A UMD art student gathered their crocheted senior exhibition pieces from the Tweed Museum as their showcase came to an end on a Tuesday morning in April.

Caitlin Larson walked past the wall where their stop-motion piece used to play on repeat, past the patched nail holes and tensionless cords on the floor.

“You’re good,” Freddie Parrella, a studio technician, said. There was no work left to be done.

Four hours of set-up was deconstructed in under 30 minutes; in just a few hours, a new exhibit would fill the room.

Larson is a fifth-year UMD student from Starbuck, MN. As a studio art major, they had the opportunity to showcase their own art in the Tweed Museum. Their exhibition, titled “Not Kidding,” features a “yarn on yarn” medium of crochet.

They hung their pieces up from the ceiling using fishing line, next to their sculpture supported by cardboard boxes and nails. On the back wall played a stop-motion video that consisted of crocheted characters and settings. 

Larson first learned how to crochet in late 2022 and dedicated about 40 hours of work to their exhibition. “My hands would be bleeding at some points,” Larson said. “I would wake up and my hands would be in pain.” 

Contrary to the physical toll of their work, the process itself had a “tender-loving nature” which brought back fond memories. Larson valued the emotional aspect of touching every piece of yarn, as their objective was to create a series of high art.

Themes of childhood trauma are often present in Larson’s work, which they have been advised against doing. “There’s some things that stay with you,” Larson said. “Do what you want, otherwise it’s not going to resonate with anyone.”

Their goal was to simplify memorable scenes of adolescence by emphasizing positive aspects, even though it may have not always been easy. 

“My favorite part [of being an artist] is that I can do whatever I want,” Larson said. They advised to never be swayed by others and to focus on one’s own feelings and desires instead.

They admitted the journey was taxing, but knew its worth. Larson even wished they could view all art students’ exhibitions at once because “everyone did something so different.”

Parella described senior exhibitions as  “vitally important,” as they allow others to view student work in an accessible way. “They’re very important to the ecosystem of the student body,” Parella said.

Though Larson’s exhibition is over, Parella described it as “paradoxical,” where, though it may be the end, it is only the beginning of a “new seed.” 

Going forward, Larson plans to continue making and selling their work at local events. They also hope to collaborate with other artists in the future. Although they are staying in Duluth for the time being, they are continuing to branch out.

“I’m in a flow with my style,” Larson said. “I haven’t peaked yet, I hope not.”