Fostering creative expression and scholarship

Research and scholarship in the arts can look different from traditional scientific research – more practice-based, expressive and interdisciplinary. And often, sharing creative works publicly is a vital part of the process.

University of Missouri students have a number of opportunities to exhibit their work. For example, during the spring semester, more than 70 projects were submitted for consideration in the 10th annual Undergraduate Visual Art and Design Showcase (VADS).

Undergraduates from any degree program can apply to participate in VADS. Entries must have a visual element central to the work, which can be created with photography, graphic design, architectural drawing, theatre set design, painting, sculpting, textile and apparel design, digital storytelling and other media.

Charles Fairbanks, Trina Robinson and Melisa Sanders, professionals in creative fields outside of mid-Missouri, served as jurors for this year’s showcase. Students presented their work to the jurors and received encouragement and constructive feedback, which elevates the VADS experience. Ultimately, the jurors chose 42 projects for display at the Columbia Art League in April during Show Me Research Week, a campus celebration of student research and creative activities.

Deborah Huelsbergen, a Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor and professor of graphic design, says her students are practiced at sharing their work in the classroom, but VADS helps them in other ways.

“I particularly find the jurying process to be valuable for the students,” Huelsbergen says. “It is a situation where they need to be able to speak comfortably and professionally about their work.”

The Office of Undergraduate Research awarded $8,000 in professional development funds to students with the most outstanding work and others were recognized with non-monetary awards at the Celebration of Undergraduate Creativity and Curiosity. 

2025 VADS winners

Artistic Expression (chosen by jurors):

• Grand prize $2,000 – Sophia Eaton, “Misouri Import 2”
• Runner-up  $1,000 – Lily Franck, “Hope Chest”
• Award of Merit  $500 – Mallory Bartels, “My Dear Jane”
• Award of Merit  $500 – Kijah Woods, “Ethereal Essence”

Applied Design (chosen by jurors):

• Grand prize $2,000 – Jordyn Gobble, “Mental Fizz”
• Runner-up $1,000 – Callie Brinkman, “Punch Bowl”
• Award of Merit $500 – Laila Al-kharabsheh, “Ionic Columbia Theatre and Cinema (ICTC)”
• Award of Merit $500 – Amani Poindexter, “Fragmented Recollections”

People’s Choice Award (selected by public vote at Columbia Art League):

• $200 – Kijah Woods, “Ethereal Essence”

Other recognition (selected by university and community partners):

• Columbia Art League – Audrey Pinson, “This House is Not a Home”
• MU Libraries – Amani Poindexter, “Fragmented Recollections”
• Museum of Art and Archeology – Ryan Lonergan, “Portraits Through the Plate”
• Sager Reeves Gallery – Sadie Tanner, “Horse With No Name”
• Serendipity Salon and Gallery – Erin Carter, “Angels Walk With Me”

VADS is sponsored by campus and community partners: the Mizzou Libraries, Museum of Art and Archaeology, Office of Undergraduate Research and Division of Undergraduate Studies; the Columbia Art League; Sager Reeves Gallery; Serendipity Salon and Gallery and Ragtag Cinema.

“Our students’ work helps us get in touch with ourselves,” says Jim Spain, vice provost for undergraduate studies. “It helps us put context around the things that their lives are bumping into. Their lens helps us see things a bit more clearly ourselves.”
 

Student: Callie Brinkman, senior majoring in art from Columbia, Missouri; winner of $1,000 as the applied design runner-up

Project: “Punch Bowl” ceramic piece

Brinkman says she created her work on a pottery wheel as a centerpiece for an annual brunch with family and friends.

“The piece was made to center community and craft through the special process of soda-fired ceramics and glaze making,” she said. “I submitted this as an entry to VADS in hopes of inspiring viewers to expand their outlook of ceramics and the relationship between fine art and craft.”

Mentor: Joseph Pintz, professor of art

Joe says actively involving students in all aspects of the ceramics studio, such as mixing clay and firing kilns, fosters a sense of community.

He believes it is essential for art students to get their work out into the world for others to see because it helps them learn how it’s being received and gives them a chance to incorporate suggestions from people outside their network.

“I provide my students with both the structure and freedom to explore,” Joe says. “I believe they need the opportunity to experiment, take risks, struggle through their ideas and sometimes fail. Ultimately, I encourage them to consider their intentions and develop an honest relationship with their work.
 

Student: Laila Al-kharabsheh, a senior majoring in architectural studies from St. Louis, Missouri; winner of a $500 merit award in applied design

Project: “Ionic Columbia Theater and Cinema (ICTC)” interior and architectural design

Laila applied to VADS because she wanted to share her architectural vision in a broader context and connect with others in the arts community. She designed both the interior and exterior of the proposed ICTC and even included a sustainable water collection system.

“The design’s dynamic curves and organic flow ensure it blends seamlessly with its surroundings, creating a space that encourages creativity, collaboration and cultural connections,” Laila says. “The ICTC building fosters a deep appreciation for sustainable design principles and creates a seamless fusion of architecture and performance.”

Mentor: Lyria Bartlett, department chair and associate teaching professor, architectural studies

Lyria says architects ride the line between beauty and function – they apply design to practical circumstances. VADS gives students an outlet to practice presenting and selling their work to new audiences.

“Communication is vital to our discipline because our designs are ultimately created by others in the physical world,” Lyria says. “Our directions and vision must be clear to achieve the desired results from an interdisciplinary team.”

Architectural studies students learn to consider the impact of their design decisions on the overall human experience of the built environment.

“Design thinking is central to [our profession’s] project-based pedagogy and is naturally an iterative process,” Lyria says. “My teaching style is more of a collaborative facilitator where I am learning alongside everyone in the studio, and we are collectively using that knowledge to advance our work.”
 

Student: Jordyn Gobble, a senior majoring in art and communication from Lenexa, Kanas; winner of the $2,000 grand prize in applied design

Project: “Mental Fizz” graphic design

Jordyn says her love of music and collection of albums with elaborate packaging was the inspiration behind her design, which she created in Deborah's portfolio development class.  

“My concept is a coloring book–style album for the fictitious artist JYNI; it’s something listeners can color while enjoying the music as a way to de-stress and savor the little things in life,” Jordyn says. “Instead of preserving the album untouched, you complete it by making your mark – literally.”

Mentor: Deborah Huelsbergen

Deborah encourages students to create a portfolio piece that highlights their design skills and personal interests.

“A complex project like Jordyn’s involves extensive sketching, refinement of those sketches and prototype development,” Deborah says. “The project is essentially made over and over and over until the designer is satisfied that the concept and the form align to produce their vision.”

She finds that being a good listener is one of the best ways to support students.

“I like to prod them with questions to keep them talking and exploring their thoughts,” Deborah says. “My students are so very creative and interesting and have ideas that constantly challenge me and make me think more deeply about design and the world around me.”
 

Student: Sophia Eaton, a senior majoring in digital storytelling from Columbia, Missouri; winner of the $2,000 grand prize in artistic expression

Project: “Misouri Import 2” video 

Sophia’s project is part of an ongoing series of digital scrapbooks that she uses as a journaling technique. Her themes center around stewardship, self-reflection and family.

“Each video is composed of elements recorded, sometimes sneakily, in my day to day,” she says. “What you’re seeing is the music, voices and stories of my loved ones. These are retellings of things I’ve experienced and what I took away from them.”

Mentor: Desireé Moore, assistant professor of digital storytelling and film studies production

Desireé says in digital storytelling, research often unfolds through a concurrent process of creative inquiry, observation, intuition, research and material experimentation.

“This means that students are watching films, reading or doing field research while they draft their narrative or shoot footage, with each informing the other,” she says. “Feedback sessions are crucial to any work in progress in order to better understand how creative decisions are impacting the story and tone, as well as the experience of the viewer.”

Desireé says completing a formal application and being evaluated by jurors add stakes and seriousness to the VADS experience that helps students grow. The mentoring component builds confidence.

“Because creative practice is inherently subjective, mentoring in this space is about fostering trust: trust in the process, in uncertainty, and most importantly, in the student’s vision,” she says. “I’ve learned that the best support I can offer is to remain a learner myself. I also try to be transparent about the ups and downs of the creative process.”