Fibers

A UWM Fibers student is seen using a loom while producing a blue and purple pattern with a large yellow star.
Fibers student work featuring a large red, black and white beetle seen floating on a leaf.
A circular and bright pattern using fiber arts.
Two large sheets of custom fabric featuring colorful hues with random overlapped shapes.
A fibers gallery installation featuring headless bodies wearing undergarments or swimwear with square fabric scenes and the text "hell is real."
A gallery installation featuring large dyed fabric swaths hanging from the ceiling.

Fibers Studio Discipline

Our curriculum includes a multicultural history of textiles, contemporary fiber artists, and the integration of traditional techniques with digital media. Students will develop an understanding and appreciation of fibers and its visual language, while learning its traditional processes and contemporary applications.

Fibers is a broad based medium that uses methods of making that include surface design (various direct & resist dye techniques, hand & screen-print, etc.), weaving, cloth construction, quilting, stitching, wearable art, basketry, sculpture, felting, beading and installation, utilizing both natural and man-made fibers.

Cross-disciplinary work within other studio disciplines and media is encouraged, while students develop individual creative direction focused on the qualities inherent in the history and materiality of fibers. Our program prepares students to be creative makers and critical thinkers. Similar to the breadth of the medium, itself, the potential career path is also broad.

First Year Program in Art & Design

We don’t expect our new students to figure out college life on their own. Our First Year Program is designed to help new art and design students. In addition to specific coursework carefully chosen to foster success, we connect students to the many resources and opportunities found within a research university. Plus, we surround students with individualized support as they dive deeper into their program and find their way.

First Year Program

Galleries & Exhibitions

Our art and design programs host many galleries and exhibitions both on campus and throughout the community. Our campus is home to four permanent art galleries, each with its own unique mission. All of them are free, open to the public and accessible for everyone to enjoy.

Milwaukee is also home to dozens of galleries and museums. All students in an art and design degree program receive a free annual membership to the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM). That means you can visit MAM and its events, including the popular MAM After Dark series, free of charge while you are a student.

Art & Design Programs

Art & Design studio disciplines are connected to a variety of academic programs, including majors, minors, certificates and graduate programs. This is a full list of all programs offered by the Department of Art & Design.

A UWM Art BA studio in community arts paints a large mural while working on a table in the Kenilworth Gallery.
Art, BA
MajorOn Campus
Black and white illustration of a student working at a cluttered desk with surreal creative elements.
Art, MA
Master’sOn Campus
Two Art MFA students sit cross-legged on an industrial floor while exploring a interactive digital artwork.
Art, MFA
Master’sOn Campus
UWM Art Education BFA student works closely with a young child on a piece of art with a box of sixty-four crayons.
Art Education, BFA
MajorOn Campus
Arts Integration and Learning Certificate
Arts Integration & Learning
Undergraduate CertificateOn Campus
A student is seen on scaffolding with a paint roller while painting a large mural on the side of a brick wall.
Community Arts
Undergraduate CertificateOn Campus
A design and visual communication degree student stands in front of a wall of creative typography.
Design & Visual Communication, BFA
MajorOn Campus
Two graphic design students hang colorful cards from strings during the Design and Visual Communication Capstone event.
Design
MinorOn Campus
A colorful set of 3D printed self portraits designed by UWM Digital Fabrication & Design students.
Digital Fabrication & Design
Undergraduate CertificateOn Campus
Individual engaging with a student created game design in Kenilworth Square East Gallery
Game Art and Design
Undergraduate CertificateOn Campus
An illustration using blue and gold hues of three individuals wearing round glasses.
Illustration
Undergraduate CertificateOn Campus
Two photography students hold a negative strip and examine their undeveloped photographs.
Photography
MinorOn Campus
Two Studio Art BFA students work back to back while screenprinting patterns onto large sheets of paper.
Studio Art, BFA
MajorOn Campus
A studio art student works with a loom with fabric and spools of colorful thread sit on shelves behind them.
Studio Art
MinorOn Campus

Faculty

Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Art & Design faculty and staff please click the button below.

All Art & Design Faculty & Staff
Jamie Bertsch
  • Teaching Faculty I, Fibers
  • Teaching Faculty I, First Year Program
Kyoung Ae Cho
  • Professor, Fibers
  • Graduate Program Representative, Art & Design
  • Area Head, Fibers
Important Dates

Art & Design

Undergraduate Scholarship Priority Applications
Fall: December 15

Graduate Applications
Fall: January 25
Those eligible for the Advanced Opportunity Program Fellowship (AOP) should apply by December 10.

Contact
Art & Design

Undergraduate Programs
Katie Martin-Meurer, art-admission@uwm.edu

Graduate Programs
Jessica Meuninck Ganger, art-grad-admission@uwm.edu

General Info & Questions
Contact Form | 414-229-4763

Upcoming Art & Design Events

Full Events Calendar