CV – Shabnam Afrand

Shabnam Afrand
شبنم افرند
Tehran- Iran

SKILLS

Ability to develop and implement creative ways for problem-solving
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills have been achieved by me while working as an instructor and sales associate professionally
Keen to learn new skills, flexible as an emerging museum professional in different roles
Proficient in Google SketchUp and AdobeSuite
Proficient in Microsoft Word & Excel
Familiar with proper care and handling of artifacts. Through research, develop a plan to address the conditions of artifacts in the collection space in relation to lighting, temperature, storage, and pests
Ability to write condition reports, collections inventory, artifact repairs/cleaning, research about the history of artifacts, and work with the collection management database software
Curatorial Practice & Mini Exhibition Development
Exhibition Planning and Installation
Concept Development & Visual Research
Visual storytelling & Narrative-based art
Documentation of Artworks
Independent Practice & Self-Initiated Projects
Teaching Abstract Expressionist painting, landscape painting, Mixed Media Painting, Acrylic Painting, and Pen & Ink Courses to adult learners, focusing on technique, creative expression, and individual artistic development
Experience in guiding students with diverse backgrounds and skill levels in a supportive studio environment

CERTIFICATE

2025: WHMIS, YOW Canada Inc
2025: Ladder training, Workplace Safety & Prevention services
2025 AODA Training
2026 Standard First Aid, CPR Level C with AED, Holmes
2025 Police Check- Vulnerable Sector
2025 Police Check-Criminal Record Check
2025 ACS-100 Accessibility Standards for Customer Service
2025 ACS-101 Focus on the person, not the disability
2025 IAS-100 General Requirements
2025 IAS-101 Human Rights Code
2025 Workplace Violence and Harassment
2025 Occupational Health and safety Training for workers in ontario

EXPERIENCE:

2014 – Present TDSBLearn4Life, Art Instructor, Mimico adult learning center, Toronto, Canada
2019 – 2025 Hudson’s Bay, Cosmetic Consultant & Designer floor sales specialist, Queen branch, Toronto, Canada
2004 -2012 Azad University, Art Instructor, Tehran, Iran

VOLUNTEER WORKS:

Oct 2025-Present Art Gallery of Peterborough, Peterborough, Canada
Sep 2025-Present Artspace, Peterborough, Canada
Sep 2025 Peterborough Museum & Archive, Peterborough, Canada
2021-2025 Open Studio, Board of Directors, Toronto, Canada
2021-2023 Open Studio, Chair of the Board, Toronto, Canada
2015-2019 Board member, (ICVA)Iranian Canadian Visual Artist, Toronto, Canada
2014-2016 YMCA, Yoga Instructor, Toronto, Canada
2013-2014 Better Living Community Center, Toronto, Canada
2013-2015 Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto, Canada

Education:

2025-Present Museum management & Curatorship, Postgraduate Diploma, Sir Sandford Fleming College, Peterborough, Canada
2017–2018 Jewelry Arts, George Brown College, Toronto, Canada ( Not completed)
1999-2002 Master of Fine Arts, Azad Art & Architecture University, Tehran, Iran
1995-1999 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Azad Art & Architecture University, Tehran, Iran

Interviews, Features & Press:

2021 Art Toronto, Article, ArtworxTO, Toronto, Canada
2021 Learn4life, Toronto District School Board, Feature, Toronto, Canada
2021 Incoming Project, Through My Eyes exhibition, Podcast, Sara Ghahremani, Hamilton INC, Hamilton, Canada
2021 Happening Festival, Artist conversation, Interview: Claudia Arena, ArtworxTo year of public art, Toronto, Canada
2020 Toronto Arts Foundation, Neighbourhood Arts Network, Interview. Toronto, Canada
2019 Toronto Arts Foundation, Neighborhood Arts Network, Toronto, Canada
2018 Toronto Arts Foundation, Neighborhood Arts Network, Toronto, Canada
2004 Iranian Artists Forum, “Painters Society Members Book ”, Tehran, Iran
2004 Iranian Artists Forum, Interview, Tehran, Iran
2003 Jame Jam Newspaper, Interview, Tehran, Iran
2003 Tavoos Magazine, Manijeh Miremadi. “Iranian Women Artist Project”, Tehran, Iran

Committees & Juries:

2021 Award Panelists, Toronto Art Foundation, Toronto, Canada
2004-2006 Research Committee, Iranian Artists Forum, Tehran, Iran
2002-2004 Education Committee, Iranian Artists Forum, Tehran, Iran

Curatorial:

2020 Artscape Youngplace, “Resilience, Redefined!”, Toronto, Canada
2018 Eran Gallery Collaboration with Arta Gallery, Toronto, Canada

Residency:

2024 Paradise Arts Residency, Damavand, Iran
2021 Full-time Assistant and Artist in Residence, Visual Art Center of Clarington, “Bodies in Conflict: Julia Rose Sutherland Exhibition, curated by Matthew Kyba, Funded by Canada Art Council, Alberta Foundation of the Arts, Clarington, Ontario, Canada
2021 UnMute, Virtual Art Residency, Toronto, Canada
2021 Arts unit, Mentor, Toronto, Canada
2020 UKAI Virtual Art Residency, Toronto, Canada

Awards, Grants, Bursaries:

2021 RBC Space Award, Toronto Arts Foundation, Toronto, Canada
2020 Newcomer Artist Mentorship Grant, Toronto Art Council, Toronto, Canada
2019 Artscape Daniels Launchpad Bursary, Toronto, Canada
2018 Artscape Daniels Launchpad, WeHub and Diversity Institute: Ryerson University Bursary, Toronto, Canada
2018 RBC Arts Access Fund, Toronto Arts Foundation, Toronto, Canada
2017 RBC Arts Access Fund, Toronto Arts Foundation, Toronto, Canada

Teaching Experience:

2014-Present Art instructor, Continuing Studies, Toronto District School Board, Toronto, Canada
2003-2012 Art Instructor, Sessional lecturer, Azad University, Islamshahr, Iran
2004-2008 Sessional lecturer, Elmi Karbordi University, Tehran, Iran
2004-2005 Sessional lecturer, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
2001- 2004 Art Instructor, Barg Art Institute, Tehran, Iran

Public Art:

2021 Hamilton INC, Tourism Hamilton (outdoor & on-site) exhibition, Incoming project: Through My Eyes, Hamilton, Canada
2021 Arts Etobicoke, Augmented Reality (AR) in the Village of Islington, ArtworxTO, Toronto, Canada
2020 StreetARToronto. Scarlet Road Concrete Barrier Project. Toronto, Canada

AUCTIONS:

2023 MyWorks Art Festival, Toronto, Canada

Art Fair:

2023 “62nd” Toronto outdoor, Toronto, Canada
2021 “60th” Toronto outdoor, Toronto, Canada

Solo Exhibition:

2022 Remote Gallery, Painting, Toronto, Canada
2021 Cloverdale Hub, Shared view “Home (Land)”: Bodies of water, Video installation, curated by Claudia Arena, ArtworxTO year of public art, Toronto, Canada
2018 Artscape Youngplace, Sculpture & Installation Exhibition “Inception, Toronto, Canada
2015 Seyhoun, Sculpture, Crown & Throne series, Tehran, Iran

Selected Group Exhibition:

2026 Artspace, Annual Juried exhibition, Sculpture & Installation, Peterborough, Canada
2025 Artspace, Mini-Mini Show, Peterborough, Canada
2024 Iranian Artists Forum Center, Chair Exhibition, Curated by Jamshid Haghighat Shenas, Tehran, Iran
2024 Propeller Art Gallery, Salon Exhibition, Toronto, Canada
2023 Swarm, Hamilton Artist Inc., Hamilton, Canada
2023 Open Studio, Artist Proof show, Toronto, Canada
2023 Long Winter Toronto Festival, Toronto, Canada
2022 Arta Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2021 Artscape Young Place, Souls in Convergence, Toronto, Canada
2021 John Aired Gallery, Online, Curated by Robert Birch, Toronto, Canada
2021 Visual Arts Mississauga, Annual Juried Member Show, Mississauga, Canada
2021 Eran Gallery, Online Exhibition: “New Era”, Painting Exhibition, Toronto, Canada
2021 The storefront Gallery at Arts Etobicoke, Annual juried exhibition, Sculpture & Installation, Toronto, Canada
2020 Hallway Gallery, Artscape Youngplace, ‘Resilience, Redefined! Installation, Toronto, Canada
2019 The Storefront Gallery at Arts Etobicoke, ‘Colours in shape,’ Curated by: Akshata Niak, Sculpture, Toronto, Canada
2019 Bathurst Cultural Centers, “Happening Community & Identity multicultural festival” Curated by: Claudia Arena, Painting, Toronto, Canada
2019 City Hall Rotunda, “Geographies of Belonging”. Curated by Claudia Arena for Toronto Arts Foundation. Photography, Toronto, Canada
2019 The Freedom Factory Gallery, “V@M”, Sculpture, Toronto, Canada
2019 John B Aird Gallery, “Unless what we take!” Curated by Eleanor Howell, Hannah Johnston, and Aline Zara. Sculpture, Toronto, Canada
2019 Steam Whistle Brewing, “Toronto Arts Foundation’s RBC Newcomer Arts Award Recipient Celebration” Sculpture, Toronto, Canada
2018 Xpace Gallery, Live your best freelance life, Sculpture, Toronto, Canada
2018 John B Aird Gallery, “My world, My Community,” Curated by Carla Garnet, Toronto, Canada
2017 Forest City Gallery, Common Goods, Curated by Matthew Kyba, London, Canada

2017 Open Studio, “Artist Proof Sale, Printmaking, Toronto, Canada
2017 1313 Gallery, “Precious Land,, Sculpture. Toronto, Canada
2017 1313 Gallery, “Where Home Is?”, Painting, Toronto, Canada
2017 Propeller Art Gallery, “The Art of Politics, Sculpture, Toronto, Canada
2016 Arta Gallery, “A Golden Glow to Light the Day, Sculpture, Toronto, Canada
2016 Propeller Art Gallery ‘’Black &White Exhibition’’,Painting,Toronto, Canada
2015 Dancemakers Center for Creation. “Dance & Design: Out There” Collaboration of Moon Horse Company & Toronto School of Art, Toronto, Canada
2015 Seyhoun Art Gallery, Zarak Collective, Small Sculptures and Wearable Objects, Sculpture, Tehran, Iran
2013 Sarpi Bridge, Milan design week: Oriental design. Sculpture, Milan, Italy
2013 Mahe Mehr Gallery,(Zarak Collective), Wearable Sculpture, Tehran, Iran
2012 Dar Al Funoon Gallery, (Parviz Tanavoli and His Students), Wearable Sculpture, Kuwait City, Kuwait
2012 SHIRIN Art Gallery, Sculpture, Tehran, Iran
2010 Azad Art Gallery collaboration with Austrian Embassy, “Hinterland” Curated by Gudrun Wallenbock, Performance & installation, Tehran, Iran
2010 Iranian Artists Forum, Momayez Gallery, Painting, Tehran, Iran
2009 Iranian Artists Forum, Momayez Gallery, Painting, Tehran, Iran
2007 Kanoon Parvaresh Fekri,(creation festival), Painting, Tehran, Iran
.2007 Iranian Artists Forum, Momayez Gallery, Painting, Tehran, Iran
2006 Niavaran Artistic Creations Foundation, Painting, Tehran, Iran
2006 Bamdad Art Gallery, Painting, Tehran, Iran
2006 Niavaran Artistic Creation Foundation, “Religion and Peace”, Tehran, Iran
2005 Iranian Artists Forum, Momayez Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2005 The Isfahan Museum of Contemporary Arts, Performance, Isfahan, Iran
2005 Seyhoun Art Gallery, Painting, Tehran, Iran.
2004 Saba Art Center,’ the 3rd International Biennial of the Islamic World’, Painting, Tehran, Iran
2004 Iranian Artists Forum,’ First New Art exhibition’, Performance & Installation, Tehran, Iran
2003 Barg Art Gallery, Painting, Tehran, Iran
2003 Aria Art Gallery, Painting, Tehran, Iran
2003 Laleh Art Gallery, Painting, Tehran, Iran
2002 Barg Art Gallery, The first Conceptual exhibition, Installation, Tehran, Iran
2002 Tehran Museum of Contemporary Arts, The 2nd New Art, Tehran, Iran
1997 Tehran Museum of Contemporary Arts, The 4th Contemporary Painting Biennial, Tehran, Iran
1996 The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Arts, The 2nd Emerging Artists exhibition, Tehran, Iran