Projects/Volunteer

2010 to 2012

I was a councillor-at-large with the Ontario Library and Information Technology Association (OLITA). I helped to organize the yearly Digital Odyssey conference, developing new themes such as Liberation Technology, Going Mobile and Ebook (Revolution). I also was involved in creating the Tech Lending Library, to provide libraries across Ontario with an opportunity to explore new technologies.

2011

I co-organized and hosted TEDxLibrarians, the very first TEDx event specifically for librarians and information professionals, around the theme Librarians as Thought Leaders. The event received coverage in Boing Boing, the New York Times, Poets & Writers and various professional websites.

“I was challenged, thrilled, annoyed, confused, and transformed. Exactly what you want a good conference to do. … we should start thinking about doing this again. It was too much fun and too important.” – Mike Ridley, CIO and Chief Librarian, University of Guelph.

2012 to 2015

I worked with performance artist and cultural engineer Genesis Breyer P-Orridge on Thee One True TOPI Tribe, a project with the goal of creating communities and collectives organized around creativity, pandrogeny and generosity. I served as their assistant during their residency at the MoMA PS1 Summer School in 2012, also creating and editing the first issue of the project’s online journal Coum-Unity, featuring articles by Klint Finley, Vinay Gupta and Steven Johnson Leyba.

“COUM-UNITY MAGAZINE: A serious manifestation of the movement towards a genuine autonomous coumunity dedicated to experimental social units of the future”. – Genesis Breyer P-Orridge.

2016 to 2018

I developed Code X Art, a project whose goal was to help code live in the lives of people everywhere.

As part of the project I created a curriculum of multi-level, interrelated classes focused on the intersection between code, fabrication and art. I developed classes in the areas of;
1) web development and design (HTML/CSS, using frameworks and libraries, WordPress, IDE’s, UX principles)
2) fabrication and hardware (Laser-cutting, Arduino, electronics)
3) generative or interactive art (P5.js, Sonic Pi, Twine)

I successfully submitted a proposal to create Burlington Public Library’s (Ontario) first coding education partnership. I organized and taught a series of classes to older teens (ages 14-18) over several months. I went on to work with The Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship and Toronto Public Library, facilitating digital literacy and coding classes to groups of up to 20 youth aged 12 – 15. I also developed innovative curriculum, teaching coding and technology through arts based projects.

Participant reviews:

“I like how you explained everything. I’ve tried to learn JavaScript before, but it seemed too complicated so I gave up. You made it so I could understand and follow along. Good job!” Hayden.

“The keywords were reviewed constantly, easily explained, and in … a neat way. I always wanted to code, and art was an interest for me. This was a great experience.” Sarah.