Emily Buckley
In order to better support our artists, we have enlisted videographer James Dobos to shoot introductory videos which we are posting to the website to help you get better acquainted with the diverse community that makes up A Gift of Art.
Emily Buckley
Emily Buckley is a visual artist based in the Oshawa area. She explores in the arts, alternating between painting, jewellery, textiles, and the written word. Through these media, Emily focuses on the power of the narrative, capturing stories of imagination, memory, life, connectivity, and time. Emily looks at her artwork as a way of engaging her audience in journeys of thought and inspiration. In this way, she enables other people to actively participate in the telling of stories.
As a child, Emily found comfort in being creative. Through particularly difficult life experiences, a simple pack of crayons and a colouring book could make all the difference. She could escape into beautiful dreams, worlds of her own making. The healing and personal growth that could happen here only increased as Emily ventured further into the arts. It was this healing propensity of the arts that ultimately inspired Emily in her studies.
From 2009-2011, Emily studied at Fleming College Haliburton School of the Arts (Fleming College Haliburton School of Art and Design) graduating in 2011 with a Visual and Creative Arts Diploma and certification in Painting and Drawing as well as Jewellery Essentials. These studies came with opportunities to participate in art shows at Fleming College (2010, 2011), and Rail’s End Gallery (2010).
Following her graduation from Fleming College, Emily worked as a Gallery Assistant and Summer Art Camp Counsellor at A Gift of Art, growing these roles to Co-Manager and Children’s Program Coordinator – positions that she held until 2018. Over her years at A Gift of Art, Emily has had the wonderful experience of meeting other artists, supporting their artistic endeavours, inspiring the next generation of young artists, and growing as an artist herself through various workshops, classes and groups. In addition to being a vendor in A Gift of Art’s annual summer and Christmas shows, the gallery has also supported Emily in the production of her two plays “A Common Thread” and “Fight or Flight” (the latter co-authored with Kathryn Hearl).
While working at A Gift of Art, Emily was inspired to complete further studies. From 2014-2018 Emily attended Trent University, graduating in 2018 with a BSW. Through these years, Emily expanded on her capacities for critical thinking and reflection, developing a passion for social justice. Emily is now working in her field of social work and continues to pursue her love of the arts. She always looks for ways that her two passions can be brought together.
Emily’s artwork is currently available at A Gift of Art in Newcastle. Her work can be viewed on her website or on Facebook.