Allison is a Canadian writer

I love children’s books, crafting, big families, and the NY times mini crossword puzzle.  My cookbooks are splattered with food even though I rarely follow a recipe. I cherish my summer holidays on PEI and often reminisce about my days on Haida Gwaii.  I love to write. And I try to write a bit of it all - romance, adventure, fantasy, family saga, children’s stories….I have recently started a fun kids lit newsletter, duck duck moose (subscribe!).

My writing has been published in Northword Magazine, Dote Magazine and Yes & Yes. My work has aired on Smithers Community Radio. I began writing stories about community development for Thrive and Calgary is Awesome in 2012.

I co-founded the media production company, Braid Films, which specialized in outdoor and immersive films in Canada’s Pacific Northwest. We worked with clients including Parks Canada, The Council of the Haida Nation, Destination BC and Green Coast Kayaking. The film, Eyes of Society, which I co-directed, was selected for the International Banff Mountain Film Festival, the DC Short Film Festival and aired on Air Canada’s In-Flight Entertainment.

My most recent completed abstract mixed media art explored the geometry, movement and colour palette of the Pacific Northwest. The series, Above/Below, was exhibited at the Smithers’ Art Gallery, O2 Planning & Design, and the City Building Design Gallery, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Calgary.

In addition, I’m a strategy, engagement and social impact professional with over 12 years’ experience designing, planning, and facilitating engagement projects across Canada. I hold a MSc. Management from London Business School and BScH from Queen’s University (Biology & Psychology).  I live in beautiful Bragg Creek with my family and dog Rosa.


Writing

In Print

Slow Burn, 2018, Short Story, Northword Magazine

Memory, 2018, Short Story, Northword Magazine

Haida Gwaii Housing, 2018, Northword Magazine

Strengthening Families, 2017, Northword Magazine

Above/Below Photo Essay 2017, Northword Magazine

Restoring the Balance, 2017, Northword Magazine

Piece by Piece, 2016 Spring Issue, Dote Magazine

Online

Witnessing a Monumental Pole Raising, 2019, Kits Scrubs Blog
Mini Travel Guide: Haida Gwaii, 2016 Yes And Yes
For When You're Finally Able to Connect The Dots, 2014, Thought Catalog
10+ articles, 2013 - 2015, Social Good Editor, Calgary is Awesome
10+ articles, 2013, CED Writer, Thrive Network


FILM

Eyes of Society (9:08) 
Air Canada In-Flight Entertainment, Selected for the Banff Mountain Film Festival, Explorer's Club Film Festival, The Robert Bateman Centre and DC Short Film Festival 2017


Education

Commercial Voice-Over, Six Degrees Performance
Essentials of Acting, Company of Rogues
Creative Writing Courses, University of Toronto Continuing Education
Improv Level A & B, Second City Improvisation School
MSc. Management, London Business School
BScH Biology and Psychology, Queen’s University

ART

Group Exhibits 

Above / Below - City Building Design Lab, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Calgary
Calgary,  August 2019

Above / Below - Limited Series - O2 Planning + Design
Calgary,  May - July 2019

Above / Below - Smithers Art Gallery
Smithers,  February 2019

Haida Gwaii - Queen B's Coffee House
Haida Gwaii, August 2018

Eyes of Society: Art Traditional Knowledge and the Watchmen of Haida Gwaii - The Robert Bateman Centre
Victoria, June - July 2018

Syria Film Festival Fundraiser and Art Auction
Toronto, 2017

Above / Below -  Queen B's Coffee House
Haida Gwaii, July 2017

Nature - Queen B's Coffee House
Haida Gwaii, December 2016


arts Leadership

2023- 2024 Leighton Art Centre, Board Member

2016 - 2018 Haida Gwaii Arts Council, Visual Arts Chair

2017 Haida Gwaii Museum Fundraising and Art Auction Consultant

2016 All Islands' Art Show Curator

2016 Haida Gwaii Museum Art Auction Coordinator