Highlights of Qualifications

• Educational leadership with literacy and fine arts focus in cross cultural settings

• Design and coordination of programs, lessons and workshops

• Experience with diverse range of children, youth and adults

 

Work Experience

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The Raise-an-Artist Project Founder + Director + Arts Educator

Halton Hills, Ontario

2024-2006

For 16 years served more than 15,000 Artists, ages 4 - 70

• Develop and facilitate an arts program in visual art and literacy: illustration, painting, photography, film, theatre, art therapy, playwriting, screenwriting, poetry, short story, novel, essay, report, bio, book design and publication

• Run classes, workshops and camps

• Hold annual art exhibitions teaching artists about the business of selling work, donating part proceeds from sales to charities

• Partner with Noodle Gallery in Alton Village to showcase over 500 works

• Mentor to OCAD, Queens University and University of Guelph Art students in field placement and experiential training

• Build an art community wherein artist and family have long-term relationships with myself and the studio, evolving from student and camper to volunteer, mentor, instructor and collaborator

• Head a volunteer program for high school students to fulfill their volunteer hours

• Provide teen art classes and creativity club as a means of counselling

• Lead a virtual learning program and instruct virtual writing classes

• Create and teach a private alternative education program

• Facilitate all sales, administration and bookkeeping

• Execute all graphic design, print production, branding, marketing, promotion - print and web

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Freelance Artist Ontario

2024-2006

• Illustrator, writer, painter, photographer

• Participant in over 50 juried exhibitions, gallery shows and festivals in Toronto, Hamilton, Caledon, Belfountain, Halton Hills, Orangeville, Oakville, Guelph, Waterloo

• Operate and curate Lorito Gallery

• Member of local artist cooperative

• Curate art shows and coordinate sales

• Showcase and sell work at establishments throughout Ontario

• Run on-line shops and social media

• Publish art books

• Facilitate all sales, administration and bookkeeping

• Execute all graphic design, print production, branding, marketing, promotion - print and web

• www.jlorito.com

 

Raise-a-Lifelong-Learner Co-Founder + Arts Educator

Halton Hills, Ontario

2020-2018

• Co-developed and facilitated an arts-based alternative learning program for 60 learners ages 4 - 18

• Instructed creative writing, literacy, visual arts, design, math, science, ecology and life skills - organization, communication, creativity, expression, compassion, community, and goal setting

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Photovoice Workshop Facilitator

Leogane, Haiti

2012

• Facilitated photovoice workshops with displaced youth ages 18 – 24 on a Grand Challenges Canada Funded Project

• Led photography and creative writing workshops to explore themes of survival, struggle, spirituality, safety and security, loss and hope

• Executed photo-editing and on-line book design to publish workshop material

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Ontario Arts Council – Arts Education Project Recipient

Regent Park, Toronto, Ontario + Halton Hills, Ontario

2007

• Awarded $10,000 by the Ontario Arts Council to develop, implement and evaluate an Ontario community-based learning exchange bridging children and professional artists

• Facilitated art and business skills workshops that culminated in an exhibition to develop artistic potential in children and transform both communities involved

• Coordinated funding; recruited and managed participants: learners, artists and educators

 

Professor

National Penghu Institute of Technology 

Penghu, Taiwan

2005

• Developed lessons, lectured and wrote exams for English classes at local University drawing material from film, plays, poetry, short story, spoken word, articles and comics of cross-cultural content

 

English Teacher

Geng Dou + Joy English School

Penghu, Taiwan

2005-2004

• Designed English lessons - grammar and vocabulary curriculum

• Tested and assessed oral and written proficiency levels

• Co-educated with Chinese English teachers and taught independently

 

Journalism Workshop Instructor King’s College

Halifax, Nova Scotia

2004

• Facilitated journalism workshop for ESL students in a language bursary program

• Provided lessons in writing, photography and film, edited newspapers and journals

• Led activities, community outings and supervised student floor unit

 

Integration Aid

La Salle Elementary School

Montreal, Quebec

2003-2002

• Worked one-on-one with students with behavioural challenges toward a goal of reintegration into class

• Designed and implemented art therapy sessions as a means of crisis intervention

 

Educational Assistant + Child and Youth Worker

St. Paul School, Toronto, Ontario

2001-2000

• Co-educated Junior-Intermediate classes and the Primary Behavioural class

• Developed literacy program for students with disabilities 

• Facilitated small groups for social skills with JK/SK students

• Facilitated expressive art therapy workshops, taught art lessons and implemented a photography documentation project

 

Senior Staff + Art Program Director Marygrove Camp

Penetanguishene Ontario

2002-1993

• Member of management team responsible for the welfare of 150 staff and campers weekly, at overnight camp for girls

• Served as a source for crisis intervention and counselling

• Convened meetings of oral and written evaluation for program participants

• Programmed and facilitated art workshops, daily activities, camp wide special events

 

Volunteer and International Development Experience

 

Go Rocco Ontario

2021-2014

• Fundraiser to help those with Cancer make families; to educate, inform and raise awareness about Cancer, Fertility and Oncofertility

• Bridged together a community of artists, educators and health practitioners

• Performed campaign promotion on CTV's Canada AM and The Motts Radio, at Fertile Future's: An Evening of Hope, through newspapers, crowdfunding, social media, gallery art shows, virtual art shows

• Received support by Canadian Fertility Consultants and Flowerday Law

• Over $60,000 raised

 

Donate to Educate Leogane,Haiti

2012

• Created an education fund to sponsor a family of five girls in Leogane Haiti placed at risk after 2010 Hurricane

• Empowered young women and initiated change

 

Creative Writing Instructor

Erin, Ontario

2012-2010

• Founded and facilitated writer’s club at local elementary school

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Teacher/Student

Penghu, Taiwan

2005

• Participated in a language exchange of Mandarin and English in local fishing village

 

Coach + Supervisor

Toronto, Ontario

2001-2000

• Coached senior volleyball, track and supervised the grade eight camping retreat

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Art Teacher Santa Fe,

Panama

1995

• Taught weekly art lessons for local children

 

Teacher’s Assistant Adam Scott Collegiate

Peterborough, Ontario

1998-1994

• Provided literacy and life skills within the classroom and on community outings for students with disabilities in the grade nine Community Living Class

 

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Grants

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OAC Arts Education Grant

Raise-an-Artist Project - helping us all see differently

Halton Hills and Regent Park, Toronto

2007

• An Ontario community-based learning exchange bridging children and professional Artists

 

 

Education

 

Master of Arts – Creative Writing/English Literature

2004

• Concordia University, Montreal PQ

 

Bachelor of Arts – Cultural Studies/English Literature

1998

• Trent University, Peterborough ON