Where creativity meets purpose
At the heart of Manchester University’s vibrant academic community, the Expressive Arts & Communication Department unites creative vision with powerful storytelling.
Bringing together Art, Communication Studies, English, Modern Languages, and Music, this dynamic hub empowers students to explore diverse modes of expression—visual, written, verbal, and musical. Whether you’re crafting compelling narratives, composing inspiring melodies, painting bold new worlds, or mastering languages that connect cultures, you’ll gain hands‑on experience, expert mentorship, and a supportive environment where creativity thrives. Discover your voice, expand your worldview, and join a community committed to shaping thoughtful, articulate, and imaginative leaders for tomorrow.
Each of our programs challenges students to step beyond their comfort zones and broaden their perspectives to become more impactful and compassionate community leaders. Through immersive experiences and hands-on learning, Manchester takes students beyond the classroom to ensure rich, well-rounded education that resonates far beyond graduation.
Art Galleries
Art Exhibitions
Manchester University offers its campuses and greater community a variety of art experiences. A versatile and engaging component of the Department of Art, MU Galleries’ main objective is to further educational awareness in art. In doing so, we offer two dedicated art galleries at the North Manchester campus and one at the Fort Wayne campus, as well as other opportunities to engage in art at Manchester.
Gallery G
Gallery G, in North Manchester, opened in 2007. It is located on the second floor of the Jo Young Switzer Center. A beautiful, welcoming space, Gallery G was designed with maximum flexibility in mind. The display panels are moveable, and the room can be reconfigured for many different types of exhibits. The ceiling has multiple tracks for additional panels. All lighting is moveable, as well. Especially exciting is that the exhibition area—with glass walls—is always inviting and allows for visitors to “see” the show, even when the gallery is closed. Displaying works of all media by regional artists, Gallery G features approximately three shows a year, with one that runs through the summer months. Visiting hours are Monday—Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and noon to 3 p.m. on Sundays, when classes are in session.
Link Gallery
Link Gallery is located in the same building as our Art and Music programs, Otho Winger Memorial Hall. Link Gallery is best described as a wrap-around style as it surrounds Wine Recital Hall on three sides. This gallery is typically used for senior art major exhibitions, photography displays, and our annual spring student art show, in addition to visiting and alumni artist displays. Framed works are hung by wire against the brick walls, or in the case of unframed pieces, they are secured to movable hanging panels. Also a versatile space, Link Gallery can easily display a variety of media, including 3D works through the use of enclosed pedestals. One glass wall of the gallery faces East Street, making displays visible from the outside of the building. The west side allows work to be visible from the campus mall. This gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, when classes are in session.
Fort Wayne Gallery
Fort Wayne Campus Sculpture
Gallery G
Fort Wayne Art Gallery
Hanging Art Sculpture in the Science Center
Art Events
At Manchester University, art isn’t confined to the studio—it thrives throughout campus and across Indiana through a dynamic lineup of co-curricular activities. From the statewide 92 Counties Art Show in Indiana’s Honeywell Center to Alumni Galleries each fall and spring, our community stays connected with the wider world of art.
Students take the lead by curating their own Senior Exhibitions through our Senior Project course, managing everything from installation to promotion. These capstone showcases, held in our campus galleries, demonstrate each artist’s unique vision and professionalism.
Meanwhile, the Juried Art Spring Show invites artists across all skill levels to participate in a competitive, department-reviewed exhibition—reflecting our commitment to artistic excellence and growth.
Discover Manchester University’s Values, Ideas, and the Arts (VIA) program—an engaging series of lectures and cultural events that broaden perspectives and spark meaningful dialogue.
Each exhibition—whether local or regional, student-generated or juried—takes place in welcoming gallery spaces like Gallery G, Link Gallery, and Fort Wayne Gallery. They’re free and open to the public, reinforcing our mission to cultivate not only talent, but also community connection through art.
Alumni Art Exhibitions
Senior Exhibition
Juried Art Spring Show
92 Counties Art Booth
Authors & Poets Who have Visited Manchester University
Often, Manchester is host to visiting literary professionals who speak at assemblies and meet with students, providing advice and inspiration. Over the years, visitors have included such notables as Carl Sandburg, Ogden Nash and Maya Angelou. More recently, Manchester has welcomed contemporary literary experts, such as:
- Carol J. Adams, author of The Sexual Politics of Meat
- Maya Angelou, author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
- Gwendolyn Brooks, author of The Bean Eaters
- Todd Davis, author of Some Heaven
- Helen Frost, author of Keesha’s House
- V. V. Ganeshananthan, author of Love Marriage
- Jeff Gundy, author of Spoken among the Trees
- George Kalamaras, Poet Laureate of Indiana
- Etheridge Knight, author of Belly Song
- Elizabeth Mix, author of Evil by Design: The Creation and Marketing of the Femme Fatale
- Danzy Senna, author of Caucasia
- Gene Sharp, author of From Dictatorship to Democracy
- Yevgeni Yevtushenko, author of Wild Berries
The Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture
The Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture (formerly Urban Life Center) provides Manchester students with the opportunity to earn credit and work and learn in Chicago as part of their academic program. The Chicago Center is open to students in all majors seeking an urban internship. The Chicago Center offers special practicum experiences for social work majors and student teaching placements for education majors. As a long-standing academic partner with Manchester, the cost of this study away program is the same as our study away programs. For full-time students who are U.S. citizens, the cost of tuition, room and board is the same as attending Manchester, and financial aid applies. (Chicago Center summer programs are also available at additional costs for U.S. and international students.)
Representatives from the Chicago Center also visit campus each semester and appointments can be arranged. Students interested in the Chicago Center should begin planning early and contact The Chicago Center.
Meet the Faculty
Dr Timothy McKenna-Buchanan
Associate Professor of Communication Studies, Assessment Coordinator, and Dept Chair
Dr. Judd Case
Dean of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Communication Studies
Janine Armstrong
Visiting Assistant Professor, Communication Studies
Dr Stacy Erickson-Pesetski
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of English
Dr Katharine Ings
Professor of English and Director of the Gender Studies Program
Dr Carlos Yanez
Associate Professor of Spanish and Director of the TESOL Program
