Clay Guild Pint Night - University of North Texas Senior Kat Hardy drinks out of her own mug at Lucky's Lou's Clay Guild night on Tuesday, Apr. 28, 2026. Hardy is a ceramics major and wishes to continue living in Denton after graduation. (photo by Genevieve Kaufmann)
Mug Shots of a Ceramics Major
Covered in clay and carrying the weight of independence, Kat Hardy navigates between livelihood and learning as she tackles school, work, and her future. This photo series works to capture the quiet tenacity of a student working to support herself through college while also finding the time and energy to continue practicing what she loves to do: ceramics. The images personally detail Hardy’s life behind her mugs and creations along with giving insight into her world inside and outside of her own pieces of art. Hardy is involved in the Clay Guild at UNT as well as multiple art cooperations that allow her creativity to thrive in such a precarious and constantly-changing time. Moving between multiple lectures and studio time, each photo highlights the resilience needed in order to shape not only clay but also a future.
Darts at Lou’s - University of North Texas Senior Kat Hardy plays darts with her friends at Lucky Lou's Pint Night on Tuesday, Apr. 28, 2026. (photo by Genevieve Kaufmann)
Bullseye for Pint Night - University of North Texas Senior Kat Hardy wins her dart game at Lucky Lou's in Denton on Tuesday, Apr. 28, 2026. (photo by Genevieve Kaufmann)
Early Morning Contemplations - University of North Texas Senior Kat Hardy sits in her car after a long night at her ceramics studio in Denton on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Hardy usually spends almost all night in the studio during project weeks. (photo by Genevieve Kaufmann)
Taking Some Time - University of North Texas Senior Kat Hardy sits under her apartment stairs in Denton on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. One of Hardy's favorite spots to sit is under her stairs as it allows her time to think. (photo by Genevieve Kaufmann)
Coming Back Home - University of North Texas Senior Kat Hardy unlocks the front door to her apartment in Denton on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (photo by Genevieve Kaufmann)
Waking Up - 22-year-old Kat Hardy makes green tea in her kitchen on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Hardy likes to take a moment each morning to be by herself before starting her hectic day. (photo by Genevieve Kaufmann)
Making Tea - 22-year-old Kat Hardy makes green tea before starting her day on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Hardy drinks one tea a day and wants to try as many as she can by the time summer ends.(photo by Genevieve Kaufmann)
Catching Up on Some Reading - University of North Texas Senior Kat Hardy sits and reads her favorite book at her apartment in Denton on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Hardy wants to finish 10 books by the end of the summer.(photo by Genevieve Kaufmann)
Working Nonstop - University of North Texas Senior Kat Hardy sits at her apartment table while finishing work in Denton on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Hardy works 30 hours a week outside of school and extracurriculars. (photo by Genevieve Kaufmann)
Mug Collections - 22-year-old Kat Hardy puts away one of her handmade mugs back into a hutch her roommate found in Denton on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Both Hardy and her roommate are ceramic majors, so their home is filled with mugs and knickknacks. (photo by Genevieve Kaufmann)
Quiet Watering - 22-year-old Kat Hardy waters her roommates bonsai tree while she is gone visiting family on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Hardy found the plant from a vendor as well as the lego version for her roommate's birthday. (photo by Genevieve Kaufmann)
Moments of Calm - Ceramics major Kat Hardy sits on her bed with her cat Momo in her apartment in Denton on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (photo by Genevieve Kaufmann)