NC professor exhibiting at Niagara Pumphouse throughout November

For the month of November, Niagara College’s Game Development professor Conor MacNeill will be presenting his Canadian Myths and Legends Exhibit at the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre.

The exhibit consists of two small collections; one that explores Canadian myths and legends on a national level, and a second that explores Canadian myths and legends on a regional level looking specifically at Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The regional collection consists of portraits exploring some of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s most infamous characters. This project was done in collaboration with the Niagara Historical Society, where the intention was to explore some of the town’s most colorful legends, many of whose stories are largely unknown.

“I was born in Ireland where stories and legends are very important, and I wanted to be involved in increasing the exposure to some of the great stories of Niagara,” said MacNeill.

In addition his paintings, MacNeill’s exhibit includes two works by his four-year-old son, Declan, who draws his own interpretations of the same myths and characters.

MacNeill has worked at the College for 10 years and has been involved in the Game Development program since its beginning in 2011.

“I’ve had the opportunity to teach all the courses on the art side,” said MacNeill, regarding NC’s Game Development program. “While I enjoy teaching them all, my favorites involve character animation and 3D environment and character production.”

“Students aren’t directly involved in the show. But they help me grow as an artist every day and they inspire me more than they will probably ever know,” said MacNeill. “I’ve received a lot of encouragement on the show from students past and present, and I know a number of them plan on attending which really means a lot to me.”

An opening reception for the Canadian Myths and Legends Exhibit will be held on Nov. 2, from 7-9 p.m.   at the Niagara Pumphouse. Admission is free for the opening reception as well as the month-long exhibit.

Born in Ireland, MacNeil is a Canadian animator and Illustrator. He received his bachelor’s in Animation from Sheridan College and a master’s in Illustration from the University of Hertfordshire. He also holds a degree in Industrial design from the University of Alberta. MacNeill has worked for clients such as Disney, PBS Kids, Cocoa Puffs, Trix, Lucky Charms and Fisher Price. Prior to getting into animation, he worked in the United States as an industrial designer in the exhibit and museum industry, for clients such as The Smithsonian, Sony and the New York State Museum.