UNews - ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts

Malaysian exchange a benefit to all involved

trevor.kenney — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 17:59:13 +0000

Three months of hands-on experience in the Department of Theatre and Dramatic Arts Scene Shop for Muhammad Azri B. Ali (also known as Ajie) has not only left a lasting and meaningful impression on this Malaysian exchange student's life, but has also positively affected the staff, students and administration at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

For the first time in his life, Ajie travelled overseas, arriving in Lethbridge on Aug. 23, 2012 to experience a new language, new culture and to learn new techniques and skills in theatre and dramatic arts. Led by U of L Professor Emeritus, Dr. Ches Skinner, this unique program between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Technology of Mara in Malaysia and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts has provided valuable experience to four Malaysian theatre students over the past two years.

"I've always wanted to travel around the world, and my professor, Dr. Skinner, approached me to apply for this exchange program to learn and work at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge for the semester," explains Ajie.

With no more than a handful of English words in his vocabulary, Ajie settled into his new home at the U of L, working in the Scene Shop on the set of The Rocky Horror Show, the first Mainstage production of the 2012-2013 Theatre and Dramatic Arts Season.

In addition to becoming almost fluent in English over the course of three months, Ajie's experience further enhances his education with the numerous skills he learned on campus.

"I've learned many things," says Ajie. "I've come to appreciate how organized people and systems can be. Reading scale drawings and building set pieces exactly as they are drawn has been very interesting for me to learn. I understand how careful I have to be."

Ajie didn't spend all his time in the Scene Shop. He also joined the Global Drums percussion ensemble and had the chance to lead a dramatic movement class, teaching students a traditional Malaysian dance.

"I have liked the relationships I've made with the professors and the staff," says Ajie. "I intend to work hard so that I can return to Canada to work on a master's program sometime in the near future."

Set to graduate with a degree in theatre directing from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Technology of Mara in June 2013, Ajie says he is better prepared to fulfill the final requirements of his degree, which include directing a play for his final project.

"I can't wait to share my experiences with my friends and colleagues back home, and I also can't wait to return to Canada," he says confidently.

Residency opportunities a part of international pact

trevor.kenney — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:33:23 +0000

The doors to international exchanges have been opened wide with the recent signing of agreements between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts, the Centro Nacional de Las Artes (CENART) in Mexico and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology's (RMIT) School of Art.

"These accords set in place an agreement and a process for faculty artists from across the Faculty of Fine Arts' disciplines – visual art, drama, new media and music – to participate in residency exchange programs with artists from Australia and Mexico," says Dr. Desmond Rochfort, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts dean. "Likewise, the accords provide opportunities for artists from Mexico and Australia to work and study in Lethbridge on a residency."

The agreement with Mexico's CENART, signed in November by Roberto Vázquez Díaz, Director General of CENART and Rochfort at a ceremony in Mexico City, provides opportunities for creative residencies in the National Centre's headquarters in Mexico City, as well as in its 15 satellite locations throughout the country. Three additional satellites are also in the process of being developed.

A major strategic investment in culture and the arts by the Mexican government has made these centres into major arts training and cultural facilities. They are designed to focus on creative arts education and research, as well as bring together artists from a variety of creative disciplines and different countries in an environment that combines tradition and the latest technologies.

The Australian residency exchange agreement has a more narrow focus.

"The agreement with the Artists International Residency program at RMIT provides residency opportunities for visual artists and new media artists from the U of L Faculty of Fine Arts," says Rochfort. "The accord also provides opportunities for artists from Australia to come to Lethbridge for a creative residency here."

"Both agreements are important strategic initiatives by the U of L Faculty of Fine Arts to broaden opportunities for international exchange in the field of the creative arts," he says. "Artist exchanges provide opportunities for both creative collaboration and interdisciplinary work as well as the opportunity to work in the context of a different culture."

According to Rochfort, another important component of both agreements is the development of exchanges among Aboriginal, Indigenous and First Nations artists in Australia, Canada and Mexico.

This story originally appeared in the Legend. For a look at the full issue of the December Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Residency a part of recent international pact

trevor.kenney — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:54:09 +0000

The Australian residency exchange agreement has a more narrow focus.

According to Rochfort, another important component of both agreements is the development of exchanges among Aboriginal, Indigenous and First Nations artists in Australia, Canada and Mexico.

For a look at the full issue of the December Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Theatre season packs punch

trevor.kenney — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:26:09 +0000

Challenging, engrossing and engaging describe the 2010/2011 ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts theatre season.

From classical to controversial, the plays strike a balance between academic challenges and audience appeal.

The first show of the season, Uncommon Women and Others by Wendy Wasserstein, is directed by Dr. Shelley Scott and appears in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre Oct. 19 to 23. Set in 1978, five women reunite in a restaurant to evaluate where their lives have led them. The action flashes back six years to when they met as students at a prestigious, all-female college, formed friendships and made the choices that shaped their destinies.

Director Jay Whitehead then tackles the fascinating and emotionally challenging play, Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind (translated by Jonathan Franzen), which runs Nov. 24 to 28. Teenagers Melchior, Moritz, Wendla and their young friends are experiencing sexual awakenings and are increasingly curious about their bodies, each other, masturbation and more. Their teachers and parents, respectable adults, fight to keep these young people on the straight and narrow, often with hilarious and sometimes disastrous results.

The Seagull by Anton Chekhov is directed by Richard Epp, and appears in the David Spinks Theatre from Feb. 15 to 19. Konstantin loves his mother, but he's jealous of her fame as an actress and depressed about his lack of success as a playwright. He also despises the celebrated young writer who is living with his mother and seems to have captured the attention of the girl he adores. On a Russian country estate, passions abound and idealism is challenged by triviality in this absorbing play from the master of comic realism.

The season ends with William Shakespeare's Richard III. Widely regarded as Shakespeare's most important play, this eternal classic is directed by Doug MacArthur and appears on stage Mar. 22 to 26. On a road paved with blood, treachery and seduction, Richard's tumultuous attempt to claim the throne of England for his own is fraught with lies, deception and murder.

To experience each of these unforgettable productions, season ticket purchases include all four productions for the price of three. Individual tickets are priced at $15 for regular admission and $10 for seniors/students. Season Tickets are $45 regular and $30 for seniors/students.

All tickets are available at the U of L Box office or by calling 403-329-2616. Closed for the summer, the U of L Box Office reopens on Sept. 13. Season tickets are on sale until opening night of the first production.

Theatre season packs punch

trevor.kenney — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:56:49 +0000

Challenging, engrossing and engaging describe the 2010/2011 ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts theatre season.

From classical to controversial, the plays strike a balance between academic challenges and audience appeal.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ loses Granzow

trevor.kenney — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:05:38 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community wishes to extend its most sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Carl Granzow, age 65, a founding member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts (Art Department). Carl was an internationally known sculptor, long-serving faculty member, lecturer, creative influence and friend to many on campus and off.

He passed away Saturday, April 11 surrounded by his family. His spouse Friederike, children John, Michael, Andrea and Kara, and three grandchildren survive Granzow.

A memorial service has not yet been finalized.

Condolences can be directed to Karen Mahar in the Faculty of Fine Arts Dean's office (karen.mahar@uleth.ca) for forwarding to the family.

Carl Granzow's research focused on experimental forms of sculpture and his work has been exhibited in Canada, the United States and Germany. In 1985, the American sculptor Larry Bell selected Granzow's work for exhibition at the North American Sculpture Exhibition in Golden, Colorado where he won the Foothills Art Centre Award for Sculpture.

He also presented at international sculpture conferences in Yorkshire, England and in Oakland, California.

Before discovering art, Granzow attended California Western ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ on a track scholarship and studied physics. However, his love of art changed the direction of his career.

Granzow came to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 1975 as a lecturer in sculpture and design and in 1979 he accepted a tenure track position in the Department of Art, where he maintained a balanced interest in teaching, research/creative activity, and administrative service.

Over the past almost 30 years, he was instrumental in the development of Papokan, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Sculpture Park; the Gushul Studios Artist Residency Program in the Crowsnest Pass; and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's art studio program.

Administratively, he served as Chair for the Art Department, President of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty Association, and was most recently the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Director of the Papokan Sculpture Park.

Granzow also initiated and coordinated the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Phase Two Sculpture Competition that resulted in the acquisition of a major work entitled Western Channel by John McEwen.

Recently, Granzow worked with the U of L Grounds staff to create a large tree-planting project near the U of L's Aperture Lake. Calling it the 100-Tree Grove, the work consists of a large planting of trees and a rock spiral sculpture on a hill overlooking the lake.

He also designed a large sculpture, Sphere of Influence, which now sits in downtown Lethbridge.

Some of his work is part of the exhibit "First Faculty: works by early members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Department" currently on display in the Helen Christou Gallery.

Cardiff earns Hnatyshyn Arts Award

trevor.kenney — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:26:12 +0000

Internationally recognized artist Janet Cardiff, an adjunct member of the Faculty of Fine Arts, and her collaborator and partner George Bures Miller are among the recipients of the 2008 Hnatyshyn Foundation Visual Arts Awards.
Cardiff and Bures Miller received a $25,000 prize for outstanding achievement by a Canadian artist in early December.
A jury of arts professionals from across Canada selected the award recipients, including former U of L Art Gallery curator Jeffrey Spalding, now President
and C.E.O. of the Glenbow Museum in Calgary.
Cardiff, born in 1957 in Brussels, Ont., and Bures Miller, born in 1960 in Vegreville, Alta., have been practising artists, singly and in tandem, since the 1980s.
Cardiff taught in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts from 1989 to 2000 and has returned as a visiting artist to lecture. She has a continuing relationship with the U of L as an adjunct professor in the Art Department.
In 2001, Cardiff and Miller became the first Canadian artists to win the prestigious Venice Biennale Special Award for their installation, The Paradise Institute. In the same year Cardiff's solo work, Forty-Part Motet, was awarded the Millennium Prize by the National Gallery of Canada.
They divide their time between Germany and Vancouver Island.

UNews - ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts

Malaysian exchange a benefit to all involved

Related Topics

Residency opportunities a part of international pact

Related Topics

Residency a part of recent international pact

Related Topics

Theatre season packs punch

Related Topics

Theatre season packs punch

Related Topics

��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ loses Granzow

Related Topics

Cardiff earns Hnatyshyn Arts Award

Related Topics

UNews - ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ loses Granzow