Articles by author: eknight

• Grads in spotlight for enhancing local arts scene

  Wednesday, November 13, 2024 | By eknight

  

  Image caption: Brock graduates Deanna Jones (BA ’02), left, and Amber Lee Williams (BA ’20) are two of five alumni who were recently honoured with arts awards from the City of St. Catharines.

  Wednesday, November 13, 2024 | by Gillian Minaker

  According to Deanna Jones (BA ’02), a thriving local arts scene allows for people to connect by sharing stories and perspectives in innovative, creative and provocative ways.

  Jones was one of five Brock graduates honoured across five categories for their creative talent and community engagement during the St. Catharines Arts Awards held Nov. 3 at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (FOPAC).

  A Dramatic Arts graduate and actor, writer and director, Jones was the recipient of the 2024 Making a Difference Award. The co-founder of Suitcase in Point Multi-Arts Company is a firm believer in the power of the arts to bring about conversation, build understanding and create expressive outlets for change.

  “A dynamic arts and culture sector also provides opportunities, including paid work for artists who contribute significantly to the local economy and quality of life for people who live there,” she said.

  Jones said her experience at Brock significantly shaped who she is today, especially as the place where she connected with her future creative collaborators.

  “As students, we were provided a platform to take risks and challenge ourselves,” she said. “I continued my education through professional experience and travel in other places and cultures that added to the foundation that was laid at Brock.”

  For Visual Arts graduate Amber Lee Williams (BA ’20), winner of the 2024 Emerging Artist Award, art enriches community.

  “For me, art is about making meaningful connections. It’s a way to share my thoughts and feelings while inviting others to respond and share their own perspectives,” she said.

  Williams said her experiences at Brock, where she felt supported and encouraged by professors and the University community, gave her the confidence and drive to pursue a career in fine arts.

  In addition to her own interdisciplinary creative practice centred in photography, Williams now works with many local community organizations like Niagara Artists Centre and Willow Arts Community delivering workshops and classes exploring photo-based mediums.

  “Art brings joy and meaning to my life, even in the smallest, everyday moments. I am honoured and excited to help expand the arts community in Niagara region — and to give back to a community that has offered me so much support,” she said.

  Linda Carreiro, Associate Dean of Fine and Performing Arts, said Brock has been successful in providing a strong foundation for students to pursue their careers.

  “This path may take many forms, but we’re always pleased to see when people continue making meaningful contributions to the arts,” she said.

  Jessica Wilson, Culture Supervisor for the City of St. Catharines, said the city is enriched by artists, educators, and supporters whose dedication and creative expression build a vibrant cultural landscape that connects and uplifts the whole community.

  “This year’s Arts Awards recipients exemplify the profound impact the arts have on St. Catharines,” Wilson said.

  “The artistic talent in this city continues to impress me and creates a huge sense of pride in our local artistic scene,” Mayor of St. Catharines Mat Siscoe said. “Their efforts continue to grow our cultural sector and have made St. Catharines the vibrant centre of culture in the Niagara region.”

  The full list of Brock grads who received 2024 St. Catharines Arts Awards includes:

  • 2024 Emerging Artist Award — Amber Lee Williams (BA ’20)
  • 2024 Established Artist — Cole Lewis (BA ’04, MA ’08)
  • 2024 Arts in Education Award — Brenna McAllister (BA ’00, BEd ’02)
  • 2024 Making a Difference Award — Deanna Jones (BA ’02)
  • 2024 Patron of the Arts Award — Annette F. Urlocker (BA ’73)

  Tags: alumni, City of St. Catharines, communication popular culture and film, department of dramatic arts, Department of Visual Arts, education, faculty of education, faculty of social sciences, Graduate Studies, humanities, marilyn i. walker school of fine and performing arts, MIWSFPA, St. Catharines Arts Awards
  Categories: Alumni, In the Media

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

  Wednesday, November 06, 2024 | By eknight

  

  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 Gillian Minaker

  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.

  Tags: Cleah Fast, development and donor relations, humanities, Linda Carreiro, marilyn i. walker school of fine and performing arts, MIWSFPA, Visual Arts
  

• Groundbreaking artists bring inspiration to Niagara

  Friday, August 30, 2024 | By eknight

  

  Image caption: Award-winning multidisciplinary artist Jani Lauzon (left) and artist and scholar Camille Turner will bring their creative expertise to Brock this fall as part of the 2024-25 Walker Cultural Leader Series.

  Friday, August 30, 2024 | by Gillian Minaker

  From nurturing Indigenous-settler reconciliation through theatre creation and exposing silenced Black histories through an immersive art exhibition, Brock is bringing unique, hands-on learning experiences to the campus and wider community this fall.

  As the University kicks off its 60th anniversary celebrations, a new season of compelling cultural events, workshops and lectures launches in September as part of Brock’s 2024-25 Walker Cultural Leader (WCL) Series presented by the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIWSFPA).

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  Supported by the generosity of the late Marilyn I. Walker, the series enriches local creative and intellectual life by inviting recognized cultural leaders, top researchers, scholars, professionals and visiting artists from all disciplines to Brock’s downtown arts school.

  MIWSFPA Director and Associate Dean of Fine and Performing Arts Linda Carreiro said the significant impact of arts and culture at Brock, and society at large, is highlighted by the work of renowned visiting artists and scholars in this year’s lineup.

  “It’s always such a pleasure to host cultural leaders with deep knowledge and expertise who are so willing to share their talents with the local community,” Carreiro said. “Our Walker Cultural Leaders provide not only examples of artistic excellence, but this year’s series also facilitates important conversations about respectful and meaningful collaboration, inclusion, reconciliation and redress.”

  The series begins Saturday, Sept. 7 with creative workshops, led by celebrated Montréal-based visual artist Marc-Alexandre Dumoulin, exploring art making and how art is defined.

  In October, award-winning artist and scholar Camille Turner, whose work combines Afrofuturism and history, will bring her Afronautic Research Lab project to the MIWSFPA Visual Arts Gallery in an immersive exhibition. She will also provide a workshop, Afronautic Research Methodology, to students and members of the public on Saturday, Oct. 5, with advance registration required.

  Gemini award recipient Jani Lauzon, a multidisciplinary artist of Métis, French and Finnish ancestry, will take the stage at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre’s Film House on Wednesday, Oct. 2 for a public talk alongside Kaitlyn Riordin. The two co-authored the play 1939, which takes place in a fictional residential school in northern Ontario.

  Lauzon will continue to work with Dramatic Arts (DART) students, faculty and theatre production staff throughout the year in workshops on Indigenous productions in preparation for an upcoming DART mainstage production led by Métis DART faculty member Matthew MacKenzie.

  In the winter, Chicago-based composer, performer and music educator John Robert Matz will be in residency at Brock for a “sound jam” in partnership with Digital Humanities where participants will create video game prototypes using sound in innovative ways.

  Matz will also give a public lecture at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre about his experience of being invited to compose the score for the game Tchia (Awaceb2023) by members of New Caledonia, offering perspective on ethical, cross-cultural collaborations with Indigenous communities.

  Many of the WCL Series events are open to the public. Visit the MIWSFPA WCL website for more information on the visiting speakers and registration information.

  “Marilyn I. Walker’s generous gift continues to support impactful programming for our students and for the public who take part in the events,” Carreiro said.

  Tags: centre for studies in arts and culture, department of dramatic arts, Department of Music, Department of Visual Arts, dramatic arts, humanities, marilyn i. walker school of fine and performing arts, MIWSFPA, music, Visual Arts, Walker Culture Leader Series
  Categories: News, Walker Cultural Leader

• Grad’s passions for fencing and art collide at Brock

  Friday, June 14, 2024 | By eknight

  

  Image caption: Sara Fellman, a Studio Arts student and member of the Brock fencing team, earned her degree from the Faculty of Humanities on Friday, June 14.

  FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2024 | by Stephen Leithwood

  Most people would struggle to find the connection between visual arts and the sport of fencing — but Sara Fellman (BA ’24) isn’t most people.

  For the international Studio arts graduate, the two activities come together to create a perfect balance between free-flowing creativity and controlled precision. And, in her mind, there was no better place for that collision to happen than Brock University.

  Fellman, who hails from Brooklyn, New York, reflected on her academic and athletic journey after crossing the stage to receive her Bachelor of Arts at Brock’s 115th Convocation on Friday, June 14.

  Her connection to Canada and Brock began with her father’s belief in the value of Canadian education.

  “My dad grew up in Vancouver and went to McGill for his undergrad,” she said. “He firmly believed that Canadian universities had a better bang for his buck, with better quality and reasonable tuition.”

  Her first visit to Brock in 2018 with her father solidified her decision to attend the University.

  During a tour, she met Tim Stang, Brock’s fencing coach, who played a crucial role in her choice.

  “Tim gave me a student-athlete tour of the facilities and the school, talked up the fencing program and reassured me that I didn’t have to have everything figured out at 17 to be successful in university,” she said. “I was sold from then on.”

  Fellman’s fencing journey began much earlier, in her elementary school days in Brooklyn.

  “I was not an athletic kid; I was kind of a schlub, so when fencing was offered as an afterschool activity at my public elementary school, my parents signed me up,” she said.

  What started as a weekend obligation evolved into a passion, especially during a challenging time in high school when fencing became her solace.

  “I was having a hard time emotionally, and I found solace in winning fencing competitions,” she said. “Since then, I’ve been in love with fencing.”

  At Brock, Fellman’s love for the sport deepened, thanks to the dedicated coaching staff.

  “All my coaches have had a major impact on me and my fencing. Starting with my first coach Rolando Balboa from Brooklyn Fencing,” she said. “Kathy Girard at Brock University genuinely changed the way I understood fencing for the better, and of course, Tim Stang taught me how to utilize my fire, but still be polite and pleasant off the fencing strip.”

  Stang speaks highly of Fellman’s contributions to the team.

  “Sara was a pivotal member of the team. From Day 1, she brought immense passion for the game which was infectious to all around her,” Stang said. “Over her span at Brock, Sara has taken her passion and tempered it with a much deeper understanding of the sport. There is no stopping where she can go from here.”

  She won several Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Championship medals as a member of the Brock women’s fencing team since joining in 2019.

  Later this month, Fellman will compete in the USA National Championships, which take place in Columbus, Ohio, from June 29 to July 8.

  Fellman’s academic journey was equally enriching. She earned the Badgers’ Academic Excellence Award, which is awarded to student-athletes who achieve a high average.

  An artist at heart, she explored various mediums, including drawing, printmaking, painting, analog photography and sculpture, with a keen interest in performance and political art at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts.

  “Through my artwork, I hope to explore ways I remain connected to cultural heritage, home and family,” she said. “Moving forward, I’ll work towards a trauma-informed practice, making space and highlighting the voices of the marginalized and oppressed with a focus on fostering community.”

  Tags: bachelor of arts, brock international, convocation, Faculty of Humanities, fencing, marilyn i. walker school of fine and performing arts, MIWSFPA, spring convocation, Studio Art, Tim Stang
  Categories: Alumni, In the Media, News

• Brock prof reflects on divisive history of portraits

  Monday, May 27, 2024 | By eknight

  

  Image caption: Professor of Visual Arts Linda Carreiro discusses the history of portraiture in the wake public response to recent portraits depicting King Charles III and Catherine, Princess of Wales.

  MONDAY, MAY 27, 2024 | by Gillian Minaker

  The public’s divided response to portraiture — as recently seen with works depicting King Charles III and Catherine, Princess of Wales — is as old as the art form itself, says Linda Carreiro.

  The Brock University Professor and visual artist says tension has long existed between an artist’s approach and the way artwork is viewed, particularly when its subject is famous. That division has only become more apparent in the age of social media, with portraits gaining much wider public reach.

  “One of the most fascinating aspects about this tradition is the friction that invariably results from an unveiled portrait, both arising from expectations of the sitter, who wishes to be viewed a certain way, and the public, who see the subject as iconic and not as open to artistic interpretations,” Carreiro says.

  Portrait painting was historically reserved for those deemed deserving of lasting representation — those who held power, fame, beauty or wealth.

  “But, in the past 200 years, there has emerged a different type of portraiture depicting working-class, under-represented and marginalized individuals,” Carreiro says.

  While the subjects of portraits have become more diverse, the desire to commission a painted legacy of well-known individuals who are considered societally “valuable” continues, with entire museums, boardrooms and chambers adorned with such artwork.

  In the case of royalty or other famous people who commission a portrait, the value to both sitter and artist is significant, Carreiro says, as the art cements long-standing attributes of prominence and posterity and often fetches enormous sums at future auctions.

  “If the artist is well known, the sitter is bestowed additional celebrity; if the artist is less recognized internationally, there is anticipated opportunity to launch a more lucrative career,” she says.

  Conventionally, a painter develops the artwork while the subject is present, says Carreiro, who has many years of portraiture under her belt. The portrait then becomes the result of an interpersonal dynamic and response between the artist and the subject, similar to any other relationship.

  In the case of Jonathan Yeo’s portrait of King Charles, however, the sittings were clearly followed with the use of a reference photograph to complete the piece. This means there was more intention to how the painting was constructed, with less influence of the sitter in the environment, she says.

  “This is in line with the shift in current portraiture generally, where selfies are controlled and excessively edited to create a highly managed public persona,” Carreiro adds.

  Whether the viewer enjoys the portrait or not, she says it is clear that “as long as artists are commissioned to depict and interpret famous subjects, so too will there be strong reactions to the portrait — offering an opportunity to think about the fascinating exchanges between artist, sitter and audience.”

  Tags: Faculty of Humanities, Linda Carreiro, marilyn i. walker school of fine and performing arts, MIWSFPA
  Categories: Faculty & Instructors, In the Media, News, Uncategorised

• Annual Brock Visual Arts exhibition opens at local culinary hot spot

  Tuesday, March 12, 2024 | By eknight

  

  Image caption: Participating artists from the Brock’s Department of Visuals Arts gathered at the opening reception of the Department of Visual Arts Annual Juried Exhibition at Dispatch Restaurant on Wednesday, March 6 to share their creative work with the local community.

  TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2024 | by Gillian Minaker

  Brock’s Department of Visual Art (VISA) is inviting the community to enjoy its Annual Juried Exhibition in a unique new home this year.

  In partnership with Dispatch Restaurant, the exhibition will showcase selected artwork of VISA students, faculty and staff until Sunday, April 28 in downtown St. Catharines.

  Sonya Marie de Lazzer, Gallery Co-ordinator and Instructor at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIWSFPA), said collaborating with the team at Dispatch was a valuable experience for the Department, especially the students.

  “This kind of opportunity gets students and their creative work outside of the studio and into the community, which is significant from a learning standpoint,” de Lazzer said.

  Participating artists gained new perspective as they conceptualized and created work to be displayed in a public setting and outside a traditional gallery, she said.

  “New venues bring new audiences, increasing exposure for emerging artists and adding to their portfolio of work. This collaboration also highlights the richness of outreach and partnership; we’re so lucky to be surrounded by such an amazing and supportive community in Niagara,” she said.

  Michal Kapusty, General Manager of Dispatch, a popular dining destination known for its innovative approach to the culinary arts, echoed the significance of collaborating with Brock to support the growth of a vibrant and strong downtown community.

  “Working with the Visual Arts department at Brock has been exciting and rewarding. Food and beverage, just like the artwork in the exhibition, is also form of expression and storytelling. It’s a perfect pairing,” he said.

  Dispatch Restaurant is located at 386 St. Paul St. For more information, please visit the Visual Arts website.

  Categories: Exhibitions, Media Releases, News, Uncategorised