Soon-to-be junior Hannah Carr is the winner of the University of Utah’s 175th Anniversary Student Art Contest. 

“The piece I’m going to create will be a time capsule of this moment in a way,” Carr said. “It will reflect how I perceive the university and this community right now. And that will be different than how things looked 50 years ago, and how they will look 50 years into the future.”

A fine arts major with an emphasis in illustration, Carr’s design will feature a large Block U with images of students engaged in various creative activities on campus—playing music, performing in a play, designing on a computer, etc. Carr says she resonates more with intimate education spaces as an artist, rather than “large chaotic social spaces.”

“I’ve never been to a football game or a Crimson Nights but I’ve found joy and connection with my school and peers in spaces such as the library or Utah Museum of Fine Arts and at events like theater performances and art shows,” she said. 

Carr’s love of illustration started young— her long-time dream job is to illustrate children’s books. As she’s studied illustration and improved her skills, she’s developed an even deeper appreciation of the art form and the way it tells stories. She’s looking forward to the insight she will gain as she creates a piece to represent campus. 

“Because my art usually features people, when I am working on a project, I become more aware of the people around me,” Carr said. “I notice people more on the bus; I watch what people are wearing. It makes me grateful to be alive in a world that is so special.” 

Carr’s final design will be completed this fall and available for purchase as merchandise at the Campus Store.