University Libraries

University Libraries
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5353 USA
(269) 387-5059 for information
(269) 387-5155 for hours

Exhibits

Discover rotating exhibits that happen in library spaces and feature items from our distinctive collections and the Western Michigan University community. All exhibits are free and open to the public.

Student exhibits

Browse creative and research works by Western students. These works represent a variety of artistic approaches and research topics.

Painting on two poster boards of green instrumental figure laying on top a bed of sheet music.

Spring 2025 student exhibit

Discover the creative and research works of Western students featuring illustrations, photography, a research poster and more.

—Waldo Library, second floor, in rotunda
Read about our spring 2025 student exhibit
Interested in having your work displayed at Waldo Library? Any two-dimensional visual works created by WMU undergraduate or graduate students—whether for a class, for research, or just for fun—are eligible for display, provided they meet the exhibit criteria.
Review criteria and submit your work
Browse past exhibits

Distinctive collections

Explore items from our distinctive collections including unique and rare materials from our regional history, WMU archives and special collections materials. Student employees from our Zhang Legacy Collections Center often curate these exhibits.

Waldo Library exhibits

Ella Nelson working on an exhibit case with sewing-related items.

Threads of Sewing History

Curated by student Ella Nelson with items from Special Collections and Regional History Collection.

—Waldo Library, first floor, near rotunda
Evan Write standing next to an exhibit case they curated about Japanese Block Printing.

Japanese Block Printing

Curated by student Evan Wright with items from Special Collections.

—Waldo Library, first floor, near rotunda
Buster Bronco: Horsin' Around exhibit at Waldo Library.

Buster Bronco: Horsin' Around

Curated by student Meena Jacobs with items from WMU Archives.

—Waldo Library, first floor, along main hallway
Ben Smith working on an exhibit case with aural records from WMU Archives.

WMU's Aural Press

Curated by student Ben Smith with items from WMU Archives.

—Waldo Library, second floor, in rotunda
Graham Alburtus working on an exhibit case about Singapore, Michigan.

Singapore, Michigan: The Town Abandoned to the Sand

Curated by student Graham Alburtus with items from Regional History Collection.

—Waldo Library, second floor, in rotunda
Hailey Smith working on an exhibit about Henry and Bessie Van Dyke.

Dr. Henry Lewis Van Dyke and Bessie Van Dyke

Curated by student Hailey Smith with items from WMU Archives.

—Waldo Library, second floor, in rotunda
Menus from the Past exhibit at Waldo Library.

Menus from the Past

Curated by student Meena Jacobs with items from Regional History Collection.

—Waldo Library, second floor, in rotunda
Leo Gingerich working on an exhibit case with cookbooks.

Cookbooks Throughout the Years

Curated by student Leo Gingerich with items from Regional History Collection.

—Waldo Library, second floor, in rotunda
Jacob Walsh standing next to an exhibit case they curated about the Underground Railroad in Cass County.

Underground Railroad in Cass County, Michigan

Curated by student Jacob Walsh with items from Regional History Collection.

—Waldo Library, second floor, in rotunda
Hope Donavan standing in front of exhibit they curated about Ladislav Hanka.

Ladislav R. Hanka: Fish, Frogs, and Other Fauna

Curated by student Hope Donovan with items from Special Collections.

—Waldo Library, second floor, in rotunda

Zhang Legacy Collections Center exhibits

Image of Zhang Legacy building

Book Artist Carol Schwartzott

Curated by University Libraries with items from Special Collections.

—Zhang Legacy Collections Center, lobby
Image of Zhang Legacy building

Military at WMU: WWI to Present

Curated by recent graduate Alex Garrison with items from Special Collections.

—Zhang Legacy Collections Center, lobby
Image of Zhang Legacy building

Local History Photographs

Curated by University Libraries with items from Regional History Collection.

—Zhang Legacy Collections Center, lobby
Image of Zhang Legacy building

Samples from Our Collections

Curated by University Libraries with items from WMU Archives, Regional History Collection and Special Collections.

—Zhang Legacy Collections Center, lobby

Questions about our exhibits?

Contact us