Boy

Roland

Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts
Thunder Bay, ON

My family encouraged me to apply to Lakehead. It was an easy decision to stay amongst the rich natural beauty of the region that continues to bring me contentment.

Being an art student at Lakehead allowed me to connect and network with some of the top artists in Thunder Bay. Through these connections I became very involved with Definitely Superior Art Gallery and the Thunder Bay arts community. These connections have continued to provide me with opportunities during and Post University.

The late Alison Kendall was a professor that stood out to me then and now. It was clear she was passionate about helping her students improve and grow. She celebrated our achievements outwardly and was never shy to challenge our thinking and encourage improvement. She saw value in you that you hadn’t yet in yourself. Most importantly she taught me to never apologize for my work. Alison continues to be a bright light, motivating force and inspiration for me.

In my graduating year, I had my most memorable and significant University experience. A small group of students and I traveled across the globe to China for a ceramics residency and to participate in an international art exhibition. We were able to absorb a totally new cultural perspective to improve our practice.

My plan for the future is to continue to be a full time artist, and create work unapologetically.