VISUAL CONNECTIONS : August 2007

Friday, August 10, 2007

UPDATE

We have received news from the Canada Council for the Arts regarding funding for the In Our Voice: An Oral History Video Project. Unfortunately we were not successful in securing the funds to produce this video.

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

EXCITING NEWS

We have received funding from the Capital District Health Authority, Cobequid Community Health Board to offer the Creative St(art) Workshop. The workshop has been developed for youth with disabilities 17 – 21 years old. We will post the artwork here on this blog after the workshop. The dates for the workshop have not been determined as such, but will be will be held September 2007 to December 2007.

BIOGRAPHY

Gerard McNeil brings a diverse background to his present role as Recreation / Community Access Coach - Program Lead with the Canadian Mental Health Association - Halifax / Dartmouth Branchs' Getting Through the Door Program. For past twenty- eight years, Gerard has been engaged in a visual arts practice with exhibitions in Halifax, Toronto and St John’s. Along with his experiences in the visual arts, Gerard has been facilitating adult and community arts education programs for more than fourteen years. Paralleling this experience is some Twelve years’ experience in the Human Services field working with persons with disabilities.

Informing these experiences is an equally diverse educational background that includes a Certificate in Photography from the Halifax Regional Vocational School (NSCC), a BFA in Fine Arts from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, a Certificate in Adult Education from Henson College (Dalhousie University), a B.Ed - Visual Arts Specialist degree from NSCAD and Mount Saint Vincent University. Gerard also possesses an M.Ed in Adult Education from Mount Saint Vincent University, a Certificate in Non-Profit Sector Management from Henson College (Dalhousie University), and is a Certified PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition) Practitioner. Along with these credentials, Gerard has also completed the Tatamagouche Model of Education, Design and Leadership program (Levels One and Two), as well as participated in the Shambhala Institute for Authentic Leadership.