Sheilagh O’Leary (Sole)
47 Newtown Road
St. John's, Newfoundland
Canada A1C 4E3
(709) 722-4662

www.sheilagholeary.com
email: sheilagh@nf.sympatico.ca


SOLO EXHIBITIONS

Human Natured , December 2006
Flower Studio and Art Gallery
Rawlin’s Cross, St. John’s, NL
Exhibition of B&W photographs dealing in nude portraits and
abstracts in nature.

Flower Studio and Art Gallery, January 2006
Commercial art representative
Rawlin’s Cross, St. John’s, NL
Exhibiting and dealing in the Artist’s figurative photographic works and portraiture

Twinning Lines: Newfoundland~Ireland, September 2005
Exhibition of portraits from Ireland & Newfoundland
St. John’s City Hall, St. John’s, NL
Through extensive research at the Centre for Newfoundland Studies and several meetings with local Irish historians and geographers, notably Prof. John Mannion, I traveled the Irish Loop of Newfoundland and the areas of Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny Counties in Ireland researching linked ancestry through the use of Black & White portraiture. The final exhibit features large portraits of people with the same surname on both sides of the ocean.

Flower Studio Billboard Advertisement, July-September 2005
Advertisement in support of gay marriage legislation
Rawlin’s Cross, St. John’s, NL
In response to the new legislation on gay marriage, I sought out male models and photographed them in a discreet yet intimate fashion; a celebration of marriage between the same sexes.

Twinning Lines: Newfoundland~Ireland, November 2004
Exhibition of portraits from Ireland & Newfoundland
Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford, Ireland.
This was the initial exhibition of work later presented in St. John’s City Hall. As detailed above, through extensive research in both Ireland and Newfoundland it explored connections between Irish people of Newfoundland and South Eastern Ireland.

AQUA Restaurant, 2001-04
Exhibition of nude portraits/landscapes
Water St., St. John's, NL
For four years, I exhibited as the house artist for this fine dining restaurant in downtown St. John’s. Work was sold off the walls, as well as promoting commissions to their clientele.


Coming Out the Other End, September-October 1999
Exhibition of nudes
Resource Centre for the Arts Gallery, LSPU Hall, St. John's, NL.
An exploration of transition spawned this exhibit, after personal deaths and divorce. This exhibit featured bold nude portraits and abstracts in an installation setting.

Exposure (created art space), July-August 1996
Exhibition of nudes & portraits,
Tooton's Bldg., St. John's, NL
Secured and refurbished prominent downtown location for promotion and display of selected personal works. Engaged in promotion, general management and employee supervision.

Island Maid – portrait installation, November 1993 with interviewer Rhonda Pelley
Photodocumentary of rural women living on the coast of Newfoundland
Resource Centre for the Arts Gallery, St.John's, NL
2 years research documenting elderly women in rural Newfoundland. The final works were exhibited in St. John’s and were purchased in its entirety by the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador. The project focused on portraiture of these extraordinary women and their interconnectedness to the landscape.

Portraits of Artists, July 1992
Installation & exhibition of nudes & portraits,
SQUAT Art Space, St. John's, NL
Exhibition of 2 dimensional and installation works. They were works produced during the Banff Centre residency.

Transients of Acquaintance, July-August 1991
Exhibition of nudes & portraits
The Red Lion Lodge Gallery Cafe, Portugal Cove, NL
Series of nudes and portraits exhibited in a non-traditional space.

The Feminine Mystique, April 1989
Performance/nude photography
Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec
Component of Women and Fine Arts program at Concordia University and dealt with issues of women’s place in patriarchal religious institutions.


ADMINISTRATION

Creative Producer/Photographer, 2004-06
Nude Fundraising Calendars, St. John’s Folk Arts Council
Researching local musicians for modeling purposes
Securing commitments to participate and collaborating with subjects on image concept
Organizing shooting schedules
Negotiate with printer regarding layout, print, and design



Vice-President, Oct 2005-Present
St. John’s Native Friendship Centre
Oversee, in concert with other Board members, the structure and operations of the Centre
Communicate with Executive Director regarding priorities, directions, finances, programming, hiring, fundraising and community outreach
Work with Executive Director to ensure timely processing of required documents, forms and human resource requirements.

President, 1995-99
Vice-President, 1999-2001
St. John's Photography Cooperative
Surveyed needs of the St. John’s photography community, identified the need and initiated and implemented the creation of the cooperative
Applied for multiple grants and administered funds according to the needs of the individual projects and provincial regulations
Spearheaded and oversaw the organization of 6 photographic exhibitions including financial management, venue, duration, and publicity.
Arranged presentations by established photographers for photographic community and public

Director, 1994-1997
Film Crew Association of Newfoundland; St. John’s, NL
Jointly initiated creation of the association by organizing and publicizing a public meeting of Film Workers
Devised a Board of Directors, researched film associations nationwide and devised rules of procedure
Researched the needs of the Newfoundland and Labrador film industry to support and protect the rights of film workers
Created a voice to negotiate on behalf of film workers with the local film industry and improved working conditions

Commercial Gallery Director, 1994
James Baird Art Gallery; St. John’s, NL
Oversaw all Art Gallery activities, including accepting artist proposals, booking exhibition time, and hanging/mounting
Acted as curator for 5 exhibitions representing the artist, discussing the intellectual merit of the work, negotiating with the public and selling their artwork
Devised and delivered all public relations, marketing and advertising for the gallery and its exhibits

Chairperson & Committee Member ,1994
RCA Gallery, LSPU Hall, St. John’s, NL
Headed programming committee, reviewed applications for exhibitions, compose correspondence, and oversee and provide direction to on staff, Gallery Coordinator
Liaise with other committee members and facilitate group discussion to achieve objectives of the artist run gallery







Coordinator, 1993
CBC/Dream Company; St. John’s, NL
Coordinated, on contract, the Input International Film Festival
Devised and delivered all advertising, marketing and public relations for event and the producers
Organized week long schedule including multiple screenings at multiple venues
Ensuring refreshments were available and adequate at all events and venues

Gallery Coordinator, 1993
RCA Gallery, LSPU Hall, St. John’s, NL
Oversaw all artist run Art Gallery activities, including booking exhibition time, hanging/mounting, and general management of the art space.
Acted as artists representative, discussed the intellectual merit of the work and hosted opening receptions

Member, July-September 1992
SQUAT Art Space; St. John’s, NL
Conceived the idea of creating a temporary art space for emerging downtown St. John’s artists
Organized meetings with other interested parties and received the support and involvement of up to 30 artists
Hosted 3 exhibitions, public, meetings and music events
Devised and delivered all public relations, marketing and advertising for the gallery and its exhibits

Co-Producer, 1989
Bulgarian/Newfoundland Mixer; St. John’s, NL
Created inter-cultural mixer to raise awareness and counteract stereotypical views regarding Bulgarian refugees
Enlisted the support of the St. John’s Arts community to participate and showcase local talent in coordination with the Bulgarian artistic community
Developed a fundraising plan to cover all expenses including location, food, entertainment and publicity.
Coordinated the solicitation of donations, and arranged a silent art auction on the event night.
Solicited and facilitated the volunteer performance of professional Newfoundland and Bulgarian artists

Public Relations Coordinator, 1988
The Artists Coalition of Newfoundland & Labrador; St. John’s, NL
Established relationships with media, community and government organizations
Outreached and communicated to artists province-wide to raise awareness about art issues and create a membership
Created, oversaw, and generated advertising revenue for a quarterly publication to keep members and stakeholders up to date and informed regarding the Coalition’s activities and related arts news