The UNM Staff Council has established a new, weeklong event titled, “Celebrating UNM Staff Week,” to be held on campus July 19-24. The opening event features an art exhibition and reception highlighting the diverse artistic talents of UNM staff. Submissions range from mixed media, sculpture, pen and ink, photography and tinwork.
The kickoff event will be held Monday, July 19, from 4 to 6 p.m., in rm. 105 at Masley Gallery located in Travelstead Hall at the College of Education. Welcoming remarks by Raqui Martinez of the Rewards and Recognition Commitee will begin at 4:30 p.m. It will be co-hosted by the Human Resources Department and the Staff Council’s Rewards and Recognition Committee.
The art exhibition will continue throughout the week from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with gallery sitters from the UNM Retiree Association. Visitors will have the opportunity to select the “Viewer’s Favorite” with prizes to be awarded at the show’s closing on July 23.
The idea for the celebration of UNM staff week and art exhibition was hatched from a brainstorming session between newly elected Staff Council President Steve Borbas and Administrative Assistant Karin Retskin. The idea was to implement an event celebrating staff and highlighting the work of the Staff Council.
Borbas and Retskin said they already knew of the many “hidden” artistic talents of co-workers and that finding staff to participate would be easy. The biggest challenge they thought was finding gallery space on campus for such an ambitious adventure.
Linney Wix, program coordinator for the Art Education Department was contacted and very supportive of the idea. “The summertime is slow for the gallery and the idea of an exhibition highlighting the artistic talents of staff was very appealing,” she said.
“The size and scope of this year’s show is only limited by the size of the gallery,” added Retskin. “We have wall space for 30-40 submissions and pedestal space for about five pieces.”
Other events for the celebratory week include free books from staff for staff in Ballroom A at the Student Union Building, Wednesday, July 21, from noon to 2 p.m. The UNM Bookstore is offering discount coupons to staff for bookstore purchases as well as bags for the free books. The remainder of the books will be donated to The Friends Shop, a used book resale shop located in Zimmerman Library.
On Thursday, July 22, the Employee Health Promotion Program will give away free smoothies in the kitchen located in Johnson Gym from noon to 1 p.m.
Anne Mayer, from Employee and Organizational Development will be the guest speaker at a presentation at Continuing Education on Friday, July 23 in Banquet Room C, at 12:15 p.m. She will be discussing the balancing Work + Life issues. Parking and Transportation Services will provide special shuttle transportation to staff on both main and north campuses for the presentation.
The week will culminate with the 12th Annual UNM Staff Picnic at the Rio Grande Zoo on Saturday, July 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are still available for $3 each and can be purchased at the UNM ticket offices at the Pit, the Bookstore, the cashier’s offices at the branch campuses and the cashier’s office in Basic Medical Sciences Building on North Campus. Children 2 and under are free.
Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821
Posted by scarr at July 9, 2004 03:01 PM