Over the spring, The University of Waterloo Art Gallery hosted its 50th annual art exhibit, Nexus, for the first time in person since the COVID-19 pandemic in a renewed partnership with the Region of Waterloo.
This was an opportunity for graduating fine arts students at the University of Waterloo to showcase their work to the public. From September 2023 until March 2024, fourth-year students worked on art pieces to be judged by the Region of Waterloo Public Art Advisory Committee, which consists of one regional counsellor and ten community members volunteering from the region.
“I think it’s a great way to get your name out there,” said Deborah Odia, a graduate of the University of Waterloo’s honours arts and business program.
Every year, the members of the Public Art Advisory Committee select the best art pieces from the exhibit to showcase in buildings around the area. For this year, they decided to showcase the art pieces at the Region of Waterloo Ayr Branch Library located at 137 Stanley St. in Ayr, Ontario.
The five selected art pieces from this year’s exhibition are “Spotlight, Cookie Factory, Copycat, Mask” by Jee-In Lee, “Unity” by Ro Miles, “By Candlelight” by Odia, “City of Vacant Spaces II” by Ariel Rossiter and “Freefall” by Echo Vetteretto. Each selected artist received $450 for the loan of their work.
“Creating art for the exhibit offered a good process of learning and self-development, and we had a lot of help from our professors with feedback,” said Odia when asked about her experience at the exhibition. She says the support she received from the faculty motivated her to try her best to create new art for the exhibit.
The UW fine arts program started its annual partnership with the region of Waterloo in 2008 and underwent a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, the fine arts exhibits took place remotely and participants engaged with the art through a specialized online catalogue show- casing the artwork of the graduating students in 2020.
This program offers professional development and networking opportunities with industry professionals for students to enhance their careers and create an industry presence by showcasing their work. This is also a chance for students to build their portfolios for future art careers, whether in design or printing.
Another graduate from the UW’s fine arts program, Miles, said the program helped her overcome her fear of showing her art to her peers. “It was a great show, and the opportunity of us all exhibiting our work together solidified communal ties,” she said.
While the region is pausing art funds for September 2023, this didn’t deter the students from pursuing their passion for the arts. “It felt quite disappointing and made me a bit nervous,” Miles said. “But when we heard that the Region is supporting the Nexus Exhibit this year, it felt like the Region was reaching back to show support and make real contributions to their robust and even growing art community. It felt like we were understood and valued in that way.” Miles said she also thought the exhibit “was cool for young emerging artists.”
“It can be a little too scary to put yourself out there and find places where your works get appreciated,” she said.
Miles, who showcased her work at the Nexus art exhibit says that they hope that the Region will continue to support aspiring artists in the area and encourage fine arts students to participate in the exhibitions.
