Stories from the Creative Edge
Events
Orion Lecture: The Day The World Stops Shopping
We can’t stop shopping. And yet we must. This is the consumer dilemma that noted author J.B. MacKinnon is addressing in this special Department of Writing Orion Lecture. Join us at 2:30pm Tuesday, Oct 19, as MacKinnon speaks to Writing students and the general public....
Climate-crisis sparks new journalism position
Wildfires, droughts, floods, extreme storms: we are living in a time when climate change should be the biggest story of our time—yet, as the recent federal election proved, all too often it doesn’t even make the headlines. As the new Wayne Crookes Professor in...
Student jobs now open!
Looking for on-campus work that won't conflict with your studies? Check out UVic's workstudy program: with 58 student jobs now posted in Fine Arts alone, each of our departments (and some associated units) are offering paid positions that will benefit your academic...
Beadwork as resistance
When it comes to beadwork, a design is created bead by bead, row by row: it’s much the same in writing, where poems and stories are created word by word, line by line. But for award-winning poet, memoirist and University of Victoria writing professor Gregory...
Banting Fellow & Vanier Scholar named in Fine Arts
Fine Arts researchers and creative practitioners Taylor Brook and Troy Sebastian are among UVic's recipients of the prestigious Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships and Vanier Canada Graduate Scholars, "Congratulations to Taylor and Troy," says Acting Dean Allana...
Poetry & motion: Writing alumni Billeh Nickerson
There’s a delightful irony in the fact that the most memorable part of Joe Biden’s inauguration as the oldest president in US history was the reading by the youngest poet to ever appear at such a ceremony. Arguably the highlight of the event, 23-year-old Amanda...
Theatre alum Justin Lee explores cultural hybrids
If the COVID era has shown us anything, it’s that the future of theatre continues to be written. When the pandemic forced the shuttering of performance venues, stages around the world suddenly realized they would have to adapt to survive. Enter the age of mainstage...
Writing MFA Kim Harvey wins GG Award for Drama
On June 1, Syilx & Tsilhqot’in playwright & director Kim Senklip Harvey became the first Indigenous woman to win the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama for her play Kamloopa: An Indigenous Matriarch Story (Talon Books)—less than a week after receiving...
Congratulations to spring 2021 grads!
Congratulations, Class of 2021—you made it! You are now one of over 9000 Fine Arts alumni worldwide who studied at UVic—and have the distinction of graduating during the most difficult year in our history. "As part of an esteemed group of artists and creative...
New $1000 student award launched
New community impact award Are you a current or graduating UVic Fine Arts undergraduate who's been involved with some community-engaged creative activity in Greater Victoria between Jan 1/20 & May 31/21? If so, you could qualify for $1,000 via our new Community...
Orion Series presents Drew Hayden Taylor
The Orion Lecture Series in Fine Arts Through the generous support of the Orion Fund in Fine Arts, the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Victoria, is pleased to present: Drew Hayden Taylor Playwright, novelist, filmmaker, journalist "Canoeing Down the River of...
Distinguished Alumni Talk: Mercedes Bátiz-Benét on supporting IBPoC voices
When it comes to working in the arts and theatre sectors, IBPoC artists (Indigenous, Black, People of Colour) face a number of barriers due to systemic discrimination—yet IBPoC artists have always created innovative and bold new work. As Puente Theatre’s artistic...
Susie Winter’s feature film screenplay started as student project
It all started with an empty boat floating on a lake. Screenwriter Susie Winters (BFA ’16) recalls driving alongside the vast expanse of Cameron Lake just east of Port Alberni when the image first drifted into her mind, inspiring what would become the screenplay for...
Orion Series presents director & writer Soheil Parsa
The Orion Lecture Series in Fine Arts Through the generous support of the Orion Fund in Fine Arts, the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Victoria, is pleased to present: Soheil Parsa Artistic director, Modern Times Stage Company "Transcending Cultural and Political...
Zoom into our spring Fine Arts open house on March 9
Already enrolled in UVic's Faculty of Fine Arts for the 2021/22 academic year? Still thinking about it? Either way, bring your questions to our free Fine Arts online open house, running 6-7pm Tuesday, March 9 via Zoom. Register for the open house here. Registration...
Orion Series presents poet Louise Halfe
The Orion Lecture Series in Fine ArtsThrough the generous support of the Orion Fund in Fine Arts, the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Victoria, is pleased to present:Louise Bernice Halfe Parliamentary Poet Laureate 3:30 - 5:00 pm (PST) Wednesday, February 24,...
Reading Break student wellness message
With the Winter 2021 Reading Break now upon us, the faculty and staff of Fine Arts offer this short message as a way to remind our students to pause, breathe and consider their own sense of wellness in a very stressful year. As School of Music professor Adam Con tells...
Orion Series presents poet Canisia Lubrin
The Orion Lecture Series in Fine ArtsThrough the generous support of the Orion Fund in Fine Arts, the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Victoria, is pleased to present:Canisia Lubrin Poet, short fiction author 2:30 - 4:00 pm (PST) Monday, February 22, 2021 Free...
$1.875M gift supports environmental and climate journalism
The threat of climate change is the most perilous of our time—especially at the beginning of this new decade, which has been frequently identified as the most crucial for preventing catastrophic consequences. Now, one concerned individual is personally addressing that...
Orion Series presents writer Semi Chella
The Orion Lecture Series in Fine ArtsThrough the generous support of the Orion Fund in Fine Arts, the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Victoria, is pleased to present:Semi Chellas TV writer, show-runner & film director 2:30 - 4:00 pm (PST) Monday,...
Esi Edugyan muses on values of a new world
The COVID-19 pandemic has uncovered some of the biggest challenges of our time, including systemic racism, economic inequity and the climate crisis. What comes next and will it shape a new world? In such situations, some people yearn for a return to a remembered (or...
December 1 is Giving Tuesday
Are you ready to "add sprinkles" to the UVic experience on Giving Tuesday on December 1? Giving Tuesday is a global celebration of philanthropy that inspires people to support their favourite causes in any way they can. At UVic, Giving Tuesday is where small acts of...
Zoom into our Fine Arts Open House
Thinking about enrolling in UVic's Faculty of Fine Arts for the 2021 academic year? Bring your questions to our free Fine Arts online open house, happening at 5pm Thursday, Nov 12 via Zoom. Register for the open house here. Registration closes two hours before the...
Writing grad Kai Conradi explores words, life and how they fit together
While it’s not unusual for a Department of Writing student to get their first publishing credit while still an undergraduate, it is rare when their story gains national attention and a shot at a $10,000 prize. But as an emerging poet and short-story writer, there’s no...
New project explores global food sovereignty
How can vulnerable communities build local and regional governance of food systems in the context of the climate crisis? That’s the question behind a new interdisciplinary film project co-directed by Department of Writing chair Maureen Bradley and Department of...
A new & different academic year
A new (and different) school year Welcome to issue 13 of the Fine Arts Connector and the start of a new academic year—one that we can definitely say will be unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. With only about 3,500 students on campus and the majority of classes...
Writing prize nominations feature alumni, instructors
Along with the start of classes, September also sees the start of the annual book awards season—and so far, we're looking at a bumper crop of nominations for Fine Arts alumni and instructors. Journey Prize Kicking off the awards season is the $10,000 Writers' Trust...
Welcome (and/or) welcome back!
Welcome to all new Fine Arts students, and welcome back to all returning students! We’re looking forward to offering safe and engaging courses this year—whether you're attending classes in-person or online. While most of the following information can be found on the...
Expanding our campus community
Expanding our campus community Welcome to issue 10 of the Fine Arts Connector, your regular listing of news, resources, activities and other shareable content from UVic's Faculty of Fine Arts. It's a handy way of keeping up with student, faculty and alumni activity...
Graduation celebration
Graduation celebration Welcome to issue 11 of the Fine Arts Connector, your regular listing of news, resources, activities and other shareable content from UVic's Faculty of Fine Arts. It's a handy way of keeping up with student, faculty and alumni activity while...
We will need fine arts graduates in a post-COVID-19 world
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau noted during his daily pandemic briefing on April 17, “Since the beginning of the current crisis, artists have been bringing comfort, laughs and happiness into our lives.” He’s right: the arts are important, particularly during a...
Physically distanced, culturally connected
Physically distanced, culturally connected Welcome to issue 10 of the Fine Arts Connector, your regular listing of news, resources, activities and other shareable content from UVic's Faculty of Fine Arts. It's a handy way of keeping up with student, faculty and alumni...