Neilson is a Canadian contemporary visual artist who combines her background in classical drawing and painting methods, with energetic intuitive art processes. Her work is inspired by the lives of resilient survivors in the forest at her doorstep, by life cycles, and by our human connections in nature.
"Pay attention. Live astonished. Tell about it." (Mary Oliver)
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
Annual juried exhibition, theme "Driven by Curiosity"
Lakehead University, Ontario, Canada, Feb 2024 to March 2025
ARIZONA DESERT MUSEUM ART INSTITUTE /May 2023 - Artist Residency- plus Art Institute entrance wall exhibit May to August 2023
ARTISTS FOR CONSERVATION FESTIVAL & JURIED EXHIBITIONS /Sept-October 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020 Van Dusen Gardens &Maplewood Flats,Vancouver, B.C.
KELOWNA FLOWER POWER TOUR /June 2022 Open studio and garden, Forest House Studio, Kelowna, B.C.
SOCIETY OF CANADIAN ARTISTS – Two 2021 online exhibits as new Associate Member – BC Culture Days and 53rd Open International Juried Exhibition
LAKE COUNTRY ARTWALK / Exhibitor & Community Projects 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
LAKE COUNTRY ART GALLERY / September 2020
“Contemplating the Female Gaze”
KINGSBRAE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCE FOR THE ARTS / 2019
ST. Andrews New Brunswick Art Residency
Open Studio Saturdays plus a Final Exhibition and Artist’s Talk
TWO RIVERS PUBLIC ART GALLERY / 2018
B.C. Provincial Juried Exhibition “Fences” – Ten invited artists
LAKE COUNTRY PUBLIC ART GALLERY / 2018
Juried Exhibition “A Restless Earth” (Also participated in other 2015 to 2019 member exhibitions & fundraisers)
THE ALTERNATOR GALLERY / 2015 and 2016
Kelowna/ Two Annual Juried Exhibitions
Exhibitions Supporting Central Okanagan Hospice Association
KELOWNA PUBLIC ART GALLERY / 2015
Juried Group Exhibition / “Preserves: Prepared for Future Use”
Works by ten artists, celebrating the history of Kelowna and the memories of the people who shaped it. (– Additional participation in annual KAG member exhibitions 2015 to 2020.)
LAKE COUNTRY PUBLIC ART GALLERY / 2015
Juried Exhibition /“Light Illuminating Art”
ROTARY CENTRE FOR THE ARTS & ARTS COUNCIL OF THE CENTRAL OKANAGAN / 2006 to 2012
Several “LIVESSENCE” Figurative Art Exhibitions, juried community shows, a
Kelowna Community Theatre solo show and Okanagan
Valley studio tours.
AFFILIATIONS
ARTISTS FOR CONSERVATION
Signature Member 2019 - 2023
C.A.R.F.A.C. -Canadian Artists’ Representation
C.O.V.A. - Copyright Visual Arts Collective, Canada
B.C.Teachers’ Federation & Ontario Ministry of Education -Certified teacher in B.C. & Ontario Visual Arts all levels plus Library, Special Education, Industrial Arts, & Primary Education
FRIENDS OF WOODHAVEN Nature Conservancy Society Vice President
C.S.E.A. Active former member - Canadian Society for Education through Art
B.C..A.T.A Provincial Art Teachers’ Association
EDUCATION
Honour Specialist Visual Arts - OISE - University of Toronto
Bachelor of Education -University of Toronto
Intermediate/Senior Art & Industrial Arts
Honours Bachelor of Arts - McMaster University
Art / Art History / Humanities
Post Degree Credits
Advanced Lithography - Printmaking II at McMaster University
Literacy, Teacher Librarianship, Inclusive Education, and Elementary Education from UBC, the University of Victoria and York University
RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
SESSIONAL INSTRUCTOR -Faculty of Education / University of British Columbia Okanagan /2016
• Teaching creative methods for integrating visual arts education into
elementary schools
BRITISH COLUMBIA SCHOOL DISTRICT #23 TEACHER
Kelowna/ 1991 to 2016
All grade levels (K-12), mainly art but also including other subjects plus
leadership in teacher librarianship, technology and gifted programs.
• Background includes three years as High School art teacher at Okanagan
Mission Secondary School plus seven more teaching digital arts, library and
enrichment at OKM and South Kelowna Elementary. There were twelve
years as art teacher at Rutland Middle School (including department head
for fine arts and applied skills), and one year as Springvalley Senior
Secondary art teacher.
ONTARIO TEACHER – PUBLIC & PRIVATE SCHOOLS PLUS ADULT EDUCATION
1982 TO 1991 / Visual Arts, Special Education, plus Elementary, while also
working as an artist/illustrator in the Toronto and Oakville areas
MENIHEK INTEGRATED HIGH SCHOOL – ART & DRAMA TEACHER
Labrador City NFLD / 1981-1982
Community Arts
• Kelowna Art Gallery Instructor/Presenter – Saturday Workshops – 2018 & 2019
• CSEA (Canadian Society for Education through Art): Provided chapter 14 photos for publication of the 4th edition © 2018 CSEA art education textbook for Canadian teachers
•COTA – Central Okanagan Teachers - Art Workshop Presenter / Professional Development for Teachers / 2017 and 2018 plus several sessions in previous years
• Okanagan Mission Spring Art Market – Project Organizer 2015
• “ArtStarts “ - Grant Recipient - Project Coordinator at Rutland Middle School – Hosting three resident artists for projects in the school
• Art Education Local Specialists’ Association Member since 1991, including 3 years as L.S.A. President - Involved in curriculum development as well as provincial conference planning.
Other –Art exhibition and festival organizer, stage sets, mural projects, maker groups, community sketchbook clubs.