In an all staff meeting early in her new role as President and CEO of Newfields, Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette recalled walking down the long, stark hallway that leads to the human resources office on her first day saying, “If you weren’t in trouble, you felt like you were by the time you made it to the end of that hallway.” Her relatable remark was met with laughter from Newfields staff.  

True to form, she wanted to do something about it. Together with her team, she would transform the drab promenade into a place that would reflect Newfields’ mission, to enrich lives through exceptional experiences with art and nature.  

Meanwhile, Dr. Burnette had been conducting Listening Sessions, an opportunity for every department to meet with her one-on-one and share their thoughts about working at Newfields. During these sessions, and as she would walk around the Newfields campus, Dr. Burnette realized the passion and talent her new colleagues have, not just in their work but also in their personal artistic endeavors. Artists Among Us was born. 

Bringing her first project to life would be no small feat. In the art world, exhibition planning starts years in advance, but this exhibition came together in just a few short months. The hallway needed lighting, paint, signage, and most importantly art.  

After putting out a call to the entire staff, 72 people from 21 departments submitted artwork. From there a group of dedicated team members worked on a very condensed timeline to bring this exhibition to life. The exhibition features artwork of diverse materials and approaches that reflect the breadth and depth of the staff at Newfields. Artists Among Us is an opportunity for you to get to know us, who we are, and what makes us tick, beyond our work at Newfields.

Artist and Culinary Arts team member, Friday Gojko, reflected on what this opportunity means to her saying, “This opportunity means a lot to me, personally and professionally as an artist. One of my goals is to join the arts scene here in Indy and just interact with more artists and continue to work on my craft. I am very proud to have completed such a large piece of work and have my art in the same halls as the great artists of times before me.  

Having my work displayed at Newfields is a great honor. I grew up visiting the museum with my family and I never could’ve dreamed that I’d have my work hanging here at 22 years old. It is a unique feeling to go to work and know my art is being seen by my coworkers and the public, and that I am representing the museum in a way that extends beyond my professional role here.” 

If you have ever had the pleasure of hearing her speak you may have heard her mention heart work. Simply put, Dr. Burnette hopes to impact the hearts of people that encounter everything Newfields has to offer. This exhibition laid the foundation for her work to come.  

“I am very humbled to be a part of a team with so much creativity. WE are Newfields. This is a step toward unleashing who Newfields is to meet our mission of enhancing lives though exceptional experiences with art and nature—this exhibition is just a small sampling of our heart work. The talent guests will see on the walls in Artists Among Us is carried through to our work to bring Indianapolis the absolute best of art and nature,” said Dr. Burnette. 

The first-ever all-staff art exhibition, Artists Among Us, is now on view in the DeBoest Lecture Hallway on Floor 1 of the Indianapolis Museum of Art (right next to Waller Gallery). Floor 1 is open during regular museum hours and always free. Catch Artists Among Us until May 2023. 

Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette pictured with Newfields team members during the opening reception for Artists Among Us on December 8, 2022. 

A special thank you to the staff members below who worked to put this exhibition together: 

• Anna Stein  

• Adara Valdez 

• Anne Young 

• Christa Barleben  

• Dylan Jensen 

• Elliott Smith  

• Emily Sogard  

• Katie Haigh 

• Marla Roddy 

• Phillip Lynam 

• Sam Kaufman 

• Tatum Finch  

• Tascha Horowitz 

• Phil Day 

• Carol Cody 

• Emily McAvoy-Foley 

• Scott Shoultz 

• Molly Reynowsky 

• Dan Helrigel 

IMAGE CREDIT:
Installation view of Artists Among Us, December 8, 2022–May 21, 2023. Artworks © their respective creators.