Dear Hiring Decision Maker:

As someone who’s an active artist and spent many years in writing, editorial work, art education and communications, I believe I am an excellent candidate for the position of Writer/Editor for the Ministry of Culture.

After completing my Education degree at the U of A (major in art) and serving as a writer/production editor for the Students’ Union, Gateway, I joined The University of Calgary as a Communications Officer II. In this position, I worked with university administrators to develop and implement strategic communications plans focusing on students, staff, faculty and the public. As co-editor of the bi-weekly, Gazette, I researched and wrote news and feature articles on the activities in all Faculties. This often required me to present complex concepts to a more general audience and I always sought to do so in an engaging way. My article, New ways to slice the mapping pie, which compares advances in digital mapping to an overloaded pizza, is a perfect example. In addition to profiling new staff members, like Beatrice Medicine, I contributed press releases and helped in the production of materials in support of the Winter Olympics. My art abilities were used through my photography, illustration and design skills.

After almost five years with the U of C, I accepted a position as a Journalism Instructor at Grant MacEwan, where I taught News Photography, Graphic Design, News Laboratory and Media studies.

Moving to Vancouver, I joined Southam Business Communications as Western Editor for Canadian Forest Industries Magazine, providing copy on all aspects of the business including harvesting, safety and milling. I then settled in Nanaimo writing for The Nanaimo Business Examiner and Nanaimo Daily Free Press, among others.

As Marketing Manager for forest equipment manufacturer T-MAR Industries, my duties included building brand awareness; conducting customer surveys; producing advertising copy, brochures and videos; and launching the company’s newsletter, The T-MAR Times. My duties also included designing and overseeing the installation of the company’s booth at the Truck Loggers Convention in Vancouver.

A downturn in the industry led to 10 years overseas teaching in Libya, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Norway, the UAE and Japan. In that time, I taught art to students that ranged in age from grade-three to adult using the Irish Leaving Certificate, IGCSE and International Baccalaureate curricula. A highlight of this period was the production of my video application for the position of Traveling Ambassador for Air Transat.

Returning to Canada in 2012, I worked with a web designer to launch my WordPress website and have continually added content featuring my writing, photography, art, music, graphic design and video production. Moving to Prince George in 2013, I completed a major outdoor installation, The Spirit of Prince George, 2015, (2014) for Timberspan Wood Products and also submitted a number proposals for art commissions, including leading a team on a submission to build a Holocaust memorial in Ottawa. I use my blog to promote my belief in a more loving and inclusive world. My Happy Face Series and my carving, TEACH ONLY LOVE, are examples of initiatives supporting that theme.

I have expertise in MS Office (including PowerPoint), Photoshop, Illustrator and a variety of video editing programs.

Since my return to Canada, I’ve worked in a number of fields further diversifying my life and employment background. Particularly relevant work experience would be my years spent as a Licensed Property Manager, where, in addition to handling correspondence for the company owner, I worked with a variety of database systems.

Returning to Edmonton (my birth city) in April 2021, I worked for Edmonton’s Mustard Seed (through Bissell Employment Services) and am currently applying my creative culinary skills in the role of Second Cook for Horizon North at the MEG Energy site near Conklin.

In conclusion, I believe I have the qualifications and competencies to be effective in this role. Accordingly, let me suggest we meet to discuss the contribution I could make to the Ministry of Culture in filling this role.