Shaghayegh “Shay” Rezaie used illustrations from an old anatomy book she found on clearance at a local store to create a work of art filled with happiness and hope.

“Everything about it is recycled,” said Mrs. Rezaie of the framed collage of heart, intestine, and butterfly images. “I love using recycled items to make joy.”

Shaghayegh “Shay” Rezaie won the People’s Choice Award for her mixed media work titled Butterflies in My Heart, two framed collages of heart, intestine, and butterfly images.

The mixed media work, titled Butterflies in My Heart, won the People’s Choice Award at the annual On My Own Time art exhibition and competition, now in its 23rd year at UT Southwestern.

But it was not the only artwork that was inspired by delight. Darin Triplett’s monochromatic oil painting, My Heart is Filled with Joy, won Best of Show. The piece captures the beauty and strength of a Black woman against a vibrant background.

“It’s about joy, energy, and the celebration of life,” Mr. Triplett said.

The competition, a program of the Business Council for the Arts (BCA), attracted nearly 60 visual art entries by UT Southwestern employees and students who focused on everything from dragons to fruit in their creations. Winners and those who received honorable mentions were recognized at an Aug. 15 reception hosted by UT Southwestern.

Stacie Adams, CEO of the Business Council for the Arts (BCA), shares with participants who attended the On My Own Time art show reception about programs of the BCA arts organization.

“Once again, I’m impressed with the variety and outstanding quality of submissions in BCA’s annual On My Own Time exhibition and competition,” said Courtney Crothers, Art Curator for UTSW.

First Place, People’s Choice, and Best in Show winners from UT Southwestern and other participating companies across North Texas were on display at the regional On My Own Time exhibition Aug. 30-Sept. 13 at NorthPark Center.

People’s Choice

Mrs. Rezaie, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Radiation Oncology, utilized 3D cut paper butterflies to convey different messages in her collage diptych. In one piece, butterflies emerging from the image of a stomach were used to suggest the stress people often feel when they are nervous, she said. In the other, butterflies integrated with images of red blood cells, the heart, and a diagram of the cardiovascular system evoke calm and tranquility.

“Butterflies to me are transformative and symbolize rebirth,” said Mrs. Rezaie, whose artwork in her office inspires co-workers. “Butterflies bring me hope and joy.”

Estefanie Garduno Rapp receives the First Place, Amateur award in the Corporate or Department Collaboration category on behalf of her team for its entry called Postal Card from Jeremy Falke, M.B.A., Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer.

Collages are Mrs. Rezaie’s most recent way to express herself. The daughter of an artist, she grew up in Iran working in different mediums, including pottery.

At age 26, she moved to Dallas with the intention to pursue a horticulture doctorate, then decided to go into nursing. Although her plans changed, a love of art remained a constant in her life.

When she came to work at UTSW, Mrs. Rezaie was mesmerized by the art throughout campus, especially the orange glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly, installed in the lobby of the Seay Biomedical Building on North Campus.

“UT Southwestern feels like a huge museum to me,” she said. “Art is so important; I really believe art connects people.”

On My Own Time art show participant Ann Chisholm checks out entries on display at the reception honoring award winners.

Best of Show

Mr. Triplett was just 2 years old when he started drawing – and hardly ever stopped.

“Art was something I always just took to,” he said.

The self-taught artist, who grew up in Chicago, has experimented with many mediums, including sculpture, painting, and photography. In addition to winning Best of Show, he took First Place in the Black & White Photography category with a photo of a woman titled I know you know I want you to kiss me … Do it!

But oil painting remains his greatest passion.

“Oil painting has a translucent quality that you can add depth to,” he said. “I like the historic factor too; many great masters painted with oils.”

In his winning painting of a woman beaming with joy, a monochromatic figure embodies depth and complexity while an orange background represents hope and happiness.

Trained as an architect, Mr. Triplett joined UTSW in 2021 and is Manager of Design in Planning and Construction. Away from work, Mr. Triplett is dedicated to his craft. It is not unusual for him to start his day or end it creating art, a passion so great that even his apartment loft is arranged like an artist’s gallery.

“Sometimes I wake up early in the morning to draw before I go to work,” he said. “It’s joyful.”

Nearly 60 visual art entries were submitted at the show this year, the 23rd annual event recognizing the artistic and literary talents of UTSW employees and students.