Student Independent Projects Environmental Studies 2007: Redesigning the Corner Brook Waterfront

In recent decades, urban planning has seen a rise in waterfront revitalization. This is important concerning Corner Brook, where the possible permanent closure of the Mill would have devastating consequences for the surrounding area. Corner Brook is located on the West Coast of Newfoundland, Canada, and has a population of 20,083 (WWW.statcan.ca, 2007). Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd. (CBP&P) dominates the local economy and is located on the city's waterfront. With the realization that the heart of any city is the waterfront, if there is one present, many cities started revitalization trend in order to bring life back to the community and restore the local economy (Robertson, 1999). In the past, waterfronts were dominated with industry, shipping, and the navy. Today, the focus has shifted to leisure, recreation, tourism, and residential and commercial activity. Along with economic factors, the visual aspect of the waterfront is also Important (Albrecht, Bode, & Evers, 2003; Hoffman, 1999). Although this trend started out larger cities, such as Toronto, it has now spread to smaller centers, similar to the size of Corner Brook (Hoyle, 2000). What differs between the various sizes of the cities is what the main focus of the waterfront will be following the revitalization. With the tourism economy making a strong foothold in Newfoundland, the waterfront would provide the possibility to extend it even further. Yet, the most important aspects of the new waterfront will be to ensure environmentally safe measures (Slocombe, 1993) and making sure that as many jobs as possible will be generated. The generation of new jobs is especially important considering the loss of the Mill, which has provided the city and surrounding area with paying employment.

The 2001 BFA Graduating Class Department of Visual Arts

One of the highlights of Grenfells annual Convocation is the exhibition of the works of the graduating class in visual arts. The exhibition gives us a priviledged glimpse into the accomplishments of our students as these have emerged directly out of their studies. By their nature, most other disciplines do not afford such a view. In a sense, then, the exhibition of works by our visual arts students represents by analogy what can be achieved in four years of intensive university study under the guidance of dedicated professionals, no matter what the field of endeavour. These particular students began with a natural ability to see and to imagine.During tha past four years, they have been challenged to build on that base talent and to develop and educate their visual imaginations. Significant creative development is never easy but the results can be inspiring. The works represent the accomplishments of all our students and provide a fresh energeticaesthetic framework within which to contemplate them.