UWindsor's School of Visual Arts celebrates 50 years
By Matthew A. Terry
Lance Writer
August 31, 2010
The 2010/2011 school year marks the 50th anniversary of UWindsor’s School of Visual Arts, which they are celebrating with several events on Sept. 3 and Sept. 4.
It is the start of a year-long series of events titled “Intersections,” which will include several talks and a conference later in the year.
The School of Visual Arts will be starting the weekend with a keynote address – delivered by faculty member Iain Baxter&, considered as Canada’s pioneering conceptual artist and the first to adopt a corporate persona – and a cocktail party on Friday, Sept. 3 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the LeBel Gallery.
On Saturday, Sept. 4, the school will be holding an open house and art sale from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
“The show is being called a salon,” said Professor Lee Rodney of the School of Visual Arts.
“It’s an idea from the 19th century where they had a yearly [art show] with enough art to cover the walls. It’s a very egalitarian way of running a show.”
“Typically they are carefully and meticulously managed. It’s more of a wild-card show,” Rodney continued.
The art sale is intended to raise funds for scholarships to the School of Visual Arts.
Fifty per cent of all funds raised from the sale will be returned to the artist, and the remaining 50 per cent will go toward the scholarship fund.
Alumni, current students, and artists from across the country will be putting work forward in the sale.
“Faculty are also open to contribute,” said Rodney.
At 6 p.m. on Saturday, the School of Visual Arts will be renaming the gallery. “We wanted to sound more contemporary,” said Rodney.
“We want to call it a project space, because student work is often featured in the gallery, but we also have a new architecture program and we will be showcasing student work from that. We want to open up the agenda of the space.”
The school plans to feature sound, video, and interactive works in the future. “The old name has worked in the past,” said Rodney.
“But we’re trying to have a 21st century identity. We’re aiming to have a more legitimate public space.”
Saturday will finish up with a barbecue and dance from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. “I think [the dance] is pretty casual,” said Rodney.
The School of Visual Arts will also be holding a speaker series – which will culminate in a conference and workshop – called “Intersections: art and economy,” where the speakers and participants will explore the relationship between the financial status of a society and the art the society produces.
“It’s going to look into the trends between weak economies and the surge of art,” said Rodney. “They have a relationship that seems to go against established trends and logic.”
The most important message of the “Intersections” events is a celebration of art and culture in Windsor. “It’s about recognizing that visual arts, and arts in general, are a vital part of the community in Windsor,” said Rodney. “Most people get caught up in the idea that the auto industry is the underlying strength of the community.”
“I hope the show has a bit of an impact,” said Rodney. “There’s a strong art community and history in this city and it's great to recognize that with this event.”
To RSVP and order tickets to the opening ceremony, keynote address, and the barbecue, visit the School of Visual Arts website http://web4.uwindsor.ca/visualarts/. |
