Grand Forks Through My Lens Photo Exhibition set for April 10
Exhibition will feature 40 photographs taken in Grand Forks by UND international students representing 16 countries
What: Grand Forks Through My Lens Photo Exhibition
When: 4 to 6 p.m., Friday, April 10, 2026
Where: Empire Arts Center, 415 DeMers Ave., Grand Forks
Details: Free and open to the public; food and refreshments provided
Event summary
The exhibition features 40 photographs taken in Grand Forks by UND international students representing 16 countries. The photos are meant to highlight the students’ unique perspectives on Grand Forks.
Organized by the UND International Center in collaboration with Student Affairs and UND Art Collections, the project invited students to capture everyday scenes using only their smartphones.
The main idea was to ask international students to take pictures of the city, to help viewers experience how Grand Forks is seen through the students’ eyes, said organizer Manuela Gabriel, director of UND’s International Center.
Submissions for this year’s exhibition totaled more than 100 photos, with 40 selected for display. Winning entries will be announced during the opening reception, with scholarships awarded for first-, second- and third-place finishers.
Gabriel said that the unique perspectives highlighted by the event make it a one-of-a-kind exhibition in Grand Forks.
“A lot of our international students are experiencing snow for the first time, or the colors of the fall for the first time,” Gabriel said. “We wanted to see through their lens how they see the city.”
The opening reception will bring together members of the UND and Grand Forks communities, along with participating student photographers. The exhibition will remain on display at the Empire Arts Center through Aug. 31, allowing visitors to experience the collection throughout the summer.
