Biography
Zia Foley is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Toronto. She has spent much of her adult life studying and working abroad primarily in India, and Turkey. Drawing on her experiences of living in multiple cultures, and her education in world history, international relations and language education, she uses multiple mediums to explore themes of identity, language and history.
Education
Fine Arts Studio Diploma (pending) / Centennial College, Toronto/ 2021 (expected graduation date)
Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) / University of Cambridge, EC Toronto/ Toronto, Canada/ 2011
Master of Arts in International Studies and Diplomacy / School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, London, UK/ 2009
Continuing Education Art Courses – Using Colour and Painting Fundamentals/ Emily Carr School of Art and Design, Vancouver/ 2007
Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Arts and Contemporary Studies / Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada / 2007
Exhibitions
Patterns (Online Group Exhibition) / Light Space and Time Online Art Gallery / September 1 – 30, 2020 (https://www.lightspacetime.art/patterns-art-exhibition-2020-painting-other-media/)
FAS Covid-19 Isloation Art (Online Zine Group Exhibition) Flipsnack.com/ June 2020 – Present (https://www.flipsnack.com/7865C877C6F/fas-covid-19-isolation-art/full-view.html)
Metamorphosis (Group Exhibition by Centennial College Studio Arts First Year Students) / Urban Gallery, Toronto, Canada / March 16 – April 9, 2020
Winter Stations (Outdoor Installation Design Competition and Exhibition) / Collaborative Project by RAW Design, Ferris + Associates, and Curio / Woodbine Beach, Toronto, Ontario / February 13 – March 29, 2020
FASSIE Express (Group Exhibition) / Centennial College, Story Arts Centre Campus, Toronto, Ontario / January 9 – 17, 2020
Fine Arts Studio Fall Art Fair (Group Exhibition and Art Fair) / St. Clair O’Connor Community, Toronto, Canada / November 10 ,2019
The Honest Shop (Self Service Art Store and Group Exhibition) / Museum of Contemporary Art, Toronto, Canada / May – September 2019
Echo – A Group Exhibition (Two-person Show) / Arthere Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey / August – September 2018
Collections
Out for a Stroll. Centennial College, Toronto, Canada. 2020.
Recycled Beach. Centennial College, Toronto, Canada. 2020
Who Am I? Colleges and Institutes Canada’s Head Office, Ottawa, Canada, 2020.
Private Collections in Vancouver, Toronto, Virginia Beach, Istanbul, and Nairobi
Committees
Student Representative – Fine Arts Studio Program Advisory Committee / Centennial College, Toronto, Canada/ November 2019 – Present
Publications
CICan celebrates student creativity with its 2020 Art Showcase – Colleges and Institutes Canada Website / June 24, 2020 collegesinstitutes.ca/news-centre/news-release/cican-celebrates-student-creativity-with-its-2020-art-showcase http://collegesinstitutes.ca/news-centre/news-release/cican-celebrates-student-creativity-with-its-2020-art-showcase/
Centennial Arts Students Bring Their Work to the Waterfront with Winter Stations – Centennial College Website / March 24, 2020 https://www.centennialcollege.ca/news/centennial-arts-students-bring-their-work-to-the-waterfront-with-winter-stations/
Winter Stations photo contest lets residents share how they are staying connected during COVID-19 crisis – Beach Metro / March 10, 2020 https://www.beachmetro.com/2020/03/24/winter-stations-photo-contest-lets-residents-share-how-they-are-staying-connected-during-covid-19-crisis/
In photos: the 2020 Winter Stations art installations – Now Toronto / February 17, 2020 https://nowtoronto.com/culture/art-and-design/winter-stations-2020-photos/
Winter Stations art installations unveiled at Toronto Beach – Toronto.com / February 17, 2020 https://www.toronto.com/whatson-story/9855952-winter-stations-art-installations-unveiled-at-toronto-beach/
Interviews
Centennial College Students Create Award-Winning Fine Art – Centennial College Website / July 2, 2020 https://www.centennialcollege.ca/news/centennial-college-students-create-award-winning-fine-art/
Interview on CTV News at Noon – CTV News Toronto / February 18, 2020 http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/video?binId-1.3378525
Design competition ‘Winter Stations’ open at Woodbine Beach – Global News / February 17, 2020 https://globalnews.ca/news/6560815/2020-winter-stations-woodbine-beach/
Awards
Winner of the Drawing Category in the 2020 Student Art Contest, College’s and Institutes Canada, 2020
Work Experience
Peer Supporter / Centennial College, Story Art Centre Campus, Toronto, Ontario/ March 2020 – April 2020
Studio Monitor to the Fine Arts Studio Diploma Program / Centennial College, Story Art Centre Campus, Toronto, Ontario/ January 2020 – March 2020
ESL Teacher / EF Education First, Toronto, Canada/ May – August 2019
EFL Lecturer / Department of Foreign Languages, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey/ December 2014 – December 2016
