The Wondering Artist
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What We Do
The Wondering Artist is an art education service that offers visual art activities to a variety of age groups, from toddlers, to adults, and even Mom, Pop, and Tot! The Wondering Artist is capable of hosting an assortment of visual art activities, ranging from but not limited to: private and semi-private art classes, group workshops, fundraisers, corporate events, birthday parties, and in-school or after-school programs – for private events we can even create personalized custom art activities just for you. We are a dynamic organization that operates with a variety of partners and locations, be it at the artist’s home studio, party venues, community centers, schools, or even a come-to-you in home experience! This isn’t just child’s play – feel like having a fun night in? Grab some friends, chill the wine, and call The Wondering Artist.
Our Mission
The Wondering Artist's mission is to bridge art history and art making. We use professional techniques and materials. Our aim is to explore art through open creativity and guided projects. Not only will you be left with fun memories you will also have your very own masterpiece to take home! 
Who is The Wondering Artist
Shauna Rak is the founder and creator of The Wondering Artist. She provides a novel and dynamic approach to art education through an energetic, hands-on, yet playful teaching style. Shauna has worked in various community and school settings, and has extensive teaching experience. Her playful and patient approach to teaching is inviting to not only kids but adults too! She currently holds a degree in Fashion Marketing, a BA in Therapeutic Recreation, as well as both a BFA and MA in Art Education. Get in touch to find out why everyone is talking about The Wondering Artist and schedule a date to create today!
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Awards and Fellowships
2016- McGill Graduate Excellence Award
2016- Cynthia Chambers Master’s Thesis Award in Curriculum Studies
2016 – GREAT Award – McGill University
2016- The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, DC - 1 week tenure.
2015- Krisha Starker Scholarship, Jewish Community Foundation, Montreal, QC.
2015- Max Bell Fellowship - McGill University - “Encourages the development of forward looking innovations that impact public policies and practices with an emphasis on health and wellness, education, and the environment”.
2015- Department Recruitment Fellowship, McGill University, Montreal, QC.
2015- P. Lantz Fellowship, McGill University, Montreal, QC- For excellence in education and the arts.
2015- Auschwitz Jewish Centre Fellowship. New York, NY – 4 week tenure.  
2014- Graduate Student Conference and Exhibition Award, Concordia University, Montreal, QC.
2014 - Graduate Student Mobility Award, Concordia University, Montreal, QC– 2 week tenure.

Publications
Rak, S. (In Press). Learning about curriculum through my Self: Becoming an A/R/T. Provoking Curriculum Studies: A Manifesto of Inspiration/ Imagination/ Interconnection.
Rak, S. (2017). Private-Public Installation Spaces: Spontaneous Shrines and the Studio Desk. Object medleys: Interpretive possibilities for educational research. Sense Publishers.
Ahn, C., Boschee, Hasebe-Ludt, E., J., Leggo, C., McKerracher, A., Rak, S. & Sinner, A. (In Press). When is the teacher? Reflections on social fiction, film, and life writing. Provoking Curriculum.
Rak, S. (2016). The visitor experience: A living sculpture. Auschwitz Jewish Center Journal. 
Rak, S. (2015). A new history: Family stories and the Holocaust. Canadian Art Teacher. 13(2), 34-37.
Sinner, A., & Wicks, J., Rak, S. (2015). Minding the gap: Exploring the potential of the teaching portfolio as curricular innovation. Visual Arts Research. Vol. 41, No. 1 pp. 16-26.
Costello, L., Lalonde, M., Mungiovi, S., Rak, S. & Vincent, M. (2012). The pinhole camera project. InARTE Journal 2nd Edition. Concordia University, Montreal, QC. 

Conferences
Rak, Shauna. (2016). Exploring perceptive experiences through multi-sensory learning. Association of Critical Heritage Studies. Montreal, QC.
Rak, S, Strong-Wilson, T., & Yoder, A. (2016). At memory's 'jagged borders': Multidirectionality and pedagogical responsibility in classroom teachers' explorations of post-colonial children's literature. CSSE. Calgary, AB.
Rak, Shauna (2016).  Embodying history: A multi-layered experience. ARTS Pre-Conference. CSSE. Calgary, AB.
Rak, Shauna. (2016). Sharing Bubby’s Story: Unfolding time through oral history and creative art practices. Emerging Scholars Symposium on Oral, Digital and Public history. Montreal, QC.
Ahn, C., Hasebe‐Ludt, E., Leggo, C., McKerracher, A., Rak, S., & Sinner, A. (2015).  When
Is the teacher? Reflections on social fiction, film, and life writing. Provoking Curriculum. Vancouver, BC.
Rak, S., & Walker, C. (2015). Remembering who we are: The art of life writing. Concordia Art Education Graduate Student Symposium. Montreal, QC. 
Rak, S., (2014). A new history: Family stories and the Holocaust. Canadian Society for Education through Art. Halifax, NS. 
Rak, S. & Walker, C. (2014) Puppet Masters. The Art of Transforming Communities. Concordia Art Education Graduate Student Symposium. Montreal, QC. 

 Creative Outputs 
Solo Exhibitions 
Artist & Curator. (2015). My Bubby’s Story. Galerie RCA. Montreal, QC.
Artist & Curator. (2012). Abstract Thinking. Le Cep et Le Houblon. Montreal, QC.
Group Exhibitions 
Artist (2017). Blank canvas art vernissage and auction. Eastern Bloc. Montreal, QC. 
Artist. (2016). Symposium for emerging scholars in oral, digital and public history. Centre for Oral History and Digital Storytelling. Montreal, QC.
Performer. (2014). Keep me in mind. Maison du Development Durable. Montreal, QC.
Artist. (2014). Art Education Graduate Symposium. Concordia University. Montreal, QC.
Artist & Curator. (2013). Reflections. Espace Fibre. Montreal, QC.  
Artist (2012).  “Coronary Cartography” by Veronica Sahagun. Montreal, QC.
Artist & Curator. (2012). Weird Oeuvres, Centre St. Ambroise.  Montreal, QC.
Artist. (2012). Concordia Art Education Graduate Symposium. Taking Risks. Montreal, QC. 

Research Experience
2015- 2017
Research Assistant, Post-Colonial Children’s Literature, Dr. T. Strong-Wilson. McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
  • SSHRC funded research project.
  • Research on post-colonial children’s/young adult books used in the classroom. 
  • Data collection, participating in, and helping organize: teacher research workshops and teacher inquiry groups, teacher interviews, and classroom data collection.                                                                                                 
2013-2015
Research Assistant, Art Education, DR. A. Sinner. Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec
  • Concordia SEED funded grant
  • Ethnographic research on spatial design and mobilization in the studio art classroom.
  • Field data collection and analysis.
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contact@thewonderingartist.ca
  • Home
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    • Private & Semi Private Classes
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