USD represented in Omaha gallery

 Gallery 1516 in Omaha, Neb. opened its current exhibition on Oct. 9 featuring two University of South Dakota students. Those students are second-year Colton Tolly and third-year Abby Saylor. The exhibition is named the 2026 Regional Photo Biennial Juried Exhibition and has categories for professionals, but also features student submissions.

     For both students this exhibition was the first they had participated in. They were both not only chosen for the gallery, but they also won awards. Tolly won best in student category and Saylor received an honorable mention.

     “It was really great to see the fruits of my work and it encouraged me to keep doing my thing” Saylor said. “It gives me that validation that I do know what I’m doing and that my work does have meaning”

     Saylor’s piece “Edge of Control” features a barrel racer from the 2025 riverboat days in Yankton. She was inspired by her childhood friend who is a barrel racer. Though her inspirations go beyond just one person, there are many reasons why she continues her photography.

     “I like the places it brings me and the people it connects me with. It has given me a lot of opportunities that I might otherwise have never had” Saylor said. “Through my work I’ve met so many wonderful people and they’ve given me opportunities to grow.”

Saylor started photography her junior year of high school and worked on her high school yearbook. Now she runs Street Team for Student Engagement Marketing and her work can also be found on USD involved and USD marketing.

     As for Tolly, his piece “A Moment Between” features a dancer from the 52nd annual Wacipi here at USD.

     “I got really lucky in capturing such a cool moment,” Tolly said. He had chosen the dancer for the striking white line across his face, but chose that photo because “His eyes are closed, so it’s a moment of reflection for him” Tolly said.

     Tolly also started getting more into photography his junior year of high school, but he had been exposed to it from a young age because of his mother.

     “My mom is the reason why I started picking up photography at all. She’s always been super encouraging with any of the different things I get into” Tolly said.

     From starting by photographing his high school track and field team, to now. You can find more of his photos in The Volante, and in the USD athletic department.

For both students this experience was a first, but both hope it won’t be their last. They’ll continue applying for similar things, but in the meantime their work can be found around campus. If you want to see their work in the gallery, the exhibition is open through Dec. 20 in Omaha.