by Yvonne Widenor | May 1, 2025 | Staff
Sofia dePietro, Class of 2025, completed a most unique Honors Thesis entitled “Florida Island: An Alternate Route of Evolution”, and her artistic illustrations and animations of animal life on Florida Island are on view in the Andrew L. Bouwhuis, JS Library near the Circulation Desk until May 20. Please stop by and marvel at the drawings and sculpture of the various animals Sofia “created” based on her research into the Pliocene Epoch and speculative evolution. According to di Pietro, “Speculative evolution, also called speculative biology, is a creative genre where hypothetical evolutionary scenarios are proposed to explain the existence of fictional creatures.” Her thesis advisor was Dr. Sue Margulis from ABEC, and her second reader was Professor Jacqueline Welch, Fine Arts. We are all incredibly proud of Sofia’s research and artworks and hope that you are able to enjoy them too. Professor Yvonne Widenor, Director of the Studio Arts Galleries, is also pictured as she assisted Sofia in the installation of the artworks.
Pictured: L-R: Professor Yvonne Widenor, Professor Jacqueline Welch, Sofia dePietro, and Dr. Sue Margulis.
Submitted by: Yvonne K. Widenor, Assistant Professor, Art History, MLLC, AVPAA, Director, ArtsCanisius
by Yvonne Widenor | Apr 15, 2025 | Staff
We are delighted to announce that our student ensembles begin on Friday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. with the Canisius University Jazz Ensemble in Montante Cultural Center.
Next up, Canisius University Chamber Orchestra will perform on Sunday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m., also in Montante Cultural Center.
The third concert is Canisius University Chorale, and they will perform in Christ the King Chapel on Monday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m.
All performances are free and open to the public and begin at 7:30 PM.
For more information about these and other ArtsCanisius events, kindly visit canisius.edu/artscanisius or contact Yvonne Widenor, director of ArtsCanisius at widenory@canisius.edu.
Submitted by: Yvonne K. Widenor, Assistant Professor, Art History, MLLC, AVPAA, Director, ArtsCanisius
by Yvonne Widenor | Apr 4, 2025 | Staff
Makerspace is thrilled to invite all builders and crafters to help us build the LEGO Disney Castle. LEGO has been a mainstay in Makerspace at Canisius, and we welcome students, faculty, and staff to join us Tuesday, April 15 from 12 to 3 pm on the main floor the Andrew L. Bouwhuis, SJ Library.
We also have Creator LEGO for those who want to build smaller things and space for those who want to bring other projects.
For more information about this and other Makerspace activities, please contact Tyler Kron-Piatek at kronpiat@canisius.edu or Yvonne Widenor at widenory@canisius.edu
Submitted by: Yvonne K. Widenor, Assistant Professor, Art History, MLLC, AVPAA, Director, ArtsCanisius
by Yvonne Widenor | Mar 27, 2025 | Staff
Please join ArtsCanisius as we celebrate the work of Helen Beckley-Forest. Six works by this local artist will be on view in the Peter A. and Mary Lou Vogt Gallery in the Andrew L. Bouwhuis, SJ Library beginning Wednesday, March 26. We will also host a reception outside the gallery from 2-3 p.m. Friday, March 28, and everyone is welcome. Light refreshments will be served, and the artist will be there to discuss her work.
Beckley-Forest noted, “This selection of abstracted landscapes explores the interiority of nature and self; I pursue the concentration of energy present in the natural world while creating a space safe from the anxieties of current events: eco-anxieties, pandemics, wars, etc. The forms in each piece are drawn from the familiarities of nature, yet are painted with a selection of soft, fantastical colors, whisking the viewer into a different realm. My work investigates the differences between painting on stretched vs. unstretched canvas and how that reveals or limits the expanse of a landscape. Like the processes of nature, my work is slow and patient. I take my time laying down each stitch and brushstroke, allowing the materials to guide me into a world of mindfulness and discovery. By peering into these small windows, I offer others a time and place to reflect, meditate and take a mental break.”
The exhibit will run from March 28 until May 30. For additional information, please contact Yvonne Widenor, Director of ArtsCanisius, at widenory@canisius.edu
Submitted by: Yvonne K. Widenor, Assistant Professor, Art History, MLLC, AVPAA, Director, ArtsCanisius
by Yvonne Widenor | Mar 13, 2025 | Staff
We are grateful for Dr. Jen Snekser as she shared a template for Ignatian Day Scholarship posters and recorded a video with poster creation suggestions and advice. Access the resources here and share with your students.
This year’s Ignatian Scholarship Day is April 2. The annual campuswide tradition offers our students an opportunity to showcase their research, creative talents, and distinctive collaborations with our faculty through the Canisius Earning Excellence Program.
Submitted by: Yvonne K. Widenor, Assistant Professor, Art History, MLLC, AVPAA
