College of Arts and Communication

CROSSMAN GALLERY

The Crossman Gallery, established in 1971 with the construction of the Greenhill Center of the Arts, is the primary visual art exhibition venue for the Department of Art and Design. The gallery hosts several exhibitions annually that showcase a variety of artistic expressions, and also provides a venue for arts-related activities and events, such as the renowned Schuh Visiting Artist workshop and exhibition. As a teaching gallery that both enables art students to showcase their work for public audiences and facilitates thoughtful engagement with art for all students, the Crossman also fulfills the educational mission of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Situated in southern Wisconsin, the Crossman Gallery is a cultural driver of our region, as well as a local artistic hub serving communities in and beyond campus.

The Crossman Gallery is home to a permanent collection of more than 1,400 artworks and is particularly strong in the work of “Outsider” (untrained or self-taught) artists and works on paper, including German examples generously donated by Marvin and Janet Fishman. Other highlights of the collection include the work of important Contemporary artists like Andy Warhol and also previous Schuh Visiting Artists such as Kiki Smith and Nick Cave. The gallery been the grateful recipient of a number of substantial gifts from donors like Ernella Hunziker, who presented the Crossman with dozens of objects from various indigenous American cultures. In the future, we plan to make the full permanent collection digitally accessible to everyone, so please check back at a later date.

The Gallery is always free and all are welcome.


  • Opening Reception: Wednesday, Sept. 13, 5-7 p.m.
  • Water is as ubiquitous as it is important to all life on Earth. Delving beneath the surface, this exhibition explores some of the stories water has to tell through art. Organized in three thematic sections—Escape & Survival, Climate & Crises, and Life & Foodways—the exhibition features artwork from the Crossman Gallery's permanent collection as well as loans from regional artists and galleries. The exhibition also combines art and science by featuring posters about some of the water-related research conducted by UW-Whitewater faculty and their students.
  • Awards Reception: Thursday, Oct. 19, 5-7 p.m.
  • Showcasing artwork by UW-Whitewater students selected by regional artist and community organizer Jennifer Bastian, this exhibition is open to ALL student artists, regardless of their major or year. Prizes generously funded by the Schuh Visiting Artist Endowment are awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, as well as "best of" specific media and honorable mentions.
  • Friends & Family Reception: Monday, Nov. 6, 5-6 p.m.
  • The Fall 2023 BFA Entry & BFA Junior Review features the work of BFA students of a variety of class standings who are working toward their degree. These portfolio reviews are Milestone components of the Department of Art and Design’s BFA degree tracks and are opportunities for the students to display their art for the public.
  • Reception: Tuesday, Nov. 14, 5-7 p.m.
  • The Fall 2023 BA & BSE Senior Show features the work of senior art students who are completing their Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Education degrees in the Department of Art and Design at UW-Whitewater. The exhibition is a capstone event and an opportunity for them to display their art for the public.
  • Reception: Tuesday, Nov. 28, 5-7 p.m.
  • The Fall 2023 BFA Senior Exhibition features the work of senior art students who are graduating with a degree in fine arts from the Department of Art and Design at UW-Whitewater. The exhibition is a capstone event and an opportunity for them to display their art for the public.

Hours:

Monday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Gallery is open only during exhibitions.
The Gallery is closed on holidays and breaks on the Academic Calendar.

A schedule of Crossman Gallery exhibitions will be coming soon. For more information on exhibitions, visit our events page.

Applications to apply for the Juried Student Art Exhibition are due Sept. 18. Apply here »

Ticketed events do not require a parking pass. Patrons can park in Lot 1 (corner of Prince & Main Street) starting up to one hour prior to the event without a parking pass.
Non-ticketed events that happen during the week and before 5pm on Friday require that attendees have a parking pass.

Ways to purchase a parking pass are as follows:

  • A visitors pass can be ordered online and printed at home by clicking here.
  • Stop by the Visitors Center building at 826 W. Starin Road, Whitewater, WI 53190. Business hours are 7:30 - 4:30 pm. During non-business hours, attendees can stop by the kiosk located behind the Visitors Center building in the service drive-thru to purchase an hourly, daily or weekly parking permit.

Want to learn more about the Crossman Gallery?

262-472-1207 | crossmangallery@uww.edu | Facebook logo  Instagram logo

Venues