Wendy Young (left), Betty Kovacic and Dr. Annie Booth. Photo courtesy UNBC

Prince George, BC – Two UNBC teachers are teaming up with a pair of local artists to create a permanent art installation celebrating the 25th anniversary of the university.

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

The 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 two paintings will be created by Kovacic. 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.

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