MOUNT OLIVE, NC – A wide range of student creativity will be on display as the University of Mount Olive prepares to host its 2026 Spring Student Art Show, opening Tuesday, April 28, in Laughinghouse Hall.
Visitors entering the exhibit will encounter a collection that reflects both technical skill and personal exploration. Approximately 30 students will present work across multiple disciplines, including prints, sculptures, drawings, paintings, ceramics, and graphic design. Four graduating seniors will showcase their capstone portfolios in the Teresa Pelt-Grubbs Gallery.
According to Assistant Dean of the Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences Cheryl Hooks, this year’s exhibition reflects a noticeable shift in artistic exploration. “We have seen exceptional growth in media experimentation this year,” said Hooks. “Students have been challenged to try new things and new directions, and that has resulted in some unexpected works that have both inspired and encouraged them.”
The works on display continue a long-standing tradition at UMO. Many pieces are rooted in personal experience, offering insight into how students see themselves and the world around them. Hooks noted that even when responding to shared assignments, each artist brings a distinct perspective shaped by individual style and interpretation.
The show features a broad range of techniques and materials, including monoprints, natural dye prints, watercolor, graphite and colored pencil drawings, ink work, acrylic painting, collage, mixed media, digital design, cardboard sculpture, and ceramics. The diversity of mediums highlights both the depth of the program and the willingness of students to take creative risks.
For students, the exhibition represents more than a final presentation. It serves as a key step in their development as artists. “The process of preparing work for public display builds confidence while reinforcing the importance of discipline and commitment,” Hooks said.
Classroom critiques throughout the semester help students refine their work and prepare them to engage with public feedback in a thoughtful and constructive way. “Seeing their work on display builds confidence, but it also teaches resilience,” Hooks said. “Our students are accustomed to discussing their work openly, and that process becomes an essential learning tool as they grow.”
The impact of the exhibition extends beyond the artists themselves. Organizers hope visitors will leave with a sense of connection to the work and an appreciation for the way these students interpret and respond to the world. “I hope visitors leave feeling inspired and with a deeper appreciation for how these students see the world,” Hooks added. “Through their work, they help all of us see more fully.”
The Spring Student Art Show will open with a public reception on Tuesday, April 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. The exhibition will remain open Monday through Thursday through May 7 in Laughinghouse Hall.
