UNews - Douglas MacArthur

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.

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.

Shepard classic, A Lie of the Mind, opens Mainstage Season

trevor.kenney — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 22:19:11 +0000

The anguish and horror of a callous act of domestic violence propels the first act of Sam Shepard’s gritty classic, A Lie of the Mind.

Jake Rose and Daylin Chase in A Lie of the Mind.

Directed by Department of Drama faculty, Douglas MacArthur, the first production of the 2019-2020 Mainstage Season presents a quintessential American classic touching on themes of family, relationships, mental health and abuse. Shepard’s play transports audiences from Montana to California, where a family in turmoil reconciles and realizes their relationships and exposes their faults.

“This play revolves around the lost male characters – their flaws, relationships and resolve,” says MacArthur. “The audience sees their depth and their failings through Shepard’s unique and poetic playwriting style. It is truly great theatre.”

Touching and moving, yet darkly comedic, A Lie of the Mind has captivated audiences since its debut in 1985. MacArthur lauds its longevity and importance in American theatre to its themes, depth and relevance.

“This play digs at the roots of an American family, and tells the story of people who live their lives on the fringes of society. Despite its exploration around serious and frightening themes, the characters remain relatable and human, and there is a glimmer of hope in the end,” explains MacArthur.

With set designed by drama faculty, Julia Wasilewski, lighting by Lee Burckes, and costumes by Kenya Gimson, the nostalgia of 1980s middle America is captured on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre stage. Performances run October 8 – 12 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available at the U of L Box Office, Monday – Friday (12:30 – 3:30 p.m.), by calling 403-329-2616 or online uLethbridge.ca/tickets. Tickets are $18 regular, $13 senior and alumni and $12 students. Themes are mature with strong language.

Long Service & Retirement Recognition Ceremony

trevor.kenney — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:44:43 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is holding its annual Long Service Awards and Retirement Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, May 9 at 1 p.m. in the Students' Union Ballrooms.

A total of 103 employees, including 20 retiring employees and those who have completed 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service, will be honoured.

All employees are invited to the ceremony and reception to honour the award recipients listed below. The reception will include light refreshments.

Retirees

Nola Aitken, Pat Anderson, Bill Cade, Maria Draper, Carol Gaetz, Mary Anne Hellinga, John Johnston, Cindy Kabelka, Frank Klassen, Michael Kubara, Christina Lastuka, Rita Law, Kathy Lee, Marg McKeen, Bruce McMullin, Shari Platt, Charlene Sawatsky, Richard Tedesco, Barbara Wolstoncroft and Joan Zimmer

Long Service Recipients

40 Years

Lois Boras and
Jean Mankee

35 Years

Barbara Dickinson, Heather Mirau and Brian Parkinson

30 Years

Rene Barendregt, Annette Bright, Peter Heffernan, Barb Hodgson, Kurt Klein, William Krysak, Judy Lacey, Phill Lema, Valerie Richardson, Kim Selk and John Vokey

25 Years

Candace Dueck, John Eng, Frank Klassen, Sheila Lowe, Fiona Randle, Thomas Staples, Greg Tompkins, Kelly Vaselenak, Peter Visentin and Diana Young

20 Years

Lynn Ambedian, Robin Bright, Naomi Cramer, Mary Dyck, Rod Gelleny, Michael Kern, Judith Kulig, Rick Peter, Robert Runte, Sandy Slavin, Maxine Tedesco and Jeff Vucurevich

15 Years

Dwayne Armstrong, Mara Baldwin, Kerry Bernes, Lesley Brown, James Clark, Tom Doyle, Larry Flanagan, Carolyn Gaebel, Cam Goater, Bradley Hagen, Rob Johnson, Ed Jurkowski, Angela Luck, Goldie Morgentaler, Dan O'Donnell, Kent Peacock, Brent Selinger, Marlo Steed and
Nicole Wilson

10 Years

Peter Alward, Christine Anderson, Ebenezer Asem, Roberto Bello, Shawn Bubel, Kris Caldwell, Michael Campbell, Connie Chaplin, John Claassen, Melanie Collado, Dagmar Dahle, Alesha Farfus-Shukaliak, Bev Garnett, Daya Gaur, Joanne Gedrasik, Betsy Greenlees, Trevor Harrison, Linda Janz, Sharon Kanashiro, John Kometz, Igor Kovalchuk, Olga Kovalchuk, Bette Jo Kulak, James Linville, Douglas MacArthur, Claudia Malacrida, Kyla McFadden, Jacqueline Montain, Mandy Moser, Bob Muskovich, Janice Newberry, Tammy Paskuski, Jill Payant, Wilf Roesler, Edward Sandzewicz, Daryl Schacher, Darren Schell, Arlan Schultz, Daniela Sirbu, Debbie Tarnava, John Usher, Derek Vincent, Bernie Wirzba and Cindy Yee

Richard III provides a worthy challenge

trevor.kenney — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:48:05 +0000

One of literature's most notorious villains, Richard III, charges onto the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre stage in an epic tale of treachery, deceit, seduction and murder. Playing Mar. 22-26 at 8 p.m. nightly, Shakespeare's classic takes a new form under the direction of Douglas MacArthur.

The play follows a disfigured Richard III as he plots to ascend the English throne and claim the crown from his brother, King Edward IV. Through betrayal and murder, Richard III's short-lived victory results in his tragic downfall.

MFA candidate David Barrus designed the set and lighting as part of his final project.

"Richard III is the telling of a story that suited the Tudors and royalty of Shakespeare's time," says MacArthur. "This man was born with a physical deformity that symbolizes the evil streak in his nature."

"Richard III is an expert performer, who draws in the audience as he does his adversaries," adds MacArthur. "He is on his way to becoming a deceitful dictator, and the other characters are undeniably intertwined with his actions. He's able to be what he needs to be to get what he wants, and sets the stage for his treachery."

Considered one of Shakespeare's most important works, MacArthur endeavors to make the script accessible and entertaining for audiences.

"Richard III is one of Shakespeare's earlier plays and except for Hamlet, is the longest of his works. In addition to adapting the script to suit our purposes, we've also created a completely unique world for Richard III, through an amalgamation of gothic and contemporary elements," says MacArthur.

MFA candidate, David Barrus, designed the set and lighting for the production. Barrus created the world for Richard III's tumultuous rise to victory and tragic fall as part of his final MFA project.

"The set represents the main character as architecture," he explains. "It symbolizes Richard's grip on his environment and the starkness of his character."

The contemporary costumes, designed by Leslie Robison-Greene, and electronic sound effects, designed by fourth-year drama tech/design major Josh Hellawell, complete the surreal atmosphere of this one-of-a-kind production.

Tickets to this timeless tragedy are available at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office, open weekdays from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. or by calling 403-329-2616. Tickets are $15 regular and $10 senior/student.

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

UNews - Douglas MacArthur

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

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Crossing Boundaries Symposium now in its fourth year

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Shepard classic, A Lie of the Mind, opens Mainstage Season

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Long Service & Retirement Recognition Ceremony

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Richard III provides a worthy challenge

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