CV: Lillian Loponen

Lillian Loponen

Biography Media: murals, graphic design, watercolours, acrylics With forty years of experience in the art world since 1978, the artist carries with her a polished and professional talent. Visual communication in design, computer graphics, watercolours and murals reflect a quiet power that has gained her international recognition. In the Yukon since 1979 and a mother of three sons. Born of Finnish Canadian parents, she was raised in the logging town of Longlac, Ontario. Her Finnish background connects her closely to the land and a love of the natural world. Her degree in the humanities lends sensitivity to her environment. Since 2001 her visual communication and unique atmospheric perspectives carry over into unique graphic designs fine-tuned for the clients needs. Large mural works merge her watercolour technique with the acrylic media. In 1985, her art career was highlighted by a watercolour chosen for the Diamond Jubilee Collection, 1 of 60 Canadian watercolours accepted into the Royal Collection of Drawing and Watercolours, Windsor Castle, UK.  In 2000, she had a work chosen for a CSPWC exhibition in Toronto, which chronicled the history of watercolours in Canada since 1925. In spring 2004, a 24-minute animation film with Two Winters Productions, Edmonton, was released which featured Loponen images as paint backgrounds. Major large scale works grace the Yukon Government Permanent Art Collection, City of Whitehorse, Canada Games Centre and the new Whitehorse Public Safety building. 2016 Loponen was flown to Finland to do research and development of her 2019 solo show at the Yukon Art Centre in Whitehorse granted by Yukon Government Advance Artist Award. 2016, Loponen was flown to Vancouver to talk to the Royal couple and the Prime Minister on their tour to Immigrant Service Society of BC, about a watercolour commissioned and gifted to Immigrant Service Society of BC.    
Education   EDUCATION: GRAPHIC DESIGN, DESK TOP PUBLISHING
2015    Yukon College       Creative Writing x2          
2012    Yukon College        In Design                                
2010    Yukon College        In Design                                
2009    Yukon College        Illustrator                                
2005  Yukon College        Dreamweaver                         
2004  Yukon College        Dreamweaver                        
2004    Yukon college        PowerPoint                              
2003  Yukon College       PhotoShop                                
2002  Yukon College      PhotoShop                       
1999  Simon Fraser U.   Publication Design                     
1996   U of Victoria  Communication through Exhibition
1995   U of Victoria  Exhibit Design and Installation      
1979   Grande Prairie College, AB Drawing                               
1978    Grande Prairie College AB  Design                               
1976    Grande Prairie College AB  Landscape Oils
1969    Lakehead University, Art History                                      
HUMANITIES AND INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION 2014    New Horizons: Yukon Archives                 
 Hidden History: Interview process,
1991    Yukon College/Grant MacEwan       RN Refresher Course
1972    Lakehead University                          BA Sociology/Psychology 1968    Port Arthur School of Nursing RN   		 
Design and Layout   2016    YAAW4KIDS Refugee Fundraiser      Booklet Catalogue: Ottawa auction
2007-2016    Yukon Artist at Work                   Posters and rack cards 2014            Loponenarts North – Indesign  Marketing booklets, etc. 2011-14      Yukon Commissioner of Yukon   programs, pamphlets, certificates, design exhibit panels                                                     
2009     YT   Northern Klondike Music Society     Learn By Heart CD cover
2006-12      Blood Ties, Yukon Artists @ Work    posters, rack cards, 2006   YT    City of Whitehorse panels   “Fluid Excellence” Canada Winter Games                      .                                                                                      Games 2007 2006    YT         Yukon Artist @Work Society               rack card 2005    YT         Canada Games Multiplex mural         Design, Where Dreams Begin                     2005    YT         Yukon Artist @Work Society               poster, rack card 2005    YT         Yukon Artist @Work                            Tsunami Fundraiser poster 2005    YT         Northern Town film                            poster 2004    YT         Virtual Museums of Canada, MacBride Museum web banner                                                                                       Forces of the North web banners 2004    YT        Heritage Unit YTG                              Yukon Museums web banner 2003    YT        Heritage Unit YTG                              Robert Campbell/Carmacks panels                              2003    YT        Heritage Branch YTG                          Klondike Inn Interpretive panels 2003    YT        Heritage Branch YTG                          Pelly Interpretive panels 24 x 36 2002    YT        Virtual Museums of Canada            Old Log Church web banners                                                                                                   Bishop Who Ate His Boots 2001    YT        Keno Mining  Museum, Keno          Exhibit Design & Dev. Plan 2000    YT        Binet Inter. Centre, Mayo                 Exhibit Design and Dev Plan   		 
Collections/ Murals   Murals in Acrylics * 2017     YT   *Beringia Interpretive Centre, YT Branch                  (9 x 12’) 2010      YT  *City Of Whitehorse Public Safety Building              (12 X 6’) 2010      YT  *Yukon Government Permanent Art Collection        (24 X 36”) 2006       YT *City Whitehorse Canada Games Mural (Digital)      (30 X 8’) 2006      YT  *Canada Winter Games Multiplex                                     (9 X 22’) 2003    YT    *Beringia  Interpretive Centre Diorama                   (7 X 10’)                                        2001    YT   *Transportation Museum,  Whitehorse 1924            (7’x 30’)                                                 2000    YT   *Keno Mining Museum  Exterior  Mural                 (12′ X 32′)                                                  1997    YT   *Visitors   Reception Centre, Yukon Tourism           (7′ X 15′)                                             1997    YT   *Beringia Interpretive Centre, YT Branch                (10′ X 33′)                                              1997    YT   *Museum Of Natural History, Burwash                      (5′ X 16′)                                       1996    YT    *Museum Of Natural History, Burwash                 (13′ X 17′)                                           1992    YT   *Museum Of Natural History, Burwash                  (8.5 X 21) 1992    YT   *Workmen’s Comp Permanent Collection                (5 X 7′)                                              1992    YT   *MacBride Museum,  “Ribbon    Of   Change”         (9 x 9′)                                             1989    YT    *Museum of Natural History, Burwash                     paint backgrounds   Watercolour Collections: 2006    YT      Ordainment Of Bishop Of Whitehorse:                 RC Church 1992    YT      Internat’l Congress of Circumpolar Health           watercolour            1989    YT       National Housing Conference                            16 watercolours 1988    AB      Yukon presentation gifts, Olympics in Calgary     Real Dreams 1987    YT      Andrew Philipsen Law Centre,                              Permanent Coll’n 1985    UK      The Royal Collection Windsor Castle                 watercolour 1985    YT       City of Whitehorse, Permanent Collection             watercolour  1984    YT       Yukon Art Bank, Whitehorse                                  watercolour 1982    YT       Yukon Permanent Art Collection                            watercolour 1981    ON      Crown Life Permanent Art Collection                     watercolour 1979    AB       Shell Canada Permanent Art Collection                 pen and ink 1979    AB       Alberta Art Foundation                                           watercolour 1979    AB       Fairview Art Collection                                        watercolour 1976    AB       Grande Prairie College Collection                           oils                       
Private collections       Since 1976 over 800 pieces located throughout Canada and overseas: Finland           Japan         China                 France                             Germany Austria           England       United States    Circumpolar countries     United Kingdom  
Solo and Group Exhibitions     Touring Solo Exhibition: BC, Alberta, Northwest Territories 1987-1988       Yukon Government Touring Program: 35 watercolours and poems   Major Solo Exhibitions: 1980 –numerous private solo shows 2019   YT         Yukon Art Centre (Sept 5-Nov 23)                   Kalevala: inter-art exhibition 2015   YT         Yukon College Bistro                                  Touch of Green (curated) 2013   YT         Yukon Artists @ Work                                 Timeline (curated) 2008    YT       Yukon Artists @ Work                                  Fragmented Whispers (curated) 2007    YT       Yukon Art Centre                                         Footsteps in the Snow (curated) 1997    YT       Yukon Art Centre                                                    A Sense of Place 1990    YT       Territorial Art Gallery                                  Journeys in Baffin Island 1986    YT       Art Gallery of Whitehorse Library                Apparently 1982    YT       Art Gallery of Whitehorse Library                Metaphoria                         Selected Major Group Exhibition (watercolour) 2004-17  YT      Yukon Artist @ Work                                 gallery exhibits 2010       NT      Northern Images. Yellowknife                   Artists-in-the-Park show 2009       BC     The Reach, Yukon YAAW                          members show in Abbotsford 2007-09 YT       Yukon Arts Centre                                     By These Hands 2002       YT      Yukon Arts Centre                                   Ten years of Yukon Artists 2000      Ont      Art Gallery of Mississauga                        A Brush With History  (CSPWC)   2000         Ont        Robert’s Gallery, Toronto                   Watermarks (CSPWC) 2000         Nat’l      CSPWC National Tour                         Into the Millenium  (CSPWC) 1992         YT         Yukon Art Centre                               This Time This Place 1990         Ont       O’Keefe Centre ,Toronto                      National Ballet of Canada 1988         AB         Summer Olympics YT gifts                  Real Dreams reprod’n 1988        UK         Knightsbridge, Ontario Office              Diamond Jubilee Coll’n 1987         PQ         Artist-Peintres Associe, St. Eustache  1st Canada Awards’ 1987       NS         Canada Winter Games, Sydney           Eastern Lights Festival 1986       BC         Yukon Pavilion, VIP lounge                  Expo ’86    1986       NB         Festival-by-the-Sea                          Yukon Reflections 1985       Ont        MacDonald’s Gallery,Queen’s Park     CSPWC   Diamond Jubilee                                                                                             Collection 1985      Ont         Robert’s Gallery, Annual Show           Artists’ Choice               
Publications Articles            written about the artist 2018       YT      Whitehorse Star newspaper, Jan.  5th     Jenni House residency, 2007-16  YT      What’s Up Yukon                                    numerous articles 2000    YT        Yukon News, November                         A Brush With History 1997    YT        Yukon News, October 8                                    Two points of view 1997    YT        Whitehorse Star Oct                               Nature is inspiration  to … 1992    YT        Northern Review 1992: article by Erling Friis-Baastad   Cover Artist                                                                                                  1990    YT        Yukon Public Art Gallery                         Journeys in Baffin Is. 1989    NWT    UpHere, Jan/Feb. by P.Bennett              Quiet World of Lillian Loponen-                                                                                           Stephenson b 1988    NS        NSCAD papers in Art Ed’n by L. Loponen-Stephenson Inner Sounds                                                                                           of Colour: Elements of Change 1986    YT         Whitehorse Public Library :Catalogue Apparently 1985    YT         Telestar Star, June:                                Artist tries to feel what …. 1985    YT         Whitehorse Star, June                           Viewing life through a soft lens 1985    NWT     UpHere Magazine, Nov.                         Songs of a Promise                                1982    YT         Yukon News,Nov                                   Loponen-Stephenson show wows   Publications: Book/Misc Covers 2016       BC       Immigrant Services Society                  Pamphlet page. “Where Dreams Begin” 2016       ON      YAAW4Kids catalogue                          Catalogue: Silence of Green 2015       YT       What’s Up Yukon  Apr 28                    Northern Bard: Moonlight                                                                                          Madness, 2013       YT       Celebrating Canada’s Chairmanship, The Arctic Council, calendar 2002       YT       Yukon Literacy Calendar                  2000       YT        Up From the Permafrost                     Reflections of Learning 1992    YT        Northern Writers, Beluga Publication. Offering, Yukon College              1992    YT        Northern Rev., Yukon College             Crossing Paths 1991    YT        YTG Women’s Day Calendar               Enchanted Whisperings 1982    AB          Treasury Branch Calendar                  Spirit of Past Harvest   Reproduction  (watercolour)  2016       BC        Immigrant Services Society of BC      Where Dreams Begin 2012-16YT          Loponen Arts North                          numerous images                  1990    YT            Internat’l Congress Circumpolar Health Time Before Waking 1985    YT            Yukon Art Gallery                                  Real Dreams 1975-85  AB        Alberta Ed’n, Sightlines,                       Spirit of Past Harvest                                                                 Art Cards 2000-2018  2003  Canada         Toronto Print House:  Charitable  Office Christmas card  Life Within 2003   YT                Aasman Design Whitehorse General Hospital Orange Frosting 1987   AB             Gallery West, Calgary                           Enchant            
Public Presentation & Delivery                                 2017      YT            Art House Carcross                              Talk: watercolour process 2017      YT            Ted Harrison Retreat Society               Kalevala  (MacBride Museum) 2013      YT            Yukon Artists @ Work                           Timeline 2009      YT            Yukon Teachers’ Conference               Photoshop 2009      YT            Professional Development                    Arts Underground 2009      YT            Professional Strategies in Arts              KIAC, Dawson City 2002-6YT               Cultural Tourism                                   Whitehorse, Mayo, Dawson, Keno 1999    YT            Yukon College, Mayo campus                        Retrospect 1997    YT            Yukon Art Centre Artist Talk:                 A Sense of Place 1988    YT           Native Fine Arts Symposium                Portfolios 1987    NS          Canadian S. Ed’n Through Art               Inner Sounds of Colour 1987    NS         Canada Winter Games                      Northern Silences 1986    NB         Festival-by-the-Sea                             Yukon Reflections 1985    YT           YTG Teachers Conference                   Thrive ’85, In-service 1985    YT           Yukon College                                     Creativity Seminar 1985    YT           Art Gallery of Public Library                  Water + Colour + Paper Residency Programs 2018       YT        Art Residency                                          Jenni House Artist Retreat                                               2017       YT        Ted Harrison Artist Retreat                      Crag  Lake      2016    Finland    Art Residency YT Advanced Artist Award    Koli Art Residency, N Karelia                 2008    YT          Artist In School Program                       Photoshop, Tantalus School 2008    YT          Parks Canada Artist-in-the-Park           Avvavik National Park 2004      YT         Ted Harrison Artist Retreat                      Crag  Lake      1983      AB         Fairview College Summer Art School Instructional Experience 1976-2018 Worked in various capacities (drawing, watercolours, Professional Development, Photoshop) under Arts Adventure, Artist-In-Schools, summer schools, college students, Social Services, teachers, doctors, adult population, rehabilitation groups and private tutoring.  Flown out to Yellowknife NWT (2017) and to Fairview College AB (1985) to instruct watercolour workshops. 1985 Artist-in-School Tour planned, organized, curated and delivered to Northern Klondike communities and schools.    
Volunteer   2014-                Hidden Histories Society Of Yukon              2002-2017        Volunteer with Yukon Artist At Work Co-operative 2002-2008        Yukon Artist At Work Board member 1998-2000        Keno City community Club, Sec/Treasurer 1996    YT         YRAC Board member 1985    YT         Yukon Art Council Visual Arts representative 1978    YT         Fairview Arts Society