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 livign on Haida Gwaii. I love to write. And it feels like I am always trying to write something - romance, adventure, fantasy, family saga, children’s stories….I have recently started a fun kids lit newsletter - duck duck moose ( please 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