A Collection of Advanced Studio Practice Student Work

The Coven

Unveiling

THE COVEN

Celebrating Feminism, Creative Empowerment, and Collective Success in a Spectacular Exhibition 

George Fry Gallery

June 1 – August 29

From June 1 to August 29, The Coven illuminates the diverse talents and visionary artworks of the Advanced Studio Practice (ASP) program’s graduates: Daisy Warren, Natasha Sacobie, Danielle Thorn, Jasmine Williams, Erin Chasse, Emily Richards, and Olivia Joynt. Combined, these emerging artists have mastered the intricacies of Wabanaki Visual Arts, Jewellery/Metal Arts, Ceramics, Photography/Videography, and 3D Digital Design while also embracing a collective creative journey.

“We all have our own path, but allowing them to intertwine this year has been a magical experience,” said ASP student Jasmine Williams.

The Coven exhibit will open June 1 at 4:30pm at the George Fry Gallery for an opening reception and will run until August 29, 2023. The George Fry Gallery is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm at 408 Queen St., Fredericton.

The Resilient Spirit of Feminism

Within the Advanced Studio Practice exhibition’s enchanting confines, visitors will embark on a journey through a tapestry of artistic styles, narratives, and expressions of feminine creative power.

“The Coven is more than just a collection of artworks. It’s a testament to the magic that unfolds when women come together and tap into their creative essence,” said ASP student Danielle Thorn.

As creatives, we delve into the realm of imagination and possibility, allowing ourselves to be guided by our feelings and intuitive understanding of synergy.”

A Collective Achievement

NBCCD’s Advanced Studio Practice program is known for its focus on peer support and collective achievement, instead of mere individual practice. Throughout this one-year certificate program, students have the chance to creatively collaborate with students from different disciplines, which they haven’t had the opportunity to do since their first year at the college, in Foundation Visual Arts. In addition, the program instills them with the knowledge, connections, and confidence to jumpstart their creative career.

Within this empowering artistic community, these graduates have nurtured an environment that celebrates one another’s successes, and resulted in the exceptional work of The Coven.

For media inquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact Chief Marketing and Recruitment Officer, Kaylee Moore at kaylee.moore@gnb.ca.

View Exhibition Booklet

Photography/VideographyErin Chassé

"My love for portraiture is rooted in the desire to understand and connect with the people around me. I explore this interest through drawing, painting, and my camera. Most of the time, these processes overlap, and using my own photos as references for figurative drawings has become a staple of my practice. Re-observing these images in all their detail and translating them to delicate graphite drawings, allows me to fully appreciate the complexity of the human form. By capturing the nuances of my subjects in such an intimate way, I hope to create art that fosters a sense of empathy and connection.

While my drawings are typically devoid of colour, my education and background in floral design has reintroduced playful, vibrant color into my painting and photo practice. My explorations currently involve injecting colour and pattern into physical spaces through interior murals.

My most recent project 'Parts' is a total fusion of these current art practices, and is showcased in The Coven."

View Erin's Work

CeramicsOlivia Joynt

"Playfulness is part of my aesthetic. I enter a mindset of playful freedom when creating. I enjoy testing the clay's limits and bringing my imaginative objects to life. I love to incorporate vibrant colours and distinct shapes, altering my approach depending on the function. My ceramic practice is made of two areas: production lines and sculptural works. I create my production line with precision. Sharpness and colour are important in my collections of bowls and mugs, as are comfort, functionality, and existence. When creating sculptural work, I think of its presence, shape, and scale. Both my functional and sculptural ceramic art pieces are an opportunity for me to test the limits of clay, pushing it into unusual places."

View Olivia's Work

CeramicsEmily Richards

"I make contemporary forms and functional ceramics. I work in clay to express my love of natural materials and to work directly with nature. To keep the ceramic forms alive after they are fired, I sometimes incorporate plant life or driftwood into my designs. I am heavily inspired by the outdoors and my earth surroundings. In particular, I look to land and the natural environment around me. My designs are raw and rustic, with a focus mainly on glaze design. I employ engobes—a type of glaze—together with textured glazes to create my unique aesthetic."

View Emily's Work

Wabanaki Visual ArtsNatasha Sacobie

"As an artist, I love exploring unlimited colour palettes and natural mediums. My contemporary quillwork on birchbark combines teachings, techniques and materials from Wolastoqey/Mi’Kmaq art, culture, and subject matter.
For this group exhibition I was influenced by the porcupine quillwork and beadwork created during the Victorian Era from the 1800s to the early 1900s. I researched the Saint John Archives painting of Edith Mary Ferguson Hazen, and drew inspiration from her beaded ermine tobacco pouch.

During this period, Indigenous-crafted works were purchased as trinkets by travelers from abroad. I believe it is essential to keep Indigenous language, culture, and tradition alive, and my art serves as a vehicle for education.
By incorporating traditional techniques and materials, I am bridging the gap between the past and present through contemporary works that reflect my cultural heritage while exploring new creative possibilities. For example I pair my quillwork and a Chinoiserie table gilded with 24- karat gold, and I recreate a beaded ermine pelt using archival research as my source. My aesthetic reflects reverence for Indigenous brilliance and works toward reclaiming knowledge and practices of my ancestors."

View Natasha's Work

Jewellery/Metal ArtsDanielle Thorn

"I find myself drawn to the power of stories and their ability to connect us to the past, to one another, and to the greater mysteries of the universe. I channel this fascination into my work, crafting intricate and unique jewellery from silver, gold, copper, brass, and stone.
Each piece that I create is a window into a subject that has captured my imagination - whether it be ancient history, culture, religion, myths, or legends. I take great care in researching and exploring each of these subjects, allowing myself to become fully immersed in the details and nuances of their stories.

For me, the act of creating is not just a means of expression, but a way to connect with the world around me. It is a way to tap into the collective human experience, to explore our shared histories and celebrate the stories that make us who we are.

Ultimately, my goal as an artist is to use my work to bridge the gap between the past and the present, between cultures and communities, and to offer a glimpse into the beauty and complexity of our shared human experience."

View Danielle's Work

3D Digital DesignDaisy Warren

"I design and create digital 3D character models for use in games and animations. I have developed a process from ideation to digital creation for my work. Starting with a concept, I first build a two-dimensional digital asset library that acts as a reference and a resource. This database shows the design from all angles. Next I use the program Blender to convert the 2D characters into three dimensions. Finally, I expand the potential of the designs thereby allowing them to be animated. Using 3D digital art as a medium allows for creation of expansive worlds, detailed characters, and expressive and dynamic animations. I hope to ask important questions through the medium of storytelling and have a positive impact on someone’s life."

View Daisy's Work

Jewellery/Metal ArtsJasmine Williams

"Jasmine Williams is a jewellery artist who incorporates whimsical and mythological designs into her work. As someone with Inuit heritage, Williams finds it essential to add Inuit imagery into her work to explore her identity as an artist and connect with her roots. Through her jewellery, she aims to educate others about Inuit culture and stories and start conversations about Indigenous art. Williams believes that her pieces can serve as a tool to inspire people to learn more about these important topics. While experimenting with alternative metals like copper, and brass she is currently focused on exploring the use of color in her work, utilizing enameling techniques that involve the application of fine ground glass to the surface of her jewellery. Ultimately, Williams hopes that her jewellery will allow viewers to connect with her and her heritage while showcasing her unique artistic style."

View Jasmine's Work