UNews - Michelle Sylvestre

ULethbridge PhD student Michelle Sylvestre named Trudeau Foundation Scholar for groundbreaking AI and equity research

trevor.kenney — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 20:18:46 +0000

Michelle Sylvestre (BFA – Art ’17, MFA – New Media ’21), a PhD student in the cultural, social and political thought program, has been selected as a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar — the first doctoral student from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge to receive this prestigious recognition.

Sylvestre’s research, Intersecting Biases: Exploring Gender and Indigenous Representation in Artificial Intelligence to Promote Equity and Inclusion for Historically Underrepresented Communities in Canada, examines how AI systems reflect and reproduce systemic inequities. Drawing on a research-creation framework, she blends critical inquiry with artistic practice to explore the social impacts of emerging technologies and envisions more inclusive digital futures grounded in care, accountability and community engagement.

Michelle Sylvestre’s creative work spans traditional and digital media.

“This scholarship is an amazing opportunity for advancing inclusive technologies through creative, community-engaged research, guided by my work as a Researcher-in-Residence with the Niitsitapi Pod at CIART (Centre for Indigenous Art, Research, and Technology),” says Sylvestre.

Sylvestre is one of only 16 graduate students from a national pool of 686 applicants to receive the award, which provides up to $210,000 over three years, supporting tuition and research-related expenses, as well as access to a national network of interdisciplinary scholars and mentors.

A multidisciplinary artist and sessional instructor in the Faculty of Fine Arts Department of New Media at ULethbridge, Sylvestre’s creative work spans traditional and digital media, with a focus on the intersection of technology, craft and identity.

“My project examines the colonial and patriarchal biases within artificial intelligence (AI) large language models. Using a research-creation framework, I aim to critique AI while imagining futures built on a foundation of care, inclusion and accountability,” she says.

“This is an exceptional achievement for Michelle and the Faculty of Fine Arts,” says Heather Davis-Fisch, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts. “Michelle has demonstrated excellence throughout her academic career — as an undergraduate, a master’s student, and now as a doctoral candidate. Her work exemplifies how rigorous research and creative practice can come together to address some of the most urgent social questions of our time.”

Dr. Jackie Rice, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, emphasizes that Sylvestre’s selection reflects both the strength of her research and the high level of support she is receiving as a doctoral student at ULethbridge.

“With more than 680 highly qualified applicants to this program and a rigorous selection process including in-person interviews, we are extremely proud that the Foundation recognized the excellent work that Michelle is carrying out and is providing funding that will help amplify the impact of her work,” says Rice. “We look forward to continuing to support her in her doctoral studies and are excited to see where this work takes her.”

As a Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Scholar, Sylvestre joins a national network of outstanding researchers committed to advancing equity and social justice through their work. The Foundation, established in 2001 as a tribute to the former prime minister, supports the advancement of outstanding, cutting-edge doctoral research that will have meaningful impacts in our communities, institutions and beyond.

“Becoming a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation scholar is an exciting opportunity to collaborate across disciplines and to build lasting relationships with changemakers across Canada,” says Sylvestre.

Foundations of New Media micro-credential now accepting registrations

trevor.kenney — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 20:41:20 +0000

A new ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge micro-credential opportunity that will give learners the skills to thrive in the booming Alberta film industry and digital media world is now accepting students as it readies to debut in January 2023.

The new short-term, stackable, micro-credential offerings are designed for maximum flexibility. Individuals can take any of the five new modules separately as they gain badges of recognition, or as a cluster to achieve a Foundations of New Media Certificate of professional development. All programs will be offered exclusively online through the Department of New Media in the Faculty of Fine Arts.

“When designing these courses, we really wanted to meet the needs of our learners and what they were looking for in terms of adding skills and competencies to their existing knowledge. I think this becomes especially important for freelance or small business enterprises,” says Leanne Elias, Chair of the Department of New Media and one of the key developers of the program. “Each course is independent of each other, so students can choose whether they want to take them individually by interest or stack them together for a full certificate.”

Three courses will be offered in Spring 2023 and are four to five weeks in length. The suite of courses offers an introduction to the world of new media, with a focus on creating media that is engaging, relevant and meaningful. The series of modules combines theory and hands-on experience.

“They really are perfect for complete beginners or for those who have some experience with these mediums,” says Elias. “Students will learn to think critically about contemporary media culture and their own role as media users. They’ll also acquire foundational skills in visual design, web design, digital video storytelling and editing, digital culture and communication and mobile media production.”

The Alberta film industry generates around $550 million per year with the majority of the filming done in and around the Calgary area. As it continues to grow, so do opportunities for people with the skills sought after by filmmakers.

“New media is an expansive field with ever-changing needs,” says instructor Michelle Sylvestre, who also helped develop the curriculum and will be delivering the courses. “Whether a beginner or someone with experience, these courses are designed to provide opportunities for professional growth and improvement relevant to current and future markets.”

The Foundations of New Media Certificate program is designed for those who already work or aspire to work in digital media and film; who use creative software for digital marketing, web development or design; freelance or aspire to freelance in photography, video or web development design; run a small business where they are responsible for marketing or content development.

A free New Media Micro-Credential Information Webinar has been created for all those interested in learning more. It takes place Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at 4 p.m.

The modules, available for registration at ulethbridge.ca/continuing-education, are as follows:

Foundations of New Media – January 11 to February 8, 2023 (Registration opens Dec. 15, 2022)
In this five-week course, learners will examine digital media theory and create digital media work using different software applications. Learners will acquire (or be taught) foundational skills in manipulating digital graphics and photography as well as post-production video editing.

Core Principles for Visual Design – February 22 to March 22, 2023
Introduction to design fundamentals and principles as they relate to new media. Concepts and practice of graphic design theory will be explored in relation to specific media such as print, web and other new media applications.

Digital Video Storytelling and Editing – May 3 to May 31, 2023
An introduction to the fundamental concepts and techniques of digital video production, with studies in aesthetics and sequence construction. Through the process of pre-production, production, and post-production students will utilize elements and principles of directing, cinematography and editing.

Introduction to Web Design — Fall 2023
An introduction to website design using current content management systems and online platforms with consideration to branding, design, layout and current web standards.

Digital Culture and Communication — Fall 2023
Online professional presence building in social media for future careers or creative goals through the implementation of practices and techniques for creating, improving and maintaining the publicly accessible aspects of an individual or organizational digital presence.

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.

Documentary film Visualizing Agriculture to premiere at Crossing Boundaries

trevor.kenney — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 16:47:25 +0000

What started as a class project became a creative collision of art and science on display. Fortunately, it was all captured on film. Visualizing Agriculture, a documentary co-directed by Leanne Elias (MEd ’03; BFA – Art ’95) and Bryn Hewko (MFA – New Media ’16), premieres at the Crossing Boundaries Symposium, October 26 at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Elias, Crossing Boundaries keynote speaker and Department of New Media professor, will premiere the documentary and discuss the collaborative efforts of artists and scientists in the work executed in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Data Physicalization Lab.

The film features the collaborative efforts of artists and scientists in the work executed in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Data Physicalization Lab.

With the desire to build a method for interdisciplinary research and creation, Elias and Department of Art faculty colleague Denton Fredrickson, took on the challenge of finding a way for art to play a role in the dissemination of scientific research data. They didn’t just want to use art to communicate science, they aimed to develop a method of cross-collaborative research and development that put scientists and artists from different disciplines in the same room, tackling the same project. This endeavour was the launch of the Data Physicalization Lab.

Data physicalization is a relatively new field of study. Data visualization can be understood simply as a bar chart, a 2D visual of information. Data physicalization takes that a step further, by mapping information to something that is physical, taking it off the screen and putting it into objects.

Inviting Art and New Media students to participate, research scientists from the Lethbridge Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, provided a dataset for the students to analyze and visualize. Through semesters of engagement with this process, Elias and Fredrickson were able to develop an instructional pedagogy and creative practice.

“We wanted to make sure that the data was accurately represented in all the work so we knew the scientist needed to be an integral part of the critique process,” explains Elias.

The students and scientists participated in critiques every three weeks, allowing them to continuously adapt or recreate their works before the next critique. At first, the artists were engaging with the dataset alone. Eventually a student asked for more context, to see first-hand the research that provided the data. After visiting the research station, the work exploded.

“It became really, really good after that. It changed the concept of the data in their minds; they understood it and could ask questions about it because it was all visual,” says Elias. “Those visuals worked their way into the art and design work. From there, Denton and I knew that it was a key element in this interdisciplinary formula – it wasn’t enough to bring science to art. We had to take the art into the science as well.”

Dr. Leanne Elias is the Crossing Boundaries keynote speaker and a Department of New Media professor.

Each semester the process of working with different disciplines became clearer until Elias and Fredrickson were ready to take the idea one step further. Using the formula created, they joined forces with the Southern Alberta Art Gallery (SAAG), and with funding from Alberta Foundation for the Arts, The Community of Research Excellence Development Opportunities (CREDO) program of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, a professional artist residency, documentary film and exhibition was put into motion.

The results of this 18-month science-meets-art collaboration are produced in Visualizing Agriculture, a 20-minute documentary premiering at Crossing Boundaries, October 26 in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Recital Hall. With the help of the research funding, Bryn Hewko’s Output Media accepted the challenge of documenting the process from the first meeting through the final exhibition.

Six professional artists, Jackson 2Bears, Tori Foster, Mary-Anne McTrowe (BFA – Art ’98), Robyn Moody, Adrien Segal, and Michelle Sylvestre (MFA – New Media candidate; BFA – Art ’17), joined research scientists, Dr. André Laroche and Dr. Jamie Larson, for a weekend residency where they spent time at the research station analyzing two datasets around the genetic code of wheat. After the intensive residency, the artists returned to their own studios across Canada and the US.

“That's the period that Denton and I were really interested in because instead of having these check-ins every three weeks, now we were giving them the time to make their work. We were really interested in how much support they would need. How many times would they talk to the scientists? What were those conversations like? How often did they, or could they, return to the station for additional information?”

In February 2017, the Visualizing Agriculture exhibition opened at the SAAG, curated by Christina Cuthbertson (BFA – Art ‘05). “It was absolutely fascinating. All the artists approached it very differently… which you’ll see in the film,” teases Elias.

The documentary takes the audience through the whole process, from first meeting to the final exhibition highlighting the challenges and success of the facilitators, curator, artists and scientists. Filming any footage they could of the process and interviewing participants throughout project, the narrative came together as the exhibition did.

“This project was different than anything I’ve done before,” says Hewko. “Normally things are heavily scripted at the beginning, but here we didn’t know where it was going to go, so we just started filming and gathering interviews, and through the editing process we were able to find the real story.”

Audiences will be as surprised by the findings as Elias and Hewko were.

“I don’t want to spoil the documentary, but I think the key discovery for many of us was a changing definition of what data visualization or data physicalization is,” explains Hewko. “We had some expectation of what the artists might contribute, but what actually happened in a lot of cases was the artist’s reaction to the data. It wasn’t a direct representation, it was more of a reaction or a translation of the data. Their own processing of the information.”

See the final products from the artists, hear more from Leanne Elias on this interdisciplinary research method, and take in the premiere of Visualizing Agriculture during the keynote presentation at Crossing Boundaries. Purchase tickets online at ulethbridge.ca/tickets or by phone, Monday to Friday, 12:30-3:30 at 403-329-2616.

For a full schedule of activities and speakers visit go.uleth.ca/cboundaries.

Crossing Boundaries Symposium now in its fourth year

trevor.kenney — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 20:49:41 +0000

The fourth annual Crossing Boundaries Symposium, presented by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Faculty of Fine Arts, brings together interdisciplinary members of the community, faculty, students and alumni to engage in a full day of presentations, discussions, displays and performances.

Brad Parker listens to the Aeolian Harp he built with music student Jess Tollestrup.

“Crossing Boundaries invites our community to experience the collaborations, creative activities and research across multiple disciplines,” says Dr. Mary Ingraham, Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts of the Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 event. “It is about discovering and celebrating those cross-collaborative intersections and synergies and finding inspiration to explore new areas of thought and research in the fine arts and across the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.”

The theme for Crossing Boundaries 2019, Languages | Landscapes | Algorithms, is established with the keynote presentation by Leanne Elias (new media) entitled, Visualizing Agriculture, at 9 a.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall. Elias’s talk includes the premiere of the documentary of the same name, co-directed by Bryn Hewko (MFA '16) and his company Output Media, which revolves around the creative works and artist exhibition derived from agricultural data developed by Dr. Jaime Larson and Dr. Andre Laroche of the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre: Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. Visualizing Agriculture considers the counterpoints of art meeting science and investigates the effect of intensive collaboration. Discover how artists can use the scientific process to guide their art, and how scientists can use artistic ways of knowing to approach their data in new ways.

Jess Tollestrup works on the Aeolian Harp, on display at Crossing Boundaries.

Following Elias’s keynote presentation, MFA candidate Michelle Sylvestre will speak on her research, Physicalizing Control, Disruption and the Body, which examines the parallels and differences in contemporary pharma and contemporary technology in relation to control of the body. PhD candidate Migueltzinta Solis will then present on LandMarks: Site-Based Arts Pedagogy in Treaty 7 Territory. At 10:40 a.m., Department of Psychology faculty member, Dr. Javid Sadr, and Department of Drama faculty members, Dr. Aaron Taylor and Douglas MacArthur cap off the morning programme, discussing projects developing from the Screen Acting and Embodied Recognition Research Group.

Registrants are invited to observe and interact with student research displays and installations from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., located in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Atrium and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Gallery, Hess Gallery.

This year’s Crossing Boundaries Symposium is scheduled during the U of L Open House, which welcomes prospective students and their families to campus.

“Coordinating the symposium during this event gives future students the opportunity to see a sampling of the fascinating research opportunities and collaborative activities on our campus,” says Ingraham. “It allows these students to experience the types of work and study they will engage in and provides great interaction with many of the faculty who will also be in attendance at the symposium.”

Afternoon sessions include Dr. Amandine Pras’s (music) presentation focussing on compositional and improvisational tools used by studio technicians as part of her research in the recording studios in war-torn Bamako, Mali. Continuing on the theme of sound, language and landscape, a talk by MA candidate Tyler Stewart examines the role sound has played as a political instrument to silence dissenting groups and individuals, and in turn, how language and sound is used to resist and rise against such powers.

A panel discussion, Objects Dream comprised of Fine Arts faculty members, Dr. Dana Cooley (new media), Denton Fredrickson (art), Mia van Leeuwen (drama), and Dr. D. Andrew Stewart (music), rounds out the afternoon’s sessions. This discussion explores the relationships and interactions of material objects, and their associations as a link across artistic disciplines.

This year’s Crossing Boundaries Symposium showcases an evening finale of works by Dr. Arlan Schultz (music), Dr. Daniela Sirbu (new media) and a collaborative presentation by Bryn Hewko (new media), Dr. D. Andrew Stewart (music) and Jordan Berg. Schultz’s live demonstration highlights how new algorithms for real-time immersive audio can be used to enhance and augment real-time acoustic performances. Sirbu’s presentation incorporates algorithmic animation demonstrated through samples of live animation developed in interaction with an artificial life system. Hewko, Stewart and Berg’s collaborative performance, Crawlspace, combines film with live digital coding. Audience members are invited to use their own personal tablets to create their own viewing experience, with one lucky audience member outfitted with the Oculus Rift for a full virtual reality experience. This showcase begins at 5 p.m. in W420 (Centre for the Arts), preceded by a reception and cash bar at 4:30 p.m.

Registration for Crossing Boundaries is open to all, with early bird pricing active until October 20, 2019.

Visit the Crossing Boundaries webpage for the schedule of events and updated information as it arises.

U of L social scientists net SSHRC awards worth nearly $440,000

caroline.zentner — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 19:58:03 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge graduate students and faculty members will tackle a variety of research projects thanks to funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

“The U of L’s success rate with Insight Development Grants was very positive, higher than the national average and continues our momentum,” says Dr. Erasmus Okine, vice-president (research). “Our social scientists and humanities researchers are conducting leading-edge research and I heartily commend them for their efforts.”

U of L researchers received six Insight Development Grants. Dr. Robert LeBlanc (education) will examine how immigrant teens in a rural Alberta meatpacking town learn the forms and meanings of stylized speech. Dr. Glenda Bonifacio (women & gender studies) will study how the election of Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines has affected foreign disaster aid and gender equality following Haiyan, the 2013 super typhoon. Dr. Rhiannon MacDonnell Mesler (Dhillon School of Business, Calgary campus) will look at how consumer identities can divide and unite in an increasingly polarized world. Dr. Paige Pope (kinesiology & physical education) will compare the effectiveness of various messages designed to reduce sedentary behaviour in older adults.

Other researchers receiving Insight Development Grants include Drs. Fangfang Li (psychology) and Noëlle Gunst-Leca (psychology). As well, Dr. Inge Genee (modern languages), co-applicant on a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta-based project called 21st century tools for Indigenous languages, received a Partnership Grant.

Dr. Carly Adams, a Board of Governors Research Chair (Tier II) and a kinesiology & physical education professor, and Dr. Darren Aoki (BA ’90), a professor in world history at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Plymouth and adjunct professor in history at the U of L, received an Insight Grant for their Transforming Canadian Nikkei oral history project. This grant allows them to continue exploring the cultural and social history of Canadian Nikkei (people of Japanese descent) in southern Alberta from 1950 to the 21st century in partnership with the Galt Museum & Archives, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden and the Nikkei Cultural Society of Lethbridge and Area.

Along with the faculty members who received awards, several U of L graduate students received SSHRC funding, including master’s students Jennifer Chernishenko, Margaret Ingram, Quinn Johnsson, Mary Siever, Michelle Sylvestre and Jaisie Walker and doctoral student Serena Visser.

Chernishenko will delve into how girls’ mindsets—whether growth oriented or fixed— affects their sense of belonging and participation in sports. Siever is studying the reasons why parenting and mothering, in particular, receive minimal support in post-secondary study. Sylvestre will examine how social issues and context get transferred into the medical world and how that’s connected to today’s consumption of pharmaceuticals. Visser will explore the impact institutional norms and practices within the mental health system have for trans and gender-diverse people.

Artist wears her heart, and her accomplishments, on her sleeve

trevor.kenney — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 22:21:41 +0000

Art is often used as a form of expression, to share thoughts, emotions, and even accomplishments. For ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Fine Arts student Michelle Sylvestre, art has become a way to literally wear her heart on her sleeve – or in this case, her accomplishments on her dress.

Inspired by the artistic process of data physicalization and wearable art, Sylvestre took on a challenge at the beginning of the semester, one that paired her inspirations with her personal goals.

Michelle Sylvestre has worn this dress every day since she began her unique art project.

“I started thinking about the devices we’re using today to track our own lives,” explains Sylvestre. “Social media has become the output for tracking small and large successes and accomplishments. I wanted to use data physicalization and wearable art to outwardly show these same accomplishments.”

At the beginning of the project Sylvestre wrote a list of goals to work through.

“Some goals are as generic and mundane as drinking eight glasses of water a day, or getting more than six hours of sleep,” laughs Sylvestre. “Others are more personal to me: handing in assignments on time, writing a successful grant application, getting an A, getting a positive compliment from a mentor.”

The accomplishments became physical when Sylvestre would hand sew each ‘accomplishment’, represented by blue or red fabric objects which are then attached to the dress which she wears daily. The red objects represent physical accomplishments, while the blue are intellectual accomplishments.

Physicalizing the data is more than just creating art, but about celebrating the accomplishment.

“The devices we use to share our lives are so immediate,” continues Sylvestre. “I wanted to spend time with each accomplishment, doing something labouress so I can spend time reflecting on each one.”

Sylvestre is already getting more out of the wearable art project than anticipated. As many people know, we are more likely to accomplish goals if we write them down, and even better if we have a reporting structure to keep us accountable.

“Personally, the project has helped me realize what is important, what I want to accomplish in my time at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and beyond,” shares Sylvestre. “I spent two weeks writing the goals and had to be completely honest with myself and not be afraid to write it down because writing it down makes it real. It has helped me focus on what I want to learn and accomplish before I’m done here, which was kind of a surprise to me.”

As an artist, Sylvestre admits to going through different stages throughout the process.

“In the beginning it was really exciting, trying to accomplish lots of goals each day. Then it went through a stage of burden – the act of putting the dress on every day, pushing through the work of not only accomplishing the goals but the work of hand sewing each accomplishment.”

The dress itself became a burden, especially as it got bigger.

“I can’t see my notebook, and it’s getting harder to put on a seatbelt or jacket,” laughs Sylvestre.

Sylvestre exhibited her dress for final critique in early December, sharing photos of the progress throughout the semester, sharing the data physicalization chart that tracked the progress and displaying the end result of the dress.

“Within the studio class there’s discussion about whether or not knowing the goals and accomplishments are integral to understanding the project,” says Sylvestre.

In the end, by not sharing the artists' own personal goals, it allows the viewers to reflect on their own ideas and goals. They don’t need to know what it means to appreciate the hard work in accomplishing any goal.

As the semester comes to an end, Sylvestre says she’s not ready to finish the project just because the class is ending.

“I want the idea to get to the point that I’m happy ending that way,” expands Sylvestre. “People who know me hope I won’t wear it over Christmas because people stare and they feel uncomfortable."

After final critic, Sylvestre said she was going to keep wearing it until the dress was full.

Summer camp fun just around the corner

trevor.kenney — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:13:28 +0000

Pull out your paintbrushes and throw on your stage make-up: Fine Arts Summer Camps are back!

Last year's art and drama camp instructors have signed on for another exciting year of creativity and collaboration with children aged 7-16.

Drama camp instructors, and current ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge drama/education students, Erinn Watson and Elyse Whittaker are excited to spend the summer creating new and exciting plays.

"I'm so excited for this summer," says Watson, returning for her third year with the camps. "Every week I look forward to seeing the students' hard work presented on a working university stage, complete with costumes, lights and sound."

All the art and drama camp instructors are back for another year of creativity and collaboration.

Erinn and Elyse's enthusiasm for theatre and passion for sharing that energy with kids is immediately contagious. They've already been hard at work planning themes for each week including Kids in Blue (a parody of Men in Black), When I Grow Up (an exploration of career possibilities) and The Mother Goose Tales (a series of vignettes from classic Mother Goose Rhymes).

They have also come up with something new for this year – the final week of camps for 12-16 year-olds (Aug 12-16), students will have the opportunity to create their own viral video.

Art camp instructors Meagan Foreman and Michelle Sylvestre, also current art/education students, are looking forward to another summer inspiring students through the lives of famous artists and working with a variety of art mediums. Hands-on activities get the students involved in sculpture, painting, drawing and creating. Each week wraps up with a formal exhibition to present to friends and family.

Fine Arts camps at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge are unique in that they take place in real art and drama settings. Drama camps take place in the David Spinks Theatre, equipped with full stages, lights, sound, costumes and more. Art camps take place in one of the art studios, equipped with all the inspiration, tools and guidance needed to inspire artists of any level.

If you have questions about camps please call 403-329-2691 or 403-329-2227. Registration is now open for ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge weekly summer camps. Fees include all camp materials, camp t-shirt and lunch each day. Visit www.uleth.ca/sportrec to register today.

This story first appeared in the May 2013 edition of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

UNews - Michelle Sylvestre

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