CV · Dana McCool

Dana McCool — Interdisciplinary Artist & Writer, BFA

CV

Collectives & community membership

2025: Co-Founder — ELKDONIS ARTS
2023: International Fine Art Collectors (IFAC)
2023: “Chapel of Sacred Mirrors” Artist Collective, hosted by Alex & Allyson Grey, International.
2021: Guelph Creative Arts Association (GCAA), Guelph, ON
2020: Necessary Arts, Guelph, ON
2018: The Toronto Visionary Art Collective, Toronto, ON
2016: Mystic Arts Collective, Toronto, ON
2013: FIL Collective, Toronto, ON
2012: The Canadian Alternative Art Collective, Toronto, ON

Exhibitions & marketplaces

2025: Stanisonne Art Gallery - ’Abstract & Surrealistic Worlds' Virtual International Exhibition. May 28th Opening
2023: MKTMKT's “CRAFT” at Goldie Mill Ruins, Guelph. July 15th, 11AM - 8PM —> Facilitator for live drawing Workshop at 4PM - 5PM.
2023: BIONIC SOUNDSCAPES: The Infusion of Electronic and Organic Music, 209 Geary Ave, Toronto. June 22nd, 9pm doors open.
2023: KW Vintage Fest (hosted by St. Jacob's Antique Market), May 20th, 11-6PM
2023: MKT MKT's “Spring Market”, Royal City Park, Guelph, May 13th
2023: The Seth House - Jane's Birthday Celebration & Grand Opening, May 6-8th (Volunteer Graphic Designer for Event Poster)
2023: The Bazaar of the Bizarre, The Parkdale Hall - 1605 Queen St. W, April 29th
2023: OCAD Artist Alley, OCAD University - 100 McCaul St, Toronto. Saturday Feb 11th
2022: Visionary Market, Sunday December 11th, 2022 (same location, on site at gallery).
2022: 8th Toronto Visionary Art Exhibit, 333 Bloor St. W. Toronto (Alternity). Saturday December 10th. Exhibit runs until January 7th, 2023.
2022: Holiday Vintage Show, The Parkdale Hall (1605 Queen St. W). Sunday December 4th.
2022: HOOP-LA Art Show & Sale - Necessary Arts Collective, November 15th - December 15th, 2022. (In-person reception at 84 Wyndham St. N.)
2022: RAW Toronto Presents: “PORTAL” Showcase. Exhibition Place, Fountain Blu. Saturday October 22nd.
2022: The Ward Night Market II, 74 Ontario St, Guelph. Thursday October 6th.
2022: The Ward Night Market, “The Boathouse” @ 116 Gordon St, Guelph. Thursday September 8th.
2022: ART ON THE STREET, Downtown Guelph, June 25th & 26th
2022: Necessary Arts Collective OPEN STUDIO, 84 Wyndham St. N, June 25th & 26th
2022: Monthly Vendor with “TAKE HOME THURSDAYS” Events @ The Guelph Farmer's Market
2022: Vendor at the “KW Punk Rock Flea Market”, Rhythm & Blues Brewing Company, Cambridge, June 4th, 2022.
2022: Necessary Arts Member Show, 84 Wyndham St. N, May 17 - June 6th.
2022: The GCAA 2022 Spring Art Show & Sale, Quebec St. Mall (Downtown Guelph), April 29th, 30th and May 1st.
2021: Guelph Arts Council Emerging Artists Exhibition, University of Guelph, December 2021
2021: A Winter Wonderland - Indoor Christmas Market | Victoria Park East Golf Club, 1096 Victoria Road South, Puslinch. December 2021
2021: Witches' Night In by Creative Market Local, Victoria Park East Golf Club, 1096 Victoria Road South, Puslinch. October 30th, 2021.
2021: “MYSTERY MARKET” hosted by Mystery Vintage - 29 Peter Street, Kitchener - September 11th 2021
2021: Celebrate Toronto / Toronto Made Market - Online Event: March 6 - April 6, 2021, (as well as the following Summer Marketplace June 25th - July 25th)
2021: The Big January Sale - Virtual Craft Fair - Online Event: January 16th & 17th, 2021
2020: HOOP-LA Art Show & Sale - Necessary Arts Collective - Online Event: November 15 - December 15, 2020
2020: Quirky AF | Art Fair - Online Event: Marketplace open November 17 – 30, 2020
2020: Hexes & Jinxes Mystical Art Market, St. Thomas, ON
2020: “Universal Pharmacy” Published in Mad In America’s Online Art Gallery
2020: “Medicine Buddha Invocation” Installation on Display, The Joy Clinic, Toronto, ON
2019: Vendor at Lavinia Mabon Variety Show: Day Party Remix, Toronto, ON
2019: Vendor at Lavina Solstice: Day Party Remix, Toronto, ON
2018: Vendor at OCAD Artist Alley 2018: Holiday Edition
2018: Featured Guest Artist, The 2018 Toronto International Visionary Art Exhibit, Super Wonder Gallery, Toronto, ON
2018: OCAD University Graduate Exhibition (GradEx 103), Ontario College of Art & Design, Toronto, ON
2018: Figuratively Speaking, Artusiasm Gallery, Toronto, ON
2017: 1000 for 10 Market & Salon Exhibition, DCP Studios, Toronto, ON
2017: “CRUSH” Zine Launch & Exhibition, Glory Hole Gallery, Toronto, ON
2017: REVersion: A Figurative & Portrait Group Art Exhibition, Super Wonder Gallery, Toronto, ON
2017: The ETA Tarot Launch, Group Exhibition by Emerging Toronto Artists, Toronto Creative Events, Toronto, ON
2017: The Independents Show, Queen West Pop-Up Gallery, Toronto, ON
2017: Several Artworks on Display / Art Prints for Sale (long term) at See Scape Gallery & Bar, Toronto, ON
2016: “TEXThibit”, Ontario College of Art & Design, Toronto, ON
2016: Vendor at The Outer Limits 3, A Night of Alternative Art, See Scape, Toronto, ON
2016: Positivi-Tea, OCAD U Student Gallery, Toronto, ON
2016: Fake Geek Girls Like Us, Annex Art Centre, Toronto, ON
2016: Vendor at Mad Pride Arts Market, Butterfield Park, Toronto, ON
2016: Vendor at The Outer Limits 2, A Night of Alternative Art, See Scape, Toronto, ON
2016: Mystic Arts Collective 1 Year Anniversary Show, Ratio Bar & Gallery, Toronto, ON
2015: Vendor & Featured Artist at The Outer Limits (debut), A Night of Alternative Art, See Scape, Toronto, ON
2015: WIMA Women’s Art Exhibition, Emmanuel Park United Church, Toronto, ON
2015: Aries 27 Group Art Show & Pop Up - Curated by Lexiquette, 416 Gallery, Toronto, ON
2015: Vendor & Featured Artist at Artistic Abominations, The Devil’s Cellar, Toronto, ON
2014: Art of Imagination Opening Exhibition, Orange Gallery, Hintonberg, Toronto, ON
2014: ARTvsALT with the Canadian Alternative Art Collective, Moniker Gallery, Toronto, ON
2014: Spitting Image: Portrait & Figurative Exhibition, Moniker Gallery, Toronto, ON
2014: REVersion: A Figurative & Portrait Group Art Exhibition - Opening Reception, Moniker Gallery, Toronto, ON
2013: Audacious Woman by Fil Collective (Opening Group Art Exhibition), Brockton Collective, Toronto, ON

Workshops & teaching

2025: Instructor, “Surrealist Creative Writing: The Exquisite Corpse” - 6 week Course - Workman Arts, Toronto. (Online).
2024: Workshop Leader - Independent Offering - International Remote - Exquisite Corpse Publication & Writing Workshop (Online).
2024: Instructor, “Surrealist Methodology” - 6 week Course - Workman Arts, Toronto. (Online).
2023: Contributing Creative Director, “Tangled Art” Animated Film Initiative, Toronto — Collaborator with a group of professional artists & animators, producing a series of short films during workshops designed for professional practice among colleagues.
2023: Counsellor & Activity Leader, “Magical Arts & Crafts Camp”, Guelph — Co-Supervisor & artist's assistant to Gail Barber, lead studio Artist. Worked with children of all ages for an intensive curriculum program.
2023: Sessional Instructor, Central Technical School, 725 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON, M5S 2R5 — General Interest Night School Courses.
2019–2020: Volunteer Facilitator / Instructional Monitor - Artist25 non-profit Studio, Toronto, ON. Summer 2019 - Spring 2020 open studio sessions.

Writing & community organizing

2025: Assistant Grant Writer, Workman Arts (Remote / International)
2025: Historical & Cultural Tour Guide, Paris, Ile-de-France — Individual contracts / by consultation
2024: Creative Workshop Leader & Language Educator, Paris, Ile-De-France
2024: Independent Editor & Content Writer (Remote / International) — Individual contracts / by consultation
2023: Guest Speaker / Presentation for Bonnie Burstow's “Creative Empowerment” Course, on behalf of CAPA (Coalition Against Psychiatric Assault). February 16th, 2023.
2020: Member of the Coalition Against Psychiatric Assault (CAPA), Toronto, ON (since 2019)
2020: Activist volunteer under leadership of Dr. Bonnie Burstow, Ph.D
2020: Guest Speaker at “Crazy Talks” with facilitator Erick Fabris.
2020: Open-Forum Presentation: “Astrology, Divination and 'Madness'”, OISE, Toronto, December 3, 2019.
2019: Executive Assistant to Will Hall, PhD candidate at Maastricht University School for Mental Health And Neuroscience
2019: Research Director: Recruitment & Community outreach / Networker for the ‘World Survey on Antipsychotic Drug Withdrawal”
2017: Volunteer Organizer/Supervisor of the MAD Arts Marketplace, Toronto, ON
2017: Activist with “Mad Pride” Community 2016 onwards - 2017 Representative Chair of the Arts/Cultural Events
2017: Xpace Cultural Centre and Gallery, Toronto, ON — Writer for Exhibition: “To Whom It May Concern”, February 17 – March 24, 2017. Assistant to artists Benjamin Tova and Kendra Yee.
2016: Nuit Blanche Toronto - Volunteer Team Leader / Tour Guide for Nathan Phillips Square Installations, Toronto, ON
2016: Co-Founder, Editor and Publisher of “The Mad Times” Magazine, on behalf of the grassroots activist movement “Mad Pride”.
2016: Contributing Conceptual Artist / Team Participant in creation of “Unknotted — the OCAD U activation of Sexual Assault: The Roadshow,” a Travelling Exhibition, part of OCAD U's Diversity, Equity & Sustainability (ODESI) Faculty of Liberal Studies

Performance

2024–25: (Paris Based) Professional Life Modelling for independent artists' studios and collectives, via inquiry.
2023: Runway Model for Refaya Turshin (RT), May 1st — FASHION ART TORONTO Runway Show / Exhibition, Toronto, ON
2020: Model for NUIT Clothing Atelier (Designer)
2019: Collaborative Model for Maison Chardon & FraiseVinyl (Designer, Burlesque Performer & Director)
2019: Model for NUIT Clothing Atelier (Designer)
2019: Performer / Model in “PINS & CREAM 2”, a Fashion Experience (Art Performance) by Maison Chardon, Super Wonder Gallery, Toronto, ON
2019: Performer / Model in “Barbarians of Fashion” Runway Show / Exhibition, Super Wonder Gallery, Toronto, ON
2019: (Toronto Based) Professional Life Modelling for: Northern Contemporary Gallery, McMicheal Gallery, Forest Hill Art Club, Toronto School of Art (TSA), Kagan McLeod (Illustrator & company), Artist25 Studio, Banbury Drawing Group, Humber College Animation Program, Unionville High School
2018: Performer / Model in “The Amazing Sci-Fi Show - An Exhibition of Intergalactic Art”, Super Wonder Gallery, Toronto, ON
2018: Collaboration with “Defective Collective” (Designer)
2018: Performer / Model with Maison Chardon in FASHION ART TORONTO Runway Show / Exhibition, Toronto, ON. Featured Performance on April 24th, 2018.
2018: Performer / Model with Maison Chardon in “Fashion Shoot Extravaganza”, Daniels Spectrum, Toronto, ON
2018: Performer / Model in “PINS & CREAM - Fetish Burlesque Couture”, a Fashion Experience (Art Performance) by Maison Chardon, Super Wonder Gallery, Toronto, ON
2018: Runway Model in “Fashion Wars 5” Costume Art Exhibition, Super Wonder Gallery, Toronto, ON — in Collaboration with “Defective Collective” (Designer)
2017: Runway Model in “Fashion Wars 4” Costume Art Exhibition, Super Wonder Gallery, Toronto, ON — in Collaboration with “Spiritual Depressionism” (Designer)
2017: Performer / Model in Elizabeth Czartoryski’s “THE PERCH”: Live Performance / Art Exhibition, Mulherin Toronto (Queen St. West), Toronto, ON
2017: Performer / Model in “The Shock Show”, Super Wonder Gallery, Toronto, ON
2017: Runway Model with Defective Collective (Designer) in “Harajuku Fashion Show”, Super Wonder Gallery, Toronto, ON
2016: Several Performances — Member of the Counterpoint Community Orchestra, The 519, Toronto, ON. Cellist with 12+ years of experience.

Publications

2025: Collaborative “Exquisite Corpse” Published under the leadership of a collaborative course offering — Donated to the Toronto Zine Library.
2023: Published artwork in “Semioculus” Zine, Issue XVII, June 2023 — semioculus.com/zine
2019: Professional Model featured in “Green Issue - Canadian Hairdresser”
2019: Published photography from performances with Maison Chardon, “Fashion Shoot Extravaganza”, Daniels Spectrum, Toronto, ON.
2017: Contributing Artist to “CRUSH” Zine, Launch Issue — Official Zine of the Toronto Bi Arts Festival
2017: Featured Contribution to “The ETA Tarot” Deck, a Collaborative Product of the “Elevate/Emerging Toronto Artists” Collective
2017: University of Toronto: Comparative Literature dept./Grad Minds TRANSverse Journal — Featured artist in “Madness” Issue 16
2016: Co-Founder, Editor and Publisher of “The Mad Times” Magazine, on behalf of the grassroots activist movement “Mad Pride”.
2016: Contributing Artist to “Mouldy Banana” Zine - Toronto’s Intersectional Feminist Art Magazine, Launch / Issue 1: August 2016
2016: Cover Art Producer for 'LOFT' CAMPUS COLLECTIVE ZINE: “Sometimes I Feel Very Strange, and I Don't Know Why”, August 2016
2014: Contributing Artist to “Art Katalyst” Magazine, April 2014 Issue

Education

2023: “Fine Line Accelerator” Business / Entrepreneurship program, Toronto, ON — Graduate, Participant with the capstone project
2020: The Laing & Cooper Centre for Existential Counselling & Philosophy of Toronto — Student under seminar lecturer Stephen Tickin
2012–2020: OCAD University (Ontario College of Art & Design), BFA+ — Bachelor of Fine Art Graduate, Minor degree in Social Sciences. 3 years of experience in Material Design.
2015–2018: University of Toronto (Informal, part-time) — Religious Studies: Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health
2014: New Acropolis Toronto — Classical philosophy, Stoicism
2011–2012: Seamstress & Theatre Costume Design Apprentice — Internship under Leslie Gail-Hill, Performing Arts Professional, Independent Designer & Seamstress