Prince George, BC – A team organized by a University of Northern British Columbia faculty member has been awarded funding to create a permanent art installation that celebrates the 25th anniversary of UNBC.

Dr. Annie Booth, a UNBC environmental studies professor, along with Dr. Theresa Healy, a history instructor at UNBC, and internationally recognized local artists Betty Kovacic and Wendy Young, were awarded funding up to a maximum of $10,000 to develop their project, entitled Reflections – Past, Present, and Future.

From left, Wendy Young, Betty Kovacic, and Dr. Annie Booth. Download high-resolution version

Last fall, UNBC released a call for proposals to artists who were members of the UNBC community, with a mandate to represent UNBC through art, its community outreach and impact, its future role in community and regional development, and its GREEN environmental focus. The winning team developed a concept of two paintings linked together by pieces of fused glass.

The first painting, Leap of Faith, will honour the leap of faith Northern residents took in supporting the call for a Northern university. The second painting, entitled The Future Awaits, will include symbols and icons that represent UNBC’s future growth and evolution, including physical infrastructure, academic excellence, and UNBC’s connection to community.

The fused glass artwork, entitled Landmarks, will involve members of the Prince George and university communities in co-creating the art glass through a series of workshops. These pieces will form a pathway between the two paintings, creating a metaphor for the journey of discovery as well as recognizing the journey undertaken to become a university for the North.

The pieces will be unveiled at UNBC’s 25th Anniversary Community Celebration on June 20, 2015.

The two paintings will be created by Kovacic, an internationally renowned artist from Prince George. Young will lead the workshops to create the fused glass. Booth and Healy will provide on-going research and logistical support, and will oversee the glass workshops in collaboration with Young.  Healy will also involve UNBC students in collecting oral histories that will inform the work.

“I am really pleased to see this project go forward,” says Booth. “It incorporates some really tremendous local artists, but also offers a chance for the UNBC community and the Prince George community to participate in creating a legacy.  I think the 25th anniversary is an opportunity to include more members of the UNBC community (students, but especially staff and faculty) and this project will help do that.”

“I am excited and honoured by this award,” says Kovacic. “I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with an amazing team and to create and see my concept for this project realized.  The theme of acceptance, inclusivity and respect for all has been an important element in my work. It seemed logical and creative to combine it with the celebration of UNBC’s growth and achievements, and its 25th Anniversary.”

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