NEWS AND EVENTS | March 15, 2017
USB Receives A Major Grant From the Canada 150 Fund For A Public Art Project and Community Celebration
A mockup of the public art project, À tous vents, by Madeleine Vrignon
Université de Saint-Boniface (USB) has received a major grant in the amount of $150,000 from the Canadian Heritage Canada 150 Fund to create a public art project on its campus and to have a large community celebration to celebrate the values and strengths that USB and Canada share.
“We are pleased to see that the Government of Canada is interested in our project to erect a work of art on the USB campus, as well as to hold a community celebration, as part of the country’s 150 year celebration,” declared Louis St-Cyr, Director, Development and Communications Office.
With USB’s 200th anniversary on the horizon, the work will be revealed with great fanfare at the beginning of the fall session on Friday, September 15th, 2017. ”These cultural projects are a true reflection of the USB: a welcoming institution where dreams take flight”, believes Dan Vandal, member of Parliament for Saint-Boniface–Saint-Vital.
Following a fruitful call for submissions from artists, a selection committee has awarded the public art project design to artist Madeleine Vrignon. The piece, entitled À tous vents will primarily consist of 150 stylized maple seeds, made of polished stainless steel, twirling in all directions. The structure will be spread over an area of 20 feet by 12 feet and will stand 17 feet tall.
“I am proud to support this project, which allows students at the Université de Saint-Boniface, members of the Franco-Manitoban community and residents of Winnipeg to participate fully in the celebrations for Canada 150,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “On permanent display on the University campus, this work of art celebrating Manitoba’s cultural heritage will act as a lasting legacy for the Francophone community here.”
A large, outdoor public concert will be organized to showcase talented artists who draw inspiration from the music of the founding nations and of those from the large waves of immigration throughout Canada’s history.
To ensure the success of the event, USB is pleased to announce its partnership with Festival du Voyageur, which will help the institution to plan and carry out this large community celebration. “Festival du Voyageur has an outstanding team of event professionals, and this collaboration will allow us to provide a day full of exciting activities that no one will want to miss,” said Louis St-Cyr.
The concert, which will take place in front of USB’s grand façade, will be able to welcome over 1,000 spectators from Winnipeg’s diverse cultural communities and from rural areas. De la Cathédrale Avenue will be closed between Taché and Aulneau in the afternoon to use the space for family activities and food stands reflecting our wonderful cultural diversity.
