Rhiannon Barry
My name is Rhiannon Barry, and I grew up on a rural island in Northern Ontario. Currently, I reside in the stunning Niagara Region, where I run my own business, Whimsi Art. As an independent artist, I specialize in painting acrylic on canvas and developing creative well-being programs for various client groups in social services. Additionally, I offer one-on-one services using art as a catalyst for healing. With over 12 years of experience in the social services industry, I have provided crisis support and case management to individuals while working as an employee and volunteer at several community service agencies in Niagara.
I am also a talented instructional artist who enjoys sharing my passion for painting through online tutorials and in-person classes, providing calming and mindful experiences. I hold several psychology counselling course certificates from Athabasca University.
My participation in the Niagara Falls Piano Project, #nfplayplayplay, in 2018 inspired me to participate in public art projects. This experience made me realize that people yearn for the togetherness that creative projects can offer. It motivated me to come up with new art projects that are accessible to a global audience.
After spending over a decade developing and executing art-based and therapeutic recreational programs in both social services and arts fields, in addition to a 16-year career in hospitality and special events, I founded 'Be Whimsi Art.' I decided to bring it to life as an independent and unique entity. In 2019, I participated in the Next Niagara GNCC's 'Priceless Art Auction' and won the art battle, which helped me gain recognition as a professional artist. I was chosen to show in the St. Catharines Mayor's Juried Art Exhibit in 2019-2021 and have also displayed my work in Hamilton and Niagara Falls.
In 2020, I collaborated with Links for Greener Learning on the 'Secret Garden Doors' project, which required me to use my artistic skills and social services expertise to write grants, paint, recruit artists, and coordinate, leading to the creation of a community garden and a large-scale art installation.
The same year, I rebranded my company from 'Art By Rhiannon Barry' to 'Be Whimsi Art.' With a more focused approach, my company evolved into various intentional, creative therapeutic offerings. The success of the program 'Gentle Painting' spurred the development of an online arts-based therapeutic wellness curriculum and in-person Art and Wellness retreats. You can learn more about my upcoming events and activities by visiting www.bewimsiartoft.ca.
Email: artbyrhiannonbarry@gmail.com
FB Page: Be Whimsi Art Loft
FB Group: Art By Rhiannon Barry
Insta: RhiannonBarryArt: https://www.instagram.com/rhiannonbarryart/?hl=en
Hamilton: The Artsy Crowd
Podcast: Creative Conversations-A Living Library of Resiliency: Found anywhere most
Podcasts are found, including YouTube and Spotify.
YouTube: Be Wimsi Art Loft
Podcast: Creative Conversations-A Living Library of Resiliency