Inspired by the PIVOT Skateboard Deck Art exhibition, museum intern Elise Lilburn (Studio Art ’21) conceived the idea of creating a student-led PIVOT exhibition. To identify participants, Lilburn reached out to fellow students in the Art & Design Department and conducted outreach in the Student Union Building. Interested students submitted proposal sketches of their skateboard designs along with samples of their previous artwork, which were reviewed by a selection committee. Those selected were provided with new or reclaimed skateboard decks and were given two weeks to complete their projects.
Participating student artists included Tayen Booth, Danni Crombie, Qootsvenma Denipah-Cook, Nadya Erlandson, Zyan Frauen, Marina Galasso, Skyler Kling, Maddie Lamb, Elise Lilburn, Noah Lindenthal, Damian Linscott, AJ Lopez, Destiny Morgan, Benjamin Rogers, Chloe Umdenstock, Kara Vadeboncoeur, Kaylan Yazzie, and Clarissa Zeller.
Serving as exhibition curator, Lilburn coordinated with building administrators, Physical Plant, and Center staff to identify campus locations, oversee the installation of the skateboard decks, and develop exhibition label text. The exhibition highlighted student creativity and dedication, providing a platform for participants to express their identities through both visual art and personal statements.
Reflecting on the project, Lilburn stated:
“This project excited me for many reasons—a huge one being that I wanted students’ art showcasing their identity to be represented across campus and not just in the art building. The greatest way to celebrate our diversity is through art. I also loved working with other students on collaborative projects.”