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Duke in Pics: Employee Art Show Winners

Paintings, drawings, sculptures and other art on display until Oct. 1

Sharon Swanson, far left. program coordinator for Arts & Health at Duke, Maren Reid, of the National Arts Program Foundation, Duke employee Michael Palko, and Robyn McGinley of the National Arts Program view entries in the Employee Art Show. Photo by Mar
Sharon Swanson, far left. program coordinator for Arts & Health at Duke, Maren Reid, of the National Arts Program Foundation, Duke employee Michael Palko, and Robyn McGinley of the National Arts Program view entries in the Employee Art Show. Photo by Marsha A. Green.

Dozens of employees and their family members gathered at Duke University Hospital last week for the announcement of 27 prizes in Duke's 35th annual Employee Art Show.

This year's art show was the largest ever with 158 entries from employees and their immediate family members.

"When we started the Employee Art Show in 1978, we weren't sure it would work, so it tickles me that it is still going strong 35 years later," said Janice Palmer, retired director of the arts program at Duke Hospital, who helped distribute the prizes. "It shows that there are artists all over Duke."

Maria Gregory, a Duke Human Resources Information Center specialist, attended the reception to see if her 73-year-old mother's watercolor painting, "Landed Egret," would win an award. As her mother's name was called for third place in the intermediate category, Gregory gave a high five to her father.

"Mom will be so excited," said Gregory, as she accepted the prize envelope containing $100. "She'd be here to pick up the prize herself, but she's teaching guitar this afternoon."

All 158 entries from the art show will be on display until Oct. 1. The artwork is displayed in four galleries at Duke:

  • Arts & Health Galleries in Duke University Hospital (near cafeteria)
  • Eye Center Reception Gallery
  • Eye Center Touchable Art Gallery
  • Perkins Library, first floor

The Employee Art Show is co-sponsored by the National Arts Program Foundation and Arts & Health at Duke. The full list of winners is available here.

Maria Gregory, right, and her father Dave Dunson, in front of Judy Dunson's third place winning painting "Landed Egret," on display in the Arts & Health Gallery in Duke University Hospital.