Professional Development Day

Build the professional side of your artistic practice! 100 Mile Arts Network is hosting a professional development day for artists and performers of all disciplines on Dec. 7th, 2025 from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm at our Gallery and Boutique in Wakefield, QC.  

Sessions:

9:00: Presenting Your Creative Work Professionally: Photography, Images & Headshots for Artists

This workshop by Photographer Shawn Moreton helps artists and creative professionals learn how to present their work and themselves with confidence through professional imagery. Participants will discover practical techniques for photographing artwork and creative projects, preparing and sharing images for both print and digital use, and getting the most from a professional headshot session. Designed for artists across all disciplines, the session emphasizes approachable, real-world strategies to elevate your visual presence and strengthen your creative brand.

Presenter: Shawn Moreton is an award-winning professional photographer and multidisciplinary artist
based in Cantley, Québec, Canada. With a celebrated career in commercial and editorial
portraiture, Shawn combines technical expertise with a creative vision to deliver compelling
visual narratives. Beyond his professional work, he is deeply committed to personal artistic
projects, where he explores themes of identity and emotion. Working seamlessly across film
and digital photography mediums, his artistic curiosity extends to block printing, ceramics,
textiles, and AI-generated art, showcasing his innovative spirit and dedication to pushing
creative boundaries.

10:45: How to use Canva

In this workshop, Jenn Bisson offers a gentle, hands-on introduction to Canva—the free, beginner-friendly design tool—and shares practical tips for building an authentic, intentional, and consistent social media presence without the overwhelm.

Presenter: Jenn Bisson is a visual artist, writer, and social media manager with a double major in Studio Art and Art History from the University of Guelph. A published writer and former contributing writer, illustrator, and managing editor of The Alpine Review, she currently manages the online presence for the 100 Mile Arts Network and has led the digital strategy for the Chelsea Wakefield Studio Tour. Jenn was also behind the launch and first year of exhibitions at the 100 Mile Arts Gallery, creating graphics, content, and curatorial materials to promote local artists. Passionate about the magic that happens where community meets creativity, she loves cheering on artists and helping them share their work with confidence.

12:15: Lunch and Headshots

Coffee, tea, snacks, and lunch are provided to participants. Everyone will also have the opportunity to receive a professional headshot by photographer Shawn Moreton. These portraits are ideal for artists and creatives looking to refresh their professional image for websites, portfolios, grant applications, or social media, and are included as part of the day’s programming.

1:15: Income Tax for Artists

Presenter: Dael Foster is a self employed bookkeeper and accountant who has been in practice for 35+ years. Originally from Montreal, she now calls Ottawa home and is involved in the Ottawa theatre community as a costume designer and occasional producer. Her favourite things include teaching artists how to do their own taxes and playing with babies and animals.

3:00: The Artist Statement vs The Artist: how to write about your work

The artist statement is a representation of you, the artist talking to the viewer of your artwork. An artist statement is a sometimes small, sometimes large series of words that provide context to what art work you have created and why you have created it. In this workshop we will be exploring how to contextualize your art work in a compelling manner that properly conveys the context of your work. Creating your art work is half the battle, should you choose to present it to the world you must learn how to present it. How do you know what tone your audience is looking for? How do you even find the right adjectives to string together a pretty picture of your project? We will explore this difficult but introspective task together through thought brain storming, exercises, comparative analysis and examining successful artist statements which lead to the acquisition of grants and or more.

Presenter: Stjorn Revali is a Designer and artistic producer who is based globally. With a background in anthropology and contemporary dance, her creative practice explores a blend of strong physical aesthetics and movement arts. Through her artistic company- Storrveldi, Stjórn has built a global reputation as a designer of unique garments accompanied by theatrical dance performances. Each production tells a larger story; a reflection on identity, folklore, and belonging. Her work is informed by her academic studies in religion and culture, and by lived experiences with diverse communities across Europe and North America. She regularly engages with academic material and community collaboration to shape collections that embrace a sense of the esoteric.

A $50.00 (tax included) registration fee includes coffee, tea, snacks, lunch and access to a photo booth for professional head shots during the lunch hour. Advance registration is required by etransfer to finance@100milearts.net. A sliding scale for payment is available – all are welcome (email kate@100milearts.net).

Registration is limited to 20 participants. The workshops will be held in English.

Location: 721 Chemin Riverside, unit #205, Wakefield, Quebec (above Expedition Wakefield, parking and entrance at rear)