News

  • Rodman Hall Art Centre wins at OAAG awards

    (Source: The Brock News, Thursday, November 6, 2014. Photo: Installation view – Jimmy Limit – “Recent Advancements”)

    Brock University’s Rodman Hall Art Centre was recognized with two prestigious prizes this week at the 37th annual Ontario Association of Art Galleries (OAAG) Awards, presented at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto Nov. 5.

    Twenty-eight public art galleries in 19 cities across Ontario were nominated for awards.

    Communities represented in the visual art nominations this year included Barrie, Cambridge, Chatham-Kent, Hamilton, Kingston, Kitchener, Kleinburg, London, Mississauga, Oakville, Oshawa, Ottawa, Owen Sound, St. Catharines, Sarnia, Toronto, Waterloo, Whitby, and Windsor.

    The OAAG Awards are annual, province-wide, juried art gallery awards of artistic merit and excellence.

    They recognize the new exhibitions, publications, programs and community partnerships that have been commissioned by and produced by Ontario’s public art galleries over the previous year.

    Jimmy Limit: Recent Advancements, curated by Marcie Bronson, was recognized as Exhibition of the Year, Monographic.

    In her acceptance speech, Bronson noted that this exhibition was St. Catharines-based Limit’s first public art gallery showing.

    The award citation noted the curator and artist as well as the Rodman Hall installation team, including Danny Custodio, Matthew Tegel and Jesse Harris.

    Inspired by commercial photography practices and the design of industrial supply catalogues and weekly flyers, Jimmy Limit builds and photographs simple constructions of hardware store goods and fruits.

    Selecting his varied subjects for their aesthetic interest rather than function, he engages them from a strictly formal standpoint.

    Through photographs and installations, Limit engages layers of reflection on past and present photography traditions to explore the relationship between an object and its image in a consideration of how desire is created and sold.

    The exhibition catalogue Milutin Gubash – co-published by Rodman Hall Art Centre, Carleton University Art Gallery, Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, Southern Alberta Art Gallery and Musée d’art de Joliette – received an Honourable Mention in the category of Art Publication of the Year.

    Serbian-born artist Milutin Gubash has developed a diverse practice focused on the investigation of his own personal, social and cultural identity.

    This first monograph examines the overlap of history, humour and authenticity found in his multifaceted practice.

    Often cast as the lead alongside his family and friends, Gubash employs narrative to blur the boundaries between real, lived lives and the people who we wish we were.

    Produced to accompany a multi-venue 10-year survey of Gubash’s work, the publication includes original essays and complete photographic documentation. Milutin Gubash lives and works in Montreal.

    Stuart Reid, director/curator of Rodman Hall Art Centre, said the awards are important recognition from peers.

    “They mean a great deal to our institution,” he said. ” We are very proud of the excellent program of contemporary art exhibitions that Rodman Hall produces for the Brock community and the people of Niagara.”

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  • VISA Instructor’s exhibition reviewed in current issue of Canadian Art

    f-holes2Associate Professor Duncan MacDonald’s recent group exhibition in Cambridge, Ontario entitled ‘5 over 4’ has recently been reviewed in Canadian Art’s 30th year edition. The exhibition featured artworks by artists working with sound in a variety of mediums. Artists included: Eleanor King, Christof Migone, Marla Hlady, Duncan MacDonald and Ursula Nistrup.

    For more info click HERE.

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    Categories: Faculty & Instructors, News

  • TRACE Panel Discussion and Catalogue Launch: VISA Honours Exhibition

    Trace

    Brock University Department of Visual Arts Honours Exhibition

    Panel Discussion and Catalogue Launch: Friday, April 11, 7 pm
    TRACE, the 2014 edition of the Brock University Visual Arts Honours Exhibition at Rodman Hall Art Centre, features artworks by seven graduating honours students from the Department of Visual Arts: Julia Chamberlain, Holley Corfield, Emma German, Amy Hansen, Stacey Kinder, Monique Mol, and Lauren Regier.

    This exhibition is the culmination of eight months of work during which students have pursued the creation of a sustained body of artwork. Under the mentorship of professors Donna Szőke and Jean Bridge, students have each evolved individual creative approaches to the delicate complexities of memory, touch, presence and evidence.

    The Department of Visual Arts partners with Rodman Hall to make it possible for graduating students to work in the studios at the gallery and engage directly with Curators Marcie Bronson and Stuart Reid and guest artists who exhibit at Rodman Hall throughout the year. In this stimulating environment, students are challenged to take their work from experimentation and making to professional-level production and exhibition. Students in the Honours Studio forge rigorous and impactful work within this unique context that enhances their future opportunities for graduate studies or professional creative practice with a strong portfolio.

    Such exhibits from the Department of Visual Arts are key to the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts’ mandate to connect the community with the breadth of talent and creativity at Brock University.

     

    Rodman Hall Art Centre / Brock University
    109 St. Paul Crescent, St. Catharines, Ontario L2S 1M3
    TEL 905.684.2925
    FAX 905.682.4733
    www.brocku.ca/rodmanhall

    Gallery Hours:

    Tuesday to Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm
    Thursday: 10 am to 9 pm
    Closed Monday and statutory holidays
    Admission is by donation.
    Free community event

     

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    Categories: 4F06 Honours Exhibition, Events, Exhibitions

  • Exhibition: Time And Space (VISA 2P98)

    timespace2014An exhibition of intermedia works.

    Click here for event poster.

    Free community event!

    When: April 7, 2014, 8 – 10 pm
    Location: Market Square, 91 King St., St. Catharines
    Contact: Marie Balsom, mbalsom@brocku.ca

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    Categories: Events, Exhibitions

  • TRACE: VISA Honours Exhibition

    Trace logo

    Brock University Department of Visual Arts Honours Exhibition

    March 22 to April 27, 2014
    Opening Reception: Friday, March 21, 7 pm
    Panel Discussion and Catalogue Launch: Friday, April 11, 7 pm
    TRACE, the 2014 edition of the Brock University Visual Arts Honours Exhibition at Rodman Hall Art Centre, features artworks by seven graduating honours students from the Department of Visual Arts: Julia Chamberlain, Holley Corfield, Emma German, Amy Hansen, Stacey Kinder, Monique Mol, and Lauren Regier.

    This exhibition is the culmination of eight months of work during which students have pursued the creation of a sustained body of artwork. Under the mentorship of professors Donna Szőke and Jean Bridge, students have each evolved individual creative approaches to the delicate complexities of memory, touch, presence and evidence.

    The Department of Visual Arts partners with Rodman Hall to make it possible for graduating students to work in the studios at the gallery and engage directly with Curators Marcie Bronson and Stuart Reid and guest artists who exhibit at Rodman Hall throughout the year. In this stimulating environment, students are challenged to take their work from experimentation and making to professional-level production and exhibition. Students in the Honours Studio forge rigorous and impactful work within this unique context that enhances their future opportunities for graduate studies or professional creative practice with a strong portfolio.

    Such exhibits from the Department of Visual Arts are key to the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts’ mandate to connect the community with the breadth of talent and creativity at Brock University.

     

    Rodman Hall Art Centre / Brock University
    109 St. Paul Crescent, St. Catharines, Ontario L2S 1M3
    TEL 905.684.2925
    FAX 905.682.4733
    www.brocku.ca/rodmanhall

    Gallery Hours:

    Tuesday to Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm
    Thursday: 10 am to 9 pm
    Closed Monday and statutory holidays
    Admission is by donation.
    Free community event

     

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    Categories: 4F06 Honours Exhibition, Events, Exhibitions

  • Interactive Arts and Science students’ video game AWAKEN wins Best Game at Level Up gaming showcase

    The winning Brock U IASC team at Level Up

    The winning Brock U IASC team at Level Up

    The Interactive Arts and Science program is proud to announce that Brock University’s 4th year IASC students showcased their video game AWAKEN at Toronto’s gaming showcase, Level Up…. and won BEST GAME!! Congratulations to the team!

    Level Up was held at Design Exchange in Toronto on Wednesday, April 3rd. It showcases the work of the most talented students in design, animation and computer science programs from colleges and universities across Ontario.

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    Categories: News

  • 4th year IASC students to showcase video game at major Toronto event

    4th year Interactive Arts and Science students are going to be taking their AWAKEN video game to major gaming showcase, Level Up happening in Toronto April 3rd. Level Up is the first event of its kind that showcases the most talented students in design, animation and computer science programs from colleges and universities across Ontario. We are proud to have our 4th year IASC students representing Brock University at this event.

    The students in the Interactive Arts and Science program who have created Awaken are participating in the program’s capstone game development course. This course challenges students to propose, conceive, develop and produce a polished, critically-engaged interactive media or game prototype. The Awaken team, which makes up the fourth cohort to graduate from the program, has devised a first person game with surprising plot twists and challenging gameplay. This work demonstrates the group’s depth and breadth of knowledge in a wide range of topics and skills – from game theory to game engines. The team brings together a diverse range of talent that has enabled them to create a complex narrative and characters; build 3D models, audio and spatial environments; design and implement puzzles and other interactions between player and game system; and produce and integrate cinematic enhancements for the game.

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  • In The Works

    intheworksthumb_1The Department of Visual Arts & the Centre for Studies in Arts and Culture present:
    In The Works
    Donna Akrey, Scott Sawtell and Jessica Thompson
    Faculty and Instructors from Brock University’s Department of Visual Arts and Centre for Studies in Arts and Culture speak about art, research and works-in-progress. All are welcome to attend and be part of the discussion.

    When: March 2, 2013 – 3:00pm
    Location: Niagara Artists Centre, 354 St. Paul St., St. Catharines
    Cost: $0
    Sponsor: the Department of Visual Arts and the Centre for Studies in Arts and Culture
    Contact: Prof. Duncan MacDonald dmacdonald@brocku.ca

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    Categories: Events

  • Renew: A Juried Exhibition opens

    renewthumbThe Brock Art Club of 2012/13 will be hosting it’s first annual Juried Art Exhibition at the Niagara Artists Centre in St. Catharines.

    Renew: A Juried Exhibition

    When: March 2 to March 15th, 2013
    Opening reception: March 2nd 7:00 pm
    Location: Niagara Artists Centre, 354 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines
    Gallery Hours:
    Wednesday to Friday 10am – 5pm
    Saturday 12nn – 4pm
    or often by chance
    Cost: Free
    Sponsor: Brock Art Club 2012/2013
    Contact: Lynzey Ruscitti

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    Categories: Events, Exhibitions

  • Brock graduate wins national art award

    Sarah Beattie's winning painting of a woman sneezing

    Sarah Beattie’s winning painting of a woman sneezing.

    Sarah Beattie grabs her camera and tries to capture the moment – at least a re-enactment of it – and use it as a muse for her next painting.

    She seems to have found the perfect inspiration. Beattie has been chosen as the regional winner in the BMO 1st Art! Awards for her painting of a young woman sneezing.

    “It’s pretty unreal,” Beattie said. “I didn’t think I had that good a chance of winning because the competition could have been any form of art.”

    Now in the 10th year, the BMO 1st Art! Awards is a national competition for artists graduating from university. Entrants are chosen by Deans and instructors based on student skill and imagination.

    In the end, one national winner and 12 regional winners – one from each province or territory – are selected by a panel of judges.

    The award comes with a $5,000-cash prize. The winners’ work will also be on display at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art in Toronto from Oct. 3 to 28 and be published in Canadian Art magazine.

    It’s critical exposure for a young artist embarking on a professional career and trying to make a name for themselves, said Beattie, who graduated with her bachelor of arts this past spring.

    Her winning painting is one of a series of six called Say Sneeze that Beattie painted during her honours studio class earlier this year at Rodman Hall. Each work captures someone on the verge of sneezing that she photographed up to 100 times first.

    “A photograph is an instantaneous thing, just like a sneeze,” she explained.

    The series is a work in progress and will eventually include a self-portrait of Beattie herself on the brink of eliciting a ‘Bless you.’ Beattie hopes to eventually do a solo exhibition of her work.

    “I’d like to have 10 different ones, like a big simultaneous sneeze,” Beattie said.

    Prof. Donna Szoke, who taught Beattie during her honours studio class, called her a gifted painter who stands her ground when it comes to how she creates.

    “She’s very insightful in her own process and she trusts her process implicitly. That’s unusual for a young artist,” Szoke said. “She’s very determined.”

    Keri Cronin, chair of the Department of Visual Arts, said the award is well-deserved.

    “Sarah is a hard-working, innovative young artist who excelled in her classes at Brock,” Cronin said.

    Cronin predicts there will be more accolades for students, particularly once the new Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts moves to its new space in downtown St. Catharines in 2014.

    “We have excellent instructors in the Department of Visual Arts and our small class sizes allow for students to receive a lot of one-on-one instruction and mentorship. This kind of environment plays an important role in allowing students to grow as artists and to achieve their full potential,” she said. “This dynamic coupled with the state-of-the-art facilities we will have in our new downtown building will lead to more of these sorts of awards and honours for our students.”

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    Categories: Alumni, Current Students, News