News
Digital Photography Grads Win at head StART Competition
November 27th, 2012Congratulations to Jens Kristian Balle for his 1st prize win and Rodrigo Ceballos for his 3rd prize win in the local head StART Exhibition & Competition, The Launch by The Beaumont Studios awarded at their recent gala.
This event has been designed to give graduates a place to showcase their work to art collectors, agents, gallery owners and the public while offering the opportunity to participate in a gallery exhibition and win cash and prizes.
Good work, guys!
VanArts Students & Staff Featured in New Book
November 27th, 2012
VanArts is proud to have several members of our staff & student family featured in a new book, WeMakeStuff Volume 1, showcasing 100 artists in the Vancouver area exploring the collision of faith & creativity. Featured in the book are current Digital Photography student Taylor McBride, Digital Photography Business Development instructor Corwin Hiebert, and Director of Communications & Student Services / Stop-Motion Animation instructor Ken Priebe. An additional photo of musical artist Teknique is also featured in the book, taken by our graduate Asher Jones.
Learn more about the book and its local launch tour at WeMakeStuff.ca.
Digital Photography Dept. Hosts Alumni Gathering
November 23rd, 2012
On November 20, the Digital Photography Department at VanArts invited graduates from our previous 11 classes to come back and tell us what they’ve been doing, meet current students and share their industry experiences since leaving Vanarts. It was a fantastic night of renewing friendships, sharing knowledge and looking at great pictures!
Some of the recurring themes:
-Don’t give up!
-Pay attention in Business Class!
-You don’t have to have it all figured out!
-Keep shooting personal projects, even if you’re busy working!
-Take advantage of the great studio, equipment and resources while at Vanarts!
-Maintain and cultivate the relationships you build at school and beyond!
Our visiting alumni inluded Kelsey Hale, Laura Zeke, Claudia Sepulveda, Natasha Vignal, Jay Povey, and Kitt Woodland. Graduates who presented their work to all who attended were (click their names to view their web portfolios): Danielle Anathema, Janine Armstrong, Jens Kristian Balle, Madhava Musterer, Gordon Neilson, Kristina Zambrano, Rodrigo Ceballos, Severin Samulski, Angus MacGillivray, Clayton Racicot, Martina Kopp & Reem Abdel-Jabbar, Spencer Kovats, Sheila Arias, and Belle Ancell.
Thanks to everyone who came and shared their work!
Solo Art Show from Photography Graduate
November 13th, 2012VanArts Digital Photography graduate Kira Oujonkova has her first solo art show, Terra Incognita, opening locally at ArtStar Props Studio in Burnaby, on November 23rd.
Check out details at the link below. Congratulations Kira! You're doing VanArts proud!
kiraoujonkova.com/2012/11/10/terra-incognita-art-exhibition-opening
Featured Projects by Photography Staff & Faculty
November 7th, 2012
It's always inspiring to see our staff and faculty featured online for their work and various projects alongside our graduates, and our Digital Photography department is no exception.
Program Director Jeff Bell has been recently interviewed by the Ultimate Interview site for ultimate frisbee players around the world, along with samples of his photography work. He got involved with shooting by gaining inspiration from other Ultimate photos as a former player. This is one of his many passions as a professional photographer.
Click here to read the full interview >>
Program Assistant and TA Belle Ancell has also been featured for her work on the first queer Movember Project in Canada, "Mr/s. Movember". Her series consists of six queer female models, ranging in age from early twenties to late forties, photographed in portrait with a mustache. Movember is a global campaign to raise funds and awareness about men's health, specifically prostate cancer and now mental health as well.
Click here for the full story >>
VanArts is always proud to see our dedicated staff of professional photographers sharing the results of their hard work and artistry!
Living the Dream: New Book from VanArts Instructor Corwin Hiebert
October 25th, 2012Corwin Hiebert, who teaches Business Development in our Digital Photography program, has a new book available called Living the Dream: Putting Your Creativity to Work (and Getting Paid).
In this video, he tells us all about it. Read more about the book and how to order your copy at corwinhiebert.com/livingthedream/
VanArts Featured in The Province
October 16th, 2012Today's issue of The Province has a Focus on Education as their special information feature, and VanArts is proud to have a featured article on page B3.
The article goes into detail on our No. 1 ranking in Western Canada, the philosophy of our programs, our graduates' success, and our university pathway degrees.
Click here to read the online version of the article >>
Photography Grad Loves New Career
October 10th, 2012
VanArts Digital Photography graduate Lori Johnson has shared with us her story about how her career has blossomed and how VanArts helped her get there.
"I am just closing off my first full year of business as a professional photographer, and I don't believe it could have gone any better. When I first graduated, I was a bit intimidated since I had several years of business experience, but still new at photography. But seeing the competition gave me the drop of confidence I needed to launch my business and get myself out there. With each job, I became more and more confident.
Drawing on training, tips and experience from VanArts, I have shot billboards & bus wraps, shot for newspapers, websites, marketing material, and the list goes on. I've billed out enough to sustain my business in the first year, and feel confident I can double that in the next year. Because of the training I've had, I am not afraid to take any job, because at VanArts, we were shown how to do just about everything.
I've also had the luxury of time, which I haven't experienced for the better part of 20 years. I've been able to pick up my kids from school every day, take the weekends off, and actually have a summer vacation...not a bad gig if you ask me!
For the first time in my adult life, I can say without hesitation, I love what I do. Making the decision to get my diploma at VanArts is up there with the greatest decisions of my life."
http://lorijohnsonphotography.ca/
Photography Grads Find Career Success
October 3rd, 2012The Digital Photography department at VanArts is always thrilled to hear back from our graduates and hear of their success in finding exciting jobs and projects, and also winning awards for their work!
Here is a sampling of recent success stories that have made their way back to us:
Pooya Nabei, a celebrated photographer from our first graduating class, won an Applied Arts Award for their magazine's category in Fashion and Beauty (Single and Series).
Check out his photos at pooyanabeiphotography.com
Graduate and Studio Manager Reem Abdel-Jabbar received Honourable Mention recognition for her Advertising & Beauty Entry Title "Britt" in the International Photo Awards Competition and in the PX3 Competition. Reem also had her work "Elements" recognized in PX3, and was also a finalist in Art Takes Times Square (Artist Wanted Competition), where her work was displayed in New York City on billboards on Broadway, and published in the Art Takes Times Square book.
Graduate Thomas Strand has kept us abreast of his photographic adventures through his extensive blogging in China, Indonesia and Malaysia, with sample entries here and here.
Other graduates who have found employment in their field of study include Kelsey Hale (retoucher at Aritizia), Kitt Woodland (Assistant at Vancouver Photo Workshops), Madhava Musterer (Photographer at Army & Navy Dept. Store), and Jens Kristian Balle (Photographer & Retoucher at Half Moon Yoga).
And finally, in Instructor News, our own David Ellingsen and Ross den Otter now have work accepted in the prestigious Vancouver Art Gallery's Local Artists' Sales/Rental Collection!
Congratulations to all our graduates & staff who continue to make their mark in their successful careers!
Graduation Fall 2012
September 19th, 2012
On September 6th 2012, VanArts hosted its largest-ever graduating class, comprosing of grads from Character Animation, Game Art & Design, Visual Effects, Digital Photography, and our first official class for Broadcasting & Web Development!
A packed house at SFU's Goldcorps Centre for the Arts got to celebrate the graduates' achievements and view their work on the big screen. Congratulations to everyone!
(Photos by Kelsey Derksen-Hatt and Cindy Bekkedam)
See more photos on Facebook >>
