This week UBC Okanagan celebrated the graduating students of 2023. As part of graduation, the top academic students are recognized for their accomplishments which often include high academic grades and community service.

Governor General’s Gold Medal

A passion for research, a personal connection and the desire to help a population often overlooked by researchers took Sarah Lawrason down a path that eventually led to one of UBC Okanagan’s top accomplishments.

Dr. Lawrason has been named UBCO’s 2023 winner of the Governor General’s Gold Medal. She completed her PhD in Kinesiology, spending several years researching people who live with incomplete spinal cord injuries (SCI). Her research led to the design, implementation and evaluation of a mobile-based physical activity program for people with an SCI who walk. The goal was to support this particular population to become more physically active.

“Physical activity is so beneficial for health and wellbeing, but there is little research and resources to support people with SCI and even less for those with an SCI who can walk,” she says.

Dr. Lawrason admits there is a personal side to her drive. Her brother sustained an SCI in 2016—helping him live the best life he can became part of her mandate.

The Governor General’s Gold Medal is awarded to the student who has achieved the most outstanding academic record as a doctoral or master’s student completing a dissertation or thesis.

While working on her PhD, Dr. Lawrason conducted five studies with the ambulatory SCI population—a growing segment often referred to as the “forgotten ones” because they have been completely overlooked in health research and promotion, she says. Her research engaged with the SCI community and tech-industry partners to achieve significant breakthroughs and help pave the way for further scientific and clinical applications.

She conducted her research under the supervision of Dr. Kathleen Martin Ginis, who describes Dr. Lawrason as someone with an exemplary record of high-impact, novel, interdisciplinary, community-engaged research who has made diverse and considerable contributions to society.

“Sarah has established an outstanding reputation for research leadership and conducted her PhD research with unwavering commitment to using community-engaged methods and improving the health of people with disabilities,” says Dr. Martin Ginis. “Of the 13 PhD students I’ve supervised, she ranks among the top in terms of breadth and depth of skill and is more than deserving of this recognition.”

Governor General’s Silver Medal winner

Solomon Thiessen, described as an “exceptionally gifted” School of Engineering student, has been named the winner of UBC’s Governor General’s Silver Medal. It is awarded annually to the student who has achieved the highest academic standing of all students in their graduating year. UBC awards three silver medals each year: one in arts, one in science and one for all other faculties including those at UBC Okanagan.

Thiessen recently completed his Bachelor of Applied Science with UBCO’s School of Engineering, impressing his professors by earning a final mark of 100 per cent on 12 of his engineering courses.

He has a keen interest in computer engineering and he minored in computer science. During his studies, he worked on a variety of projects including a portable MRI device with Drs. Rebecca Feldman and Sabine Weyand as well as a wireless sensor node network with Dr. Dean Richert. Despite his heavy course load, he also volunteered as a tutor in math, physics, applied science and computer science through the student learning hub and worked as a teaching assistant in the automation lab.

Within the School of Engineering, he was held in high esteem among the teaching staff, says Dr. Dean Richert, an Assistant Professor of Teaching in Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering

“It has been an absolute pleasure to witness Sol’s progression throughout his degree and I am delighted to see him being acknowledged as a recipient of this award,” says Dr. Richert. “Sol not only possesses exceptional academic prowess but also demonstrates an outstanding work ethic and professionalism, distinguishing himself as one of the most exceptional students I have had the privilege of working with.”

Thiessen has been accepted to the computer science master’s program at ETH Zurich in Switzerland. Following his studies at ETH Zurich, he plans to pursue a PhD in artificial intelligence. In the meantime, he is “tinkering” on a few software projects while working as a contractor for the Western Canadian Learning Network.

Lieutenant Governor Medal Program for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation

A well-travelled and active member of the UBCO campus community, Haja Mabinty (Binta) Sesay has been named the winner of the Lieutenant Governor Medal Program for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation.

Sesay has just completed her degree in International Relations and has been recognized for her leadership and dedication to helping make UBCO a more inclusive campus community. During her four years of study, she volunteered with the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office during back-to-school celebrations and spent two years volunteering with African Caribbean Student Club. She also held an executive role with the UBC Black caucus team and UBC’s Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Task Force.

Sesay started her schooling in The Gambia and moved to the United Kingdom for part of her high school education, completing her last year in Jerusalem. She came to UBCO in 2018, having been attracted to the close-knit campus and knowing the programs were academically strong.

Although she applied for the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal, she had no expectations of winning the recognition and was surprised when notified she was the winner.

“Just getting the email to apply for the award made me feel accomplished,” she says. “I was super shocked when I got the email saying I was selected. I am so passionate about all the work I have done and never expect anything back, but it also feels nice to be recognized. I feel very honoured.”

The Lieutenant Governor Medal Program for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation recognizes students who have distinguished themselves through their post-secondary education with outstanding contributions to the promotion of inclusion, democracy or reconciliation.

Madison Tardif, who worked with Sesay at the UBC Equity and Inclusion Office, says she has played a key role in leading and working within various groups and committees to advocate for a more anti-racist and inclusive institution, with a particular focus on supporting the Black community.

“Binta has dedicated herself to the promotion of anti-racism across the university and in the broader community, advocating for changes that will continue to shape and improve the experiences of Black students, faculty and staff at UBC,” says Tardif. “Binta’s commitment to addressing structural inequities and advocating for a more inclusive campus shines in her leadership roles and her consistent desire to show up for and in solidarity with diverse communities.”

Pushor Mitchell LLP Gold Medal Leadership Prize

Madyson Campbell, who received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree Thursday, is the winner of the Pushor Mitchell Gold Medal Leadership Prize. Knowing she eventually planned to go to medical school, Campbell came to UBCO from Thunder Bay wanting to experience a few years living in a different province and knew the Okanagan would suit her lifestyle.

While working on her degree she participated in several multidisciplinary undergraduate research projects in health and worked on a student-led project to develop a pilot curriculum on a restorative approach to improve the experiences of patients who have been harmed within the health care system.

Campbell is a proud citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario and works to advocate for and ensure the voices of Métis youth are heard at the provincial and national levels.

“The support provided by this award is immeasurable, as it allows students like myself to continue our academic and leadership goals after graduating from UBC. This award has allowed me to pursue a research opportunity this summer at the University of Toronto. I cannot understate how deeply honoured I am to have been chosen by this committee. I will carry this recognition with me as I move forward in my academic and career pursuits.”

As a winner of the Pushor Mitchell award, she receives a $10,000 scholarship which she says will support her journey as she enters the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Thunder Bay this fall.

The Pushor Mitchell LLP Gold Medal Leadership Prize recognizes a top graduating student who has excelled academically and has shown leadership while earning their degree.

“Pushor Mitchell LLP is thrilled to support another exceptional graduate at UBC Okanagan with our Gold Medal Leadership Award, as they make their way to become the next generation of great leaders in our community, both in the Okanagan and beyond”, says Joni Metherell, Managing Partner for Pushor Mitchell. “We congratulate Madyson and all of UBCO’s 2023 graduates on their success.”

Heads of Graduating Class

University of BC Medal in Arts
Samantha Barg

University of BC Medal in Education
Isabela Richard

University of BC Medal in Engineering
Solomon Thiessen

University of BC Medal in Fine Arts
Josie Hillman

University of BC Medal in Human Kinetics
Melina Marini

University of BC Medal in Management
Aurora Gardiner

University of BC Medal in Media Studies
Amanda McIvor

University of BC Medal in Nsyilxcn Language Fluency
Sheri Stelkia

University of BC Medal in Nursing
Kayla Petersen

University of BC Medal in Science
Harman Sohal

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This week, UBC Okanagan will celebrate the graduating class of 2023. And while hundreds of students will cross the stage to accept their degrees, there will still be a series of unique firsts.

On June 8 and 9, UBCO will confer more than 2,300 degrees during six graduation ceremonies. On Thursday, the first-ever Bachelor of Nsyilxcn Language Fluency degree graduates will receive their degrees.

“Graduation provides us the opportunity to recognize and congratulate our students and their successes,” says Dr. Lesley Cormack, UBCO’s Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor. “I am incredibly proud of all of our students, with particular note for those receiving our first degrees in Nsyilxcn Language Fluency.”

The Bachelor of Nsyilxcn Language Fluency degrees will be conferred by UBC’s Chancellor, the Honourable xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl Steven Point. Chancellor Point will also confer honorary degrees on suiki?st Pauline Terbasket, Executive Director of the Okanagan Nation Alliance, and Lindsay Gordon, Point’s predecessor as UBC Chancellor. Interim UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Deborah Buszard, who is the former UBCO Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, will share the stage throughout the six graduation ceremonies with Dr. Cormack, the current campus Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

There are three ceremonies on Thursday, the first beginning at 8:30 am, and three on Friday morning with the first also starting at 8:30 am.

Of the more than 2,320 degrees being presented this week, more than 450 students will earn their master’s degree, and 60 are being conferred as PhDs. These students have reached the highest level of achievement in their disciplines, says Dr. Cormack.

She also notes the students graduating this year continued their studies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and pivoted to online courses as the university quickly adapted to online and remote delivery of classes in 2020.

“I offer the UBC Okanagan class of 2023 my warmest congratulations for their remarkable achievements,” says Dr. Cormack. “These students persevered through an unusual time none of us could have predicted. They stayed dedicated to their studies as they not only transitioned to online learning, but back onto campus last year to complete their studies in-person. I am so grateful for this group of students as they showed grit and passion and worked through an extraordinary time to complete their studies. With these experiences, we know they have the ability to realize their highest ambitions, both personally and by shaping the world they’re entering as UBC alumni.”

The 18th annual graduation celebration happens Thursday and Friday inside the UBC Okanagan gymnasium. Parking is free during the day.

Quick facts:

• 2,320 students will cross the stage during six graduation ceremonies
• Two honorary degrees will be conferred, one each day
• Thursday, 8:30 am, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
• Thursday, 11 am, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Science
• Thursday, 1:30 am, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies**
  ** Including the Bachelor of Nsyilxcn Language Fluency
• Friday, 8:30 am, Faculty of Health and Social Development*
  * Including nursing and social work
• Friday, 11 am, Faculty of Education: Okanagan School of Education and the Faculty of Management
• Friday, 1:30 pm, Faculty of Applied Science: School of Engineering
• Parking is free both days

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What: Exhibition openings, by UBC Okanagan Gallery and the Indigenous Art Intensive
Who: Krystle Silverfox, Tiffany Shaw, Sheldon Louis, Coralee Miller, David Wilson and Manuel Axel Strain
Opening reception: Wednesday, June 7, 5 to 7 pm
Exhibition dates: June 8 to August 24, open daily from 10 am to 4 pm
Where: FINA Gallery, Creative and Critical Studies building, 1148 Research Road, UBC Okanagan

UBC Okanagan Gallery and the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies Indigenous Art Intensive are hosting two exhibitions of contemporary Indigenous art starting next week.

Invisible Forces and You are on Syilx Territory will open together with a public reception on Wednesday, June 7 in the FINA Gallery at UBC Okanagan. Both shows are curated by Dr. Stacey Koosel, UBC Okanagan Gallery curator and Indigenous Art Intensive co-ordinator.

“We are proud to be hosting such exciting exhibitions with these exceptional artists here at UBCO,” says Dr. Koosel.

Yukon-based, Selkirk First Nation artist Krystle Silverfox was recently shortlisted for the Sobey Art Award with an exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. Artwork from Silverfox’s National Gallery exhibition is part of the Invisible Forces show and this will be the first time this artwork has been shown in Western Canada.

Tiffany Shaw is a Métis architect, artist and curator based in Alberta, whose work has been shown at the Venice Architecture Biennale, and multiple public art commissions including Edmonton’s Indigenous Art Park. She will reinterpret an ongoing series of work that was recently shown at the Surrey Art Gallery and the Southern Alberta Art Gallery.

You are on Syilx Territory is an exhibition that contains paintings by celebrated Syilx painters, Sheldon Louis, Coralee Miller, David Wilson and Manuel Axel Strain, which are all part of UBC Okanagan’s Public Art Collection.

“You are on Syilx Territory features new acquisitions from UBC Okanagan’s Public Art Collection, and is a call to action, to indigenize the university’s art collection that currently has only eight works by Syilx artists,” says Dr. Koosel. “In a collection that houses more than 800 pieces, that is less than one per cent.”

The two exhibitions are part of the Indigenous Art Intensive, a month-long event hosting leading Indigenous artists and scholars. All activities are free and open to the public and include talks, art-making workshops, an open studio day, the exhibitions and additional events.

The goal of UBC Okanagan’s Indigenous Art Intensive is for the campus to be a leader in showcasing Interior Salish-specific artists, ideas and practices, adds Dr. Koosel.

The community is welcome to attend the opening reception on June 7, from 5 to 7 pm. The exhibitions will be open daily from June 8 to August 24, from 10 am to 4 pm excluding weekends.

More information can be found at: fccs.ok.ubc.ca/indigenous-art-intensive

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What: Indigenous Art Intensive, keynote presentations and artist panels When: Wednesdays, May 17 to June 14, 2023 Time: noon to 3:30 pm Where: University Theatre, ADM 026, UBC’s Okanagan Campus For more than a decade the Indigenous Art Intensive has brought leading international and national Indigenous scholars, curators, artists and writers together at UBC Okanagan in Syilx territory. Starting May 17 and taking place the next four Wednesdays, keynote speakers will give presentations while artists will discuss their works and participate in panel discussions. All of these lunchtime sessions are at noon in the university theatre and open to the public. The visiting artists and scholars in residence also take part in exhibitions, art making, workshops, course visits and an open studio day—also free and open to the public. “There are amazing artists and cultural practices amongst Indigenous nations in the Okanagan,” says Program Director and Professor Tania Willard.  “UBCO’s intensive builds on that by having Syilx representation as visiting artists alongside artists from other places,” says Willard. The program gathers students, artists, curators, writers and scholars to engage in contemporary ideas and discourse rooted in Indigenous art-making. It offers an educational series of courses, lectures, art shows and opportunities to create art. The program connects world-renowned speakers with resident artists to create new work. Besides all the public-facing programming, Dr. Willard says the Indigenous Art Intensive also offers a series of courses for credit. “It’s about creating an interdisciplinary, intercultural gathering space. It’s open-ended in terms of knowing that when you plant those seeds, interesting collaborations and future projects are given a starting point,” she says. “It’s a generator, I suppose. Our first goal is to generate intercultural, interdisciplinary and intergenerational conversations that can address critical issues facing Indigenous communities.” Willard says artists who boldly engage with theory or practice that reject the status quo move her most. It’s a place to be with like-minded folks, as well as people who are coming from different disciplines. There’s a supportive atmosphere for people who are focused and engaged with future potential. “We can learn all kinds of things hearing from an artist directly—stories, struggles or conflicts, problems with sourcing materials or logistics, and what it is like to be an artist full-time in a professional field,” she says. “That is valuable for students and different than what we might learn through textbooks or readings because it is happening in real-time. This year’s keynote speakers include recognized artist Nadia Myre, tattoo practitioner Dion Kaszas, political anthropologist Audra Simpson and curator and scholar Dylan Robinson. They are joined by visiting artists Michelle Sound, Krista Belle Stewart, Mariel Belanger, Peter Morin, Ts̱ēmā Igharas, Tiffany Shaw, Krystle Silverfox, Gabrielle Hill and Vanessa Dion Fletcher. The intensive is hosted by UBCO’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies (FCCS) in partnership with UBC Okanagan Gallery—a newly founded university gallery, that builds on the work of the Indigenous Art Intensive. It’s been 10 years since the first Indigenous Art Intensive and it has continually hosted artists in residence in a professional capacity, paying Canadian Artists’ Representation / Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC) fees and supporting their practice through studio facilities, networking and peer mentorship, explains Dr. Stacey Koosel, UBCO Gallery Curator and Indigenous Art Intensive Co-ordinator. “Helping artists develop their practice and expand their network is what every ambitious gallery wants to do, which is why UBC Okanagan Gallery is committed to supporting and co-ordinating the Indigenous Art Intensive,” she says. Now in its second year, UBC Okanagan Gallery’s first exhibition projects were in collaboration with the Indigenous Art Intensive. Previous artist residencies supported by the BC Arts Council were Whess Harman’s Lossy exhibition and Being Gooz publication and Manuel Axel Strain’s puti kʷu alaʔ exhibition in 2022. Invisible Forces, an exhibition by Krystle Silverfox and Tiffany Shaw, will open with a reception in UBCO’s FINA Gallery on Wednesday, June 7 at 5 pm. FCCS is offering courses in visual art with Tania Willard, creative writing with Troy Sebastian, art history with Dr. Stacey Koosel, and Indigenous studies with Evan Habkirk. These courses will run in conjunction with the Indigenous Art Intensive with varying degrees of crossover to provide students the opportunity to connect with the keynote speakers and the resident artists. All courses run in May and June. All programs are free and open to the public. For a full event schedule, course information and information about the artists in residence, visit: fccs.ok.ubc.ca/indigenous-art-intensive  The post UBCO’s popular Indigenous Art Intensive returns appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

UBC Okanagan is celebrating six outstanding researchers with one of its most prestigious research awards—Researcher of the Year.

The award recognizes the ways in which UBCO researchers—three faculty and three graduate student or postdoctoral fellows—are making the world a better place through excellence in research and scholarly activity.

The 2023 Researcher of the Year awards ceremony honoured faculty winners Dr. Heather Gainforth for health research, Dr. Greg Garrard for social sciences and humanities and Dr. Isaac Li for the natural sciences and engineering category.

Alongside her teaching in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences, Dr. Gainforth’s research in the area of spinal cord injury (SCI) is focused on helping people with SCI live better lives. She engages directly with people living with SCI and invites the SCI community to help direct her work, in order to focus on the community’s high-priority needs that have historically received little research attention. Dr. Gainforth is dedicated to getting her results to those who need it most.

Dr. Garrard researches how humans’ activities and their perceptions of their environments shape the physical landscapes they inhabit. As a Professor of Environmental Humanities in the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, he’s a globally respected voice in sustainability who is focusing on the Okanagan region. His work asks people to interrogate their own perspectives on issues such as climate change or wildfires and helps individuals understand other perspectives to combat cultural polarization.

Immersed in the study of the physical interactions between cells, Dr. Li, Assistant Professor in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, is an emerging leader in his field. His interdisciplinary lab builds specialized, DNA-based molecular tools to visualize these interactions at the scale of single molecules and opens opportunities for controlling these interactions, which can lead to a variety of future impacts, including disease treatments.

“UBC Okanagan’s vibrant research community continues to foster top-notch talent, which is clearly evident from this year’s Researcher of the Year recipients,” says Dr. Phil Barker, Vice-Principal and Associate Vice-President, Research and Innovation. “I’m so pleased to share and recognize the success of our incredible researchers and their important work.”

Three graduate or postdoctoral researchers were also recognized for their excellence in scholarly activity and highlighted as researchers to watch in the coming years:

• Postdoctoral Fellow Researcher of the Year
  Dr. Femke Hoekstra, Faculty of Health and Social Development
• Doctoral Student Researcher of the Year
  Melanie Dickie, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
• Master’s Student Researcher of the Year
  Hanna Paul, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

“It’s inspiring to see the breadth of subject matter and the quality of research conducted by our students and postdocs,” says Dr. Peter Simpson, Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. “These researchers are changemakers—conducting research to investigate some of the world’s most challenging problems and producing creative work that addresses the human condition.”

The distinguished award honours leaders at UBCO who have reached across disciplines to have major impacts in their fields, says Dr. Barker.

“Here at UBC Okanagan, we know that working together across traditional boundaries is key to helping advance discovery,” he adds. “These researchers epitomize that call to action and I look forward to seeing where it will lead their fields in the years to come.”

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What: Student Okanagan Film Festival
Who: UBC Okanagan’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies
When: Monday, May 8 at 7 pm
Where: Mary Irwin Theatre, Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave

Next week’s Student Okanagan Film Festival, now in its seventh year, will show a variety of short films from a wide range of genres including mini-documentary, experimental short films, music videos, animation and short narrative films.

This annual event includes films from any student in the Okanagan, including from UBC Okanagan and those in regional high schools and post-secondary institutions.

Visual Arts professor Myron Campbell co-organizes the event theatre along with UBCO faculty members Michael V. Smith and Daniel Keyes. Campbell also helps with planning the branding and design each year and Smith is the emcee for the event.

“We are excited to be able to celebrate emerging student filmmakers of the Okanagan Valley by showcasing their work to a wide audience,” says Campbell. “It’s a great opportunity for these filmmakers to see their work on the big screen.”

Local emerging filmmakers were invited a few months ago to submit their work for the chance to be included in the festival screening. The goal is to create an hour of programming of the best films. A panel of jurors, consisting of faculty members and student volunteers, is working to narrow the more than 40 selections for the viewing.

“The quality of films are getting better every year, and we are looking forward to seeing and sharing what students have produced this year,” Campbell adds.

The Student Okanagan Film Festival is open to the public and the screening takes place at the Mary Irwin Theatre on May 8, starting at 7 pm. Admission is by donation, all proceeds go back into the festival programming for future years.

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In an environment of increasing polarization, debates can serve as a way of bringing worlds together. This belief is behind UBC Okanagan’s venture to champion civil discourse.

“At UBC Okanagan, we believe that debate is an antidote to polarization,” says Lesley Cormack, UBC Okanagan’s Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor and host of the marquee event. “Universities can facilitate tough conversations and convene opposing perspectives, and UBC Okanagan Debates will serve as a lively and engaging platform to examine tough topics in an illuminating way.”

The inaugural debate on May 3 will tackle artificial intelligence—one of the most defining issues of our time. Debaters will present either an optimistic or skeptical perspective of AI and discuss whether we should take a step back and press pause or embrace this potentially disruptive technology.

The debate will be moderated by Nora Young, radio personality and host of CBC’s Spark—a show devoted to digital technology.

“We have the luxury of living in the information age, but the downside is that we are drowning in information,” says Marten Youssef, Associate Vice-President of University Relations at UBCO. “Quantity of information isn’t just the problem, but it’s the quality of it too. This is why debating artificial intelligence is both urgent and important.”

On Wednesday, May 3, UBCO will convene four leading thinkers in artificial intelligence to debate the optimistic and skeptical sides of this topic. How it will impact our human connections, our creativity and the way we work. The debaters are:

On the optimist side:

Kevin Leyton-Brown—a Computer Science Professor who likes to play games with machines. He teaches them how to learn, cooperate and compete in complex environments such as auctions and markets.

Madeleine Ransom—a Philosophy Professor who likes to explore how we perceive the world. She investigates how our senses, cognition and technology shape our understanding of reality and art. She is philosophical about AI: it’s going to change the world for the better.

On the skeptic side:

Bryce Traister—Dean of the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, he has expertise in early American literature, culture, religion and science fiction. He is also a master debater who can challenge any professor to a verbal duel. He loves sci-fi and is proud to be a nerd.

Wendy Wong—a Professor and Principal’s Research Chair of Political Science. She has written a book about data and human rights that will be published in October 2023. She thinks AI poses a threat to our social and political frameworks, and it is time to empower the stakeholders in AI discussions.

Hosted by Dr. Cormack, the event takes place at UBCO’s Commons theatre at 7 pm. The event is free and open to the public but registration is required. More information, and a registration link, can be found at: ok.ubc.ca/debates

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What: Forty Feet Forward student art exhibition Who: Graduating artists in the Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Media Studies programs When: Opening reception: Friday, April 21, from 6 to 9:30 pm, exhibition dates: April 22 to 28, daily from 10 am to 4 pm Where: Creative and Critical Studies building, 1148 Research Road, UBC Okanagan Visual arts students with UBC Okanagan’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Bachelor of Media Studies programs host their annual graduation art exhibition starting this week. Forty Feet Forward runs from April 21 to April 28 in UBCO’s Creative and Critical Studies building, which will be transformed into an exhibition space. The show includes the work of 20 student artists who specialize in a variety of mediums including photography, sculpture, drawing, painting, digital media and printmaking. Visual Arts Instructor Andreas Rutkauskas says this group of artists has established a great sense of community while preparing for this exhibition. “What makes this group of artists so unique is the developed camaraderie,” says Rutkauskas. “Throughout history, the artist groups and collectives that have endured have laughed, cried, eaten and created together. I see that type of energy developing with this cohort.” He also believes that this camaraderie will continue beyond this exhibition and their undergraduate studies. The importance of community among this group of artists is echoed by BFA student Simone King. “I cherish all the connections I’ve made with the people in this program. One of the most important aspects of the fine arts program is the time you have with your peers and professors around you,” King explains. “It’s incredibly important as a growing artist to have their support and feedback, as well as to be surrounded by so many different practices that we can learn from.” BFA student Josie Hillman says that the final exhibition will represent the culmination of her studies and is an exciting opportunity for her to push boundaries. “Now that I am in fourth year, I aim to push societal and personal views of how we see life by passing the boundaries of our comfort zones and identifying what can be deemed as discomfort, and how we can surpass it,” says Hillman. Rutkauskas is looking forward to seeing the final result of all the hard work that these artists have put in. “Witnessing the artists’ pride in their accomplishments in front of friends and family is the most rewarding moment,” he adds. The community is welcome to the opening reception on April 21, from 6 to 9:30 pm. Forty Feet Forward is a free, public exhibit and is open daily from April 21 to 28, from 10 am to 4 pm. More information can be found at: fccs.ok.ubc.ca/bfa-exhibition The post UBCO graduating art students present <em>Forty Feet Forward</em> exhibit appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

What: Wrap-up event for Okanagan Short Story Content
Who: Fiction writers across BC’s Southern Interior
When: Thursday, April 6, at 7 pm
Where: The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, 421 Cawston Ave., Kelowna

Drum roll, please.

The winners of the 2023 Okanagan Short Story Contest are about to be announced.

UBC Okanagan’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies (FCCS) has published the finalists of the annual fiction writing contest.

The Okanagan Short Story Contest recognizes the best new short stories by emerging fiction writers in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, explains FCCS Professor Nancy Holmes. Past winners have gone on to publish with Penguin Random House, Arsenal Pulp Press and NeWest Press, as well as numerous national and international magazines and journals.

A total of 150 short story entries were submitted for the adult category, and 54 stories for the high school category.

“Once again, the quality and quantity of the entries were amazing,” says Professor Holmes. “The Interior of BC is becoming a hotbed of great fiction.”

Shortlisted authors: Adult Category

• Nils Donnelly, Kelowna
• Carolyn Mitchell, Lake Country
• Miracle Adebayo, Kelowna
• Alison Braid, Summerland
• Glenna Turnbull, Kelowna
• Jules Vadura, Kelowna
• Faye Arcand, Okanagan Falls
• Marina Meyer, Penticton
• Trista-Lee Godfrey, Kelowna
• Madeleine van Goudoever, Kelowna
• Kristin Burns, Vernon
• Claire Miller-Harder, Lake Country
• Dene Moore, 100 Mile House
• Levi Ravsborg, Kelowna

Shortlisted authors: High School Category

• Camryn Mackiewich, Vernon
• Sybella Stehmeier, West Kelowna
• Rhiannon Spinks, Kelowna
• Acacia Cousins, West Kelowna
• Sara Gray, Kelowna
• Emma Xu, Kelowna
• Dorian Detta, Cranbrook
• Vivian Bruce, Lake Country

Holmes says there are a few fun facts about a number of finalists. For example, Glenna Turnbull is a former prize winner while Kristin Burns, Faye Arcand, and Nils Donnelly—a current UBCO undergraduate student—have all been shortlisted in the past. Marina Meyer is an Okanagan College student while Miracle Adebayo and Claire Miller-Harder are current Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) students in creative writing. Finalist Kristin Burns is also a UBCO MFA alumna.

FCCS is offering cash prizes to the top three stories—$1,000, $400 and $200.The first prize winner also wins a one-week retreat at The Woodhaven Eco Culture Centre in Kelowna. The top story by a high school student receives a prize of $200. Co-sponsors of the contest are FCCS and the Central Okanagan Foundation.

The winners of the Okanagan Short Story Contest will be announced at a live event with contest judge Corinna Chong who is an acclaimed Canadian writer, editor and English professor at Okanagan College. The event will take place on Thursday, April 6 at 7 pm at the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art.

To learn more, visit: fccs.ok.ubc.ca/short-story

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Students who love to be behind the camera, are invited to create a short film for the upcoming Student Okanagan Film Festival. Now in its seventh year, organizers are calling for submissions of short films from a wide range of genres including narrative, mini-documentary, experimental, music videos and animation. The film festival was initiated in 2014 by UBC Okanagan professors Michael V. Smith, Dan Keyes and Myron Campbell, all with the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies. They continue to co-manage the event and screenings. The festival began as a way to celebrate their students’ films in one screening, explains Campbell. The idea quickly morphed into an annual event that now includes films from any student in the Okanagan, including those in high school and college. “We are so proud of the work our students are doing, so we created the event to allow them to present their films to the public on the big screen,” says Campbell. Local emerging filmmakers are invited to submit their work for the chance to be included in the festival screening later this spring. To be eligible, the filmmaker must be a registered student in any Okanagan school and their film must have been produced anytime in 2022 or 2023. A panel of jurors, consisting of faculty members and student volunteers, will narrow the selections. The festival will run for about one hour, showcasing the top films selected by the panel. Submissions are due by April 15 and can be submitted at soff.ok.ubc.ca. The Student Okanagan Film Festival is open to the public and the screening takes place at the Mary Irwin Theatre on May 8, starting at 7 pm. Admission is by donation, all proceeds go back into the festival programming for future years. The post Dreaming of the big screen? appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.