When we learned Jon Oxley, Manager of the Art Gallery, planned to retire on Dec. 31 we couldn’t let the moment pass. He’s served in several roles during his time at the University, including Students’ Union President, Art Gallery Tech and Students’ Union Manager. He was awarded the President’s Award for Service Excellence in 2019. We also heard Jon was averse to a big send-off, so we decided it would be appropriate for those he’s worked with and those who know him best to have the last word(s).
“Jon spoils us. He makes us coffee and tea every chance he can get; we will miss such luxuries once he is gone! Jon is one of a kind. He is the type of Manager and person you can rely on to listen, to give genuine advice and to tell a good dad joke or pun. His recent Instagram fame has been fun. The fact that he's the type of person to go along with such things is a testament to his easy-going attitude that we all appreciate so much. Having Jon as a Manager for the past 10 years has made the otherwise scary world of adulting and working feel less scary.”
Andrea Kremenik (BFA – Art ’14)
Gallery Registrar
“I always appreciated his little acts of kindness. Such as him making us tea, bringing us cookies, always checking in to make sure we are doing alright. He has also been such a good sport about me recently featuring him on the Gallery's Instagram. He is always ready to help, no matter what the task is.”
Kirsten Meiszinger (BFA – Art ’17)
Gallery Programs Coordinator
“I’ve had the honour and pleasure of knowing Jon for 35 years, give or take, from our time together on Student’s Union. He was an early mentor for me, someone whose passion for student issues and representation inspired me and countless student leaders over the years. Jon’s commitment to doing the right thing for the right reasons has guided him from student government to business, and to arts administration. His spirit of volunteerism is infectious, or should be, and I am grateful that he opened a whole world of community spirit and philanthropy for me at such a formative time in my life. Jon is a leader, a philanthropist, a humourist, a wise sage, and, most important to me, a dear friend.
While I will miss Jon during my frequent visits to the gallery area on campus, I know that his energy and sense of humour will remain a part of my life in the future. I hope the same for his countless friends and colleagues.”
Terry Whitehead (BA ’94)
University of Lethbridge Chancellor
"On behalf of the University of Lethbridge Students' Union, we would like to express our deepest gratitude and congratulations to Jon Oxley as he enters his well-deserved retirement. Jon has been a transformative figure in the history of the ULSU, leaving an indelible mark on the university community through his exceptional leadership, boundless dedication, and unwavering commitment to students. As ULSU President and later as General Manager, Jon’s influence extended far beyond his official titles; he shaped the very foundation of the Students' Union and helped guide it through some of its most pivotal moments. His legacy is not only reflected in the countless students whose lives he touched, but also in the very ULSU building that stands today, which is a physical reminder of his efforts and deep dedication to improving the students' experience at the University of Lethbridge.
Jon’s leadership was characterized by his ability to connect with students, his compassion, and his steadfast advocacy for students. He was not only a guide but a mentor to many, offering his wisdom and insight in times of need and fostering a sense of community that was both inclusive and empowering. His work in creating spaces for students, advocating for their needs, and ensuring that the ULSU was a welcoming and supportive environment is a testament to his devotion to student life. His presence as a kind and thoughtful leader will be remembered for years to come.
Even after leaving the ULSU, Jon continued to serve the university in profound ways. His expansive knowledge, deep appreciation for history, and passion for the arts allowed him to continue contributing to the University’s cultural and educational landscape. Jon’s impact was felt not only through his leadership at the ULSU but also in his role at the Art Gallery, where he nurtured creativity and helped bridge the university’s academic and artistic communities.
Jon Oxley’s contributions to the University of Lethbridge have been immeasurable, and his legacy will live on in the ULSU building, in the students he mentored, and in the countless lives he touched. He was, and always will be, a cherished and unforgettable part of this institution. We are profoundly grateful for everything he has done and wish him all the best as he embarks on this new chapter in his life. Thank you, Jon, for your incredible service and commitment to the university community! You will be deeply missed, but your influence will never fade."
Maleeka Thomas
University of Lethbridge Students’ Union President
“Jon is going to be missed!! He is the kind of person who works harder than anyone else, but makes you feel like he has all the time in the world to answer your questions and address your concerns. He has always read the fine print, and always knows the details of whatever project you’re working on.
He makes coffee and hot drinks for everyone on the team and delivers to your desk. Daily. He will run up to the Zoo and pick up a meal and deliver it to a student working the evening shift at the gallery. He regularly fills the gallery fridge with healthy snacks — oranges and carrots, and all the things for tea and coffee.
He will be given an impossible task and find a way to make it happen — for example, an artist who was working with ULAG had a photograph needing a frame for an exhibition opening that day; she was in Paris and Jon was at his desk in Lethbridge. He searched for a framer near her, called to make sure it was open (having a conversation in French, of course!) and sent her all the contact information — it was a two-minute walk away from her!
And Jon will find a way to make everyone feel special and included at the gallery. I have heard students who worked for the gallery and then moved away to other cities that Jon has found a way to arrange for a gift card to a bakery local to them to find its way into their hands.
And finally, Jon has a great sense of humour. He tends towards puns; he just can't help himself! And is also famous for writing a December holiday-themed poem every year that doubles as an invitation to a special lunch that comes from the "art gallery manager's benevolent fund," in other words — his treat for everyone.
In short, Jon does so many things for so many people and does it without drawing any attention to himself, that I don't even know half of the things that he does for people. Kind, generous, thoughtful, hilarious and earnestly trying to make the world a better place, he is just the best!”
Juliet Graham
Former Gallery Registrar
“Jon is a person who has passed along lessons and experience I will draw from for the rest of my career and life. His compassion, cheerleading, optimism and generosity know no bounds, qualities only matched by his abilities as a storyteller, pun writer, and exemplary human.”
Chad Patterson
Gallery Graphic Designer
“Words cannot adequately describe just how much I’m going to miss seeing Jon at the gallery. His outrageous tales of mischievous pranks, thoughtful advice and general zest for life have made every day a joy. Wishing him as many new cats, jars of olives, and pattypan squash as his home can be retrofitted to accommodate.”
David Smith
Gallery Assistant Curator/Preparator
“How to pick just one story about Jon? He is so smart, kind, funny, generous and so truly unflappable. As a curator, I bring in artists who can have some truly adventurous ideas. When we started working with José Luis Torres, he came from Quebec for a site visit and to plan an exhibition that would address being dispossessed by natural disasters or war. José Luis proposed a new idea I hadn’t heard about before, nor that he had done in previous work. And, José Luis speaks Spanish and French, a little bit of English. Jon is not fluent in French but was game to engage in meeting and figuring this out. José Luis says, in French, that he has this idea, to buy an old camper trailer and have it cut into quarters, then install each quarter in the gallery with visitors able to go inside the parts of the trailer. I was surprised and thinking that this is a huge undertaking, and I was looking at Jon and could see him translating: am I really hearing … cut an older camper trailer into quarters? But Jon wasn’t fazed, he just jumped in asking for clarification and his mind was off and running as he figured out how to make this work, who he knew to contact about the work, and how to make our latest fabulous exhibition come into reality.”
Dr. Josephine Mills
Professor and Gallery Director/Curator