UNews - Jon Oxley

Annual En Plein Air art exhibition largest yet with over 140 original works

trevor.kenney — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 18:56:43 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Gallery continues the en plein air tradition, the act of creating art outdoors, inviting artists to the Coutts Centre for Western Canadian Heritage monthly from May through September. Inspired by the stunning garden property, located near Nanton, the largest number of participating artists have contributed the largest number of artworks for thesixth annual En Plein Air exhibition, opening at the Dr. James Foster Penny Building, Saturday, Nov. 30, with an opening reception from 3-5 p.m.

The largest number of participating artists have contributed the largest number of artworks for the sixth annual En Plein Air exhibition.

The 2019 En Plein Air art exhibition, running November 30 through December 20, will feature the largest number of works since its inception, with 43 artists contributing 144 pieces.

“The En Plein Air exhibition continues to demonstrate increasing strength and quality as a group exhibition while attracting new participants and submissions from southern Alberta and BC artists,” says Jon Oxley, Art Gallery administrative manager. “The Coutts Centre gardens and buildings keep changing each year, and the artists keep finding new themes and focus all around its lush 12 acres.”

New to the exhibition this year is photography by Morton Molyneaux, who used an ancient Brownie camera, and did his own platinum and palladium photographic processing, with very unique results. There is a ceramic model of the Camera Obscura located on the property, featuring a light-powered occulus requiring the viewer to peer into the ceramic silo. There’s a large bowl of giant ceramic seeds, and the largest painting ever submitted to the En Plein Air exhibition, a Gainsborough-like garden setting with a cellist in the foreground.

Donated to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2011, the Coutts Centre for Western Canadian Heritage has become a living classroom where students, faculty and visitors can make use of the natural setting to study the history, artwork, ecosystems and geography associated with the area.

“Dr. Jim Coutts believed strongly in supporting the arts,” explains Oxley. “It’s an honour to help continue his legacy by inviting artists to his property each summer and seeing their work exhibited soon after.”

Co-sponsored by the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Coutts Centre for Western Canadian Heritage, En Plein Air opens with a reception on Saturday, Nov. 30, 3-5 p.m. in the Penny Gallery. The exhibition, running until Dec. 20, is open to the public Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ names 2019 President's Award winners

trevor.kenney — Wed, 01 May 2019 19:46:17 +0000

The President’s Award for Service Excellence is awarded annually to ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge employees in recognition of the provision of exceptional service to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community.

Typically, one award is given to an AUPE/ESS employee, one award is given to an APO/Executive Director employee and a third is given to a team or group that has distinguished itself. Award recipients are honoured at the annual Long Service Awards and Retirement Recognition Ceremony.

Following are the 2019 winners.

AUPE - Chris Morris

Chris Morris

In his role as technical specialist in the Department of Music, U of L alumnus Chris Morris has proven himself to be an indispensable asset to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community. Over the years, Chris has seamlessly supported students, faculty, staff and visiting artists through his vast knowledge base combined with his natural interpersonal skills.

Chris’s responsibilities include managing all of the digital audio equipment and spaces, troubleshooting technical problems, providing studio training and repairing audio equipment. Despite having such an extensive list of responsibilities, he handles it all with a level head. His attention to detail and emphasis on organization allow him to problem-solve with a high degree of efficiency and care. When someone comes to Chris with a problem, they can be sure he’ll find a solution.

Juggling countless moving parts does not stop Chris from remaining a genuine and encouraging presence on campus. Anyone who encounters Chris is sure to remember his thoughtful approach to the work that he does. Further, our students are always top of mind for Chris, and he is always scoping out new, cutting-edge opportunities for students to expand their knowledge and skillsets. He is always willing to go above and beyond what is expected of him, even if it means putting in extra time or energy.

APO - Jon Oxley

Jon Oxley

Through his dedication to going above and beyond to complete a project, Jon Oxley epitomizes what it means to approach one’s work with their whole heart. Jon’s extensive expertise, friendly nature and willingness to go the extra mile sets him apart.

During his time at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Jon has championed a number of roles. His impressive history includes positions such as Students’ Union president, Art Gallery tech, Students’ Union manager and now, administrative manager of the Art Gallery. He is a familiar face on campus, and he treats his many interactions with positivity and generosity.

Jon consistently takes a leadership role in anything he does. Whether it is preparing for a new installation at the Art Gallery or ensuring projects are on track to be completed, Jon remains at the front lines. As an example, Jon was a central figure in the recent gift from Dr. Margaret (Marmie) Perkins Hess, taking on such responsibilities as corresponding between departments and managing the acquisition of more than 1,500 objects.

Whether he is trouble-shooting technical challenges or finding ways to bring the arts to the wider community, Jon maintains a steady composure to ensure that the job gets done. His generous spirit extends into his life outside of work, where he actively volunteers throughout the community. He is also likely not too far from a good cup of coffee.

Team - Institutional Analysis

The IA Team consisting of James Croil, Mandy Moser and Jon Kozub. Not pictured is Darlene Unrau.

When it comes to deciphering patterns in a setting as diverse as a university, nobody does it better than the Institutional Analysis team. Comprised of Mandy Moser, Darlene Unrau, Jon Kozub, and James Croil, this team of four U of L alumni are exemplars in transforming data into insight that informs the future of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Described as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s detectives, this team interprets data to find solutions, propose improvements and inform decision-making processes across our campuses. Thanks to their solution-driven approach, the discoveries they make are translated into strong steps forward.

Although they are a small group, their reach is wide — from departmental levels to executive decision-making and budget, to government reporting. Their ability to collaborate with diverse groups and work towards smart solutions further cements their position as leaders within our community. For instance, not only are they experts in their own roles, but they actively work to communicate their expertise so that others can grow their own confidence in data management.

Their work requires long hours and oftentimes they are faced with quick turnarounds. Yet, they always meet a challenge with the necessary vigor and innovationto complete a task well. The calibre of the work they do is consistently impressive, both in quantity and quality.

Third annual En Plein Air exhibition returns to Penny Gallery

trevor.kenney — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 21:28:21 +0000

The beautiful gardens of the Coutts Centre for Western Canadian Heritage continued to inspire artists throughout 2017 during the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Gallery’s En Plein Air artist opportunities, and the fruits of their labour will be on display at the Dr. Foster James Penny Building December 2-22.

En Plein Air runs Dec. 2-22, and is open to the public Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

From May through August 2017, the uLethbridge Art Gallery hosted three “En Plein Air days” and the Faculty of Fine Arts hosted the Coutts Centre Arts Festival on July 23 – a day of live music, art making, garden tours and a performance by the Lethbridge Shakespeare Performance Society. The works submitted for the En Plein Air 2017 exhibition represent the work of participating artists, depicting the many moods, weather systems, and lighting conditions of the Coutts Centre, from blossom to harvest. The array of colours and media in this exhibition are as diverse as the grounds at the Coutts family homestead.

“This year we are excited to present 97 distinct pieces from 29 artists that joined us at En Plein Air this summer,” says Jon Oxley, uLethbridge Art Gallery administrative manager. “There are 92 2D works, with one artist submitting 26 small pieces installed in a grid, and the rest are 3D sculptural works including a grouping of five ceramic poppy heads with metal stands, small knitted yarn pieces, a wall mounted grain silo and a large quilt.”

Co-sponsored by the Faculty of Fine Arts and Alumni Relations, En Plein Air opens with a reception on Saturday, Dec. 2, 3-5 pm in the Penny Gallery. The exhibition, running until Dec. 22, is open to the public Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Iconic maquette statues temporarily removed for safety reasons

caroline.zentner — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 17:47:23 +0000

The six maquette statues that once overlooked the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts Atrium are now in storage after a structural problem with the Level 7 plant deck where they were installed was identifed last December.

The Pointer

The statues, characters from ‘The Audience’ sculpture by Canadian artist Michael Snow, were not in danger of falling but a restraining handrail was beginning to bend as a result of the pressure from two steel cables attached to two of the sculptures. Staff from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Facilities department erred on the side of caution and had the statues removed.

Chad Patterson, Art Gallery technician, prepares to move one of the maquette statues from the Atrium.

“We have submitted a proposal to an engineering consultant engaged by Facilities for a permanent structural installation for the sculptures,” says Jon Oxley, Art Gallery administrative manager.

The firm will review the proposal and develop recommendations. The goal is to increase safety for the workers who use the deck to tend to the plants and gallery staff who check on the sculptures. The process is likely to take several months.

“The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is hoping and planning to have the six statues reinstalled as soon as possible, as well as the additional eight that are part of the original sculptural installation,” says Oxley. “Reinstallation will require a fair bit of work and dedicated space so it will depend on the needs identified by the engineering consultant and the Atrium’s schedule.”

In the meantime, the six sculptures have rejoined the eight other characters from ‘The Audience’ in storage in the U of L’s Art Vault. The maquettes, or preliminary models, are about a third of the size of the final figures that are suspended above the two main entrances to the Rogers Centre (Skydome) in Toronto. The 14 finished figures in Snow’s sculpture, made out of fiberglass, were installed in four separate boxes in 1989.

Bruiser Guy

An anonymous donor gave the maquettes to the U of L for its art collection in 1995. They are made of mixed media with wood, foam, burlap and plaster. They vary in size, with an average weight of 75 to 85 kilograms. The six maquettes, named Bruiser Guy, Binoculars, Point-to-Sky, Man & Child, The Waver and The Pointer, were installed in the Atrium in 2001. Art Gallery staff originally intended to display the other eight characters but circumstances and resources prevented that from happening.

While the statues are in storage, U of L student interns in Museum Studies will help conduct a conservation assessment. The maquettes will be cleaned and repaired, if needed.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library the perfect home for student art installation

trevor.kenney — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 20:45:15 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Library is embracing the ‘library as place’ concept, recognizing that library users should see themselves mirrored in their surroundings. As part of a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ situated on traditional Blackfoot land, it was only fitting then that the library found a home for Grant Spotted Bull’s Medicine Wheel Series art installation.

Grant Spotted Bull is a third-year bachelor of fine arts student at the U of L.

Spotted Bull, of Blackfoot heritage and born and raised on the nearby Blood Reserve, is a third-year bachelor of fine arts student at the U of L. His work speaks to the ideal of library as place.

“Grant’s paintings reflect where we are situated – in the heart of Blackfoot territory,” says Andrea Glover, Native American Studies librarian. “The work enriches the library space, reflects the diversity of our users, stimulates discussions about cultural memory and preserves a unique legacy.”

Married (Suzanne Williams Spotted Bull) and a father to four children (Christopher, Colten, Jessica and Tyler), Spotted Bull draws his talent and inspiration from his ancestors, namely his maternal grandmother Mary Eva Spotted Bull.

“My mother told me stories about Mary Eva and how the nuns thought she should go to school for art back east. Her parents wanted her to marry instead so she put her dreams aside,” says Spotted Bull. “Many of her children and grandchildren possess the same artistic talents. I feel blessed to be fulfilling my dreams by attending the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.”

The four-painting series, located on Level 10 of the library, tells the story of colonialism and its effects on First Nations people.

He explains the four-painting series, located on Level 10 of the library, as telling the story of colonialism and its effects on First Nations people.

“I had a dream a few years before I became a student,” he says. “In the dream I recall seeing an image, which I interpreted as a medicine wheel. I captured the image on watercolour paper using pencil crayons as my medium. It has an ethereal feel to it, with wisps of colours undulating like a flame of smoke.”

He then re-created the work as a much larger oil painting. It would eventually spawn a series.

“With no intentions of creating further interpretations, the foundation for the series began as one painting,” he says. “The painting I have called Pre is a reference to pre-colonial contact between Europeans and those of the Americas. The Fractured paintings symbolize the residential school era and the effects it had on the family as a whole. The Post paintings represent my generation, or those of us who did not experience residential school for ourselves. Lack of identity, alcoholism, physical, mental and sexual abuse are some of the issues many have experienced as a result of their parents, grandparents and great grandparents being forced to attend residential school.”

Jon Oxley, administrative manager of the U of L Art Gallery, says the series is both poignant and personal.

“These artworks are powerful, and have an incredible presence. His artwork speaks to some very timely social and political issues in Canada.”

Provoking discussion and reflecting the heritage of the Blackfoot people, the series is an ideal reflection of the library as place concept.

“We are proud to have this representation of indigenous knowledge in the Library,” says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Librarian, Dr. Chris Nicol.

UNews - Jon Oxley

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