Art Education
Welcome! I’m Marie ‘Mip’ Perry, an Art Educator and Multidisciplinary Artist. This portfolio highlights my work in arts education, music, and creative programming.
- Who I Am: A seasoned art educator with a background in Visual Arts, Music, and Digital Media
- What I Do: Design and lead art programs, teach studio-based and digital arts, develop creative curriculums, and mentor students.
- My Teaching Philosophy:
“I’ve found that creativity is about navigating the space between structure and chaos – you need to know where the lines are to color outside them, build the box before thinking outside of it, and chart a course that balances discipline with discovery. As an art educator, I aim to be like a compass, helping guide students as they explore, experiment, and critically engage with their artistic expression while building foundational skills.”
Teaching & Curriculum Development
Highlighting structured arts education work
Visual Arts Educator – Global Education Academy (2016–2024)
- Designed and executed Visual Arts courses (AVI3M & AVI4M) following the Ontario Arts Curriculum.
- Facilitated studio-based exploration in painting, sculpture, printmaking, and digital media.
- Integrated the creative process (Challenging & Inspiring → Reflecting & Evaluating) to develop critical thinking.
- Supported portfolio preparation for post-secondary arts programs.
Guitar Camp Instructor – Smithers Youth Guitar Camp (2024)
- Designed and led music workshops for youth, focusing on songwriting, performance, and ensemble work.
- Created an inclusive space where all students felt supported and empowered.
Guitar Teacher – Firefly Music Lessons (2010–2024)
- Taught private and group lessons for guitar, bass, and ukulele, tailoring lessons to individual learning styles.
- Guided students through methodology books like the Hal Leonard Series to build music theory and technique.
Developed custom lesson books & digital tracking tools for student progress.
Curriculum & Teaching Tools
- Ontario Curriculum-Aligned Course Outline & Lesson Plans (AVI3M, AVI4M)
- Digital Tools: Google Classroom, Google Docs & Sheets, Zoom, Khan Academy (Art History)
- Sample Major Studio Project (MSP) Sheet – includes process instructions and digital reflection questions
Workshops & Community Engagement
- Songwriting Workshops, Intermittent, 2019 – Present
- Collaborate with other performers to share songs and songwriting tips based on a theme.
- Some festivals where I have participated in these workshops include Edge of the World Festival (Tlell, BC), ArtsWells (Wells, BC), and Springtide Music Festival (Uxbridge, ON)
- Testimonial: “With powerhouse, a la Janice Joplin, vocals and a stage presence to match, Mip brought the house down at the ArtsWells Festival. Rockin’ the crowd and filling the dance floor, she was a festival highlight for many. Please come back to ArtsWells Mip!”
– Julie Fowler, Executive and Artistic Director for the ArtsWells Music Festival and Island Mountain Arts, Wells, BC
- Host and Moderate the ‘Mip’s Underground’ Community Discord Server, Online, 2020 – Present
- An online space for people to connect and share their creative and special interests.
- Co-Hosted the Parkdale Open Mic 2016 – 2023
- Included online hosting through Instagram Live during COVID lockdowns
- Hosted and Organized ‘Holiday Hoedown’ Open Community Event, 2016 – 2020
- A community night in early December that combined musical performances, ornament crafts, and cookie decorating.
Education & Certification
- B.A. History & Political Science (With Distinction) – University of Victoria (2008)
- Specialized coursework in Art History and Creative Writing
- TESOL Certificate – Woodsworth College, University of Toronto (2016)
- Google Project Management Certification (In Progress)
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