The University of New Brunswick will show off its artsy side at an upcoming year-end showcase being held by the Media Arts and Cultures society in Marshall d’Avary hall on University of New Brunswick campus.
Video art, graphic design, films and video games are some of the almost 30 exhibits featured at the event, giving students a chance to display projects they’ve worked on over the semester. The artwork is a mix of physical and traditional art, along with digital art.
The event starts with a screening of student-made films, followed by a showing of stationary and interactive art.
Benjamin Dugdale is a UNB student who has worked on two films that will be presented during the film-screening portion of the evening.
One of the films, Knots and Prods is a year-long effort and still a work in progress. Dugdale and his team raised 2,500 dollars for the project and filmed at several Fredericton locations, with one scene on a moving city bus.
“The practical approach to the courses means we have a ton of work to do outside of class, so to have a venue to show off what we were so busy busting our butts for all semester is a really satisfying feeling,” said Dugdale.
Rebecca Goodine, Vice President of the MAAC society, agrees, recalling her first showcase last year.
“Artists in general tend to be insecure a bit, so having that kind of venue to show yourself, I think it’s really encouraging,” said Goodine.
Camille Coulombe is a media, arts and cultures student at UNB and is behind the film The Written, a “short film noir with a murder-mystery feel,” said Coulombe.
“It’s set in the 1950s, the story of Mrs. Charlotte Grey – who feels an eerie presence as she is walking home from work. Little does she know, her nightmares are only just beginning.”
In addition to films, several student-designed video games will be set up during the event for attendees to play.
Goodine said it is important to have showcase events on campus, because it not only celebrates student work, but helps expose the public to different kinds of art being produced.
“Sometimes people don’t know about it, especially students,” she said.
Goodine said the event is an important way of highlighting the impact art has on our everyday lives.
“Anything you’ve ever used, it’s been designed by a visual designer, so I think sometimes that goes underappreciated.”
The event is free and open to the public. It all starts on Wednesday, April 6 at 7 p.m. in Marshall d’Avary Hall on UNB campus.
