Monique Bedard (Aura) is Haudenosaunee (Oneida) artist who grew up in a small town in Southern Ontario. She has been deeply and passionately involved in visual arts for 13 years. In 2006, she began a formal study of visual arts at Fanshawe College in London, ON. After three years of studies in London, shemoved to Lethbridge, AB to complete an undergraduate degree at the University of Lethbridge. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts (Studio Art) degree in 2010 and returned to Ontario where she began instructing group art lessons with children, youth and adults.

Monique currently resides in Tkaronto as an artist and workshop facilitator. She is also a Diploma Toronto Art Therapy Candidate working on the completion of a major project titled “Our Stories Our Truths: an Art-Based Storytelling Project” Her art therapy practicum settings included: the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, Youthdale Treatment Centres, Toronto District School Board, and Anishnawbe Health Toronto with an emphasis on art as healing.

She is inspired by the healing journey: “I have the passion for community engagement, and collaboration where stories are shared through the art making process. It is my aim to empower people by focusing on our strengths. My goal is to build art projects that lead to a deep sense of understanding while connecting through unity, collaboration and transformation.”

www.auralast.wix.com/auraLast