“There is nothing I love more than seeing someone who doesn't believe they are creative discover that they can write, draw or tell a beautiful story.”
Jon loves doing workshops that help people tell their stories in their own words and pictures. His “12-page Comic Memoir Workshop” has been presented through the CBC in Halifax, Open Sky Co-op in Sackville, and at a Dr. Peter’s Centre Conference in Halifax, The Prince Rupert Arts Council in BC, and the literary festival Frye Festival, among others. Comic artist Lynda Barry is a big inspiration along with the belief that everyone is an artist.
Jon brings this same philosophy to his talks and readings, hoping to inspire the audience to connect with their creativity. In 2024, he did an illustrated talk about how a move to Moncton, New Brunswick, in 1986 at the age of 14 permanently shaped my outlook on life and art at “ Contemporary Literary Practices: Communities and Convergence,” an academic conference at l'Université de Moncton.
Please contact Jon if you would like to hire him for a workshop or presentation at your school, institution or workplace.
Selected Workshops CV
2024 5 Visual Storytelling Workshops in various public libraries, CBC, Halifax, NS
2024 Comics and Memoir Workshops: 16-week course for neurodivergent adults
between high school and the workforce, OpenSky, Sackville, NB
2023 Visual Trauma Informed Storytelling, Dr. Peters Centre Conference in Halifax, NS
2023 12-Page Memoir Workshop, Sackville Creative Commons, Sackville, NB
2022 12-Page Memoir Workshop, Frye Festival, Youth Quest, Moncton, NB
2019 Visual Storytelling, Prince Rupert Public Library, BC
Upcoming workshops and events
Thursdays at 5pm, every second week, at Cornerstone (the emergency shelter in Amherst, Nova Scotia)
Workshops on painting, drawing and comics. All materials are supplied and projects are accessible for all skill levels.
Toronto Comic Arts Festival June 7 to 8th, 10 am to 5 pm, 2025. (poster artwork by Art by Faith Erin Hicks ⋅ Colours by Lee Loughridge)
Ashley and I will be there presenting our our opioid series of zines: Rural Harm Reduction: Stories Of People Affected By The Opioid Crisis In Small Maritime Towns. Drop by to day hi and chat!
