Corey Wellik

Corey Wellik is carving many paths. The third-year Master of Fine Arts in Woodworking student was first drawn to the UW–Madison Art Department by the fully-funded program, which balances focused study with interdisciplinary exploration. 

“I wanted to pursue woodworking in a more intensive and rigorous way, and UW uniquely offers an MFA specifically in wood,” says Wellik. “I’ve discovered realms of my art practice I wouldn’t have otherwise, [plus] access to incredible studio spaces, talented art faculty, equipment and facilities.” 

In their final year, Wellik is excited to combine the mediums of ceramics and wood into elaborate pieces while exploring semi­nars, history and theory classes — within and outside of their MFA program.

“I am encouraged to take an incredible array of studio courses such as neon sculpture, comics and figurative ceramics,” says Wellik. “The breadth of artistic expertise and resourced learning here is astounding.” 

Wellik relishes the chance to work with woodworking faculty advisor Katie Hudnall, whose talent and generosity also drew them to the program, and esteemed artists outside the program, like UW Art Department’s legendary cartoonist Lynda Barry.

Wellik also gets to teach —  Art 100 for five semesters — giving undergraduates the opportunity to learn what Wellik has: that art adds meaning and purpose regardless of your specific area of study. 

“More people should be taking art classes, because it teaches you things you wouldn’t expect to learn about yourself and your creative process that could be applied in any field,” Wellik says. “My students who are engineers or English majors, who call themselves ‘terrible artists,’ create some of the most awesome work I’ve received as a teacher.”