“After my two years of interning at The Works I have gained confidences and skills that will relay directly to my artistic career. I also have gained immense pride for my community and the creative people who work here. I would not be the person I am today without this incredible experience.”
-- Cara Seccafien, Curatorial Stream, Festival 2010 and 2011
University of Alberta, 3rd year Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA)
“Working as an intern for The Works Art & Design Festival was a new experience for me in many ways. Never have I worked with such talented, inspiring and motivated co-workers who were so united for the cause. I felt like being here made me a part of something special and so worthwhile… I’ll never forget this summer!”
-- Maggie Sisson, Production Stream, Festival 2011
Interior Design, Lakeland College
“My experience with The Works has always been a positive one, but being involved directly with Works to Work presented many new opportunities. The Works presented me with a challenging yet enriching learning environment. Meeting people from all over Canada and working with artists provided me with a positively unique experience. The best thing about The Works was the fact that I was constantly being pushed to grow and learn in accordance with the steep learning curve.”
-- Teresa Dorey, Production Stream, Festival 2011
Fine Art Diploma, Grant MacEwan, Teresa will be entering first year in Art Therapy Program Concordia University in Montreal, QC
“The Works to Work Education Program was an extremely valuable experience. Through the program I gained skills and knowledge which will transfer well to both my academic studies and my personal aspirations. Working for the Festival granted me an incredible opportunity to work with many talented and hardworking individuals which helped me grow professionally and personally.”
-- Breanna Cheek, Production Stream, Festival 2011
Emily Carr University of Art and Design, 2nd year Animation Program
“Définitivement une expérience inoubliable! Directement relié à mon domaine d’étude, mon travail au sein de l’équipe de The Works aura éte un complément non-négligeable à ma future carriére. Plaisir, apprentissage et nouveauté! Que du positif pour moi dans cette aventure d’un été!!”
“Working for The Works was a wonderful experience. All the work we did was related to what I am studying at school. It will for sure be useful in my future career. I learn a lot. I got new skills and enlarged my knowledge.”
-- Roxanne Chagnon, Production Stream, Festival 2011
St. Cegep du Vieux-Montreal, Quebec, 2nd year Exhibit Design Program.
Roxanne previously attended the University of Quebec creative writing program in Montreal.
“Being a part of The Works to Works team this summer was such an invaluable experience. Coming from being a volunteer, it was great to be part of the whole process of setting up and being involved in the festival. Our entire staff did a phenomenal job coming together to produce this free festival that really does impact our community in many ways, break down barriers and spark important dialogue between people of all backgrounds!”
-- Jocelyn Hajash, Production Stream, Festival 2011
Grant MacEwan, 3rd year Exhibit Design Program
“The Works to Work program prepares young professionals with critical thinking, public speaking skills and legal regulations. During installations and preparing for the festival, the hands on experience with installing and dismantling exhibits, preparing for the festival and direct interaction with experienced artists is also beneficial. The internship program brings intelligent individuals together to tackle problems, and come up with simultaneous solutions to reach a common vision. There is a unique and positive spirit that our educational institutions cannot provide. We work together as a team, and help each other like family. The hard work, trust and belief among each other and honest in our friendships are very important to me. The creative collaboration of many minds, dedication and commitment are quality results from The Works to Work program.”
-- Olivia Chow, Production Stream, Festivals 2010 and 2011
University of Alberta, 4th year Bachelor of Fine Art Program (BFA)
“I decided upon the Works Art and Design Festival for a practical job where I could apply the knowledge and skills I had acquired in school, and I was not disappointed. The Works experience not only provided me with an outlet to practice what I had learned, but to directly influence and shape the day to day operation of the festival, providing a level of satisfaction I can't imagine any other opportunities providing.”
-- Steven Waldner, Marketing Stream, Festival 2011
4th year Journalism, Mount Royal College
My experience as a design intern for The Places has been most valuable, as I was able to design in a real world situation. Being able to design outside of the classroom has enabled me to gain insight into the design world and the daily demands that are required of a designer. The experience has been positive and has given me a great understanding what it is to be a designer.
-- Juliana Laface, The Places Design Intern 2011
3rd year, Bachelor of Design, University of Alberta
“Being back at The Works for another year has been a consistently rewarding experience in helping promote culture and social growth in our community. It feels great to be a part of something that fosters creativity and change!”
-- Lawrence Ly, Production Stream Festival 2010
Lawrence is attending the University of Alberta, Industrial Design Program
“The Works Art & Design Festival was a wonderful practicum placement. The Works encouraged individual creativity while allowing for collaboration. I am not an artist, but working at The Works allowed me to develop my creativity in other ways. Through event planning, volunteer recruitment and marketing, I was able to get valuable work experience as well as learn about the different forms creativity can take.”
-- Heather Nielsen, Special Events and Marketing Stream, Festival 2010
Heather attended the Grant MacEwan Public Relations Program
“The Works served as the best possible practicum experience I could have hoped for. I feel equipped with the skills I have learned, both personal and professional, to prepare me for my future endeavors.”
-- Stephanie Wiebe, Production Stream, Festival 2010
Stephanie attended the Lakeland College Interior Design Program
“The Works Art & Design Festival is a great place to work with an amazing group of young and enthusiastic individuals. This is my second year in the Works to Work program, and I have learned as much as I did in my first year. The Works gave me the opportunity to develop many professional skills and build relationships that will continue throughout my career. I had a great summer!”
-- Michael Oness, Marketing, Communications and Special Events Streams, Festival 2010 and 2011
Michael attended the University of Alberta, Bachelor of Commerce Program
“Works to work is a one of a kind program that necessitates a hands-on approach to exhibit production. Through this program I have gained invaluable skills in building, installing, networking, teaching, problem solving, and much, much more. The program is fast paced and practical. It allowed me the opportunity to try things I have never done before while also recognizing my personal strengths and experience. This flexible format allowed me to gain more experience in the areas where I was most interested.”
-- Betty Jo McCarville, Production Stream, Festivals 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Betty Jo has attended Concordia University, Montreal (BFA) and St.Thomas University, Fredricton (Bed)
“I have found the Works to Work Internship Program to be valuable for the development of my professional life as an artist and arts administrator. The work is intense, but is extremely fulfilling as I get to see thousands of people, who don't normally step into a gallery, interact with art.”
-- Grace Law, Curatorial Stream, Festivals 2007, 2008, 200, 2010
Grace has attended: University of Alberta (BFA) and is currently attending Grant MacEwan University - Arts & Cultural Management Certificate Program
“The Works Art & Design Festival continues to provide me with the opportunity to stay involved and give back to the Edmonton arts community. The challenges are equal to the rewards with the memorable experiences helping shape my understanding of a working artist practice. Being a part of the team that helps organize the festival is full of continual surprises and laughs.”
-- Eric Burton, Production Stream, Festivals 2004, 2005. 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010
Eric has attended Red Deer College and the University of Alberta (BFA)
“Through my experiences with the Works to Work program I have gained a greater understanding of the setup and dismantle of a large scale international art and design festival. The hands on environment and fast pace of the festival applies all of the theoretical classroom work and problem solving skills into actual situations. In addition to all of the learning, I have met and become great friends with the many people I have worked with through the festival.”
-- Robert Harpin, Production Stream, Festivals 2008, 200, 2010
Robert has attended Grant MacEwan University and the Alberta College of Art & Design (BFA)
“Handling works of art, public speaking, working in a group, operating power tools and building things from scratch are just a few of the many things I did with the Works to Work internship last summer. It was an amazing experience that I will value for a long time, and the many friendships formed that will stay with me forever. It's the people that make the Works to Work so special!”
-- Kelsey Fraser, Production Stream, Festival 2009
Kelsey is currently attending the Alberta College of Art & Design (BFA)
“I think back to my time at The Works as my first, personal exposure to the real art world beyond art school. The Works made me get my hands dirty as part of the bigger art picture. It made me care (and learn) about other contemporary art/artists. I remember late nights, laughter, pride in our accomplishments, and community. I'm indebted to The Works; it made me a better artist.”
-- Andy Davies, Production Stream, Festival 2004, 2005
Andy has attended Red Deer College and the University of Lethbridge (BFA)
“As the festival animator I lived the festival from the inside as well as from the outside. Prior to the actual festival I worked along with the curatorial and production teams and got a grasp of what's involved in the organization of a festival of this size. During the festival days, my role was to promote the festival to the public for which I had many interesting interviews and discussions with artists, staff members and visitors and I got to visit all the exhibits and events. At night I would write my contributions for the website. Long days and short nights, but an awesome experience all together.”
-- Saskia van Alphen, Writer/Animator, Festival 2009
Saskia attended the Universidad de Palermo, Argentina (University of Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina) (BSocSc)
“I learned many useful skills relating to building gallery spaces and installing artwork. The interaction with artists was also great experience. The Works to Work program was extremely beneficial to my development as an artist and art Preparator.”
-- Tim Rechner, Production Stream, Festivals 2001, 2003
Tim attended Red Deer College and Nova Scotia School of Art & Design (BFA)
“Being a part of the Works to Work program was an incredible opportunity to prepare for graduate studies. It was a unique experience in which to do physically and creatively challenging work with an amazing group of people. There was great emphasis on professional development and personal initiative, in addition to the practical skills I learned as a part of the production team.”
-- Mandy Espezel, Production Stream, Festival 2009
Mandy has attended the University of Alberta (BFA) and currently attending the University of Lethbridge (MFA)
“My summers in The Works to Works program were full of laughter, friendships, and learning. We got to learn a diverse variety of skills and were able to put our new skill set into immediate action. It was an incredible hands on experience and a unique opportunity. We also had the opportunity to be introduced and exposed to an arts community and build life long friendships.”
-- Gina Shields, Production Stream, Festivals 2004, 2008, 2009
Gina has attended Red Deer College and Nova Scotia School of Art & Design (BFA)
“I am attending the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University, where I am in my 3rd year pursuing my Interdisciplinary Degree. I feel the Works to Work experience benefited me in the wide range of exposure to artwork, engagement with practicing artists, and time management in completing projects on schedule. I came away with confidence in myself and the skills to further my artwork and career.”
-- Lynette de Monreil - Production Stream, Festival 2009
Lynette has attended Red Deer College and currently attending Nova Scotia College of Art & Design (BFA)
"I wouldn't say that W2W changed my life but it was indeed a highlight. It was my first time to be a part in an arts festival and Works to Work gave me the taste in life that I was longing for so long in Canada. For me, the best part was being with the local artists and getting inspired by them."
-- Janella Angcaco, Marketing/Special Events Stream, Festival 2009
Janella attended the Grant MacEwan University Arts & Cultural Management Program
“Being part of the Works to Work program and playing a leadership role in the Festival has affected my life in profound ways. The learning experience, professional development and the family that forms around Festival is incomparable. Staff, volunteers and Festival goers have changed my outlook on community, involvement and the importance of the arts. The Works has helped sculpt me into the person I am today both personally and professionally.”
-- Shannon Bowler
Volunteer Stream, Festival 2009, 2010 and 2011, Shannon attended the Grant MacEwan Arts and Cultural Administration Program
“The Works Art & Design Festival was a wonderful experience filled with hands-on learning and team building camaraderie. I have gained invaluable skills that have added to my formal educations that I would not have attained through any other means. On top of the educational and practical development of my abilities I love working for the largest art and design festival in North America! I had a ton of fun! This is an opportunity for students looking to learn, develop and put into practice their skills in a real-world working environment.”
-- Glyn Evans-Percy, Marketing Stream, Festival 2009 and 2010
Glyn attended the NAIT Business Program
