UNews - Abbondànza

Abbondànza returns, generating record fundraising effort in support of student endowment

trevor.kenney — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 17:57:12 +0000

A record-setting fundraising effort that will shape the creative and career development of the next generation of artists is the legacy of the Abbondànza endowment and the return of the long-running fundraising dinner for 2025.

This year, Abbondànza (Italian for abundance) took on a fresh approach and tied its celebrations to the inaugural Vibe Fest, an all-access community event that opened the doors of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts to the public to showcase the creative talents of Fine Arts students, alumni and employees. The result was a record $70,000 raised for the endowment, with attendees and sponsors contributing before and during the festivities. The Board of Governors will match all net proceeds of the event, doubling the funds dedicated to supporting experiential and work-integrated learning opportunities for Fine Arts students.

Drama students captivated the audience with an electric, David Bowie-inspired performance.

“Abbondànza unites those who believe in the arts and in arts education, and this year, we’re continuing that legacy by creating new awards in the endowment for experiential learning — such as internships, artist residencies and practicums — offering our students hands-on, real-world experiences,” says Dr. Heather Davis-Fisch, Faculty of Fine Arts dean.

“These experiences help our students gain confidence, build professional networks and transition from the classroom to careers in the cultural sector, further shaping their futures and engaging our communities through creative partnerships.”

The Faculty’s long-running fundraising dinner, Abbondànza has raised more than $1.75 million to create 155 scholarships for new and continuing Fine Arts students. For over 20 years, Abbondànza has brought conga lines, sing-alongs, serenading chefs, performances, auctions and more in a celebration of creativity, community and generosity.

For former students like Nicole Wilkinson (BFA - Art ’18), receiving an Abbondànza Award allowed her to explore her studies deeper and put herself on the right educational path.

“The Abbondànza Award made me feel recognized and seen for my hard work and it gave me the chance to pursue an internship at the Galt Museum & Archives. That internship turned out to be a turning point in my life. It wasn’t just an opportunity to learn — it was where I found my calling,” says Wilkinson.

“Supporting Fine Arts students creates possibilities far beyond the classroom. It fosters creativity, critical thinking and passion — qualities that shape our communities. Today, I’m fortunate to be working as a Curatorial Assistant with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta Museums, continuing the work I started at the Galt Museum. Everything I learned there has been foundational to what I do now, and I carry it with me every day.”

Performances at Abbondànza included a curated showcase of works from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Art Collection, a fashion show with student-designed and created costumes for Mainstage productions and a performance from renowned members of the Music department.

“Having Abbondànza nested within Vibe Fest allows us to bring world-class talent to the forefront,” adds Davis-Fisch. “Vibe Fest highlights the diverse talents of our students, employees and alumni, and strengthens the bond between the Faculty and the broader community. It’s an event that connects us all in celebration of the transformative power of the arts.”

To contribute to the Abbondànza endowment, visit the giving web page.

The Abbondànza fundraising dinner and Vibe Fest are an example of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Strategic Plan in action under the strategic direction to Engage Communities. We proudly engage as a vibrant and present partner as we aim to generate knowledge and build capacity, foster mutual growth, address shared challenges and create pathways for communities to thrive.

Looking backwards, and forwards, at 20 years of supporting the fine arts

trevor.kenney — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 21:50:43 +0000

Conga lines and sing-alongs, chefs and serenades, performances, pottery, prints and more. Join the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge as it dances down memory lane, celebrating 20 years of Abbondànza!

More than a fundraiser, Abbondanza was always an event not to be missed. PHOTO BY Jaime Vedres Photography

Over the course of 20 years there have been: 19 memorable parties, supported by 87 sponsors; 463 unique artworks auctioned; over 400 student, alumni and faculty performers; and most proudly, $1,754,753 in Endowment funds creating 155 scholarships to date.

“Impact begins with an idea,” says Dr. Mary Ingraham, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts. “Two local restauranteurs, Tony Rose and Rocco Suriano of Coco Pazzo Italian Café, saw how they could support fine arts students pursuing their education, bringing the idea of a fundraising dinner to then associate dean, Carl Granzow. Thanks to their passion and drive, the Abbondànza Endowment will continue to provide over 30 scholarships annually to students studying art, drama, music and new media.”

The Faculty of Fine Arts’ annual student scholarship fundraiser would have hosted the 20th event in 2021, a momentous milestone befitting a grand celebration. While pandemic regulations prevent the in-person celebration of this 20-year anniversary, the Faculty doesn’t want to miss the chance to highlight this momentous milestone. On Thursday, April 22, patrons are invited to participate online throughout the day as the U of L looks back at 20 phenomenal years of community support.

Chef's Trio was always one of the most popular Abbondanza performances. PHOTO BY Jaime Vedres Photography

“There are so many good memories – there were conga lines! And the cone-fetti that we scattered across the restaurant. I think they were still finding it years later,” laughs Douglas MacArthur, associate dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, and a 20-year committee member who has helped plan and host the event. “But most memorably, it’s the people. The students who are so excited to perform for these important community supporters, and the sponsors, many who join us year after year. It built this community of people who support the arts.”

So many memories also means so many people to thank.

“First of all, I’d like to thank Rocco, Tony and Carl for working together to create this event. I want to thank 87 sponsors and hundreds of attendees who are touching the lives of our students in a wonderful and profound way. And thank you to the more than 500 students, alumni and faculty who have supported the event by sharing their talents.”

Watch online and on social media for videos, memorable photos throughout the years, thank you messages from students impacted by the awards, and information about what comes next.

“We definitely miss hosting an event and seeing our friends and supporters in person, but the change to our routine has allowed us to look backwards as well as ahead to the future,” says Ingraham. “Over the past 20 years our community has helped create a self-sustaining, multi-million-dollar endowment to support student scholarships. Imagine what we can do next.”

Scholarships support students in accessing affordable education. The next step is helping them find their path to career success by supporting opportunities that help students apply and expand their skills, network with potential employers, and explore career options. To this end, the Faculty is launching the Fine Arts Experience Enrichment Fund to support student career advancement.

“We invite our supporters and the arts community to learn more about the Fine Arts Experience Enrichment Fund, a new fund created to support experiential learning; learning that will help our students enhance the professional skills they're already receiving in their programs and bring them out into the community to build new networks, try out career options and serve their community by adding their expertise to local and regional organizations,” says Ingraham.

“There are many ways our supporters can help us. One, of course, is through donations, to help us build this fund from the ground up. They can also share their passion for fine arts with their friends, encourage them to support the arts in their community, perhaps by creating opportunities for experiential learning. And we invite them to come, to show up and share in the joy and passion of making art in the fine arts.”

To join the anniversary celebration, and learn more about the Experience Enrichment Fund, visit go.uleth.ca/support-fine-arts or find the Faculty of Fine Arts on Facebook.

Abbondànza endowment provides record number of scholarships to Faculty of Fine Arts students

trevor.kenney — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 18:06:54 +0000

Thanks to 20 years of community support, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is excited to announce a record number of scholarships from the Abbondànza Fine Arts Scholarship Endowment for the 2020/2021 academic year. This fall, an astounding 30 scholarships were provided to Fine Arts students studying art, drama, music, new media and multidisciplinary programs.

In 2019, the growing endowment reached over $1.6 million, allowing the opportunity to rewrite terms of reference for award distribution and creating new award categories. The endowment, which originally supported financial awards for senior Fine Arts students only, now provides scholarships to entrance, continuing, senior and graduate-level students.

Graduate student Anna Nikolova

“As an international student from a low-income, single-parent family, an education in a prestigious Canadian university such as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge would not have been possible without financial support,” says Anna Nikolova, a new media graduate student. “The Abbondànza scholarship made it possible for me to cover my housing expenses for the upcoming semester and afford additional technology to successfully continue my new media projects, the most important being my MFA thesis.”

Initiated by visionaries Tony Rose and Rocco Suriano, owners of Italian restaurant Coco Pazzo, and the then Faculty of Fine Arts dean, Carl Granzow, Abbondànza became one of the most anticipated social events on the calendar. The growth of the endowment is from two decades of continuing community support from sponsors, attendees and the dean’s office.

“I felt it was important scholarships would be available to the fine arts and I didn’t see a lot of dollars moving in that direction, so we approached Carl with the idea for a fine arts fundraiser,” says Rose, who still attends Abbondànza annually. An evening of abundance was created, with Italian food, exquisite entertainment and fine art highlighting student and faculty talents. It continues to bring together passionate arts supporters and philanthropists, many who have attended every event since 2002.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the 20th Abbondànza event in 2021, but the need for student scholarships continues to grow.

“During an extra difficult time, we are thrilled to see 30 students have their economic stress reduced this year thanks to generous donations to the Abbondànza endowment,” says Dr. Mary Ingraham, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts. “While we’ll miss hosting our friends at an in-person event this year, we hope you will join us in celebrating 20 years of Abbondànza online and continue to give when and where you are able.”

Community arts supporters are invited to visit go.uleth.ca/abbondanza to learn more about this year’s award recipients and to make donations online. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Donations can also be accepted by cheque or credit card over the phone by contacting ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Advancement.

Dramatic arts student Jordyn Nixon

Watch the Faculty of Fine Arts website and social media in the new year for online celebrations looking back at 20 years of Abbondànza, community support and student gratitude.

“I cannot express how deeply thankful I am that we have such gracious donors giving young artists and students the means to continue to further their education and allow them to nurture their talents,” says dramatic arts student Jordyn Nixon. “This is the greatest gift a performer or artist can ask for in terms of the growth that it can help foster within the post-secondary world. Thank you so much for believing in me and what I have to give to the Fine Arts, and for your continuing support to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and its students.”

Abbondànza promises an evening like no other

trevor.kenney — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 17:54:37 +0000

Italian food, phenomenal entertainment and original artwork in support of students of the arts.

Student performances highlight the evening. JAIME VEDRES Photography

Bonjourno! Grazie! Vino! Amore! Abbondànza! Brush up on your Italian and get ready for Abbondànza, the Faculty of Fine Arts annual student scholarship fundraiser. Join the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Faculty of Fine Arts for an evening celebrating abundance, Friday, Jan. 24, starting at 6 p.m. in Anton’s Ballroom at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge.

Abbondànza features jaw-dropping performances, must-have artworks and a mouth-watering four-course Italian meal by Prime Catering, all in support of the arts and student scholarships. Founded in 2002, the Faculty of Fine Arts partnered with Coco Pazzo restaurant owners, Tony Rose and Rocco Suriano, to create a unique fundraising event that showcased art, drama, music and new media students surrounded by an Italian theme and gourmet meal.

The 2020 event marks the 19th year of Abbondànza celebrations. Continuing with the Italian theme, Abbondànza is thrilled to utilize the European-style courtyard of the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge for the opening reception. With a fresh meal by Prime Catering, featuring Tony and Rocco’s “Let’s Pasta”, we’re honoured to connect the new venue with elements from the original Abbondànza fundraiser.

Exceptional art, from student and community artists, is available for auction. JAIME VEDRES Photography

The event kicks off in traditional style with the Abbondànza Chef Trio singing “Abbondànza” from Frank Loesser’s Most Happy Fella featuring vocalists from the Department of Music. Guests will be delighted by the guitar offerings of Department of Music instructor, Iliana Matos Vega, and students from her guitar classes. The U of L Opera Workshop, under the direction of Dr. Blaine Hendsbee, will serenade the audience with a sampling of operatic favourites, including a sneak peek of their Lethbridge Symphony collaborative production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Gondolier’s. Guests will also get a taste of what our dramatic arts students are up to, with theatrical performances acted and directed by current students.

The silent auction at Abbondànza is an opportunity to purchase art for a worthy cause from current students and alumni in a variety of mediums including screen prints, photography, ceramics, bronze sculpture and more. If that weren’t enough, patrons can bid on items donated from local arts organizations and supporters, with unique experiential items such as a Vancouver Arts Weekend (accommodations, dinners, and event tickets to the prestigious Vancouver Arts Club), tickets to local productions, gift certificates for art classes and more.

Abbondànza could not succeed without the generous contributions of our sponsors and donors. Since 2002, Abbondànza has supported a scholarship endowment that has provided more than 115 scholarships to high-achieving senior and graduate level students. Thanks to the community’s continued support, the Faculty of Fine Arts has been able to increase the number of students who can access these awards, including entrance and continuing students.

“Receiving the Abbondànza scholarship continues to make the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge an even more rewarding place to further my education,” shares Michelle Sylvestre, a second-year new media graduate student and 2019 Abbondànza scholarship recipient. “It allows me to focus and further my research and creative practice rather than worry about financial pressures. Receiving this award will allow me to attend conferences in my field as well as financially support my ambitious material explorations. Thanks again to the generous donors who support this and other scholarships. It means a great deal to me to have my achievements recognized and celebrated.”

Tickets for Abbondànza are priced at $150 (advance purchase only) and sponsorship opportunities are available. Visit go.uleth.ca/abbondanza or call Kelly at 403-329-2227 to find out more and to secure your tickets.

UNews - Abbondànza

Abbondànza returns, generating record fundraising effort in support of student endowment

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Looking backwards, and forwards, at 20 years of supporting the fine arts

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Abbondànza endowment provides record number of scholarships to Faculty of Fine Arts students

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Abbondànza promises an evening like no other

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