Nothing makes the NuVu coaches and staff happier than an all-school exhibition—except perhaps an all-school Fall Exhibition combined with an Open House that turned our Central Square campus into a standing-room-only gathering.

On November 20, 2025, students presented their work from the fall session, showcasing projects to friends, family, and—for the first time—those curious about a NuVu education. Nearly a dozen prospective families joined the lively crowd.

As Karen Sutton, our Director of Admissions and Chief of Staff, explains, exhibition nights offer a wonderful mentoring moment for younger students. “Every year we witness how the work of the older, more experienced NuVu students pushes the younger students to step up and perform in new and exciting ways,” she shares. “The exhibition process highlights their work but also informs much of their growth.”

One of the evening’s first presentations came from Small Architecture, a group of students working with Troy Williams, founder of Restorative Media Inc., a nonprofit social impact organization focused on inspiring social transformation. Their goal: design a living, working, and healing space for people reintegrating into society after incarceration. Students shared their research, design work, and plans for facilities Troy hopes to build on his father’s ranch.

Exhibition nights are also a chance to celebrate student growth, says Dean of Students Jon Turnquist. “The output that we care most about is how the students are able to talk about their work and present themselves to the outside world,” he explains. “That’s the skill that’s going to serve them most in the future.”

Other student presentations included a Ropeless Lobster Trap designed to help fishermen work more sustainably; a collaboration with Cherish Health to create a product that helps older adults live safely at home; a new student-developed game design; and Politics on Your Plate, a studio blending geopolitical research with culinary creativity.

Coach Ryan Ferguson notes that exhibition nights benefit not only students but their families as well. “Parents often only hear bits and pieces about what their student is working on,” he says. “It’s good to see the variety, breadth, and depth of the work the students do.”

The most exciting part of the night comes after the presentations, when every student displays their work throughout the NuVu space and attendees can interact with them directly. The room was buzzing with creativity and enthusiasm.

This part of the evening is especially meaningful for staff. Coach Ayush Gandhi explains that because he’s leading a studio during the trimester, he rarely gets to see what other students are building. “On this night, getting to talk to each student group, see their project, understand how they thought about an idea, and feel their excitement—just seeing them proud of the work they’ve put in throughout the trimester—this moment of celebration is full of joy.”

One set of grandparents visiting NuVu for the first time was astonished not only by the quality of the students’ work, but by the transformation in their granddaughter. “She never wanted to talk about school before,” they shared, “and now she tells us what she’s working on with so much excitement.”

For Maddie Schroeder, a NuVu alumna now on staff, the evening brought back memories of her own exhibition nights. “To watch the kids have the opportunity to present their work, be excited about it, and share it with the people they love—it was so fun to watch,” she says.

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