DENTON, Texas (UNT) – A University of North Texas graduate who put down his brushes for eight years recently decided to take up painting again – and pursuing this passion led to a Best in Show win.
College of Visual Arts and Design graduate Kenneth Nicholson was named the 2013 Best of Show winner of UNT’s On My Own Time exhibition on Aug. 8. The show included works, both professional and amateur, in a variety of media from UNT employees who create art “on their own time” – that is, not as part of their jobs.
The full list of UNT winners is at the bottom of this release.
On My Own Time is an annual art competition that includes participation from a variety of businesses around the North Texas region. First place winners advance to a regional show at NorthPark Center shopping mall, 8687 N. Central Expressway, Dallas. The reception for the NorthPark show is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 15 (Sunday). The works will be on display through Sept. 28 (Saturday).
This was the first time Nicholson, who has worked as a custodian at UNT for five years, entered the competition. Though he’s been painting off-and-on since 1996, it had been eight years since he’d focused on art. Yet, after he recently took up painting again – when a friend asked him to paint a portrait – Nicholson knew he couldn’t ignore the desire he had to paint.
His winning piece, Magenta 691, includes themes and elements that Nicholson uses in his painting – abstraction and light.
“The common thread in my painting is about the elements of light and color. They coalesce to create atmosphere and mood. Painting is my attempt to crystallize a small portion of the beauty I find in my surroundings,” Nicholson said.
Nicholson also won first place in the Works on Canvas Amateur category and the People’s Choice award, voted on by those who viewed the exhibition.
The On My Own Time competition is a program of the North Texas Business Council for the Arts. The competition is in its 21st year. The council was started by Dallas developer, philanthropist and art collector Raymond D. Nasher.
At UNT, the competition is supported by Vice President for Finance and Administration Andrew Harris and coordinated by a steering committee that included Institute for the Advancement of the Arts Director Herbert Holl and IAA Administrative Coordinator Meredith Buie; Dean of the College of Visual Arts and Design and chair of the UNT Art in Public Places Program Robert Milnes; and Staff Senate representatives Charles Andrews, Rachel Grimes, Dilana King and Hillary Castillo.
2013 UNT On My Own Time winners are:
Best in Show – Kenneth Nicholson, Magenta 691
Best in Show, honorable mention – Michael Furrh, Blue Tape and Sand 1
People’s Choice award – Kenneth Nicholson, Magenta 691
People’s Choice honorable mentions – Sam Ivie, Anca III; Cheryl McQueen, Summer Turns to Autumn; Dianne Jansing, The Sunflower is Mine in a Way
First place awards:
Works on Canvas, Professional – Sam Ivie, Anca
Works on Canvas, Amateur – Kenneth Nicholson, Magenta 691
Works on Paper, Professional – Sam Ivie, Anca III
Works on Paper, Amateur – Rebecca Barham, The Serpent’s Gift is Enlightenment
Color Photography, Professional – Jeremy Moore, Achatina Fulica, Giant African Land Snail
Color Photography, Amateur – Alyssa Hedenstrom, La Luz
B&W Photography, Professional – Jeremy Moore, L’orangie du Chateua de Krsaillas
B&W Photography, Amateur – Michelle Farley, Gypsy Woman
Enhanced Photography, Professional – Lynne Richards, Eagle’s Flight
Enhanced Photography, Amateur – Brian Richman, Denton Dog
Sculpture, Professional – Michael Furrh, Mycelium
Mixed Media, Professional – Michael Furrh, Blue Tape and Sand 1
Mixed Media, Amateur – Keith Chapman, Shadowbox 7
Textiles, Amateur – Betsy Snethen, Stash Afghan
Honorable mentions:
- Rachel Black, Cousins
- Meredith Buie, (two honorable mentions), Alana and Night Drive
- Dianne Jansing, The Sunflower is Mine in a Way
- Jonathan Reynolds, Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas
- Nancy Stockdale, A Zeppelin over San Francisco
- Hannah Tarver, The Webb
- Susan Whitmer, Bike Painting #4