Born in 1967, Groningen, The Netherlands
Lives and works in Vancouver BC, Canada

EDUCATION

2009 MA in Communication (Graduate Studies will commence in September 2009)
Simon Fraser University, Vancouver BC, Canada

2005 - 2009 BFA in Visual Arts & Photography
Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC, Canada

2000 - 2002 Desktop Publishing Associate Certificate
BC Institute of Technology, Burnaby BC, Canada

1996 - 1997 Management Development for Residential Settings Certificate
Justice Institute of British Columbia, New Westminster BC, Canada

1986 - 1992 BMus in Music Education & Contemporary Voice
Stedelijk Conservatorium, Groningen, The Netherlands

AWARDS

2009 The Governor General’s Academic Medal 2008 – 2009
2008 Alvin Balkind Memorial Scholarship
2007 Emily Carr Institute Achievement Scholarship
2007 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Student Scholarship Award
2006 Datatel Scholars Foundation Scholarship

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2009 Elliott Louis Gallery. Emergence 2009: The Unexpected and Unpredictable.
Vancouver BC, Canada

2009 Surrey Art Gallery. Arts 2009. Surrey BC, Canada (juried exhibition, first prize)

2009 Winsor Gallery. Emily Carr University Award Winners. Vancouver BC, Canada

2009 Surrey Art Gallery. Earth Matters. Surrey BC, Canada (juried exhibition, third prize)

2008 Concourse Gallery. Mixed Messages. Vancouver BC, Canada

2007 Concourse Gallery. RED. Vancouver BC, Canada

2007 A Rocha Field Study Centre. Created Life 2007. White Rock BC, Canada

2006 A Rocha Field Study Centre. Created Life 2006. White Rock BC, Canada

CURATORIAL PROJECT

2008 Data Traveler: Explore a World of Flickering Signifiers
<http://www.helmasawatzky.com/datatraveler/index.html>

PUBLISHED WRITING

2009 “Constructing Jeff Wall: On Coming into ‘the Circle’ the Right Way”
Emily Carr Student Newspaper WOO, Issue nr. 1, Spring 2009.

RELATED PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

2009 Presenter. Writing Art: Emily Carr University Student Symposium.
Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver BC, Canada.

2001–present Freelance Graphic Designer

1995–2002 Independent Recording Artist & Singer-Songwriter

1989–1992 Freelance Vocal Instructor (private voice lessons / workshops for groups)

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

2001-now Graphic Design Services for Independent Musicians

2001-2005 Graphic Designer. Canadian Food for the Hungry International,
Abbotsford BC, Canada

1996-2002 Graphics Facilitator for P.A.T. H. (Planning Alternative Futures with Hope). MCC Supportive Care Services, Abbotsford BC, Canada

1993 Arts & Crafts Instructor. Columbia Bible Camp. Sardis BC, Canada

1984–1994 Illustrator & Cartoonist, Sproeier Children’s Magazine, The Netherlands