Norene Smiley
There’s no retirement for an artist, it’s your way of living so there’s no end to it.
– Henry Moore
Norene Smiley is a writer, artist and filmmaker, concerned with the exploration of form and subject matter with a strong narrative content.
After graduating from NSCAD in the early 70’s, Norene worked in the not-for profit sector with the elderly and persons with intellectual disabilities, and in the book publishing industry. She has volunteered in the not-for-profit arts sector in writing and publishing, and visual arts, and served on the boards of many arts organizations and book award juries, provincially and nationally. She received the Halifax Mayor’s Award for Cultural Achievement in Literature in 2002.
She has created three short films, published two books for children and contributed to a number of anthologies. As well, she has participated in many group and juried visual art shows with her watercolour and acrylic paintings in the last 22 years.
Since moving to the village of Pugwash on the North Shore of Nova Scotia in 2007, she has become involved with community development and enrichment through organizations like Pugwash Communities in Bloom and Writing on Fire – Teen Writing Experiences. She received the Governor General’s Sovereign Medal for Volunteerism in 2019. She received the Governor General’s Sovereign Medal for Volunteerism in 2019 and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pin in 2022.
Curriculum Vitae
LITERARY PUBLICATIONS:
‘Winter Yard’ in Whispers of Mermaids & Wonderful Things, Nimbus 2017
Simon & Catapult Man’s Perilous Playground Adventure, Nimbus Publishing & Child Safety Link, 2009
That Stripy Cat, Fitzhenry & Whiteside 2007
‘Winter Yard’ in Grade 6 educational text, Thomson Nelson, 2006
“Winter Yard’ in Till All the Stars Have Fallen. Toronto, Kids Can Press, 1989.
Four short stories in Open Windows. Kingston, Quarry Press, 1988.
Four short stories in The Fiddlehead. Fredericton, Autumn 1988.
Short story in Shivers in your Nightshirt. Halifax, Children's Writer's Workshop, 1986.
Poetry in Seaweed in your Stocking. Halifax, Children's Writer's Workshop, 1985.
FILM/AUDIO EXPERIENCE:
2021 – Binge-Worthy TV Course, ScreenwritingU
2021 – One New Day Documentary Program, AFCOOP
2020 – Hear Tell Podcast workshops, Visual Arts NS
Spring – Fall 2017 Short film: Maurice (writing, directing, producing)
Spring 2017 NSCAD Extension Course: Digital Documentary Shorts with Walter Forsyth
Fall 2016 AFCOOP Workshop: Editing
Spring 2015 AFCOOP Workshop: Intro to Animation
Spring 2013 Strutts Gallery Super 8 Program, Pugwash Peek-a-Boo
AFCOOP Workshops:
Documentary Form & Style with Jerry White
Developing Ideas for Documentary with Chuck Lapp
Directing Documentary with John Walker
2008
Story Workshop with Robert McKee
Screenwriting, feature The Magnetic Shield
2006
Screenwriting – feature, shorts
Screenwriting Workshop with Linda Seger
Screenwriting Workshop with Sheldon Currie
Fall 2006 CFAT Media Arts Scholarship Program, Urban Myths
Winter 2006 AFCOOP Workshops:
Set Etiquette
Strategic Design for Writers, Directors, Producers
The ARRI SRII Camera: An Introduction to Super 16mm
Sonic Wizardry
Location Sound Recording
Fall 2005 AFCOOP One-Minute Film Program, Saving the Best for Last
“ART EXHIBITIONS:
July/Aug 2022 “It Starts with a Line'” small group show, Fraser Gallery, Tatamagouche, NS
August 2021 “Domestically Modified’, Pugwash Collective, Fraser Gallery, Tatamagouche, NS
July 5 – 24, 2019 “Back to the Land” Pugwash Collective, Fraser Gallery, Tatamagouche, NS
October 5 – November 16, 2018 “Poetics” with Diane Wile-Brumm & Shannon Bell, Riverside Gallery, Oxford NS
July 2018 “The Peace Show” Pugwash Collective, The Peace Hall, Pugwash, NS
Oct-Dec 2018 “Route/Root” West Side Bistro, New Glasgow, NS, with Diane Wile Brumm, Shannon Bell
July 2017 “A Murder of Crows” Pugwash Collective, Fraser Gallery, Tatamagouche, NS
September 2016 “the rest of the story…” Pugwash Collective, Riverside Gallery, Oxford, NS
August 2014 “Lore” Pugwash Collective, Fraser Gallery, Tatamagouche, NS
August 2013 “Opposite Attractions”, Pugwash Collective, Brick House, Pugwash, NS
October 2012 Pugwash Collective, Pop-up Gallery, Pugwash, NS
July 2011 “Company Soup” Pugwash Collective, Fraser Gallery, Tatamagouche, NS
July 2011 “This is Me” VANS Regional, Fraser Gallery, Tatamagouche, NS
June 2011 “This is Me” VANS Regional, McCarthy Gallery, Truro, NS
July 2010 “Pugwash Connection”, Fraser Gallery, Tatamagouche, NS
May 2009 “Hot House” with Shannon Bell, Lunenburg Art Gallery, Lunenburg, NS
May 2008 “From Here” with Diane Wile-Brumm & Shannon Bell, Craig Gallery, Dartmouth, NS
April 2005 “Double Talk” with Diane Wile-Brumm, Craig Gallery, Dartmouth, NS
2001-2006 various group shows with Dartmouth Visual Arts Society & Painters Palette
Contemporary Art Society juried shows in 2002, 2004, 2005
2001-2005 Atlantic Seabreeze Artists at MacDonald House, Lawrencetown, NS
GALLERIES:
2010-2011 Raven’s Gallery, Tatamagouche, NS
2005-2007 Painters’ Palette Gallery, Halifax, NS
2005-2008 Art Sales & Rental, AGNS, Halifax, NS
AWARDS:
June 2022 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pin for community involvement
April 2019 Governor General’s Sovereign Award for Volunteerism
May 2006 Mayor’s Award, Contemporary Art Society Juried Show for “Wallace Bay” (acrylic)
Honourable Mention, Contemporary Art Society Juried Show for “Telling Tales” (watercolour)
Nov 2006 Best Animal Category, CSAWC Associate Juried Show for “Wilbur”, Honourable Mention for “Roly Poly” (watercolour)
May 2004 Honourable Mention, Contemporary Art Society Juried Show for “The Retreat” (watercolour)
May 2002 Mayor’s Award of Cultural Achievement in Literature, Halifax, NS
May 2002 Honourable Mention, Contemporary Art Society Juried Show for “Eating Her Words” (watercolour)
MEMBERSHIPS:
Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative
Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia
Visual Arts Nova Scotia
Friends of the Pugwash Estuary
Northumberland Arts Council
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
WFNS Mentorship Program, 2018
Communities in Bloom, Pugwash, 2007-present
Writing on Fire, Teen Writing Experience, 2013- 2021
Pugwash Multi-purpose Centre Action Committee, 2011- 2014
Friends of the Pugwash Library, 2007-present
Read by the Sea Festival, 2007- 2014
TD Children’s Book Award jury, CCBC, 2007, 2008
WFNS Mentor Jury, 2002-2008
NS Talent Trust Selection Committee 2003-2005
Dartmouth Visual Arts Society, Board of Directors 2002-2007
Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia, Board of Directors, 1990-1992,1993-1997, 1998-2001
Ann Connor Brimer Children’s Literature Award, Steering Committee 1990-present; Selection Committee 1990
Nova Scotia Children’s Literature Roundtable, Steering Committee, 1987-2001
Canadian Society of Children’s Authors Illustrators & Performers, Atlantic Representative 1993-2006
Canadian Children’s Book Centre, National Board of Directors, 1997-2003
Atlantic Liaison Officer 1989-1995, Our Choice Committee 1993
Atlantic Books Today, Board of Directors 1993
PROGRAMMING AND EVENT EXPERIENCE:
Pugwash Open Air Gallery – Art in the Park, Pugwash HarbourFest 2022
Pugwash Farmers’ Market 2017-2020
Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award, 2001-2007
The Word On The Street, Book & Magazine Fair, 1995-2000
CCBC Fundraising Roast, 2000
Co-ordinator, Children’s Book Week in Nova Scotia, 1989-1995
Co-ordinator, Brimer Bowling for Books 1993-1996
Co-ordinator, Atlantic Roundtables Conference 1991
Co-ordinator Children’s Writers’ Retreats, 1989-1999
WFNS Gala and Fundraising Auction, 1993-1997
WFNS Writes of Spring, readings and workshops 1990-1997
EMPLOYMENT:
2017-2019 Market Manager, Pugwash Farmers’ Market
2017 summer part-time staff, North Cumberland Historical Society
2001-2007 Project Co-ordinator, Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award
1995-2000 Executive Director, The Word On The Street-Halifax
1994 Woozles Children’s Bookstore, retail
1989-1995 Atlantic Liaison Officer, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
1978-present: Self-employed
2007-2015, co-owner Chatterbox Cafe, Pugwash, NS
1991-present creative writing teacher
2001- present visual artist
1985 – present writer
2002-2007 consultant, Nimbus Publishing
school presentations as author/publisher
1988-94 partner, Wildthings Press
1988 NS Book Week Co-ordinator
1978-present freelance editor, writer, journalist, researcher, facilitator, craftsperson
1989 Administrative Assistant, Atlantic Publishers Association
1981-87 Teacher, Halifax Developmental Preschool
1981 Co-ordinator/Puppeteer, “Kids on the Block”, Halifax City Rec.
1976-78 Director, Red Cross Arts & Crafts Department, Camp Hill Hospital
1972-76 Supervisor, Red Cross Arts & Crafts Department
EDUCATION:
1968-72 Bachelor of Fine Arts & Art Education, NS College of Art & Design
1966-68 English Major, University of Kings College
1965-66 Queen Elizabeth High School, Halifax NS
CONTINUING EDUCATION:
1979-present
- courses in various writing and publishing programs including The Banff Centre for Book Publishing
- art and illustration courses through NSCAD and with various local and national artists
- screenwriting: Linda Seger; Sheldon Currie, Robert McKee
2005-present
-
film, audio and screenwriting workshops: AFCOOP, CFAT, Strutts, NSCAD, VANS, ScreenwritingU