Opposite settings – one a stark black-and-white image of New York City and the other a splash of colorful Texas wildflowers – inspired this year’s winners of the On My Own Time (OMOT) art exhibition and competition.

Second-year UTSW medical student Victor Chien’s photograph of the New York City skyline titled Society, Independence, Liberty won the Best of Show Award while Bloom Where You’re Planted, an acrylic painting by Hannah Masters, a Professional Development Specialist in Nursing Administration, earned the People’s Choice Award.

Now in its 24th year, the competition attracted 87 visual art entries by UT Southwestern employees and students. Animals – from the family dog to a herd of zebras – were the subjects of several artists, as were other life forms such as a leafless tree, dead flowers in a vase, and a swimmer caught flipping out of a pool in midair.

On My Own Time art show participants check out entries on display at the campus reception honoring award winners.

The competition is a program of the Business Council for the Arts (BCA). Winners and those who received honorable mentions were recognized at an Aug. 28 reception hosted by UT Southwestern.

“As always, OMOT visual art entries reflect the immense talent of UT Southwestern’s employees and students,” said Courtney Crothers, Art Curator for UTSW.

“I was also pleased to see a black-and-white photograph selected as Best of Show,” she said. “We always have strong submissions in photography categories, so it was fitting for such an outstanding image to be honored with the top prize.”

People’s Choice and Best of Show winners from UT Southwestern and other participating companies across North Texas were displayed at the regional show through Oct. 5 at NorthPark Center.

Best of Show

Mr. Chien was visiting a friend who worked in the One World Trade Center building when he captured the New York City skyline from the 64th floor of the famous landmark. An amateur photographer, Mr. Chien said he wanted to show the beauty and breadth of the city.

“When you look out, you see all these buildings that are so haphazardly placed together,” he said. “It was so disorganized and not exactly how I envisioned one of the richest cities in the world would look like.”

One World Trade Center – the tallest building in the U.S. – replaced the Twin Towers that fell on 9/11. The National September 11 Memorial & Museum is located at the site of the former World Trade Center Complex.

“Although I felt a somberness in the air walking around the memorial, I took that photo from the 64th floor of One World Trade Center with enthusiasm and felt grateful that I was able to experience that moment marveling at the towering buildings in the distance,” Mr. Chien said.

An art show attendee admires the Textiles & Fiber Arts piece called “Sans Serif” with the word “FACES” centered by Angela Scheuerle, M.D., which received an Honorable Mention in the Amateur category.

After shooting the photo, Mr. Chien attributed meaning to the bird’s-eye view of the city. The photo is a testament to our society’s capacity for growth, he said.

“The photo represents cohesiveness despite individuality,” Mr. Chien said. “My work aims to question whether the virtue of American independence trumps our innate desire to stay connected and collaborate with others. How do we as a society find balance in a growing and changing world? These are the themes that come to mind while attempting to resolve my own conflict between intimacy versus isolation.”

Mr. Chien first picked up a camera in college and began shooting portraits of classmates. As his passion for photography grew, he expanded into landscapes and architecture. He plans to continue developing the hobby throughout his future role as a physician.

The winning image, with its chaotic vision of the city, foreshadows a career marked by diversity, collaboration, and community.

People’s Choice

Hannah Masters became fascinated by the wildflowers blooming in a field near Lake Lavon just northeast of Dallas.

“Every spring it blossoms with an array of color – bluebonnets, buttercups, and Indian paintbrushes that are just so wild and wonderful,” she said. “No one takes care of them, but every year they return in all of their natural beauty.”

Professional Development Specialist Hannah Masters stands beside for her acrylic painting titled Bloom Where You’re Planted, which won the People’s Choice Award.

Mrs. Masters took a photograph of the scene and used it as the basis for her painting, Bloom Where You’re Planted.

Like the wildflowers, people are so resilient, Mrs. Masters said.

“We don’t get to control our lives,” she said. “But every season as we go through life’s ups and downs, we can bloom where we are planted.”

Mrs. Masters began painting in elementary school but had always considered it a hobby rather than a possible vocation. She never took a lesson, and although she experimented with watercolors and oils, she always preferred acrylics.

As the mother of two girls, Mrs. Masters said it is challenging to find time for her art. But she strives to paint whenever she can.

“Painting has always been fun, relaxing, and a break from normal life,” she said. “I just love the joy it brings me.”

A friend urged her to enter her work in the OMOT competition.

“I never shared my artwork with anyone,” Mrs. Masters said. “Now it’s super exciting to share it with so many people – I hope it brings joy and hope to also bloom and grow in whatever season they find themselves.”