DECEMBER 2010
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
FINE ARTS
in focus
the Legend
New media students look to space
Jeff Heaney and Jena Murray have earned internships with the Canadian Space Agency.
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aculty of Fine Arts New Media majors, Jeff Heaney and Jena Murray, have accepted offers to do their internships with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in Montreal starting in January 2011. The pair is the latest group of University of Lethbridge students to receive a prestigious internship appointment with the Canadian Space Agency. They are the fifth and sixth students from the new media program to be offered internships with the CSA since summer 2007. The students were understandably thrilled with the news
RESIDENCY A PART OF RECENT AGREEMENT BY AMANDA BERG The doors to international exchanges have been opened wide with the recent signing of agreements between the University 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, Univer-
they would be working in such a unique and challenging setting. “I’m so excited,” says Murray, who is from Lomond, Alta. “This is a great opportunity to experience something new. I’m eager to learn as much as possible and advance my skill set as far as I can. I’m very grateful for the chance to work at the Canadian Space Agency and know it’s going to be life changing.” The Canadian Space Agency internship is a program that is interested in 3D modelling and simulation for the purpose of tracking and developing things like satellite simulations and
sity 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
creating works in 3D to be used by the engineers and scientists working there. “I originally heard about the program through our New Media Internship professor, Anna Pickering,” says Heaney, who is from Water Valley, Alta. “Over the course of October, I worked with her on developing my portfolio and resumé to apply to the position. Apparently they found my skills and Jena’s to be very complementary, so we both were accepted, me for my experience in simulation and physics, and her for her skill in modelling in a 3D environment.”
Faculty of Fine Arts dean Dr. Desmond Rochfort with Roberto Vázquez Díaz, the director general of Centro Nacional de Las Artes.
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 pro-
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Heaney says he never envisioned such an opportunity was available when he began his undergraduate studies. “When I first came to the University to work on my new media degree, I never could have guessed that it would end with me getting a position with the Canadian Space Agency.” It is a big move from Lethbridge to Montreal, and having two students go at the same time will help them both adjust to life in the ‘big’ city. “Leaving behind much of my life to move to Montreal is a bit daunting, but incredibly exciting at the same time,” says Heaney. Murray agrees, adding that it’s not just a matter of being comfortable in a new city, but having a familiar face with a similar background will likely help with their studies as well. “I’m so glad that Jeff will be experiencing this with me,” she says. “It’ll be nice that we’ll have one another to lean on during our time in Montreal.” BFA New Media students have the option to choose an internship or participate in an Advanced Studio class in their final year of study. “The internship enables students to make connections in the industries where they want to pursue a career,” explains Anna Pickering, the internship co-ordinator. “It also provides the opportunity to experience challenging and relevant work related to their school studies, and quite often leads to future employment opportunities.”
gram 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.
CULTURE VULTURE SATURDAYS BRING THE COMMUNITY TO CAMPUS Wipe away those winter blues and spend the day in the Atrium for Culture Vulture Saturday. Art meets chemistry in the Jan. 15 edition of the popular, community-friendly program, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Using ink from berries, participants will have the opportunity to make a very unique art project. “The month of January not only marks a new year, but also welcomes a new exhibit in the main gallery,” says Rosalind Jeffrey, Culture Vulture program co-ordinator. “A Little History on the Prairies features the Nanton series of photographs by Geoffrey James and works by Margaret Shelton, which showcase the prairie landscape, a part of who we are as Canadians. The exhibit also includes sketches by Group of Seven artist, A.Y. Jackson, done during his time in Pincher Creek.” After studying these landscapes, participants take a step back in time and will make their own ink from the juice of berries. “Art meets chemistry in this activity, which is perfect for art enthusiasts of all ages,” says Jeffrey. “You’ll be able to use your handmade ink to sketch your own prairie landscape. Perhaps you’ll want to include a raspberry bush to remind you that spring is on its way!” Supplies are provided and the admission to Culture Vulture Saturday is always free.