Courtney Sheedy

I’ve taken a bit of a long way around to becoming an artist.
 
I grew up surrounded by creativity, while hockey became an equally important part of my life. The sport brought opportunities I never expected and eventually brought me to Halifax to play varsity hockey at Dalhousie University. When it came time to choose what I wanted to study, I followed the more traditional path I thought I was supposed to take, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and later a Master of Education in Curriculum Studies for Health Professionals.
 
I found a lot of purpose in that work, particularly in mental health promotion and understanding what helps people not just cope, but feel well. Creativity found its way into that work too. Research into the connection between creative activities, flow and wellbeing gave me a very legitimate reason to host paint nights, pottery workshops and other creative programs for students.
Technically, they were for the students’ mental health. I’m fairly certain I enjoyed them just as much.
 
Art was always there. I just never really considered that it could be the path itself.
Over a decade later, I signed up for an evening painting class at NSCAD. I still remember walking through the Port Campus for the first time, past the studios overlooking the Halifax harbour, and feeling an unexpected sense of coming home. There was something about being surrounded by people making things that felt immediately familiar.
 
One class turned into another, then a portfolio, and eventually an application to the Visual Arts Certificate program. Much to my excitement, I got in.
 
Now I’m a Halifax artist and Visual Arts student at NSCAD, building my painting practice, taking commissions, learning as much as I can and seeing where this creative path takes me.

Here’s to taking the long way around.