New Exhibition Spotlights Vitality of Creative Practice and Community with Art + Design Works by ECU Staff Members
Exhibition poster by Kathleen Jacques.
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Opening June 5 at 5 PM at Emily Carr University, Community of Practice draws together work by more than 80 administrative and support staff — the first exhibition of its kind since 1997.
A new exhibition spotlights the diverse practices and creative engagements of more than 80 professional staff at Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU).
Community of Practice: Creative Work by Emily Carr University Staff represents how artist and designers balance their occupation with creative practice, meaningfully contributing to both communities.
“Many of us are deeply invested in gallery practice and have rich contributions there. But by no means is that the only way of being in the arts,” says William Newhouse, director of technical services at ECU, who is a trained painter with an active practice as an artist and design consultant.
We’re modelling how you can have a devoted practice and also participate substantively through admin work, gallery support work or technical support and so many other things. Highlighting those possibilities to students is an important way of extending their education.”
Community of Practice marks ECU’s first all-staff exhibition in almost three decades. The show features works from across art and design disciplines created by ECU administrative and support staff working in areas such as Technical Services, the ECU Library + Archives, Human Resources, Media Resources, Facilities, Academic Administration, Advancement, Information Technology Services, Communications + Marketing, and Counselling, Wellness + Accessibility Services.
Poster from the last all-staff exhibition at ECU, which took place in 1997. (Retrieved from the archives by Kristy Waller)
Mounted in ECU’s 100th year and during the run-up to the official launch of its centennial celebrations, the show offers an exciting opportunity to bring the community together and deepen engagement.
“We sometimes lose sight of the many ways we can contribute to a community through a job which is arts adjacent while maintaining a creative practice,” William says.
“Of course, students’ interactions with faculty are crucial, but I think there is a richness to a community where the technicians and other workers also have deep, committed practices and continued inquiries around how the world works and how art fits into that understanding. Being able to celebrate that is important.”
The opening reception for Community of Practice begins at 5 PM on June 5 at ECU, with generous sponsorship from Brassneck Brewery and Granville Island Brewing. The show is on view through June 16. Attendance is free and open to the public.
