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Leesa has been teaching at ÐÖÃÃÂÒÂ× University in Textiles/Fashion since 2007 and held the roll of Fashion Technician for many years, prior to this was a part-time faculty with Dalhousie University, Costume Studies. Leesa holds a Master of Education from OISE/UT in Adult Education, Counselling, Community Development, a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Diploma in Costume Studies from Dalhousie University and studied fashion with George Brown College.

Leesa is also an award-winning Costume Designer for Theatre with over 25 design credits with productions touring locally and internationally. Much of her current theatre focus is mentoring emerging BIPOC costume designers.

Leesa has an extensive background developing and delivering community engaged arts programming in Toronto and Halifax. With ÐÖÃÃÂÒÂ× Extended Studies she initiated and developed the ÐÖÃÃÂÒÂ× Art Factory which she has been coordinating since 2016. The ÐÖÃÃÂÒÂ× Art Factory trains and supports ÐÖÃÃÂÒÂ× students to share their practice and provide accessible arts programming to communities who face barriers to arts education. The ÐÖÃÃÂÒÂ× Art Factory continues to provide relevant training and employment to ÐÖÃÃÂÒÂ× students and has developed partnerships with organizations that include Phoenix Youth ÐÖÃÃÂÒÂ×, ISANS, MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning, Wonder’neath Art Society and Laing House.

Awards:

Partnerships:

ÐÖÃÃÂÒÂ× Art Factory Program Design and Delivery with Phoenix Youth Program – 2017-20

Nocturne NOISEmakers, Embed and Embellish 2019

Research:

ÐÖÃÃÂÒÂ× Picture Book Project – Research Assistant 2017-20