April 9, 2013 - 4:34am
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 9, 2013
NANAIMO, BC: Visual arts graduating students from Vancouver Island University invite the public to the grand opening of “Explorations”, a year-end art show at VIU’s Deep Bay Marine Field Station Saturday, April 13 from 1 to 4 pm.
“This show exhibits new bodies of work created by senior Visual Art students and is a chance for them to showcase skills they’ve gained from the program,” says professor Jane Cole.
“The 486 visual arts class welcomes everyone to join them on Saturday afternoon at the field station’s stunning waterfront location to celebrate this moment in their artistic journey,” adds Cole. “The opening is a great opportunity for members of the public to meet and support local, emerging artists and perhaps even purchase an art piece.”
Students’ artwork includes oil, acrylic and water colour paintings, sculpture, print making and installation. The artwork is a compulsory graduating project for any student taking a BA minor in visual art.
The show will remain on display at the Deep Bay Marine Field Station until April 30, and can be viewed daily between 10 am and 4 pm.
“We’re delighted to host VIU’s Visual Arts students’ graduating art exhibit,” says Manager Brian Kingzett. “We encourage the public to come out to support students and tour the field station at the same time.”
Kingzett said the field station houses other unique artistic works by VIU students and faculty.
The Deep Bay Marine Field Station is a 1,200 square metre (13,000 square foot) facility located on a three-hectare waterfront site in the scenic coastal community of Deep Bay between Qualicum Beach and Courtenay, known locally as Lighthouse Country.
The distinctive clamshell-shaped structure on the shores of Baynes Sound is designed to connect people to the marine environment. The field station supports coastal and marine research related to sustainable shellfish aquaculture development, preservation of coastal ecosystems and inter-disciplinary projects involving local communities.
Honored with a 2011 National Green Buildings Award for its superior sustainable design, architectural excellence, and technical innovation, the station is considered one of the 'greenest' buildings in Canada.
The facility has applied for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Platinum rating, the highest standard in the internationally recognized certification program.
Open to the public year round as a marine science centre, the field station features touch tanks and large aquariums for hands-on learning to educate children and community members about marine life in local waters.
The facility is fast becoming a popular tourist destination for the region, and is available for booking conferences, workshops, weddings and other events.
Detailed driving directions to the Deep Bay Marine Field Station can be found at www.viu.ca/deepbay.
For more information on VIU's BA Minor in Visual Art, go to www.viu.ca/programs
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ABOUT VIU: Vancouver Island University is Canada's west coast university. Known as a centre of excellence for teaching, learning and applied research, VIU offers a diverse range of certificate, diploma and undergraduate and master degree programs to more than 18,000 students on campuses in Nanaimo, Powell River and Cowichan, and at the Parksville-Qualicum Centre. For more information visit www.viu.ca
Media Contact
Janina Stajic, Manager, Vancouver Island University
P: 250.740.6288 E: Communications@viu.ca Twitter: @VIUNews
Tags: In the Community
