The FCCS online Gallery is an archive of exhibitions by our faculty, staff, students and alumni in the community and on campus in the FINA Gallery. The FINA Gallery, in the foyer of the Creative and Critical Studies Building, hosts exhibitions throughout the year—some by visiting arts, some by faculty members, and many by BFA and MFA students.
UBC Okanagan Gallery, housed within the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, is committed to a research-creation mandate realized through: exhibitions, artist residencies, performances, artist talks, workshops, publications, permanent art collection management, commissions, acquisitions, and community-engaged programs.
The studios in the CCS building are used as classroom as well as working spaces for students taking classes in visual arts, media studies and theatre. Students taking visual arts and media studies courses have 24 hour access to these studios to work on class projects throughout the year. See below for images and information about each of our studio and lab spaces.
DarkroomLocation: CCS 229
The darkroom is an ideal space for processing black and white resin-coated or fibre-based prints, as well as working with pinhole photography and alternative processes such as cyanotype.
A variety of enlargers allow students to make prints from 35mm, medium format, and large format negatives. Students come together under the amber glow of the safelight in this traditional darkroom environment. The darkroom is a social space where students can share ideas as they develop.
Location: CCS 221 and 222
There are two diverse drawing spaces with white exhibition walls and a variety of different drawing furniture and equipment. The studios are often arranged to accommodate live models or still-life objects and structures.
Location: CCS 227
This multi-use room is available to students and faculty to use for video work, photography shoots, animation, talks, demonstrations, or other art related needs. An animation table, lights, interchangeable paper back drops (black, white and green backdrops) PC, 4k projector, and 7:1 surround sound system are available to use. The Vision room can be reserved through the Q-Reserve booking system.
(note, you must be a student in an FCCS class where the use of this studio is needed for a class project)
Mac LabsLocations: CCS 141 and SCI 128
There are two computer labs that are used as a teaching space and works space for students. The computers in CCS 141 are also available for students to use outside of class time to work on projects, bookable through Gearspace. The computers have Adobe, Final Cut and Microsoft software.
Location: CCS 122
The Media Maker Space supports computational arts, and interactive media courses. This studio is used for teaching our senior courses in the Bachelor of Media Studies and is available for drop-in studio time for our students working across the creative technologies in media studies or visual arts classes. Equipped with a growing complement of new technologies this flexible media space enables students access to virtual reality technologies, high end computer gaming system, soldering stations, workbenches, full wall projection, and temporary project storage. 3D printing and laser cutting is also available nearby.
Contact one of the technicians to learn more about 3D and laser cutting.
Location: CCS 126
The Metal shop is well equipped with a combination of traditional and CNC machinery. After completing the mandatory safety training (VISA 090), Creative Studies students have access to the metalshop which includes MIG and TIG welder, handheld and CNC plasma cutting, oxy-acetylene torches, a CNC mill, and a wide selection of tools to cut, bend, grind, and form metal. Doubling as a sculpture studio the metalshop is open weekdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for students to use independently or as a class. Metalshop equipment may only be used with supervision by a Studio Technician or trained Faculty member.
Painting StudiosLocation: CCS 223 and 224
The painting studios are a combined 2400 sqft and come fully equipped with easels, tables, rolling carts and chemical storage. These large spaces with white exhibition walls and upright storage racks are often bustling with diverse student painters who are able custom build their painting supports in the CCS Wood Shop.
Location: CCS 144
The performance studio is the home studio for theatre courses, and is a large open space with a sprung dance floor and is equipped with a digital projector and sound system.
Location: ADM 026
The University Theatre is a 200 seat theatre complete with state of the art digital lighting and sound equipment. This theatre space is used for theater classes as well as public performances throughout the year.
Students registered in Theatre courses have access to the CCS 144 and the ADM 026 theatre outside of scheduled class times for class projects, and are only bookable with permission of the course instructors.
Printmaking StudioLocation: CCS 127
The printmaking studio is very versatile. We teach a variety of print media – everything from etching to stone lithography, relief printing (linocut, woodcut, letter press and monotype printing) and a unique form of highly detailed screen printing. We stress traditional printmaking methods but we also work with the most up-to-date photographic applications as well. Because of the specific equipment needs of most printmaking media the 24–hour, seven days a week access makes the printmaking studio a vibrant and active place to work.
Recording RoomLocation: back of CCS 122
This space is dedicated for sound recording. Acoustic panelling creates a near sound-proof room for podcasting, readings, and other audio related projects.
The room doesn’t include any equipment. Students can borrow equipment through the Q-Reserve Gearspace system.
Location: back of CCS 122
This room is a self-serve space for scanning materials for printmaking classes, drawing classes or photography work.
There are 2 flatbed scanners, and one negative film scanner operated by MAC. Film scanning equipment can be booked out through the Q-Reserve Gearspace system.
Location: CCS 123
This 1300 sqft studio houses several tables, benches and shelving for an ample amount of workspace and storage and also houses our CNC laser cutter/engraver. This studio is used by students in 3-Dimensional Art Practices, Sculpture I and II and Advanced Sculpture, where 3-D sculptures are created using a variety of materials such as plaster, wood, metal, paper or found objects.
In addition to the CNC laser cutter/engraver, Creative Studies student can also book time on our 3D printer and 3D scanner or borrow equipment such as sewing machines, heat guns, or a large selection of hand tools.
4th year studiosThe 4th year studios are located on the 2nd floor of the CCS building and are divided into individual studio spaces where BFA Visual Arts students in their final year of study have a dedicated space to work on self-directed projects.
Location: CCS 124
The Wood Shop is fully equipped with all of your standard woodworking tools and machinery. After completing the mandatory safety training (VISA 090), Creative Studies students have access to a variety of equipment – from traditional tools such as hand planes and carving gouges to larger equipment such as table saws, mitre saws, band saws, sanders, a thickness planer and CNC router. The shop is open weekdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and there is a two-person rule in effect at all times. With plenty of work benches and space, our shop is often full of energetic art-makers building anything from canvas stretchers to installation sculptures.
Location: IP1
MFA studios, are housed in the UBC Innovation Precinct 1. The space includes studio space, communal desk space, conference rooms, lounge, kitchenette and showers. Each MFA VISA and IS student shares a 25m2 space with another student, MFA CRWR students have shared desk space in the communal area shared with the School of Engineering graduate students.
Shared studio space for VISA and IS students
Shared desk space for CRWR students
IP1 is a 5-minute drive, 16-minute walk, or 10-minute ride from campus on the #23 bus. Please see this map.
IP1 Building, 1540 Innovation Drive
The Department of Creative Studies offers on site digital printing services to accommodate student project needs, providing creative, cost effective ways to print. The printing services are conveniently located in what is known as the Spark Lab, in CCS 151.
This service provides quality, full colour digital printing ideal for wide format printing (up to 44” wide). There are a variety of paper options to choose from.
This service provides quality, full colour digital printing ideal for wide format printing (up to 44” wide). There are a variety of paper options to choose from.
Printing is for project course work and student exhibition use only. Printing for selling purposes is not permitted.
The services are delivered by the media technician during posted hours.
The turnaround time for prints is usually 2-3 days.
Students that would like to have files printed need to go to CCS 151 (The Spark Lab) in person during the available times or contact Sam at sam.neal@ubc.ca
Printing can be paid online or in cash to Sam Neal (invoice must be presented)
Students and faculty can borrow equipment (Gearspace Bookings) for their projects or get technical assistance through the Asper Centre for Artists Video. Various types of cameras (video, digital, film), lights, audio equipment including microphones, speakers, sound systems, recording devices, and other technology is available here.
Equipment needs to be reserved online through the Q-Reserve link
Equipment loans are meant to support research, course projects and instructional activities within the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies.
This space is ideally located in CCS 228, between the Vision Room (CCS 227) and the Dark Room. The hours are as follows:
A complete list of equipment available for loan can be viewed on the Gearspace website if you have registered for a gearspace account.
Note: certain equipment such as lighting and camera gear are only available to students once they have completed a certain level of course and training.
If you have any questions regarding equipment, you are welcome to contact Sam Neal.
Studio space is open to all students enrolled in a VISA, MDST or THTRE courses to use outside of class time, however the Greenroom (CCS 227) and the Performance Studio (CCS 144) must be booked to use outside of class time using the Gearspace Booking System.
If you require technical assistance in a workshop, lab or gallery, please schedule an appointment well in advance, via e-mail with the relevant technician.
For more information about the Asper Centre for Artists Video, equipment, or the Greenroom and Performance studio, contact sam.neal@ubc.ca.
(note, you must be a student in an FCCS class where the use of equipment is needed for your class project)
The Department of Creative Studies offers the purchase of some art materials for specific courses. You must contact your instructor or technician for availability and pricing of materials before purchasing.
Please check with your instructor or technician for pricing information.
Payment for these items can be made online, or in cash to the admin assistant in CCS 152 (invoice must be presented).
Booking of this space is limited to FCCS faculty and students. Due to liability issues, groups outside of FCCS will not be permitted use unless they have made arrangements to have someone from FCCS in attendance and supervising the event for the duration of the time booked. Please follow these steps to request the booking:
*Please note that ADM 026 is used as a classroom during the academic year and the possibility of other bookings is very limited.
We have two Canadian Foundation for Innovation funded research Centres in the Faculty along with two research Labs with opportunities for students to work with faculty and fellow students on a variety of research projects.
The AMP Lab houses projects that engage in the work of the humanities–adding value to cultural artifacts through interpretation and analysis–in a digital context. Broadly, all AMP Lab projects investigate code as a sustainable medium for representing cultural history. The stakes are high, as the development of sustainable, robust humanist data shapes what both scholars and the general public can know about digitized cultural history. Dr. Karis Shearer is the AMP Lab director and Principal’s Research Chair in Digital Arts and Humanities.
Visit: amplab.ok.ubc.ca
The Centre for Culture and Technology (CCT) was established in 2011 by FCCS professors Aleksandra Dulic and Stephen Foster to promote research that brings together art and science to develop a critical awareness of the dynamic relationship between culture and technology. As a laboratory engaged in innovative research, the CCT aims to develop content, artwork and services, support innovation processes, expand new knowledge transmission strategies for cultural expression, and communicate cultural knowledge to audiences across a range of age groups and cultures.
Visit: cct.ok.ubc.ca
The Critical Future Studio/Lab (CFS/L) is a CFI funded space, led by Dr. Megan Smith, is a creative studio that enables the production of innovative environmental experiences within digitally augmented spaces. The space will house future-orientated research on the themes of culture, the environment, public safety & security, and health. The CFS/L will be equipped with a combination of Maker tools, experimental technologies and cutting-edge devices in the field of augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR) development.
The CFS/L is located in the new Innovation Annex Building.
The FEELed Lab is a feminist environmental humanities field research lab with the goal of creating a hub for researchers, students and community members who share common interests in environment and sustainability issues, specifically from feminist, queer, anti-colonial and disability justice perspectives.
Dr. Astrida Neimanis is the FEELed Lab Director & Canada Research Chair in Feminist Environmental Humanities here at UBC Okanagan.
Visit: thefeeledlab.ca
The (Re)Media Lab is a CFI funded space, led by Dr. Emily Murphy. In this physical space, Murphy will continue her research that marries the study of cultural history and embodied methods in media.
The (Re)Media Lab is located in the new Innovation Annex Building.
Site/ation studio is a CFI funded research-creation space, led by Tania Willard, that uses collaborative creative practice as a methodology to acknowledge advocate and advance Indigenous land-based knowledges through creative making. Projects will include a focus on Interior Salish basketry, the Indigenous art Intensive and projection based work among other research activities. The ‘Site/ation Studio’ describes the ways that land, as a basis for Indigenous knowledge, can be a site of knowledge production and knowledge transfer equal to the value of academic text-based citations.
The Site/ation studio is located in Portable A (near University House) along with Indigenous outdoor education space.
The Sonic Production, Intelligence, Research, and Applications Lab (SPIRAL) is a CFI funded space, led by Dr. Miles Thorogood, that explores simulating the creative process in sound design to develop state of the art models and algorithms for developing new computational tools used in workflows in the video game, animation and virtual reality industries – increasing productivity of current pipelines and attracting companies and workers to further the economic growth coming from these industries.
Dr. Miles Thorogood will focus on the development of the next generation of A.I. computer-assisted tools for sound design production in the growing field of video games and virtual reality.
SPIRAL is located in the new Innovation Annex Building.
The Woodhaven Eco Culture Centre is located in the Woodhaven Nature Conservancy Regional Park –29.8 hectares that the Regional District of Central Okanagan has designated for conservation of wild animals and their habitat. It is part of a vital wildlife corridor along Bellevue Creek which flows down from Myra Bellevue Provincial Park.
Through an agreement with the Regional District, FCCS manages a large heritage home with three self-contained apartments, providing opportunities for graduate students from FCCS to live during the academic year, and a place for visiting artists and scholars to stay during the summer months. There is a small Studio Cabin on the property that is an ideal place to hold seminars, small retreats, art projects, events, and meetings.
The Woodhaven Eco Culture Centre is located at 969 Raymer Road, and is in a vital wildland corridor along Bellevue Creek which flows down from Myra Bellevue Provincial Park.
Visit: blogs.ubc.ca/woodhavencentre