VISUAL CONNECTIONS : December 2008

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Youth on the Radar Project

Here is some exciting news, VSGSA - Visual Connections Project will be part of the Youth on the Radar Project (YOR). The YOR Project is a crime prevention program for youth 12 - 17 years of age that utilizes the creative arts. The youth participants will come from J.L.Illsley High School and its feeder schools in the Spryfield area (South West Halifax).

VSGSA - Visual Connections Project Education and Outreach Curator will function as the project manager, Blogger, as well as instructor for part of the media arts component. The other components of the project include street dance and mural/street.

There will be a new blog site developed for the project.

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.