An Ojibwe and Cree chorographer and multidisciplinary artist whose work is linked to her memory and Indigenous roots will be welcomed to Trent University over the next few weeks as the 2018 Ashley Fellow.

“Trent students will be drawn to Lara for her warm personality and meaningful connections she makes with each person she meets,” said Dr. Nadine Changfoot, associate professor, Political Studies at Trent and Ashley Fellow 2018 producer. “More than this, she explores the relationship between environment, experiences, and embodiment to create greater awareness and potential for expanded understanding of oneself and one’s relationships.”

Ms. Kramer explains that she works with storytelling within her creative process as a way of exploring how the mapping of stories from her family's history resonates in the body, and how it can be transferred symbolically into her work, connecting the past, present and future. Her work is linked to memory, examining issues of social, political, cultural importance for Canada and First Nations Peoples.

As the 2018 Ashley Fellow, Ms. Kramer will engage the Trent and Peterborough communities in a variety of public and physically accessible events, that are free to attend, including:

• Monday, February 26, 2018:  Traditional Teaching: Artist Talk on Phantom, Stills & Vibrations from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Benedict Gathering Space, Gzowski College.
• Wednesday, February 28, 2018:  Public Artist Talk and Discovery of State of Body workshop with reception in Scott House Senior Common Room Bagnani Hall, Traill College from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Friday, March 2, 2018:  Grand Opening of Elders Gathering from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with highlights from all Elders Gathering presenters, hosted in Gzowski College, room 114. Registration required for this event.
• Saturday, March 3, 2018: Opening of Phantom, Stills & Vibrations with performance at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at Artspace Gallery (378 Aylmer St. N.). Reception catered by Grandfather’s Kitchen will follow the 3:30 p.m. performance. This exhibit will continue through until March 9, 2018.
• Monday, March 5, 2018:  Discovery of State of Body Public workshop from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Seasoned Spoon Café, Champlain College. Light refreshments. No dance experience required.
• Friday March 9: Closing of Phantom, Stills & Vibrations with performance and reception catered by Grandfather’s Kitchen at Artspace Gallery (378 Aylmer St. N.) from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

This year’s Ashley Fellow is coordinated and co-hosted by the Political Studies department, Champlain College, Gzowski College, the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies, and Traill College in partnership with Artspace, Public Energy, and Bodies in Translation.

About the Ashley Fellowship

The Ashley Fellow is a visiting scholar hosted each year by one of Trent University’s Colleges. The fellowship is funded by a bequest from the late Professor C.A. Ashley, long-time friend of Trent University and an enthusiastic proponent of the role that informal contacts of college life can play in the academic pursuits of the University. The Ashley Fellow usually resides at one of Trent's residential Colleges for part of the year, delivering lectures and meeting with faculty and students.