A graduate of OCAD University (MFA) and Ryerson University (BFA), Danielle Bleackley is an interdisciplinary artist and educator based in Toronto, Ontario. With ten years experience mentoring and educating young artists in community, gallery, secondary and post-secondary institutions, Danielle is passionate about art as an act of generosity, and is dedicated to nurturing compassionate communities through creativity. In 2014, Danielle completed The Royal Conservatory, Learning Through The Arts, Artist Educator Foundations course, and has been the recipient of various grants from the Ontario Arts Council for her educational projects. Danielle has recently offered her insight and guidance as a mentor to young artists, as they build their portfolios for entrance to arts-focused high schools and post-secondary institutions
Recent residencies: in September 2013, a one month residency in Haukijarvi, Finland at Arteles Creative Centre, and in 2015, a one week residency at Artscape Gibraltar Point on Toronto Island, have initiated a slowing down of her artistic process. With this, a renewed dedication to writing and stitching, and an attention to the body and movement emerged, and her newest works and explorations focus on the simplicities and complexities of line; the line that forms the cursive word, that stitches into fabric, that maps the path from one place to another, and the lines that ground the body into the earth. The ephemeral and fleeting nature of the body’s movements and gestures are significant for this work and research: the hand that writes, the heart that beats, and the physical body that moves on and through landscape and architecture.
In 2016 Danielle gave birth to her son and since, has been reflecting, writing and making in small pockets of time on this ineffable experience. In summer 2020, Danielle and her son will take part in a Mothra residency on Artscape Gibraltor Point in Toronto, together with other artist parents.
About the artist
Curriculum Resources & Mentoring
CURRICULUM RESOURCES
With over ten years of resources and ideas, I will soon be offering my arts curriculum resources for Secondary School teachers - coming here very soon!
MENTORING
Is your child looking for guidance and mentorship to improve and build their portfolio for entrance into an arts focused high school or, for application to post-secondary arts institutions? Lets speak further about goals and needs.