From Ceramics to Animation, Theatre and Music, Cosmo Explores the Many Creative Paths of CFAC Students.
The 2025–26 academic year marks 100 years of creativity and scholarship in the College of Fine Arts and Communications at Brigham Young University. To celebrate this major milestone, the CFAC welcomed one of BYU’s most iconic figures: Cosmo the Cougar.
Cosmo spent the day visiting classes across the college, exploring the many creative paths available to students in the CFAC. His tour highlighted the innovation, collaboration and artistry that have defined the college for a century.
The celebration began in a Theatre Ballet Studio Company rehearsal, where Cosmo joined dancers as they refined their technique and choreography. As students practiced, Cosmo followed along, working on his own moves and even performing a lift to the delight of both students and instructors. The rehearsal showcased the discipline, creativity and precision emphasized in BYU’s Department of Dance.
Next, Cosmo stopped by the newsroom and public relations lab in the Brimhall Building, where students worked on video storytelling and campaign strategy. He even stepped on-screen and joined students on their broadcast, getting a firsthand look at how the School of Communications trains students to bring stories to life in the fast-paced world of media and communications.
Cosmo then exercised his own animation skills as he joined a beginning animation class, getting a glimpse into visual storytelling and character design. Students had drawn Cosmo himself, and the mascot joined in by creating a caricature of BYU President Shane Reese. The class showed how the Department of Design teaches students to communicate ideas visually, develop engaging characters and build the skills essential for animation and other creative fields.
Cosmo also stopped by a ceramics class, where students practiced hands-on artistry as they sculpted and refined clay. With guidance from the instructor, Cosmo even created a few ceramic pieces of his own. The experience highlighted the creativity, patience and craftsmanship taught in the Department of Art.
At a BYU Wind Symphony rehearsal, Cosmo experienced a different kind of hands-on artistry. During the visit, Cosmo learned to play the tuba and triangle, and even stepped up to conduct the ensemble. The visit showcased the School of Music’s emphasis on discipline, collaboration and artistry as students rehearse and perform together.
Finally, Cosmo visited a character mask class in the Department of Theatre and Media Arts, where students learned to bring masks to life. With help from the instructor and classmates, Cosmo explored how movement shapes a character, highlighting the combination of physicality, imagination and storytelling TMA students are trained in.
Cosmo’s visit was a fun, unique way to celebrate 100 years of the College of Fine Arts and Communications. As the college enters its second century, students and faculty are continually exploring the creativity and curiosity that have shaped it for generations.
Follow along with Cosmo’s tour of the College of Fine Arts and Communications on Instagram at @byucfac or TikTok at @byu_cfac.
Check out more about our 100th anniversary by visiting our 100th anniversary website.