Celebrating 15 years of 'On Our Own Time'
Ruben Moreno, senior exhibit specialist with the Arizona State Museum, poses with his painting "La Pesadilla de Pedro Páramo," which took second place in the professional category last year.
Pamela Wagner, exhibit coordinator for "On Our Own Time" and operations coordinator in the Department of Family and Community Medicine
Employees and members of their families can get 2025 off to a creative start by taking part in the 15th annual "On Our Own Time" art exhibition and competition. Employees, retirees, volunteers and their immediate family members are eligible to showcase their art and compete for more than $3,000 in prizes.
Shailender Chauhan, assistant scientific investigator in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, won first place in the amateur category last year for his entry "Wild Connection."
"I'm so excited to see this event achieve 15 years," said Pamela Wagner, exhibit coordinator and operations coordinator for the Department of Family and Community Medicine in the College of Medicine – Tucson. "Some people call this the ruby anniversary – an appropriate color for our university. The awesome people that I've met, the incredible art that I've seen and the true camaraderie that has been cultivated makes all the effort worthwhile."
The exhibit will be set up in the lobby of the Bioscience Research Laboratories building, 1230 N. Cherry Ave., from Feb. 3-15. A panel of judges will select a best-in-show winner and winners in five categories: professional, intermediate, amateur, teen and youth. The 2025 artist's reception will be in the BSRL lobby on Feb. 15 from 10 a.m.-noon. Those who attend can vote for two People's Choice Awards – one for adults and one for teens and youth.
"Participating allows me the opportunity to share my creative voice with a community outside the art scene," said Ruben Moreno, senior exhibit specialist at the Arizona State Museum, whose painting "La Pesadilla de Pedro Páramo" took second place in the professional category last year. "I value the chance to contribute to an environment where creativity and individuality are celebrated, and it's also rewarding to build connections among colleagues."
"On Our Own Time" is funded entirely through the National Arts Program, an organization that partners with workplaces across the nation to recognize the artistic expression of employees and their families. The program is coordinated by the university's Employee Recognition Committee.
Shailender Chauhan, assistant scientific investigator in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, said the program allows him to express his passion for wildlife photography and learn from experienced artists.
"I often find my true self in nature, and creating art brings me one step closer to wildlife," said Chauhan, whose photograph of a lion won first place in the amateur category last year. "Sharing art is important for me to express my connection with wildlife. It is fulfilling when people are engaged with your art and you gain their unique perspectives."
Those who want to participate must submit their artwork online by Feb. 1. There is no entry fee.
Need some inspiration? Check out the list of winners from last year on the Employee Recognition Committee website and view winning entries from previous years on the National Arts Program website.