Looking for a midday breather that isn’t just about grabbing coffee and catching up on emails? U of A Museums has launched a new program called Midday Musings designed with U of A staff and faculty in mind. It’s all about carving out a bit of space in the day to relax, connect with others and explore creativity through art—all during your lunch hour. With K-12 summer groups already covered through other programming, the Museums team wanted to find new ways to connect with folks on campus.
“One thing many staff and students need within their busy schedules is a time to relax and decompress,” says Shauna Dyjur, program assistant with U of A Museums. “We thought we could provide a way to do that while also fostering learning, creativity and conversation among participants.”
Held throughout the summer, Midday Musings offers lunchtime sessions that combine art, hands-on activities and casual discussion in a welcoming, no-pressure environment. The July sessions filled up fast, indicating that the U of A community is eager for moments of mindfulness and connection.
“It’s been going great!” says Shauna. “People have really enjoyed the opportunity to get together with others from the university, relax and learn something new outside of their field of work.”
Di Lu, Outreach and Program Coordinator (Global Learning), attended one of the inaugural sessions and says she really enjoyed the experience. “I learned a little bit more about the U of A through this activity," Di says. "It also allowed me to connect with colleagues working in other areas. I'm looking forward to the next one!"
And you don’t need to know a thing about art to take part. The goal isn’t expertise—it’s curiosity.
“Art is for everyone! That’s something we are trying to emphasize in the sessions,” Shauna adds. “You don’t have to know anything about art to start connecting with it.”
The U of A Museums team hopes that participants walk away from the sessions with more than just a break from their desks.
“I hope that people learn something new,” Shauna says, “whether that’s about art, the U of A Museums and its role on campus or about themselves—like a new creative skill or interest. I also hope that they come away feeling refreshed and recharged to take on the rest of their day and week.”
The Museums team is looking to continue the Midday Musings series into Fall 2026 and hopefully make it a permanent program. “We are also exploring ways to include other museum collections beyond the U of A Museums Art Collection," Shauna says. "We have so many amazing collections on North campus, and we’d love to provide more opportunities for people to engage with them.”
There are two sessions left this summer – and on August 20. Can’t make a session? Shauna encourages staff to take advantage of the university’s virtual exhibitions—like the one showcasing public art.
“On your next lunch break on a nice day, I encourage you to have a picnic lunch outside, sit by one of the artworks, read the information in the virtual exhibition and just reflect on what that artwork means to you.”
Whether you join a session or just take some time in front of a sculpture, Midday Musings is a reminder that a little bit of art—and a little bit of time for yourself—can go a long way.
Learn more about the Midday Musings Summer Program and register for a session.