“Himmel Park,” Michael Tearne; Intermediate, First Place; Color Pencil

Congratulations to Michael Tearne and Nadira Mitchell for winning First Place in the ninth annual University of Arizona “On Our Own Time” art exhibit sponsored by the National Arts Program. The exhibit is a showcase for the artistic talents of UA employees and their immediate family members. 

“Gray Sky” Nadira Mitchell; Teen, First Place; Photography

Michael Tearne, MEd, is coordinator of doctoral and certificate programs at the UA Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. His color pencil drawing, “Himmel Park” won First Place in the Intermediate category.

Michael Tearne, MEd

Michael is a Tucson native. He minored in art as an undergraduate student at Northern Arizona University. He says art has always been part of his life and he works in many different mediums including pottery, water colors, acrylic, and color pencil.

When asked about the inspiration for his first place drawing, Michael said, “I just laid down under the tree in Himmel Park and started sketching.” 

It’s the second time Michael has entered a piece of art in the On Our Own Time art exhibit. Looks like the second time is the charm for Michael this year!

Nadira Mitchell won first place in the Teen category for her black and white photograph “Gray Sky”. Nadira is the daughter of Agnes Attakai, director of health disparities outreach and prevention education at the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health.

Nadira Mitchell

A senior at Tucson High School, Nadira played viola in the school orchestra for three years and is currently editor-in-chief of the Cactus Chronicle, the school newspaper. ​She likes photographing nature.

“I’ve never taken a photography class. It’s a hobby,” Nadira said.

But it’s a hobby that she has an eye for. Three of her photographs have won first place in the UA exhibit since 2014. She also won Best of Show at the Heard Museum Guild American Indian Art Show & Sale in 2014 and continues to sell prints of her work at the show every year. 

Nadira wants to be a wildlife biologist. She will start her freshman year of college at the University of Arizona in the fall. 

Art definitely runs in Nadira’s family. Her mother Agnes is a quilter. She has exhibited some of her quilts in the UA art exhibit in the past. 

Charles Mitchell

Nadira’s father, Charles Mitchell has two pieces of art in this year’s exhibit in the Amateur category: "Ceremonial Mask” and “Objects to Influence the Supernatural”.

The exhibit is on display and open to the public through Feb. 9 in the lobby of the Biosciences Research Laboratory (BSRL), 1230 N Cherry Ave, on the UA Health Sciences campus. A reception will be held on Saturday, Feb 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. All are welcome to attend and congratulate the participants and winners.