As Lehigh professor and accomplished painter Deirdre Murphy planned her art exhibit at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove toward the end of 2025, she wanted to give a student the opportunity to design the exhibit’s corresponding art catalog. When design professor Maurizio Masi recommended junior Jua Kim, Murphy got more than she bargained for: a student whose work and work ethic were as good as a professional’s.
“Jua Kim was top on Masi’s list, and I could instantly see why when I interviewed her. Not only did she have a solid portfolio, but she also possessed a strong work ethic, good communication skills, and the ability to meet deadlines,” she said. “Jua created a museum quality catalog, exhibition announcement and is working on a social media campaign to round out her portfolio.”
Murphy’s solo exhibit, “Home Making,” features 12 paintings portraying birds and the environments where they live in keeping with her career-long focus on art and ecology. It is one of four exhibits displayed at the Audubon Center in the spring and summer of 2026; Murphy’s work is also featured in a joint exhibit with Yvonne Love called Field Notes. The exhibit will be on display through August 16.
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