Sean Whalley
Sean Whalley was born in St. Catharines Ontario. Located in the “Golden Horseshoe”, St. Catharines was once part of the largest broad leaf forest in the world, a key influence in his art work. Between a BFA from York University and a MFA at the University of Regina, Sean studied the old world technologies of blacksmithing and coopering. Leaving Ontario, he moved to Regina in 1997.Currently he works for the University of Regina as an Assistant Professor in Sculpture. In addition to teaching, he was the Associate Dean (Undergraduate) in the Faculty of Media, Art, and Performance for 4.5 years. As an artist, he has shown primarily in Saskatchewan and Ontario with several public commissions including a collaborative outdoor work with the Saskatchewan based collective PDG. Some of this works may also be found in public collections such as the Saskatchewan Arts Board's, Permanent Collection.
Part of Sean’s teaching has focused on community development and encouraging students to realize their art practice beyond the classroom. Opportunities to compete and participate in public events have been introduced into course curriculum when possible. For example, introductory and senior sculpture students have competed in the Dunlop Art Gallery and City of Regina's snow sculpture competitions, the Cathedral Arts Festival, a commission for International developer Dream and a commission to restore the Spitter Frogs on the fountain in the Regina Confederation Park.