Meet the alumna making unique wearable art out of fruits and vegetables

Wende Cudmore, B.F.A. '13, is taking fashion to the next level.

WATCH: Cudmore recalls her journey at IU Southeast and how it inspired her art.

Before coming to IU Southeast, Wende Cudmore, B.F.A. ’13, never would have imagined she’d be making clothes out of a unique and edible medium.


A nontraditional student, Cudmore began her journey at IU Southeast in 2004, where she discovered a passion for creating art out of fruit and vegetables during a papermaking class.


“I really loved the community at IU Southeast,” said Cudmore. “It was small but innovative.”


Cudmore graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in printmaking. Her work not only explores the field of printmaking, but also fiber arts, papermaking and pressed fruits and vegetables.


“I did a lot of research,” said Cudmore. “I wanted to know how I could use fruits and vegetables differently and explore something unconventional.”


As an undergraduate student at IU Southeast, Wende was acknowledged for her work with three art scholarships, a fellowship for research/creative work and two Chancellor’s Awards.


“There’s a lot of problem-solving and critical thinking involved with printmaking,” said Cudmore. “My degree gave me a lot of confidence, and it has helped me push the boundaries of my art into different avenues.”


Since graduation, Wende’s art has been featured in several galleries and community events in New Albany, Indiana, and an annual wearable art runway show hosted by the Kentucky Museum of Arts and Crafts in Louisville, Kentucky. Wende also creates customized pieces such as hats and fascinators for the Kentucky Derby.


"As a nontraditional student, Wende didn't realize the maturity and work ethic she brought into the studio and classroom,” said Donna Stallard, senior fine arts lecturer at IU Southeast and Cudmore’s former professor. “She elevated the standard for her classmates through her disciplined approach to her course work."

2019 State of the Campus