6 ‘On My Own Time’ Faculty/Staff Artists Selected to Display Work at the Everson Museum of Art This Fall

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This year marks the 50th anniversary of “On My Own Time,” a program spearheaded by CNY Arts to celebrate the often-unsung artists employed by local businesses in the Central New York community and who create art … well, on their own time.

Syracuse University has participated in “On My Own Time” ever year it has been offered since 1982. Over the years, it’s estimated that more than 1,800 faculty and staff have exhibited.

This year’s on-campus exhibition, which was displayed in Hendricks Chapel throughout late May and early June, comprised 34 pieces of art from 17 faculty/staff artists representing 14 schools, colleges and departments across the University. The diverse range of artwork submitted this year included drawing, photography, painting, sculpture, glasswork, jewelry making, printmaking, fiber art, computer art and collage/assemblage.

Of the 17 artists, six were selected to display their art at the “On My Own Time” finale exhibition at the Everson Museum of Art from Oct. 11-Nov. 7. Five artists were selected by CNY Arts judges and a sixth individual received the People’s Choice Award, nominated by folks on campus who visited this year’s exhibition.

Margaret Voss, Margaret Butler, Jenny Saluti, Austine Emifoniye and Marie Luther at the "On My Own Time" artists reception — From left: Margaret Voss, Margaret Butler, Jenny Saluti, Austine Emifoniye and Marie Luther at the artists reception and awards ceremony June 8. Congratulations to this year’s winners, including Shikha Nangia (not pictured). (Photo by Angela Ryan)

The artwork and artists selected to exhibit at the Everson are the following:

“Birds in Winter” by Margaret Butler, administrative specialist, College of Arts and Sciences (People’s Choice Award winner)
“Royal Procession” by Austine Emifoniye, graduate assistant, School of Design, College of Visual and Performing Arts
“Two Water Lilies” by Marie Luther, accounting clerk, College of Visual and Performing Arts
“See How Brain Protects Itself from Intruders” by Shikha Nangia, professor of biomedical and chemical engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
“Westie Holiday Surface Design” by Jenny Saluti, director of recruitment and admissions, College of Visual and Performing Arts
“A Rococo Homage” by Margaret Voss, associate professor of nutrition and food studies, Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics

All of the winning artwork can be viewed below.

“Syracuse University’s steadfast history of participation in ‘On My Own Time’ highlights our commitment to community partnerships, connecting our campus community with the broader Central New York community,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer Andrew R. Gordon at the artists reception and awards ceremony, held June 8. “The program is a symbol of our SU employer culture—a culture where we engage our team and celebrate the unique gifts they bring to the organization to make it such a wonderful place.”

Creating art can be both a relaxing and rewarding endeavor, even for those who don’t do it professionally.

“Creating a piece is a journey of many decisions. When I hold a finished piece that means I have persevered through each decision and met every challenge. That is the reward!” says Luther. “To find a message important enough to express in a piece of art involves looking inward and outward with depth. It is an honor to have something that I created displayed in the Everson.”

Voss says this recognition is extra special, as she made the piece of jewelry she entered in “On My Own Time” for a friend of her daughter to wear to her junior prom.

“Usually I paint in my free time, but this year I tried my hand at designing jewelry,” Voss says. “Not only was she beautifully adorned for what can be an awkward adolescent milestone, but she now owns a unique piece of art that will reside briefly in the Everson Museum. I hope it gives her great joy, and a few bragging rights, in the future.”

For Emifoniye, creating art on his own time adds value to his routine outside the pace and routine of his normal work. “It gives a form of relaxation as I channel creative energies and inspiration from the SU environment into producing art,” he says. “Exhibiting the resulting art at the prestigious Everson Museum is quite fulfilling.”

Additional participating faculty and staff artists include Molly Cavanaugh, Jesse Darling, Christian Day, Lisa Kennedy, John Olson, Christina Papaleo, Scott Samson, Christine Signy, Joseph Stoll, Ronald Thiele and Lynn Wilcox.

faculty and staff members pose together at the 2023 "On My Own Time" artists reception and awards ceremony — This year’s participants in “On My Own Time” (Photo by Angela Ryan)

Thank you to all who entered this year’s “On My Own Time” exhibition. The entire campus community is invited to visit the Everson this fall to see the artwork of the University’s winners and other local organizations on display. More information can be found on the CNY Arts website.