“Beyond the Game: A UD Athletic Homecoming,” through October 30

Exhibit: Through Friday, October 30

Reception: Friday, October 9, 3 – 5 p.m.

University of Dubuque's Bisignano Art Gallery, 2255 Bennett Street, Dubuque IA

With the showcased photographs captured by class-of-2025 alumna Hannah Bauch, patrons of the University of Dubuque's Bisignano Aet Gallery are invited to explore the multifaceted identities of student athletes, and the many layers that exist beyond their roles in competition, in the exhibition Beyond the Game: A UD Athletic Homecoming, on display through October 30.

The  coordinator of creative media, marketing, and fan engagement at the university, Bauch combines action-oriented imagery with glimpses into the lives and personalities of student-athletes to provide a deeper understanding of the person behind the performance.

Twenty-four photographs spanning 2023 through 2026 are on display in Beyond the Game: A UD Athletic Homecoming, and for Bauch, there is something beyond the game in photography itself: the privilege of freezing a moment in time. She can remember capturing the image and can recall the game as if it were yesterday. Bauch’s goal is to give the viewer a glimpse of the experience – to allow them to feel the energy of the moment.

“There is nothing more fulfilling than capturing raw emotion and genuine reaction," Bauch said. "The vulnerability athletes display when they compete is admirable, and I believe those moments deserve to be documented, as well."

Bauch’s photography journey began in fall 2022 when she was given the opportunity to work for the Department of Athletics as a student. She managed the department’s social media accounts, continuing to work as an intern until graduating in April of 2025 with a degree in digital art and design.

“Creating this gallery has given us an even deeper perspective on who these student-athletes are beyond the field, court, track, ice, or mat," said Bauch. "They are teammates, friends, students, leaders, competitors, and individuals with stories that extend far beyond the moments captured in competition."

A reception for Beyond the Game: A UD Athletic Homecoming will be held in the University of Dubuque's Bisignano Art Gallery on April 9 from 3 to 5 p.m., and the exhibit itself will be on display through October 30, Gallery hours are Mondays through Fridays from noon to 5 p.m., admission is free, and more information is available by calling (563)589-3267 and visiting Dbq.edu/HeritageCenter/BisignanoArtGallery.