Time for Holiday Parties

This year's Duke suncatcher is more meaningful than ever, not only because of what it represents and the work that went into creating it, but because for the first time, it was designed by a Duke staff member.

"It has been an unexpected honor to be a part of this," said Pam Isner, research technician in the Department of Pathology, the suncatcher designer.

Isner created about 30 sketches for the 2007 suncatcher before the final design was selected. The suncatcher is the shape of a circle with a Duke blue border and three connected shapes in the center in green, blue and purple. They represent teamwork, one of Duke's guiding principles. The suncatchers are being distributed to 28,000 faculty and staff as a sign of appreciation.

Holiday Parties Scheduled

Make plans to join fellow faculty and staff members next week to celebrate the diverse holidays observed by the Duke community in relaxed social settings. New this year: live jazz performances at all events. A variety of finger foods, healthy snacks and sweets will also be served, as well as punch, coffee and soft drinks. This year's holiday reception schedule is shown below.

Monday, Dec. 3

2-4:30 p.m. Medical Center Reception Searle Center Entertainment by the Raleigh Jazz Orchestra.

11 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Duke Hospital Reception for Third Shift Duke North Atrium Hot Breakfast Buffet & Entertainment by the John Brown Jazz Quartet.

Thursday, Dec. 6

2-4 p.m. Campus Reception Von Canon Room, Bryan Center Entertainment by the Baron Tymas Jazz Quartet

Isner will also design future suncatchers based on the other principles: trustworthiness, respect, diversity and learning. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the principles, which speak to Duke's overall goals and mission, said Monica Pallett, manager of Staff & Family Programs, the Human Resources unit that has given the suncatcher as a holiday gift to Duke faculty and staff since the early 1990s.

"The guiding principles theme makes the suncatcher really specific to Duke, and I think the beautiful design lends itself to personal interpretation," Pallett said. "Everyone has seen something different in the design. They interpret the shapes as flowers, birds, dolphins and even people. That really makes the suncatcher a unique piece of art."

Isner, who has participated in various Duke employee art shows, was recommended for the suncatcher project by the Health Arts Network at Duke, also known as HAND. She first learned to work in leaded glass and stained glass 18 years ago. Since then, she also learned mosaic techniques. She prefers large, intricate projects, like three dimensional works of more than 1,000 pieces, and stained glass windows with more than 200 pieces.

Despite her experience and talent, Isner said she was nervous about taking on the suncatcher project. It was very different in size and scope than anything she has done. She never had her art work reproduced in a large quantity, and she had never created a design based on a concept like teamwork.

"It feels good to make this for other Duke employees,"Isner said. "The suncatcher really is a special thing to people here, especially since every one is handmade at a small family business in Rhode Island. I hope this suncatcher is as special to Duke employees as it is to me."