At the opening reception of the Visual History of the Unions exhibition, alumni and current Stamps School of Art & Design students (classes of 1982–2026) presented new works inspired by pivotal moments in U-M’s past. Centering on the Michigan Union and Michigan League—long recognized as the symbolic heart of campus—these artists bring to light overlooked stories, including women’s fight for access to the Union, the experiences of Black students, vibrant protest movements, and the history of female impersonator performances. Together, the works reimagine how we see and understand campus history, inviting viewers to reflect on the narratives that have shaped collective memory and to consider how art can expand and complicate our understanding of the past.
The Visual History of the Unions exhibition is supported by a 2024 IHP Research & Engagement Fund grant.