artist expressing nature
poet exploring the heart
Curriculum Vitae
Lorenda Harder BFA BEd
Lorenda is an emerging yet seasoned visual artist and poet with a passion for beauty and spiritual transformation.
CREATIVE & EDUCATIONAL
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Visual Artist
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Professional Artist with private collectors in USA (New York, Maine, Arizona, California); Canada (Toronto, Niagara Region, NB, MB, AB, BC); Great Britain; Australia
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Freelance Illustrator and Commission Artist
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Proprietor of Surfaces: murals and specialty old world finishes
Writer, Poet, Speaker
Curriculum and Public Speaking - cross-disciplinary
Three self-published, limited edition, art and poetry books
Traditionally published articles and poetry (HSLDA, MB Herald, Sophia)
Educator
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Currently: Art Tutor & Artist Mentor; Expressive Arts Educator; Curriculum Development Writer
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Until 2013 Directing Founder and Instructor of Niagara Arts Academy - Enrolment: up to 25/class
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Until 2015 Full-time Home Educator - Pre-school through High School over 25 years.
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Until 2015 Part-time/Occasional - Canadian Central Manager for Pathways for NeuroEducational Development; Volunteer work for Niagara Home Educator's Association (NHEA): Board Co-chair; Founder/Director of the HEY (Home Educated Youth) Group and NHEA's Annual Home Eduction Showcase
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Until1990 Public and Private Teacher; Winnipeg School Board, St. John's Ravenscourt, and Actor's Showcase; Camp Arnes; Parks and Recreation (Winnipeg); District School Board of Niagara, Calvary Christian School (also Vice-Principal), Ridley College (Niagara)
EDUCATION
FORMAL
BEd Bachelor of Education (Hons); 1984
The University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, CA
BFA Bachelor of Fine Arts; 1982
The University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, CA
CERTIFICATES
2026 EAC Expressive Arts Certificate, Scholistico International Accreditation (Laval, QB)
2008 CPR FIRST AID Canadian Red Cross First Aid Safety Certification (Niagara, ON)
1988 OTC (updated 2026) Ontario Teacher's Certificate, St. (Toronto, ON)
1984 PSTC Professional Secondary Teacher's Certificate (MB, ON)
1979 Certificate in Biblical Studies;1979 Torchbearers International (North Lancashire, UK)
TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS
Physical Wellness
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Child Safe Training and Police Checks (ON)
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Pathways for NeuroEducational Development Training with Founder, Sylvia Funk (AB, CA)
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Children with Exceptionalities training with Calvary School VP, Donna Jo Hewitt (ON, CA)
Mental Wellness Conferences & Training
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2020-2022 National Institute for Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICAMB) Various Trauma-Informed Workshops (Online based in CT, USA)
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2021 Hope Made Strong CMHC '21 (Jordan, ON, CA)
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2023 Emotional Health and Wellness Leadership Training with Grace Alliance founder, Joe Padillo (Online based in Waco, TX, USA)
Spiritual Development
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Kuyper Conference 2024 - A New Creation: Public Theology for Repair, Reconciliation, and Restoration with feature speaker Mako Fujimura (Ancaster, ON, CA)
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The Bethel Series Training (Daytona, FL, USA)
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Navigators 2:7 Series Training NAVPRESS (MB, CA)
SOLO EXHIBITS
The Third Chair Gallery, St. Catharines, ON - Juried
2024 Resident Light
The Third Chair Gallery, St. Catharines, ON
2024 Airing Laundered Emotions: Exploring Neurographica
The Third Chair Gallery, St. Catharines, ON - Juried
2022 Niagara Augustness
Harbour Café, St. Catharines, ON
2020-22 Growing Hope
Book Launches for Poetry and Art Integrations, Online
2021 B'reshith: In the Beginning
2020 The Wounded Christ
2019 The Mending Branch
The TAG Gallery, St. Catharines, ON
2017 Private Solo Reception
The B Gallery, St. Catharines, ON -- Juried
2018 My Life in Trees,
2017 Ocean Encounters
2015-16 Expressions
GROUP ARTS EXHIBITS
The Third Chair Gallery - St. Catharines, ON
2025 Summer Seas (Duo Show with Carla Scholtens)
The Arts & Letters Club - Toronto, Ontario
2024 Featured on the Jurors' Wall: Abiding Vines
The Third Chair Gallery, St. Catharines, ON (Juried)
2023 Multifaceted (paintings and poetry)
The Arts & Letters Club - Toronto, Ontario
2023 Featured on the Jurors' Wall: Shadowed Nebula, Into the Veil, Touch of Fall Oak
The Hub on Queen, Niagara Falls, ON (Juried)
2021 Nature Inspired Community QSAG Featured Artist (Classical Elements)
2017 Niagara Arts Showcase & Fundraiser
The B Gallery, St. Catharines, ON (Juried)
2018 The Wonder Poetry and Art; Redemptive Poetry and Art
Bethany School of Music & Arts, St. Catharines, ON (Juried)
2013-18 Annual EnKindle Arts Festival. Art exhibits and poetry performances
The TAG Gallery, St. Catharines, ON (Juried)
2016-17 Fall and Winter Group Exhibit
Fireman's Park, Niagara Falls, ON (Juried)
2017 Carmel Fine Art & Music Festival Show & Sale
ART-RELATED CHARITY & SERVICE
Founding Director, Faith Arts – www.faitharts.org
Cross-disciplinary arts organization for Christians exploring integration of faith, artistic practice, and culture care.
Jan 2022 – present (Previously co-founder and co-director, inTACT Arts Collective, 2018–2021)
Curator, Art Exhibitions
Curated exhibitions for various local art shows through Niagara Arts Academy, Bethany School of Music and Arts, and Third Chair Gallery.
2010 – present
External Juror – The Arts & Letters Club of Toronto, ON
Invited juror for this historic arts institution.
Feb–Mar 2023; Feb–Mar 2024
Artist Mentor - Guiding emerging artists toward their first solo exhibitions.
2022 – present
Fundraising & Advocacy
Fundraising support for International Justice Mission and local at-risk individuals.
2015 – present
OTHER
Past and Current Memberships: QSAG, FCA, SCA, CARFAC, CIVA, FA
Early Happy Highlights from Winnipeg, MB
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Manitoba Society of Artists (MSA) Juried Exhibit: Two Awards & Sale
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Centennial Concert Hall Art Exhibit A DUO show with my mother & artist, Elma Eidse-Neufeld
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Ceramic Workshop with Steve Repa: Artist/Co-founder of Forum Art Institute
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Studied under artists: Arnold Saper and Don Reichart (Drawing); Bill Pura and Jim Lee (Printmaking)
