The University of Delaware’s Student Life Art Contest once again showcased the incredible creativity, talent and imagination of our Blue Hen community.

“Art is a powerful form of student voice,” said The Egg Program Director Abby Phillips, the visionary behind the contest. “Supporting student artists means recognizing creativity as part of wellbeing, identity and leadership—not just talent, but expression that helps shape campus culture. We wanted to create a space where students—regardless of major—could share their creativity outside the classroom and make our walls reflect the stories happening all around campus.”

This year, more than 40 students submitted paintings, photographs, digital designs, written works and mixed-media pieces. Winners were selected for originality, technical skill and creative interpretation, as voted on by peers and Student Life leadership.

Sophomore fine arts major Charlie Nickle won first place with his work “King Maxwell vs. the Throg,” inspired by his own band’s music.

“‘King Maxwell’ and ‘Mr. Throg’ are songs made by the band I'm part of,” said Nickle. “King Maxwell was a tyrant, and Mr. Throg, a poor servant. They fought, and King Maxwell killed him. In the painting, I made sure Maxwell was easy to spot—small, yet imposing. Mr. Throg is everything, everyone else: an abomination, completely disgusting. It's reminiscent of epics like Beowulf, but I guess we're trying to flip the narrative on its head.”

Senior finance major Antonia Vázquez won third place with her work “Koi Pond,” a creation based on a visit to a historic Delaware site. 

“The piece was inspired by the koi pond at Winterthur Gardens,” said senior finance major Antonia Vasquez, this year’s third-place winner. “I visited over the summer, and the peaceful environment made a strong impression on me. I created this drawing using pastels, attempting to capture that same sense of tranquility. In the process, I learned more about koi—their longevity and symbolism of courage and determination.” 

Fourth-place winner Kaylee Kurys explained the deeper meaning of her photo “The Soul of the Canyon.”

“I took this photo while visiting National Parks with my dad over winter break,” said junior insect ecology and conservation major Kurys. “I think it's important to show people who might not be actively visiting these wild places the beauty of them. If they're not aware of what's being protected, they won’t care about the efforts being made to protect them.”

Senior visual communications major Jenna Kaufman described her personal inspiration behind “Time.”

“When I created this piece, I was in the midst of the stress of applying to college—feeling immense pressure to choose my next step while mourning the end of my childhood,” said Kaufman, this year’s fifth-place winner. “I visualized time as a physical form to show that no one can control it. The hands represent the desperation to grasp something inevitable, while time itself sits unchanging.”

Kaufman said students and viewers will all benefit differently from the display, whether they’re encouraged to enter themselves or what they take from the individual pieces.

“I hope it inspires viewers to create art, but also evokes emotional responses,” said Kaufman. “I love when people form their own interpretations, shaped by their own experiences.”

Junior visual communication major Kaitlin Loock—whose work “Master Copy of The Black Wolf of Currumpaw” won seventh place—encouraged fellow Blue Hens to take the leap and enter the contest.

“Just do it. I mulled over my decision to submit for a while too, but it felt good to have just participated,” said Loock. “Whether you win or not isn't what matters—it's that you took the step to put your work out there. Submit what makes you happy, what you're proud of and anything that speaks to you.”

Winning pieces are displayed on the student gallery wall in Perkins Student Center; the artwork can be viewed digitally now on the Student Life Artist Space. Looking to submit your own artwork for next year’s display? Submissions for next year's display are currently being accepted through March 1, 2026.