UNews - ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Faculty

Alumni earn spots in Oh Canada exhibition

trevor.kenney — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:35:46 +0000

Oh, Canada is the largest exhibition of contemporary Canadian art to ever take place in the United States. Among the 62 artists included are three graduates of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Faculty of Fine Arts.

Artists David Hoffos (BFA '94), Mary-Anne McTrowe (BFA '98) and Daniel Wong (BFA '03) travelled to North Adams, Mass. at the end of May for the opening of the exhibition.

The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) is known globally for showing the very best art of our time. Occupying a vast network of 19th century factory buildings, MASS MoCA's galleries boast more than 100,000 square feet of exhibition space. With a strong focus on new art, the museum has become a destination for those seeking unique, fresh and challenging encounters with contemporary art.

David Hoffos will show works from his Scenes from the House Dream at Oh Canada this fall.

"We think it is an honour to be included in this exhibition, considering Denise Markonish (the curator of Oh, Canada) did more than 400 studio visits in determining the lineup," says Wong.

Known together as the 'art-ernative' folk-rock band The Cedar Tavern Singers AKA Les Phonoréalistes, McTrowe and Wong have worked collaboratively since 2006. They are among the artists who created new works specifically for the exhibition. In addition to performing at the opening of Oh, Canada, the duo released a new album of songs relating to the museum.

"The album features four songs about and related to MASS MoCA: 'Oh Canada, Oh Canada' is our interpretation of what a theme song for the Oh, Canada exhibition might be; 'MASS MoCA' is about the history of the site that MASS MoCA inhabits; and 'Gravity is a Force to be Reckoned With' and 'Truisms' are about Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle and Jenny Holzer, respectively – two artists who have had exhibitions at MASS MoCA. The album cover itself is a riff on Bachman-Turner Overdrive," explains McTrowe.

Though it may come as a surprise to some, Lethbridge is a hotbed for contemporary art production in Canada.

"For as long as I've lived here, Lethbridge has had strong contemporary artists – people who contend on the national and international stage, so I'm not surprised Lethbridge artists are included in Oh, Canada. In fact, I'm honoured to have been chosen, especially considering there are so many great artists here," says Hoffos.

Hoffos has received widespread national acclaim for his large-scale, multimedia installations. From 2008 to 2011 his exhibition, Scenes from the House Dream, toured Canada debuting at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery (SAAG) and showing at major institutions across the country, including the National Gallery of Canada. For Oh, Canada, Hoffos presents works from Scenes from the House Dream; a snapshot of his practice representative of his larger body of work.

"Oh, Canada is a celebration for the whole country. It's the first time an exhibition like this has happened south of the border and it's never happened in Canada either, so it's a special moment not just for the artists in the exhibition, but also for contemporary art in Canada," he says. "My hope is that this exhibition demonstrates that cutting-edge contemporary art production can happen anywhere, including Lethbridge."

Oh, Canada opened May 27 at MASS MoCA and is on view until Apr. 1, 2013. For more info: www.massmoca.org

This story first appeared in the June 2012 issue of the Legend. For a look at the entire issue in flipbook format, follow this link.

Scholarship dinner to honour Allen

trevor.kenney — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:06:31 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Faculty of Management will celebrate its 25th anniversary, in the U of L's 45th year, by honouring a man who has devoted his life to his family, career and the community.

The Faculty will honour Del Allen, the founder of D.A. Electric and a well-known community volunteer, entrepreneur, supporter of post-secondary education, sport and youth programming in the city, at its Thursday, Apr. 5 Management Scholarship Dinner. Proceeds from the event will support the Del Allen Scholarship.

Allen established D.A. Electric with his brother Don in 1975 and it quickly grew into a successful regional enterprise. His son Doug now manages the daily affairs of the business. The success of D.A. Electric, combined with Allen's values and sense of community, have allowed him to support and help provide direction for many local groups, including the Boys and Girls Club of Lethbridge and District, Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, Lethbridge Construction Association, the Interfaith Food Bank and numerous sports organizations.

Allen has also generously supported further education through donations to post-secondary institutions, including funding for ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge athletics and academic scholarships, and a sizeable financial commitment to the library in 1995.

Allen was also a member of the Lethbridge College Wind Turbine Advisory Committee, helping the College develop its wind generation program. In addition, he made a major donation toward the construction of the Trades Building on the college campus.

While Allen's business has wired a massive number of homes, businesses and industrial projects over the years, one of his brightest ideas, and most visually spectacular projects, was the lighting of the High Level Bridge in September 2009 during its centennial celebrations. He also helped bring the illuminated Christmas Train for a stop on the bridge that December. Allen and D.A. Electric most fittingly won the Spirit of Lethbridge Award that year.

The Management Scholarship Dinner traditionally sells out quickly, so for those wishing to attend, ensure you reserve individual tickets or a table as soon as possible. Tickets, priced at $125 may be purchased online at www.uleth.ca/conreg/scholarship_dinner.

If you wish to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, reserving corporate tables, ordering tickets by phone or making a donation to the Del Allen Scholarship Fund, call 403-329-5181.

Backpack donations encouraged

trevor.kenney — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:17:39 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Faculty of Management is once again participating in the Interfaith Food Bank's Annual First Day at School program.

The program provides backpacks filled with school supplies to students from low-income families. The Faculty of Management Dean's office (Markin Hall 4101) will be accepting school supply donations through to Monday, Sept. 12 during regular office hours, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Cash donations will also be accepted instead of school supply donations. Cheques can be made out to the Interfaith Food Bank. Tax receipts are available for both cash and school supply donations.

Following is a list of school supplies requested by the Interfaith Food Bank.

New backpacks
HB pencils
Erasers
Scribblers
Glue sticks
Wax crayons
Binders
Scotch tape
Pencil sharpeners
Pencil cases
Ball-point pens
Geometry sets
Pocket-sized dictionaries
Lined loose leaf paper
Washable felt markers
Loose leaf dividers
Calculators
30 cm metric rulers
Small tissue packs
Highlighters
Duo-tang folders
Pencil crayons
Scissors
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Hygiene items

First Day at School program accepting donations

trevor.kenney — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:38:45 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Faculty of Management is once again participating in the Interfaith Food Bank's annual First Day at School program.

This extremely valuable program provides backpacks filled with school supplies to students from low-income families.

For those who would like to make school supply donations for this program, the Faculty of Management is accepting donations in the dean's office (Markin 4101, open between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.) until Thursday, Sept. 9.

A list of requested supplies for the program appears below, with backpacks being the students' greatest need.

New backpacks
HB pencils
Erasers
Scribblers
Glue sticks
Wax crayons
Binders
Scotch tape
Pencil sharpeners
Pencil cases
Ballpoint pens
Geometry sets
Pocket-sized dictionaries
Lined loose leaf paper
Washable felt markers
Loose leaf dividers
Calculators
30 cm metric rulers
Small tissue packs
Highlighters
Duo-tang folders
Pencil crayons
Scissors
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Hygiene items

Cash donations, with cheques payable to the Interfaith Food Bank, are also being accepted. If you would like a tax receipt for the cash donation, please provide a name and mailing address with your donation.

Tax receipts are also available for donations of supplies. In order to do this you need to provide your cash register receipt with your name and mailing address.

Faculty of Education loses a founding member

trevor.kenney — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:26:52 +0000

One of the founders of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Faculty of Education has passed away. Dr. Samuel Aubrey Earl passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 7, just two days prior to his 101st birthday.

Earl was a respected educator whose career encompassed roles of teacher, principal, superintendent of schools, a director within Edmonton's Department of Education and professor/director of student teaching at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta.

His journey to Lethbridge began innocently enough with a suggestion from his wife Thera.

"There is a new university opening in Lethbridge," she had said. "Maybe they'd consider you as a prospect."

Earl joined the "new university" in 1967 as a professor, and was a key architect in shaping the highly recognized teacher preparation program. He helped establish the 27-week field experience component of the program (which has grown to become one of the most extensive in Canada), a foundation of theory and practice that he could foresee outshining some of the larger institutions.

"I think we came to be recognized as a prestigious, decent and noteworthy institution," Earl once said in an interview. "Our students were sought after not only in western Canada, but in the United States."

Earl was a visionary who served in many roles as a lifelong educator, including appointment as associate dean of Education at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

"I envision seeing a school with doctors of education – reading specialists, math specialists, psychologists, wonderful teachers, great leaders, innovators…"

An obituary is available at the Lethbridge Herald website.

Earl helped establish vision

trevor.kenney — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:23:32 +0000

His journey to Lethbridge began innocently enough with a suggestion from his wife Thera.

"There is a new university opening in Lethbridge," she had said. "Maybe they'd consider you as a prospect."

Earl was a visionary who served in many roles as a lifelong educator, including appointment as associate dean of Education at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

"I envision seeing a school with doctors of education – reading specialists, math specialists, psychologists, wonderful teachers, great leaders, innovators…"

An obituary is available at the Lethbridge Herald website.

Musical weekend at Southminster Church

trevor.kenney — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:02:29 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Faculty of Fine Arts is gearing up for the Christmas season with a pair of musical events this weekend that promise to please any crowd.

The air at Southminster Church is sure to stir with music during Wind and Song, Friday, Nov. 27 at 8 p.m., the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Wind Orchestra's first performance of the season.

"Vox Musica is joining us on stage for three selections," says Glenn Klassen, music director for Vox Musica and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Wind Orchestra.
"We are performing Dry Your Tears Afrika and Hymn to the Fallen by John Williams and a classic choral arrangement of Salvation is Created by Tschesnokoff."

With its almost 100 voices, Vox Musica choir consists of community singers and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ students.

Other selections on the program include Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliette and Gordon Jacob's arrangement of William Byrd Suite.

"William Byrd Suite, as arranged by Jacobs, is a magnificent piece going back 400 years, but recomposed for wind orchestra, transforming it into a bigger, more colourful work," says Klassen.

Tickets for Wind and Song are available at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office (403-329-2616) and at the door.

The U of L Singers and U of L Women's Chorus then share the stage for Season of Joy on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. at Southminster United Church. The evening features a rich program of choral repertoire from traditional works to familiar seasonal classics.

"With this concert the U of L Singers take a different direction this year," says Dr. Janet Youngdahl, the ensemble's director. "Sharing this concert with another group is a good change for the choirs and showcases our wonderful choral areas of study at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ."

The U of L Women's Chorus is the newest addition to the choral program.

"We have a great bunch of students – both music majors and non-music majors," says Joanne Collier, director. "Women's Chorus is the next big thing on the choral circuit. The U of L Women's Chorus presents some of the exciting emerging repertoire for women."

Audiences can expect a robust selection of music for Season of Joy.

"The U of L Singers perform Imant Raminsh's Magnificat, an exuberant and challenging work for choir," Youngdahl says. "We'll also perform Regina Coreli by Mozart featuring soloists drawn from the choir."

The second part of the concert features seasonal classics and favourites as both choirs take to the stage together.

Combined or separate, these choirs are sure to delight audiences; sharing their song and the joy of the holiday season.

Tickets are $15 regular and $10 for students and seniors, and are available at the U of L Box Office (403-329-2616) or at the door on the night of the concert.

Opera Goes to the Movies this weekend in Recital Hall

trevor.kenney — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:33:51 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Faculty of Fine Arts presents a unique twist on opera this weekend as it celebrates 10 years of the Opera Workshop. Opera Goes to the Movies runs Friday and Saturday nights at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall.

"Opera Workshop is celebrating its 10th anniversary this season," says musical director and Music faculty, Dr. Blaine Hendsbee. "This is an exciting and challenging season for us because of the number and variety of productions we are producing this year."

In addition to Opera Goes To the Movies (Oct. 23-24), Hendsbee and company will present Amahl and the Night Visitors (Dec. 5-6) and Dialogue of the Carmelites (Feb. 26- 27).

"I try to choose themes for our performances that are appropriate for students and that audiences can relate to," says Hendsbee. "Our first production, Opera Goes To The Movies, is a musical potpourri of operatic styles and themes from high drama to lighter comedic moments."

Challenging repertoire and lyrical melodies merge, creating an uplifting and varied program. Shows run Friday and Saturday, nightly at 8 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall.

"A lot of movies emphasize key moments in the script with famous opera repertoire such as La Boheme in Moonstruck or excerpts from Madame Butterfly in Fatal Attraction," he says.

Audiences can also look forward to familiar classics such as the Flower Duet, O Mio Babbino Caro and selections from The Marriage of Figaro and La Traviata. Charming, elegant and enlightening, Opera Goes To The Movies is first-class entertainment, something Opera Workshop audiences have come to expect over the past 10 years.

Tickets are $15 regular, $10 student/senior and on sale at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office (403-329-2616), open weekdays from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Return to school gives Poulsen new outlet for passion

trevor.kenney — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:34:40 +0000

Whether we laugh uproariously or shudder in abhorrence, it is probably safe to say that the mind-numbing monotony of Ben Stein's character in Ferris Bueller's Day Off does not inspire an interest in learning. With her passion and enthusiasm for dance, however, Betty Poulsen (BEd '02), dance teacher at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, has inspired students for many years.

"Although I taught dance for many years, I graduated with my bachelor of education from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2002 so I still feel that I am a new teacher as far as the school system goes," explains Poulsen. "I considered going into education years ago but I was too scared of the responsibility of teaching young people."

Instead, Poulsen completed a bachelor of arts, majoring in anthropology and drama at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary, while teaching dance and performing with the Young Canadians of the Calgary Stampede.

"I had been dancing since I was a little girl but my first love was competitive gymnastics. At 15, I auditioned for the Young Canadians and was one of only four who were accepted. It changed the course of my life," says Poulsen. "Dance became my serious passion and it is something that has obviously stayed with me."

At the U of C, Poulsen also met two people who would greatly affect her life, Keith Johnstone, professor emeritus U of C and founder of the Loose Moose Theatre Company (LMTC) and Dr. John Poulsen, her husband and assistant dean, student program services in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Faculty of Education.

Graduating with a bachelor of arts in 1980, Poulsen worked with Johnstone's LMTC. (She was one of the original "Moosers" and continues to teach in their summer program each year). She also worked as a freelance artist with various children's theatre troupes, including M&M for Kids.

From 1988 to 1996 Poulsen taught dance at the U of C and in 1993 she and John were invited to team teach fine arts in Gaza. She was completely immersed in the conflict as students brought the events from the streets into the class.

Inspired by her travels, Poulsen completed her master's in 1996 from Wesleyan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Connecticut and moved to Lethbridge where both she and John began teaching at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. It was while teaching at the U of L that Poulsen felt the opportunity to re-tool was too good to pass up.

"I decided to go back to school as a student at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ because the education program is known as one of the best in the country, and I love the liberal arts philosophy," explains Poulsen. "There were very inspiring teachers in my program and having three practicum opportunities was invaluable. When you get through your third practicum you are stepping into the classroom with real hands-on, practical learning."

Becoming a peer with some of her former students was pleasantly surprising for Poulsen, who says that working with young people was one of the highlights of her after-degree studies.

"I enjoyed meeting young people with incredible integrity and vision who wanted to step into the role of educators. We had a blast together. Once, we were to present the ninth aspect of the knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSA's) of a good teacher. We used a Beatles song with the number 9 and the students thought it was cool even though it was not from their era."

In her third practicum, Poulsen was teaching at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute when she was approached by then principal Carol Steen and asked to start a dance program at the high school.

"I taught dance for many years and was planning on teaching elementary," says Poulsen. "I thought long and hard about her proposal but I have had great experiences in my life, great opportunities, great teachers, a professional career, taught post-secondary and danced professionally. What else was left to do but give back?"

Poulsen has certainly given back. She is proud of her students and their dance program and says that her greatest successes are her two children and wonderful marriage.

GET THE FACTS

• Recently invited to be on the 2009 City of Lethbridge Performing Arts Centre Steering Committee

• Recipient of over 20 awards, grants and scholarships totaling $80,000

• Artist in residence at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery

• Guest instructor at the Institut Senian Indonesia (ISI) and the Indonesian Institute of the Arts

• In 1993, she spent three months in Java, Indonesia with her husband, John, and their children making masks and performing with masQuirx (a company of masks and mask performance)

• Taught children's dance at Mount Royal College and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Guildford, England

Fine Arts offering new graduate degree programs

trevor.kenney — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:50:27 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Faculty of Fine Arts is pushing forward with its research objectives by introducing two new graduate degree programs in the creative arts.

Commencing in September 2009, the Faculty of Fine Arts introduces a Master of Fine Arts and a Master of Music.

"The introduction of these two new degrees marks a major step in the Faculty's strategic objective of providing an advanced research-based education in four disciplines: art, dramatic art, music, and new media," says Dr. Desmond Rochfort, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Building on the Faculty's acknowledged strength of providing a first class undergraduate education in the creative arts, these new Masters degree programs offer those wishing to pursue graduate education in the fine arts the opportunity to be part of a community of intensely active faculty practitioners and scholars.

Supporting an environment of experimentation and innovation as well as the pursuit of disciplinary excellence and expertise, this community also provides graduate students with opportunities to pursue integration of their practice with new technologies and cross-disciplinary projects between the Fine Arts, the Humanities, the Sciences, and Social Sciences.

The M.F.A. and M.Mus. degrees are two-year, full-time, research-based programs. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is committed to providing adequate financial support for all graduate students and, therefore, guarantees a minimum of $1,000 per month for the 24 months of study. The M.F.A. (Dramatic Arts) also offers a $1,000 entrance scholarship for students specializing in design.

The application deadline for the M.F.A. and M.Mus. programs, which commence in fall 2009, is May 1.

To learn more about the U of L Faculty of Fine Arts Graduate Degrees, visit the following link: www.uleth.ca/graduatestudies/future-students

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