Student Sculptors Showcase Creativity at Hite Art Institute Exhibit

University of Louisville undergrads display diverse range of materials and personal expression in annual show.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 10:57pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring a repeated image of a human-sized bat wing sculpture, rendered in a vibrant neon color palette and heavy black outlines to transform the everyday object into a striking pop art composition.The Hite Art Institute's annual Sculpture Program Exhibit celebrates the creativity and personal expression of University of Louisville student artists.Louisville Today

The Hite Art Institute at the University of Louisville hosted its annual Sculpture Program Exhibit, featuring over 15 pieces created by undergraduate students in ART 106, 321, 521 and 523 classes. The free public exhibit, held from March 21 to April 11 in the 2801 Gallery building, showcased a wide range of creative and personal sculptures, including human-sized bat wings, a tree made of hair, and other unconventional materials and themes.

Why it matters

The Sculpture Program Exhibit provides a valuable platform for emerging student artists to share their work with the broader Louisville community. The diverse range of materials, personal narratives, and artistic visions on display reflects the creative energy and unique perspectives of the next generation of sculptors.

The details

Artists were invited to submit their best work for the exhibit, with pieces selected by students Izzy Hofmann and Gracie Silvia highlighting their personal connections to the themes and materials. Hofmann's sculpture, 'Ophelia/Mosselle Altarat the Creek,' incorporated a found roadside shelf painted red and a cat containing the artist's own testosterone injections, exploring ideas of transgender identity and spirituality. Silvia's large mixed-media piece addressed their struggles with self-acceptance, using repurposed and scrap materials to represent resourcefulness born from poverty.

  • The Sculpture Program Exhibit was open to the public from March 21 to April 11, 2026.
  • The exhibit featured work by University of Louisville undergraduate students enrolled in ART 106, 321, 521 and 523 classes.

The players

Izzy Hofmann

A student in the ART 521 class who created a sculpture exploring their transgender identity and spiritual connection to the world.

Gracie Silvia

A student in the ART 521 class who constructed a large mixed-media piece addressing their struggles with self-acceptance and the influence of their upbringing.

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What they’re saying

“As a transgender person, I have this deep spiritual connection to the world around me. Spiritual healers and leaders have this deep, rich history that's largely been erased.”

— Izzy Hofmann, Student Artist

“It's about the way I was raised, and the struggle that came with that. Going into the art world, for me, was also really hard to accept.”

— Gracie Silvia, Student Artist

The takeaway

The Sculpture Program Exhibit at the Hite Art Institute showcases the diverse creative talents and personal narratives of the next generation of sculptors, reflecting the University of Louisville's commitment to fostering artistic expression and providing a platform for emerging artists to share their unique visions with the community.