Meet the Jurors
Teréz Iacovino
Every year the Department of Art & Design at the University of Minnesota-Duluth hosts the Annual Student Exhibition (ASE), which showcases art works across all media and conceptual explorations from undergraduate students. I want to sincerely thank UMD faculty and staff for the generous invitation to engage with the breadth and depth of work being produced by UMD students in the Department of Art & Design. Housed within the greater College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, the Department of Art & Design shares the college’s value of “creative and intellectual achievement as modes of self-awareness, historical consciousness, and social awareness.” As artists working in Mni Sota Makoce—the land where the water reflects the skies—the act of reflection serves as an important practice that we must constantly work towards and a reminder that art is never made in a vacuum, but always in relation.
The ability to reflect thoughtfully on why we as artists choose to make the work we make, enables us to better understand our relationship to each other, the greater community, and the greater world. Part of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences mission is to offer paths for “...students to cultivate themselves as humans, working toward self-knowledge that results in better human relationships and a more just society.” Through the jurying process, I was excited to observe how UMD students are critically thinking about their relationship to greater political, social, and environmental contexts. Many of the beautifully crafted works found in this juried selection speak to greater themes of belonging, transition, grief, and memory, reflecting the many ways that students at UMD are processing the landscape of our current time and the complexities of how we navigate this time together. These artists give me hope for a future that contains unbounded empathy and humility, a future where we embrace each other’s vulnerability as a strength, and one in which we truly consider how our actions impact each other and the environment.
www.tereziacovino.com
Neva Corbo-Hudak
www.nevach.com
I am honored to have had the opportunity to jury this exhibition and extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who submitted their work. The range of artistic expression, technical skill, and personal storytelling was truly impressive, making the selection process both inspiring and difficult. With so many strong submissions, narrowing them down was no easy task. I deeply appreciate the dedication and creativity each artist brought to their pieces. This exhibition brings together both fine art and graphic design—related disciplines that approach visual storytelling in distinct yet complementary ways. The fine artists in this show use their work as a deeply personal form of expression, inviting viewers to step into their world and see through their eyes.
Graphic artists, on the other hand, communicate messages that extend beyond their own perspectives, balancing creativity with problem-solving. What stood out most in both categories were works with a strong point of view, a clear message, and the ability to elicit emotion— whether through a bold design choice, a powerful narrative, or an unexpected perspective. Many submissions explored themes of inner struggle, transformation, and resilience. These works reflect the battles we fight within ourselves, bringing inner demons and emotions to the surface. At the same time, there’s a strong sense of moving forward—letting go, growing up, and stepping into something new. Each artist tells their story in a way that feels deeply personal while also inviting viewers to connect, reflect, and find their own meaning in the work. Together, these pieces create a powerful exploration of change, capturing both the weight of the past and the hope that comes with what’s next.
