Bennington College Alum Julia Duva Secures International Sculpture Award

Julia Duva, a graduate of Bennington College, has been awarded the highly regarded International Sculpture Center’s Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award for 2025. Nominated by her faculty member John Umphlett during her senior year, Duva’s recognition highlights her talent and innovative approach to sculpture.

Umphlett, who joined Bennington College’s faculty in 2022, expressed his commitment to guiding students through the transition from academic life to professional careers. He noted, “There’s not really a ‘sculptor job’,” emphasizing the need for students to discover opportunities that align with their artistic aspirations. His interest in enhancing student prospects led him to explore nomination opportunities for prestigious awards, ultimately leading to Duva’s nomination.

Duva, who graduated in 2025, has long been passionate about ceramics, a medium she began exploring in high school. For her senior project, she conceptualized and created a piece titled (784) Blanket, 2025, which involves a unique combination of performance, ceramics, and textiles. The project evolved significantly over the course of her studies, and she dedicated herself to crafting a sculpture that reflected her artistic journey.

“I was so psyched about it,” Duva recalled, explaining how her initial ideas transformed throughout her senior year. The concept behind her final piece involved using tiles strung together with thread to create a dynamic sculpture. Duva meticulously calculated the materials needed, ultimately using about 100 lbs. of clay to produce 900 tiles, of which 784 tiles were included in the final work. Her attention to detail ensured that the glaze enhanced the appearance of each tile, resulting in a striking visual effect.

To meet the nomination deadline, Duva enlisted her mother’s help to weave the tiles together, an experience she described as both enjoyable and productive. The finished piece was showcased in two forms: as a hanging sheet with photographic tiles and as a true blanket draped over a human form. This dual presentation underscored the interplay between movement and material, a theme central to Duva’s artistic vision.

Umphlett emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of education at Bennington College, crediting the collaborative environment for fostering student creativity. Duva expressed her gratitude for the mentorship she received from faculty members, including Aysha Peltz, Yoko Inoue, Anina Major, and Umphlett himself. She stated, “I felt like my art was taken seriously for four years, and it has led to serious opportunities for me post-grad.”

Currently, Duva teaches ceramics at the Buxton School in Williamstown, Massachusetts. She incorporates the reflective practices she learned at Bennington into her teaching, fostering a creative environment for her students. Although she initially kept her award a secret, the school community celebrated her achievement collectively. Duva noted that winning the award adds a layer of legitimacy to her work and enhances her teaching credibility.

Duva is among only ten students nationwide to receive this prestigious award, selected from 176 nominees representing 96 schools. Her artwork will be featured in the January/February issue of Sculpture magazine and at the 31st Annual Sculpture Conference in Texas.

Umphlett plans to continue nominating Bennington College seniors for the International Sculpture Center’s Outstanding Student Achievement Award. He views the nomination process as an essential capstone for students, providing validation for their accomplishments and a pathway to future opportunities. “This is something that I want to continue,” he affirmed, underscoring the college’s commitment to producing well-rounded and competitive artists.

For more information on the award recipients and honorable mentions, visit sculpture.org/page/studentawards.