WVU Libraries and the Art in the Libraries Committee are pleased to announce Kendall Taylor-Wright, a graduate student in the Department of History, as the winner of the 2026 Graduate Student Exhibit Award. Her winning proposal, “Hollow of History: Women of West Virginia,” will be brought to life as a physical exhibition opening this fall.
"We are delighted to name Kendall as this year's winner," said Art in the Libraries Curator Sally Brown. "Her exhibit, ‘Hollow of History: Women of West Virginia,’ is a powerful reminder of the rich educational and cultural history embedded in our state. Kendall's creative vision will undoubtedly inspire our students and library visitors."
"Hollow of History: Women of West Virginia," celebrates four extraordinary West Virginian women whose contributions to the Mountain State have shaped its artistic, educational, and civic history: Ancella Bickley, Ed. D.; Brucella Jordan, Ph. D; Anna McCright, and Elizabeth Harden Gilmore.
Three of these women, Bickley, Jordan, and McCright, are proud WVU alumni. While public memory often commemorates historical figures through buildings and roadways, the legacies of these four trailblazing Black women remain underrepresented in the broader historical narrative. Through this exhibition, Taylor-Wright seeks to elevate their stories and further establish their place in West Virginia history.
"Each West Virginian hollow (pronounced holler) is rich with history; this exhibition exposes another precious fissure rich with educational minerals." — Kendall T.W.
The exhibition will be on display in the Graduate Commons at the WVU Downtown Library throughout fall 2026 and spring 2027. Taylor-Wright will also present an exhibition talk on her research during the spring 2027 semester. Additional details will be announced at a later date.
To learn more about the Graduate Student Exhibit Award, past winners and upcoming events, visit the Art in the Libraries website. Follow @wvulibraries on Instagram and Facebook for updates on the exhibition and presentation.