Five architecture and design students receive KU Libraries art awards
LAWRENCE — KU Libraries’ LibArt program, a year-round, juried exhibition of student art in library spaces, celebrated its largest-ever display of student artwork and named award recipients Oct. 28 with a reception at Watson Library.
The libraries set a record for the largest show in the program’s history during the 2024-25 academic year, and the current LibArt exhibit surpassed that mark by 114 works, forming an exhibition of 260 pieces of artwork from 113 students in its 15th year. Prizes were awarded to 23 works in 14 categories, representing a wide variety of mediums and subjects.
“The LibArt program, this program, truly represents libraries at their very best,” KU Libraries Dean Carol Smith said to the artists during remarks at the reception. “We are community platforms that bring people together. We are multidisciplinary places for the exchange of ideas and the appreciation of many points of view, and you have contributed to that.”
Art pieces were submitted by students from 51 disciplines, including art and design students as well as participants majoring in economics, mechanical engineering, physical education, social work, journalism and more, Smith said, with some taking part in their first art exhibit experience.
“We had twice as many submissions this year as the previous year,” said Rebecca Schroeder, operations manager of Murphy Art & Architecture Library and chair of the LibArt committee. “The judges continue to be impressed with the talent and creativity demonstrated by students who participate.”
The LibArt committee, headed by Schroeder and made up of KU Libraries staff, partners with KU faculty and staff, local artists, educators and museum professionals to judge the works and award prizes totaling $5,400.
This year’s Best in Show award was presented to Kaden Cogdill, a visual art education major from Rock Island, Illinois, for the ceramics piece "Neavergale," which was inspired by playing a fantasy adventure table-top game with friends.
“This is one of the greatest feelings I've had at KU,” Cogdill said, describing how the LibArt experience combined his love of art, ceramics and being part of the campus community. “It's all just so magical, and I think that's what makes education so important and what makes KU so wonderful.”
Sam Hale, an art history major from Overland Park, won top honors in the painting category and also took home a new award connected to the KU Reads common book program. His painting “Roots” was selected as the Common Work of LibArt, representing an artistic connection with themes throughout the 2025-26 common book, “The Anthropocene Reviewed” by John Green.
“That painting's really special to me,” Hale said. “It was part of a series I did kind of about my own relationship with my family and my community, and it means a lot to me that it's going be able to be seen by other people.”
The exposure was new to Hale, who described the LibArt program as “such a good opportunity to get art out there.”
“It’s just really touching that people are seeing my art that are more than just my family,” he said. “I feel like all I do is create and usually it just gets shoved in my closet, but being able to be in a room full of people that are seeing my work and being acknowledged for it is amazing.
“I hope (LibArt) keeps getting bigger. I hope we keep getting more wall space.”
The LibArt show runs August to May each academic year throughout five KU Libraries locations, with student artworks available for viewing whenever the libraries are open.
LibArt award honorees receive cash prizes made possible through support from KU Endowment and KU Libraries donors Michael and Kathryn Hughes.
The 2025 LibArt Award Recipients:
Best in Show
“Neavergale" by Kaden Cogdill (visual art education)
Drawing
Best in Category: “Remembering Space" by Hope Crane (interior architecture)
Honorable Mention: “Homesick” by Jessica Grubenhoff (visual art education)
Ceramics
Best in Category: “Wildflower Bowls” by Briley Hogan (visual art)
Honorable Mention: “Pulled Back” by Logan Fixsen (theatre & dance and film & media studies)
Fiber/Textiles
Best in Category: “Triptych” by Avery Qualseth (visual art)
Honorable Mention: “A Pair” of Koi by Dominic Chieu (human biology)
Graphic Design/Digital
Best in Category: “Miss America #10 of 37” by Ophelia Ireton (fine arts)
Honorable Mention: “Midnight Lotus” by Tracy Fan (biology)
Metalsmithing
Best in Category: “Flower Eye Spider” by Grace Billman (jewelry & metalsmithing)
Mixed Media
Best in Category: “The Boy Who Loved the Sun” by Gwynevere Buie (illustration)
Honorable Mention: “Forbidden Fruit” by Lily Hughey (visual communication)
Painting
Best in Category: “Jaime” by Sam Hale (art history)
Honorable Mention: “A Knowing Smile” by Meredith Kucera (health science)
Printmaking
Best in Category: “Peaceful Afternoon” by Natalie Slutsky (visual art)
Honorable Mention: “Velma Jean” by Maya Sabatini (visual art education)
Photography
Best in Category: “Mirror” by Isabella Johnson (journalism)
Honorable Mention: “Echo Chamber” by Zara Eng (economics)
Video/Animation
Best in Category: “Stage Fright” by Katelyn Craft (animation)
Honorable Mention: “Let’s Gender” by Molly Stover-Brown (dance)
Michael and Kathryn Hughes Award
“Late Night” by Mary Beth Smith (industrial design)
Common Work of LibArt
“Roots” by Sam Hale (art history)
Dean’s Choice Award
“Two Girls Sitting” by Gia Washburn (psychology).