CROSSMAN GALLERY

The Crossman Gallery at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is a teaching and exhibition space dedicated to creativity, education, inclusivity and cultural stewardship. Established in 1971 with the construction of the Greenhill Center of the Arts, it serves as the primary art exhibition venue for the Department of Art and Design and as such organizes a variety of exhibitions each academic year, including student shows, visiting artists and public programs that connect campus and community. Through its permanent collection, exhibitions and programming, the Crossman Gallery fosters dialogue across perspectives and inspires critical reflection on contemporary and historical issues, in addition to providing opportunities for hands-on learning and professional development for students. Committed to transparency, access and accountability, the Crossman Gallery strives to operate according to collections management standards and ethics and also aims to redress past issues through practices such as NAGPRA (Native American Graves and Repatriation Act) compliance. In this way, the Crossman aims to honor the land on which it stands and to ensure all voices are represented and respected.

The Gallery is always free and all are welcome.

Artwork Archive

Exhibitions and events

Each academic year, the Crossman Gallery organizes a number of exhibitions, beginning in the Fall semester with a thematic exhibition that showcases highlights from the permanent art collection. Also each fall, the Crossman hosts the annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, which allows all students, regardless of major or year, to submit artwork for consideration and possible awards. Each spring semester starts with the Regional Youth Art Month show, featuring the work of K12 students from southeastern Wisconsin. The highlight of each spring semester is the annual Schuh Visiting Artist exhibition. At the end of each semester, the Crossman Gallery hosts the capstone exhibitions for graduating seniors earning BFA, BA and BSE degrees.

Spring 2026 exhibitions

Southeast Wisconsin Regional Youth Art Month Show: January 26–February 14
Reception: Saturday, February 14 (2:30-4:30 p.m.)

Schuh Visiting Artist Exhibition: February 23–March 19
Public Event: Thursday, March 5
Conversation with the Artist (6-7 p.m.)
Exhibition Reception (7-8:30 p.m.)

BA & BSE Senior Show: April 6–16
Reception: Tuesday, April 7 (5-6:30 p.m.)

BFA Senior Exhibition: April 27–May 7
Reception: Tuesday, April 28 (5-6:30 p.m.)

Visiting the Crossman Gallery

The Crossman Gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 11:00am to 6:00pm on days when exhibitions are open (see the current semester’s schedule above).

If you are interested in visiting the Crossman Gallery with a large group or would like a tour, please contact crossmangallery@uww.edu.

Parking information

Art collection

The Crossman Gallery stewards a permanent collection of over 1,600 artworks and is particularly strong in the work of “Outsider” (untrained or self-taught) artists and works on paper, including German Expressionist prints generously donated by Marvin and Janet Fishman. The gallery has 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, and Patricia Smith, who gifted the gallery numerous Japanese textiles. Other highlights of the collection include works by renowned Modern and Contemporary artists like Andy Warhol, Käthe Kollwitz, Claes Oldenburg and Judy Chicago, in addition to local and regional artists like Leon Pescheret, Evelyn Guhr Sweeney and Fran Achen, as well as previous Schuh Visiting Artists such as Kiki Smith and Della Wells. The permanent art collection stewarded by the Crossman Gallery continues to grow each year with gifts generously donated by alumni, emeriti and members of the community.

If you wish to donate art to the Crossman Gallery’s permanent art collection, please reach out via crossmangallery@uww.edu.

WOTA Collects Art

Established in 2023, WOTA Collects Art is an initiative with the aim of not only bringing students across campus to the Crossman Gallery, but to engage them directly in growing the art collection that ultimately belongs to them. Thus, each fall, the College of Arts and Communication invites “World of the Arts” (WOTA) students to vote on a new artwork to acquire for the Crossman Gallery’s permanent collection. The artwork with the most votes will be purchased and then will be displayed in the Center of the Arts atrium for the remainder of the academic year.

Artwork Archive

History of the Crossman Gallery

Catherine Crossman & Old Main

The Crossman Gallery is named after Catherine Crossman, an artist and educator who joined the UW-Whitewater faculty in 1947, when there were only two art classes offered. During her 28-year tenure, she transformed the art curriculum, created an Art major and helped establish the first art gallery in Old Main in 1967. After the catastrophic fire at Old Main destroyed the gallery, the Crossman Gallery reopened in 1971 in its current location in the Greenhill Center of the Arts. From its inception, the Crossman Gallery has been guided by Catherine’s dedication to exhibiting student artwork and portfolios, hosting professional artists and collaborating with the community. She was known to say, “You’re never lonely if you have art. There is no better way to make friends.” Her legacy of inclusion continues today.