Amid record-low temperatures, many students, faculty and community members gathered on Jan. 23 for the 40th Annual Stilwell Student Awards Exhibition. For the University of South Dakota Art Galleries, this is the most-awaited exhibition of the year. Every piece of art conveyed the artist’s awareness of the outside world and their resistance or opposition to societal views. For some student artists, this was their first public exhibition. It stands as a testament to the dreams and dedication of student artists, encouraging visitors to brave the cold and see the work firsthand.