. “I started by putting canvas on top of each other to offer a different perspective and make the audience curious about the different angles of the painting,” she explained.

A person with short hair and a septum ring smiles warmly, wearing a dark jacket. Behind them, a textured background of dried leaves creates an earthy atmosphere.

AAHD / Alumni / Art, Art History, and Design / Arts MSU / Exhibition / News / Student / Student

From Forestry to Fine Art: MSU Student Blends Science, Technology, and Creativity

May 9, 2026

Walnut shells clatter against one another as robotic arms spring to life, casting shifting shadows across the gallery floor. People walk through the piece and record the unexpected spectacle. The artist behind the work is Hailey Becker, who has a Bachelor of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Alabama and a Master of Science in Materials Science…

A man in a blue L.L. Bean hoodie stands in front of a wall filled with assorted notes and photos, conveying a creative and thoughtful atmosphere.

Arts MSU / Exhibition / News / Student / Student

Why This Emerging Artist Isn’t Worried About AI Replacing Human Creativity

May 8, 2026

As an emerging artist, Alex Vlasov isn’t afraid of artificial intelligence. While some futurists predict AI could replace human-created art and writing, Vlasov disagrees. “Photography didn’t replace paintings. Ever since the first photographs in 1826, paintings are still created,” Vlasov said. He further explained that human-created art will continue to provide opportunities for people to see connections, find themes, and experience the emotions conveyed through an artist’s work.

People gather in a hallway for the Day of Design. A student with pink hair explains her graphic design project displayed on the wall to an alum wearing a scarf.

Graphic Design / Michigan Impact / News / Student / Student

MSU Graphic Design Students, Faculty, and Alumni Celebrate 10 Years of the BFA Program

May 7, 2026

This spring, faculty, students, and alumni celebrated 10 years of the Graphic Design Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) program at Michigan State University. The Graphic Design B.F.A. major and the minor launched in 2016 to meet MSU student interest and align with industry expectations. Before 2016, Graphic Design was a concentration within the Studio Art B.F.A. major. The Day of…

A smiling group poses indoors; a man stands between two women wearing light blue "scholar" sashes. A colorful "Thank you" sign is in the background.

Citizen Scholars / English / Graduating Senior / News / Student / Student / Study Abroad / Theatre / Women’s and Gender Studies

Citizen Scholars First to Complete Reflective Leadership Certificate

May 5, 2026

When the College of Arts & Letters’ Citizen Scholars Program at Michigan State University introduced the Undergraduate Certificate in Reflective Leadership in the Arts and Humanities in 2023, the goal was to give students a structured way to translate their study of the arts and humanities into the kind of leadership the world is asking for: thoughtful, ethical, and grounded…

Young woman smiling in front of a green wall with "Michigan State University" visible. She has long wavy hair and wears a white top and a bright pink skirt.

Award / Graduating Senior / Humanities-Prelaw / News / Student / Student / Women’s and Gender Studies

Kaylin Casper Receives Top Awards for Graduating Seniors at MSU

May 4, 2026

Kaylin Casper, a graduating seniorwhose advocacy for Indigenous rights and equitable education has shaped her time at MSU, closes her undergraduate career with two of the university's most distinguished student honors, three majors, and two Bachelor of Arts degrees. Casper graduated in Spring 2026 with a B.A. in Sociology through the College of Social Science and a B.A. in Humanities-Prelaw with an additional major in Women's and Gender Studies, both through the College of Arts & Letters.