Articles tagged with: miwsfpa

  • Weaving histories into new creative works

    Image caption: Fourth-year Visual Arts students Karen Guichelaar (left) and Sabrina Luckasavitch have created new bodies of artwork as part of their Honours Thesis exhibition, entitled Off the Factor Floor, on show at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts.

    Thursday, April 10, 2025 | by 

    Every time fourth-year Visual Arts (VISA) student Kearah Holmes touches one of the intricate, hand-sewn items made by her great-grandmother, her connection to her ancestry — and artistry — deepens.

    Gwen Revill, Holmes’ great-grandmother, worked as a seamstress at the historical Spirella Corset Company in Niagara Falls.

    “Textile work has been handed down in my family through generations through dressmaking and sewing. My artwork is inspired by my roots and the creative energy of connecting physically with materials,” she said.

    Holmes’ textile artwork is part of Off the Factory Floor, a new exhibition showcasing the Honours Thesis work of VISA Studio Art majors on show at Brock’s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIWSPFA) and the Niagara Artists Centre.

    The exhibition title was inspired by the late Marilyn I. Walker, a renowned fibre artist and philanthropist, and the MIWSPFA’s location in the former Canada Hair Cloth Building.

    Walker’s gift to Brock of $15 million in 2008 transformed the historic downtown St. Catharines textile factory into a state-of-the-art learning facility, which will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its opening in September.

    “There was something so beautiful about creating art in a building that used to be a textile factory transformed into a place creativity and learning through the arts; the VISA 4F06 group wanted to honour the vision of Marilyn I. Walker,” Holmes said.

    The experience motivated fourth-year student Karen Guichelaar, a process-based artist who generally works with paint and sculpture, to step out of her comfort zone during the year-long capstone course.

    “Our professors encouraged us to explore new mediums, and the creative freedom was exhilarating and inspiring; I never thought of myself as a textile artist, but I gave it a try,” she said.

    Guichelaar’s body of work, comprised of five pieces that use fabric, embroidery thread and safety pins, each capture a different human facial expression reflecting the complexity of dealing with loss, and finding hope.

    “What stands out most was speaking with people at the opening reception who were impacted by my work and took time to share their own stories. Exhibiting work in a gallery setting was a valuable experience,” she said.

    Amanda Burk, Chair of the Department of Visual Arts, said the Honours Studio exhibition is always an exciting event and important milestone for students.

    “Our fourth-year students, guided by two of our excellent faculty members, have invested a full year into developing a substantial body of creative work that will help them launch their careers and presence in the art world. This exhibition is an enormous accomplishment, and we are very proud of everything they have achieved,” she said.

    The exhibition also includes diverse bodies of artwork created by fourth-year students Daniella Alexander, Anthony Clarkson, Cleah Fast, Sabrina Luckasavitch and Christie Hoang. Pieces range from painting and photography to sculpture and digital media installations.

    In reflecting on the process of creating art over the past year alongside their peers, Holmes and Guichelaar were moved by working in the dedicated studio space on the bright fifth floor of MIWSFPA overlooking downtown.

    “We would all take the time to help each other out and give critiques and share ideas. Having the dedicated, safe space to experiment and create while sharing our ideas was a truly impactful experience for all of us,” Holmes said.

    Off the Factory Floor runs until Saturday, April 26 at MIWSFPA’s Visual Arts Gallery at 15 Artists’ Common and the Niagara Artists Common in St. Catharines. The gallery is open to the public and free of charge Tuesday to Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m.

    More information about the artists and work can be found in the exhibition catalogue.

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    Categories: Current Students, Events, News

  • Creative bursary helps Music student set stage for success

    Image caption: Soprano Joslyn Dunlop (right) performed a Department of Music student solo recital on stage at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre accompanied by pianist Erika Reiman (left) in 2024. Now in her fourth and final year of the Brock’s Music program, Dunlop will once again take the stage to perform in an exciting lineup of performances in March.

    Thursday, March 13, 2025 | by 

    Joslyn Dunlop is no stranger to the spotlight.

    The fourth-year Music student, a soprano, has been singing since she was a child and fell in love with performing after watching community theatre musicals in her hometown of Chatham-Kent, Ont. Now the accomplished singer is the one delighting audiences — and taking her performance skills to the next level.

    Dunlop will perform in the upcoming Department of Music (MUSI) Student Solo Recitals, which run from Friday, March 14 to Sunday, March 23 at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (PAC).

    Her proposal to direct and perform with a chamber ensemble featuring professional musicians as part of her solo recital earned her the 2023-24 Medland and Green Inspiring Artists Bursary.

    Established to assist students with a unique opportunity such as travel, internship or training to benefit thesis or capstone projects, the bursary made it possible for Dunlop to purchase the scores for a chamber ensemble piece, Dog Tales by Jenni Brandon.

    Supported by accomplished singer and Instructor Leanne Vida, who leads Voice Masterclasses and lessons at Brock, Dunlop conducted outreach and put together an ensemble including Doug Miller, principal flute with Niagara Symphony Orchestra; Zoltan Kalman, clarinetist and Brock Big Band and University Wind Ensemble conductor; and MUSI pianist Erika Reiman.

    “While singers often perform with an accompanying piano, it can be challenging to get comfortable with an ensemble; it’s an amazing experience to sing alongside instrumentalists — acoustically, it changes everything,” Dunlop said.

    Over the past four years studying Music at Brock’s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIWSFPA), Dunlop was inspired by watching professional singers perform in front of large orchestras, captivated by how their voices soared.

    “Starting with small ensembles are the musical building blocks for larger scale performances,” she added.

    Associate Professor Karin Di Bella, who teaches performance classes helping guide students such as Joslyn in their solo recitals, said it has been rewarding to see Dunlop develop into the soloist she is today.

    “The Medland and Green Inspiring Artists Bursary has also afforded Joslyn the valuable opportunity to enhance her administrative skills in submitting a detailed project plan, organizing complicated schedules and communicating effectively with all stakeholders to ensure a successful performance,” she said.

    Dunlop will first perform her selections for voice and piano, followed by her solo performance with the chamber ensemble performance of Dog Tales on Saturday, March 22 on the Recital Hall stage.

    In addition to Dunlop, fourth-year students will showcase their musical talents including Marcus de Torres, guitar; Joshua Brown, alto saxophone; and Bailey Williams, Aimie Pagendam and Kendall Simon, sopranos, accompanied by pianist Erika Reiman.

    Dunlop said singing will always be a part of her life as she pursues a career in ensemble music performance.

    “The Music program at Brock and Medland and Green Inspiring Artists Bursary have allowed me to grow personally and professionally. From my first interview with the professors, I have always felt welcomed and supported; it’s been such a great way to experience university,” she said.

    Dunlop is also a member of Brock University Choir which will perform “Song, Dance and Sweet Romance” to kick off the MUSI spring ensembles concert series on Saturday, March 29 at PAC.

    “We are thrilled to share a robust lineup of public performances in the coming weeks showcasing the talent and hard work of our Brock music community,” said Rachel Rensink-Hoff, Department of Music Chair and Associate Professor.

    “Our year-end ensemble concerts hold a special significance for students like Joslyn and other graduates as these final performances add to the many lasting memories of friendships formed through music-making during their time here at Brock,” she added.

    The Brock and Niagara community are invited to take in all the spring ensemble performances including the student recitals, Brock Big Band, The University Wind Ensemble and The University String Orchestra later this month. For details including ticket information, please visit the MUSI website.

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    Categories: Current Students, Department/Centre News, News

  • Cross-cultural collaborations in game audio at heart of public talk

    Image caption: John Robert Matz, a Chicago-based performer, arranger, composer and music educator will visit Brock for a series of events exploring video game audio as part of the 2024-25 Walker Cultural Leader Series presented by the Department of Music.

    Monday, January 13, 2025 | by 

    Chicago-based performer and video game composer John Robert Matz will bring his expertise in creating game scores that highlight diverse voices to Brock during an upcoming public lecture.

    Matz will share his journey composing the score for Awaceb’s Tchia, an award-winning 2023 action-adventure video game inspired by the developers’ familial and cultural ties to New Caledonia, a French territory in the south Pacific Ocean.

    Nina Penner, Assistant Professor of Music, said the talk will shed light how modern Western composers can respectfully highlight Indigenous art forms and explore models of ethical collaboration that support the resurgence of Indigenous cultures.

    “While Matz is not from New Caledonia himself, he collaborated with local musicians and actors to accurately represent not only its Indigenous musical traditions but also the choral traditions that arose in response to French colonization and the modern popular genre of Kaneka music,” she said.

    Penner added that Awaceb’s work on Tchia is also an example of how “a small ‘indie’ studio can prioritize music and sound, even on a small budget.”

    Part of Brock’s 2024-25 Walker Cultural Leader (WCL) Series presented by the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIWSFPA), Matz will speak at The Film House in the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre on Monday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m.

    Matz, who is also a music educator, will also facilitate a two-day sound jam on Saturday, Jan. 18 and Sunday, Jan. 19 in Rankin Family Pavilion in partnership with the Department of Digital Humanities. The game-making jam session will explore how to use sound — music, sound effects, and voiceover — in innovative ways.

    Penner, who is teaching a new Game Music course this winter (MUSI 3P45), said the purpose of the jam is to get people thinking about sound earlier in the creative process while connecting people interested in creating audio for games with game designers.

    All events are free and open to Brock students, faculty and staff as well as the wider Niagara community. Registration is required to attend. For details, please visit the Walker Cultural Leader Series website.

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    Categories: News, Walker Cultural Leader Series

  • Picturing a vibrant future for Brock’s fine art collection

    Image caption: Earlier this fall, art consultant Mandy Salter oversaw restoration work on Michael Snow’s Photo Mural for Timed Images, 1972-73 in the Mackenzie Chown A Block stairwell. Efforts included installing new UV and shatterproof glass panels. Snow (1928-2023) developed his concept in collaboration with Mackenzie Chown Complex architect Raymond Moriyama (1929-2023). Both were internationally respected artists and recipients of honorary doctorates from Brock University. Only a few parts of Timed Images remain in place today.

    Thursday, December 19, 2024 | by 

    As Brock celebrates its 60th anniversary, exploring the past and present of the University’s fine art collection is providing fresh perspective to reimagine the future of art on campus.

    “Art in public places has intrinsic value. Art speaks to and from humanity, allowing for exploration of thought and diverse ways of thinking about the world around us,” said Mandy Salter, principal of Salter Art Appraisals and Consulting and an Accredited Member of the International Society of Appraisers.

    An award-winning curator and collections manager, Salter was engaged by Brock to conduct a comprehensive review of its art collection to appraise and catalogue inventory, including identifying all the pieces on campus and building an updated database.

    “We wanted to build upon existing paperwork in order to further locate and condition report all works, and by doing so, gain a clearer understanding of the content and condition of this diverse and important collection of Canadian art,” Salter said.

    Salter said Brock stewards several collections including the Teutloff Collection of large-scale public sculptures, the Steltner Inuit Art Collection, a collection of Carl Beam lithographs, the Buky Schwartz sculptures at Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, and many other two-dimensional works of art on paper or canvas.

    With the support of Frank Marcella, Director of Enterprise Risk Management and Insurance, and Bryan Cober, Associate Director of Projects and Structural Services in Facilities Management, Salter created a five-year asset management plan outlining future care strategies for pieces impacted by weather and environmental factors.

    A University Art Collections Committee was also recently formed with representatives from across campus that will help guide the future vision and mandate of Brock’s fine art collection.

    Linda Carreiro, Associate Dean of Fine and Performing Arts, is serving as elected Chair of the University Art Collection Committee.

    “The committee is comprised of stakeholders invested in sharing the important stories told through existing pieces of the collection, with the aim of adding to these perspectives. We’re excited to manage the collection in a meaningful way, so that all members of campus and the public can be engaged in the histories and ideas within the artworks,” she said.

    The work of the committee will oversee acquisitions, deaccessions, conservation and restoration of Brock’s small and large-scale public pieces.

    For example, Salter recently oversaw the restoration of Michael Snow’s (1928-2023) Photo Mural for Timed Images, 1972-73. Timed Images was a multi-part photo and video composition conceived for and installed in the hallways of the Mackenzie Chown Complex, known at the time as the Academic Staging Building.

    “With the help of Bryan Cober and Niagara Glass, the large 10×12 sheets of 55-year-old glass were replaced with UV and shatterproof-resistant glass, with some slight cleaning of the frame and work itself,” she said.

    Salter said the committee will strive to develop a future collection focussed on diversity, foregrounding artists and communities who may not be currently represented in the collection.

    “Understanding gaps is critical and presents an opportunity for decolonization and reconciliation and furthering actions towards thoughtful and meaningful inclusivity,” she said.

    West Coast and Inuit prints — some of the earliest acquisitions in Brock’s collection —  were recently installed in Brock’s Entiohahathe’te Knowledge Den in the Brock University Library.

    “We are excited to continue to curate works from the collection into spaces on campus, such as the library, to allow for new opportunities of engagement for the Brock community,” Salter said.

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    Categories: News

  • Community Connections: Healing Through the Arts

    Image caption: Willow Arts Community member Jo Barham experienced the inspiring artwork of local artists earlier this year at “unscene,” a community exhibition at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts Visual Arts Gallery in collaboration with downtown St. Catharines organization Willow Arts Community.

    Wednesday, December 11, 2024 | by 

    This article is part of a monthly series celebrating Brock’s rich history of community engagement and enduring commitment to the mutual exchange of knowledge and resources within the Niagara community and beyond. To read other stories in the series, visit The Brock News.

    For Dani RJ Hummel, creating art is as necessary as breathing; it’s where everything comes out.

    “Producing artwork helps me work through my trauma and gives the pain somewhere to live outside of my body. My creative practice has taught me to approach life with curiosity and allowed for so much growth as an artist — and a person,” they said.

    A member of Willow Arts Community (Willow), Hummel has showcased their artwork over the past two years in community partnership exhibitions at the Visual Arts Gallery within Brock’s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIWSFPA) — the next of which, unscene, opens May 29.

    Located in downtown St. Catharines, Willow is an arts and peer support organization providing low-barrier opportunities for artists with lived experiences of mental illness or substance use in Niagara.

    The partnership between Brock and Willow aims to provide an enriching gallery experience for community members.

    MIWSFPA Visual Arts Gallery Co-ordinator Sonya Marie de Lazzer said this community driven work is important because it centres and empowers local voices and perspectives.

    “By creating a shared space for expression and connection, together we are encouraging public dialogue and expanding opportunity for conversation, reflection and empathy in our community,” de Lazzer said.

    For Leigh MacLeod, Willow Founder and Executive Director, the ability for members to publicly showcase artwork is significant.

    “I have the privilege of getting to know our Willow members and seeing their creativity and perspectives expressed through their brilliant art; working with the MIWSFPA allows more people to witness and connect to these experiences,” they said.

    For Hummel, showing their work in a professional gallery setting was not something they always thought possible; on one hand it has been exhilarating, but on the other, it has been uncomfortable.

    Hummel has developed their artistic practice and now leads educational initiatives at Willow, including supporting others with creative writing courses and leading projects with community partners.

    “It’s been incredible to share my art and creativity with the world,” Hummel said.

    MacLeod said Hummel’s experience resonates with other Willow members and that the partnership with MIWSFPA has allowed for their diverse perspectives to be heard by the community in meaningful ways.

    “Our members are often marginalized individuals who do not have access to the same opportunities because of their lived experiences with mental illness or substance use. Whether they face financial, social, psychological or health barriers, we strive to remove real obstacles so folks can access enriching and meaningful opportunities,” MacLeod said.

    Planning the exhibition begins several months before the opening reception when de Lazzer visits Willow offering an open information session. She provides details to members such as gallery floor plan, available space, electricity options, ceiling mount options and technological capability.

    “Before artists begin or complete the work that will be exhibited, everyone has a chance to visualize the space and ask any questions about the process,” she said.

    On installation day when Willow members bring their work to the gallery, de Lazzer said the collaborative nature of the process is thrilling.

    “We see all the artwork in the space and begin to play with layout. Artists are always invited to be there and be part of those discussions,” de Lazzer said.

    Guiding the process with her curatorial expertise, de Lazzer ensures that accessibility and inclusivity are addressed.

    “We want to make sure we are incorporating accessibility features like text placement, audio components or clear pathways to move through the space itself, so everyone can enjoy the artwork,” she said.

    In addition to mounting the exhibition, Brock graduates work on an ongoing basis with Willow to deliver artistic workshops and sessions including interdisciplinary artist Amber Lee Williams (BA ’20), multidisciplinary artist Skye Rogers (STAC ’22) and musician Joe Lapinski (BA ’99), among others.

    MacLeod said for Willow, the arts are vital to people’s survival.

    “When we speak of recovery, it is not as a finish line, but an ongoing journey of knowing you belong somewhere. Seeing our members shine with their work at the MIWSFPA gallery is a profound honour,” MacLeod said.

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    Categories: Events, News

  • Brock’s arts impact takes centre stage

    Friday, November 22, 2024 | by April Jeffs

    Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho (second from left) toured the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIWSFPA) along with St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe (third from left) on Thursday, Nov. 21. Visual Arts Professor and Associate Dean of Fine and Performing Arts Linda Carreiro (left), Provost and Vice-President Academic Arja Vainio-Mattila (second from right) and Dean of Humanities Carol Merriam (right) highlighted how Brock’s state-of-the-art facilities and world-class resources and instruction provide a strong foundation for students to pursue their career goals and make meaningful contributions to the arts by helping to grow a vibrant centre of culture in both Niagara.

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    Categories: News

  • High-profile NYC events shared through lens of student artist

    Image caption: Fourth-year Visual Arts student Cleah Fast, recipient of a 2024 Medland and Green Inspiring Artists Bursary, is displaying her artwork in a new multimedia exhibition now open at Brock’s Visual Arts Gallery.

    Wednesday, November 06, 2024 | by 

    While backstage at an iconic music festival and in the front row at New York Fashion Week, Cleah Fast couldn’t help but feel a spark — or rather, flash — of creativity.

    The fourth-year Brock Visual Arts (VISA) student and multidisciplinary artist has channelled her recent experiences at high-profile New York City events into an exhibit, Through the Lens, now on show at the University’s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIWSFPA).

    The exhibition features Fast’s large-scale photography, painting, sound installations and mixed media alongside video art created by Brock faculty, students and staff.

    Fast’s creative path was propelled forward when she received a 2024 Medland and Green Inspiring Artists Bursary, an award that assists students with a unique opportunity, including travel, training or masterclasses to support their final-year capstone project.

    Through the support of the bursary, Fast travelled to NYC and collaborated with media company Never Come Home to photograph the Governor’s Ball Music Festival, the biggest music festival on the east coast.

    “I was drawn in by the energy and bonds that take place during cultural events, where so many individual experiences take place and intertwine to create a bigger, collective experience,” she said.

    Fast was inspired to explore these connections from the perspective of youth culture.

    “Shooting the festival for four days with professionals was unlike anything I had ever done; I had never shot anything on that scale,” she said.

    The partnership was so successful, and the media company so impressed with her skills, Never Come Home invited Fast back to shoot New York Fashion Week with them this past September.

    “Without the bursary, this collaboration would not have been able to happen and flourish the way that it has,” she said.

    Linda Carreiro, Associate Dean of Fine and Performing Arts, said the Medland and Green Inspiring Artists Bursary is a tremendous benefit to students who want to gain professional training and experience outside of the institution.

    “In this case, Cleah was able to access a rare opportunity that enabled specialized skills development and career potential,” Carreiro said.

    During her time in Visual Arts, Fast said she had the opportunity to go beyond her comfort zone and try new things.

    “Access to diverse, creative opportunities were a big reason I chose the Visual Arts program. I love the Marilyn, and I wouldn’t be doing these incredible things without the support and encouragement from my professors,” she said.

    The opening reception for Through the Lens will be held Thursday, Nov. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Visual Arts Gallery. The exhibition runs until Nov. 23.

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    Categories: Current Students, Department/Centre News, News

  • Dramatic Arts welcomes celebrated theatre leader for mainstage production

    Image caption: Simone Cinapri (left), a fourth-year Concurrent Education student with teachables in Dramatic Arts (DART) and History, rehearses on stage at the Marilyn I. Walker Theatre with guest Director Soheil Parsa and second-year DART student Lennon Paul (right) in preparation for DART’s mainstage production of Scorched.

    Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | by 

    Director and writer Soheil Parsa is bringing his award-winning theatre expertise and artistry to Brock’s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIWSFPA).

    Parsa, co-founder and former artistic director of Modern Times Stage Company in Toronto, is directing Scorched, a bold, innovative play written by Wajdi Mouawad, for the Department of Dramatic Arts (DART) fall mainstage production.

    With set and costume design by DART Associate Professor and Scenographer David Vivian, the deeply political and philosophical play explores fate, retribution and the human capacity for violence and destruction.

    Scorched tells the story of Nawal, a woman who fled a country tormented by violence, and her twins, Janine and Simon, who were raised in Quebec. Following Nawal’s death, the twins must return to their mother’s war-torn country to carry out her last wishes and deliver letters to their father, believed dead, and a brother they didn’t know they had.

    Parsa said Scorched strongly resonates with the events shaping the world today.

    “In this remarkable poetic piece, Mouawad explores the darker sides of human nature, contemporary barbarism, dehumanization in the face of war, friendship, separation, love and loss,” he said.

    Fourth-year Concurrent Education student Simone Cinapri, who plays the role of Janine, said Parsa guided the cast and creative team through the challenging script with patience and wisdom.

    “Beyond developing my skills as an actor, this experience has taught me about dedication, communication and creativity, lessons I will carry with me beyond my time at Brock,” she said.

    Cinapri explored how to bring characters like Janine to life — characters Parsa described as archetypal beings representing the essence of human hope, struggle and failure — as a tribute to women who have been affected by war and sexual violence.

    “By exploring the cycle of violence experienced by immigrant families in the play, I have drawn connections to my own family who faced many barriers to live in Canada today,” she said. “I am so grateful for DART’s dedication to providing memorable learning opportunities through mainstage productions.”

    Vivian, who attended National Theatre School with Mouawad, said the DART students involved in the production have “carried the characters in the play very carefully in our hearts these past few months.”

    “Digging deep into the histories and destinies of a multi-generation family led by women of great humanity has been simultaneously a privilege and a challenging responsibility for the artists of DART,” he said.

    Scorched opens Friday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Marilyn I. Walker Theatre at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts in downtown St. Catharines. Performances will also take place Saturday, Nov. 2, Friday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. A matinee performance is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3.

    General admission tickets are available for $25 and tickets for students and seniors are available for $20. Visit the DART event website to reserve tickets.

    The public is also invited to a mini symposium on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the Marilyn I. Walker Theatre for an engaging conversation with lead creatives from the production and guest scholars from Brock’s Faculties of Humanities and Applied Health Sciences.

    Content Advisory: The production contains mature content and is only recommended for individuals aged 16 and up.

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    Categories: Current Students, Department/Centre News, Walker Cultural Leader Series

  • Mental health experiences explored through community art

    Image caption: A new art exhibition, titled “unscene,” is showcasing the work of Willow Arts Community members at Brock’s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts gallery. Now in its second year, the collaborative exhibition showcases a diverse range of work including paintings, sculpture and multi-media installations.

    TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2024 | by 

    A new art exhibition is exploring themes of presence and belonging in the local St. Catharines arts community for individuals with lived experiences of mental illness and substance use.

    Featuring work of Willow Arts Community (Willow) members, “unscene” is now open at the Visual Arts Gallery and Exhibition Space at Brock’s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIWSFPA). The exhibition runs at MIWSFPA until Saturday, June 15.

    Through their work, participating artists reflected on their connection to the arts scene in downtown St. Catharines as well as how their voices are heard, and experiences perceived, by the wider arts community.

    All are invited to attend the opening reception at the MIWSFPA on Friday, May 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. The reception will include a live performance by The Willow Choir performing a song written by Willow community members and composed by Willow choir conductor Sarah Jerrom.

    Located in downtown St. Catharines, Willow provides low-barrier opportunities for community members to engage with peer-to-peer arts education and fosters a safe space for creative exploration.

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    Categories: Events, Uncategorised

  • Celebrating literary diversity in Niagara with SAFRAN 2024

    Image caption: Brock Professor Jean Ntakiturimana of Modern Languages, Literatures & Cultures, (right) at the Sunday morning long table about the world of publishing, hosted by Binta Wague of les Éditions Touana (Toronto , centre-right, in green). 

    Brock University recently welcomed the Salon du Livre des Francophonies du Niagara (SAFRAN) 2024 for a diverse and dynamic weekend of events and performances celebrating literary creativity and diversity in the Niagara region.

    Hosted by Brock’s Centre for Studies in Arts and Culture (STAC) and Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures (MLLC) in collaboration with SOFIFRAN, the event was held from March 21 to 24 at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, with an opening ceremony at the Film House in the First Ontario Performing Arts Centre. With the important collaboration of the Maison de la culture francophone du Niagara, the event coincided with the UNESCO World Poetry Day, World Puppetry Day and International Francophonie Day.

    Director of the Salon du livre and MLLC Instructor, Nafée Faigou, hosting the opening ceremonies at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.

    “It’s been an absolutely remarkable celebration of language and culture, beautifully led and produced by Director of the Salon du livre, Nafée Faigou and Fété Ngira-Batware Kimpiobi, Director General of SOFIFRAN,” said Professor David Vivian, Director of the Centre for Studies in Arts and Culture. “Our learning community is so much richer for having hosted SAFRAN.”

    Guests and community members from the Niagara Francophone community and beyond were treated to a diverse offering of cultural interactions including entertaining and thoughtful puppet shows by Le chemin qui marche from Quebec, workshops for youth on robotics and AI and compelling roundtable discussions  in the MIWSFPA venues.

    A highlight was the publisher’s fair in the MIWSFPA lobby, igniting important long-table discussions amongst publishers and authors that celebrated the Francophonie of the region, including both Franco-Ontarian and new Franco-Canadian voices.

    For more information about the event, please visit the STAC website.

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    Categories: News, Uncategorised