Brief Biography
Fern Helfand is a Photo-based Artist, Educator and Traveller. She has an Honours BA in Studio Art from York University and an MFA from the University of Florida. She taught Photography at the University of Western Ontario from 1982 - 1989 and was honoured with the opportunity of teaching Photography at the Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang, Malaysia from 1989 - 92. For 10 months after teaching she travelled and photographed in SE Asia returning to London Ontario in 1993. Fern returned to school in 1994 attending Sheridan College to learn Computer Graphics, Digital Imaging and Animation.
In 1998 after some sessional teaching positions and freelance design and illustration contracts in Ontario, Fern moved to Kelowna BC for a position at Okanagan University College, which became the University of British Columbia Okanagan in 2005. Helfand retired from UBCO in 2018
For nearly forty years Helfand has exhibited her photo-based work in group and solo exhibitions across Canada and internationally in such places as the Kelowna International Airport, The Photography Gallery, Harbourfront, Toronto, Museum London, London, Ontario, Kelowna Art Gallery, Kelowna BC, Casa de las Americas, Havana, Cuba, The National Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Penang State Museum, Penang, Malaysia and many others.
Fern never abandoned her early love of ceramics. As an undergrad in the 70's she studied with David Gilhooly who was part of California Funk Art movement. In 2021 she partnered with 3 others and opened Clayline Pottery Studio in downtown Kelowna, adding clay back to her art making repertoire.
Detailed CV
Fern Helfand is a Photo-based Artist, Educator and Traveller. She has an Honours BA in Studio Art from York University and an MFA from the University of Florida. She taught Photography at the University of Western Ontario from 1982 - 1989 and was honoured with the opportunity of teaching Photography at the Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang, Malaysia from 1989 - 92. For 10 months after teaching she travelled and photographed in SE Asia returning to London Ontario in 1993. Fern returned to school in 1994 attending Sheridan College to learn Computer Graphics, Digital Imaging and Animation.
In 1998 after some sessional teaching positions and freelance design and illustration contracts in Ontario, Fern moved to Kelowna BC for a position at Okanagan University College, which became the University of British Columbia Okanagan in 2005. Helfand retired from UBCO in 2018
For nearly forty years Helfand has exhibited her photo-based work in group and solo exhibitions across Canada and internationally in such places as the Kelowna International Airport, The Photography Gallery, Harbourfront, Toronto, Museum London, London, Ontario, Kelowna Art Gallery, Kelowna BC, Casa de las Americas, Havana, Cuba, The National Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Penang State Museum, Penang, Malaysia and many others.
Fern never abandoned her early love of ceramics. As an undergrad in the 70's she studied with David Gilhooly who was part of California Funk Art movement. In 2021 she partnered with 3 others and opened Clayline Pottery Studio in downtown Kelowna, adding clay back to her art making repertoire.
Detailed CV