Canada Week at BGSU to feature sculptor, writer, historian

A sculptor, a writer and a historian will bring “Three Perspectives on Canadian Culture” to Canada Week at BGSU March 22-26.

Coming to campus are Ontario-based artist Sandy Cline; author, dramatist and filmmaker Drew Hayden Taylor, and Franca Iacovetta, a professor of history and immigration scholar at the University of Toronto.

Cline, who creates art from blocks of soapstone, will present an exhibit and workshops March 22 and 23. His work will be on display and available for purchase in 228 Bowen-Thompson Student Union, where he will also conduct carving workshops. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 22 and 9 a.m. to noon March 23.

The public is invited to attend Cline’s programs and, if space permits, participate in workshops, in addition to browsing through his work.

Influenced by Arctic art—especially Inuit sculpture—Cline’s soapstone creations have been commissioned by “The Ottawa Citizen” newspaper, Sports Canada and the Women’s World Ice Hockey Championship Committee.

The week’s activities continue March 24 with a 7 p.m. presentation by Taylor in the Gish Film Theater in Hanna Hall.

An Ojibway from Ontario’s Curve Lake Reserve, Taylor is known for his distinctive use of humor in making serious observations about the clash of Native culture with the rest of Canadian society. His talk will include discussion of his recent books and screening of clips from his film, “Redskins, Tricksters, and Puppy Stew.”

On March 25, Iacovetta will present “Sexuality, Freedom-Lovers and Containing ‘Foreign’ Threats in Cold War Canada” at 4:30 p.m. in 101A Olscamp Hall.

Exploring the theme of love, hate and fear in the Cold War, she will examine Canadian media narratives of:
• Eastern Europeans’ escapes from communist countries;
• Canadian reception and citizenship activities with European newcomers, and
• Confidential case files involving Iron Curtain refugees whom social workers, medical experts and “moral regulators” deemed in need of rehabilitation or containment.

Iacovetta will also discuss her most recent book, Women, Gender and Transnational Lives.

While all Canada Week activities are free and open to the public, reservations are suggested because space may be limited. For more information, contact BGSU’s Canadian Studies Center at 2-2457 or cast@cba.bgsu.edu.