Empowering artists and entrepreneurs helps dreams take root: Mark and Janice Stefan
Among many other donor-funded awards at the University of Regina, the Stefan Legacy Bursary serves as a beacon of support for aspiring artists and entrepreneurs, which benefits students in the Faculty of Media, Arts, and Performance (MAP), as well as those in the newly created Graduate Advanced Training and Entrepreneurship (GATE) Centre.
At first glance, some might wonder what inspired this bursary, and why it bridges art and entrepreneurship. To shed some light on the answer, let us touch on the story of Mark and Janice Stefan, and what guided them to make stories of success possible for many others.
We follow what is referred to as the three T’s principle of giving—we can help others by giving our time, our talents, and our treasures. — Mark Stefan, BAdmin'84
After graduating from Business at the University of Regina, Mark and Janice Stefan went on to pursue flourishing careers. Mark, a Senior Wealth Advisor at RBC Dominion Securities, helps people realize their dreams and care for their families, while Janice, BAdmin’85, the owner and artist of Sisters Glass Studio, turns glass into beautiful art. Attributing much of their success to not only the education they received from the university, but also the community, they wanted to give back in a meaningful way.
“Art and entrepreneurship have always been my world,” says Janice whose artworks you may have seen showcased at Brewed Awakening Coffee Shop locations and the Living Hope Alliance Church in Regina. “I am immensely grateful for the community that has generously allowed me to follow my passion as an artist and studio owner for more than three decades. As well, I feel fortunate that we have the opportunity and means to pay it forward for the next generation of artists and entrepreneurs. I want to see them achieve success, and this bursary is one way we try to help.”
Echoing his wife’s sentiments, Mark says, “I am truly grateful for all the blessings we have received from the community, and for being in a position to not so much give a hand ‘out’, but rather a hand ‘up’. We follow what is referred to as the three T’s principle of giving—we can help others by giving our time, our talents, and our treasures.”
Mark has committed hundreds of hours as a volunteer to make the community better, serving as a member of the Regina Rotary Club, Mackenzie Art Gallery Board of Trustees, and Grey Cup Planning Committee. His dedication to volunteerism even reached as far as El Salvador, where he and his daughter, Nicole, joined a group of other fathers and daughters, and traveled to and built a home with Habitat for Humanity. He continues to mentor many young people today. Janice volunteers her artistic skills while regularly mentoring young artists and fostering their creativity.
Although the impact of giving is lasting and far-reaching, we may never meet all the lives it transforms. “We plant and water seeds of support, and we wish we could get to witness the harvest and see how we’ve helped students,” reflects Mark.
Sometimes those seeds of support blossom into a beautiful, resilient flower.
The following is a letter written by fourth-year student Jayden Thompson, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
Dear Mark and Janice,
Receiving the Stefan Legacy Bursary in Visual Arts has been an incredible encouragement in my journey as a visual artist. Support like this allows me to dedicate more time and energy to creating work that uplifts and connects with communities, especially those whose voices are often underrepresented.
In the past year, I have grown especially passionate about cyanotypes, using plants from my surroundings to create artworks that reflect the beauty and resilience of the places and communities I am part of. This bursary has been a meaningful part of that growth, and I carry that encouragement with me as I prepare for graduation and look toward graduate studies.
As I enter my final year of my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking and Photo-based Art, I am deeply grateful to you for your generosity and vision. Thank you for your support, which not only eased my financial burden but also affirmed my path forward as both an artist and a future professor.
Sincerely,
Jayden Thompson
Jayden's letter represents but a single harvest of the countless seeds you have sown. To Mark and Janice, and to all our donors, let us assure you that although those seeds may grow beyond our sight, they will leave an enduring legacy that helps dreams take root for generations ahead.
Banner photo credit: Mark and Janice Stefan.