‘On My Own Time’ artists earn accolades, invites to Everson exhibit

‘On My Own Time’ artists earn accolades, invites to Everson exhibitMay 25, 2005Roxanna Carpenterrocarpen@syr.edu

Consider the word “concinnity.” One might look it up to find its meaning, “harmony, elegance of design or assembly,”according to a dictionary definition.It’s not an everyday word for most, but it caught Jeanne Riley’s imagination when itpopped up on a word-of-the-day Web site.

Her three-piece quilt, titled “Concinnity,” is well put together and aptly named.Visitors to Syracuse University’s recent”On My Own Time” exhibition agreed.They voted it “Best of Show.” The exhibition,an inaugural year event mounted inthe Noble Room of Hendricks Chapel in April, featured 121 pieces of art by 62 University employees.

This is an encore honor for Riley,administrative assistant for School of Architecture Dean Mark Robbins. An earlier work was voted best in the 2000 show. Of this quilt she says, “I didn’t expect it at all.I was quite surprised.”

For Riley and for this quilt, concinnity means “the coming together of disparate elements.”

“It was that way with this quilt,” she says. “Different ideas were knocking around in my head. They came together inthis quilt.” And she admits to looking up “concinnity.”

“On My Own Time” is a community arts program begun in 1974, sponsored by the Cultural Resources Council (CRC) incooperation with the Everson Museum of Art, to showcase artistic talents of individuals employed by local businesses. The Office of the Chancellor and the Office of Human Resources sponsored this year’s University exhibit.

At SU, this year’s event celebrates and encourages creativity in faculty and staff by naming winners in three categories,after review by two panels of judges.Faculty and staff submitted artwork in a variety of media, including painting, ceramics, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, photography, collage/assemblage, fiber art,glasswork, computer art, metalwork andmixed media.

Mark Coldren, director of organizationaldevelopment and training in HumanResources and emcee for the awardsreception, says this year’s exhibit was”remarkable in terms of size and quality,”as evidenced by the number of piecesCRC and Everson judges chose for displayat the Everson’s “On My Own Time”exhibit this fall, Oct. 15-Nov. 13. Seventeenpieces from SU were selected, one ofthe largest groups of pieces chosen from asingle organization in years, according toEboni Britt, staff development specialistin Human Resources, who coordinatedthe Hendricks show along with LindaPitonzo, events coordinator in the Officeof the Chancellor.

A panel of University judges selectedthe following pieces for in-house awards:”Bowl #1,” ceramics, Susan Borker ofThe College of Arts and Sciences; “LeafPlatter,” ceramics, Arlene Sjoblom of theFaculty/Staff Assistance Program; “TheEye of the Storm,” Fiber art, Mary AnnFraser of Academic Affairs; “Concinnity,”Fiber art, Jeanne Riley of the Schoolof Architecture; “Elips,” glass art, DavidMcKenney of Physical Plant; “TravelBag,” a leather piece, James DeWitt ofPhysical Plant; “Ain’t Nature Great,” colorphotography, James Budrakey of the Centerfor Business Information Technologiesat University College; “Patience andRepentance,” color photography, KathleenPascarella of the Office of Publications;and “Dragonfly Dreams,” sculpture,Marcia Wisehoon of the S.I. NewhouseSchool of Public Communications.

Five artists were awarded in-houseprizes and had artwork selected forEverson exhibit: For color photography,Robert Gates of The College of Artsand Sciences, “Crouse College Steps”won an in-house award and “Fatal Attraction”will show at the Everson; alsofor color photography, Donal Little ofFaculty Computing and Media Services,”Martha’s Mandala” won an in-houseaward and “32 Modulations of Love”will show at the Everson; “God’s Light,”black and white photography, AmyArchambault of Faculty Computing andMedia Services, won an in-house awardand will show at the Everson; “Chautauqua,”painting, Wendy Harris of UniversityCollege, won an in-house award andwill show at the Everson; and “Ellie,”painting, Larry Schafer of the School ofEducation, won an in-house award andwill show at the Everson.

The panel of CRC and Eversonjudges also selected the following worksfor display in the Everson exhibition:”Lake,” pastel painting, Amanda Brownof The College of Arts and Sciences;”Cambridge,” color photography, TheresaDavis-Dye of the College of HumanServices and Health Professions; “Boxes and Trays,” ceramics, Julie Hall of theCenter for the Support of Teaching andLearning; “Plants and Structures,” colorphotography, Jessica Haynie of the Schoolof Architecture; “Blue Man,” sculpture,Ronald Kalinoski, formerly of Computingand Media Services; “Porcelain Bowl#1,” ceramics, Robert Levy of the Schoolof Architecture; “Fungus Cascade,” colorphotography, Kelly Pierson of The Collegeof Arts and Sciences; “Gossip Hour,”color photography, Scott Samson of TheCollege of Arts and Sciences; “Still Lifewith Hydrangea,” painting, Eric Shute ofthe College of Law library; “Winter Ice,”black-and-white photography, PenelopeSinger of E.S. Bird Library; “Girl withAntler,” printmaking, Stephen Singer ofE.S. Bird Library; and “Untitled,” colorphotography, Joe Viscomi of the Dean ofStudents Office.