A creative, confident, and tenacious visionary with exceptional networking skills. A community oriented individual with a strong and diverse background in strategic planning, organizational development, and communications within the cultural, voluntary, public, and private sectors.
Oil, Acrylic and Watercolour Painting, Sculpture, Collage, Drawing, Photography, and Digital Media
SOLO EXHIBITS
Variations in Landscape, Satellite Project Space, London, ON July 2024
Faggot & Other LGBTQ2+ Stories, Satellite Project Space, London, ON July 19-31, 2021
On The Edge Gallery in the Grove, Bright’s Grove, ON Nov. 3 – Dec. 7, 2013
Thames Journey Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre, Ingersoll, Ontario July - August 2011
Stories Old & New The Lotus Centre, London Ontario April 1 – 30, 2011
Male-O-Grams The Green Tomato, London, Ontario July - August 2002
Recent Paintings Galleries @ the Galleria, London, Ontario September 2001
Male-O-Grams Ruby’s, Sarnia, Ontario April 1995
From The Collection Between The Bread, London, Ontario October 1994
Male-O-Grams 99 King, London, Ontario April 1994
The Objective Subject Hillary Gallery, UWO, London, Ontario March 1992
TOURING EXHIBITS
Queer Landscapes, Queer Journeys: Reflections of LGBTQ rights and struggles in Ontario today
PrideHouse TO: Sudbury Celebrates! Open Studio | Cambrian College July 10–26, 2015
OPS Pride Network, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, ON June 2-26, 2015
GROUP EXHIBITS
Traditions Transformed Orillia Museum of Art & History, Orillia 2023
YOUphoria Propeller Gallery, Toronto 2023
Annual Pride Art Exhibit Various Locations, London, 2012-2014, 2016- 2019, 2023
You Do You King Heritage & Cultural Centre, King City 2023
New Again – Member’s Show Forest City Gallery, London, ON 2021
Be Here Be There - Member’s Show Forest City Gallery, London, ON 2020
Member Show & Sale Forest City Gallery, London, ON Dec. 6 - 20, 2019
In View of the Artist St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Gallery, St. Thomas, ON Sept. 7 - Oct. 19, 2019
Annual Pride Art Exhibit The Arts Project, London, ON July 18 - 28, 2019
Unmade Propeller Gallery, Toronto, ON June 26 - July 14, 2019
Square Foot Show 2018 Westland Gallery, London July 10 – August 9, 2019
Hip to be Square For the Love of Art/The Arts Centre, London June 13 - 21, 2019
Lost and Found - 2018 Members' Show Forest City Gallery, London, Ontario December 8 to 17, 2018
Hip to be Square For the Love of Art/The Arts Centre, London Sept. 28 – Oct. 25, 2018
6Th Annual Juried Art Exhibit The Wallaceburg and District Museum June 29 – Sept 21, 2018
Square Foot Show 2018 Westland Gallery, London July 11 – August 10, 2018
Annual Pride Art Exhibit The Arts Project, London, ON July 19-29, 2018
Past Forward: 50th Anniversary Alumni Exhibit John Labatt Visual Arts Centre, Western University Sept. 4 – 29, 2017
London Pride Annual Exhibit The Arts Project, London, Ontario July 18 – July 30, 2017
Guelph Pride Art Show 10 Carden, Guelph May 1 – 10, 2016
6Th Invitational Gallery in the Grove, Bright’s Grove, ON Jan. 17 – Feb. 27, 2016
24Th Annual Pride Art Exhibit SATELLiTE Project Space, London, ON July 21-31, 2015
London Pride Annual Exhibit 2014 The Arts Project, London, Ontario July 22 – Aug. 2, 2014
Visual Elements 56 Woodstock Art Gallery, Woodstock, ON 26 April - 25 June, 2014
The Sex Show Gallery 1313, Toronto, ON February 6-16, 2014
London Pride Annual Exhibit 2013 The Arts Project, London, Ontario (Group) July 23 – Aug. 4, 2013
60Th Anniversary Gallery Painting Group The Arts Project, London, ON March 19 – 30, 2013
Art Skate Canada The Arts Project, London, ON March 11 – 17, 2013
11Th MIP Art in the Workplace Exhibit McMaster Innovation Park, Hamilton, ON March 11 - July 18, 2013
10Th MIP Art in the Workplace Exhibit McMaster Innovation Park, Hamilton, ON 29 Nov. 2012 – 7 March 2013
VIZ BIZ (Forest City Gallery) London Arts Council, London, Ontario July 17 – September 3, 2012
London Pride 21St Annual Exhibit The Arts Project, London, Ontario July 23 – Aug. 4, 2012
Not For Sale Forest City Gallery, London, Ontario February 24 - March 2, 2012
Identity Transfer St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Gallery January 14 – March 3, 2012
Miniature Show The Art Exchange, London, Ontario Jan. 31 - Feb. 19, 2011
Miniature Show Portside Gallery, Port Stanley, Ontario Feb. 1 – 28, 2009
Miniature Show The Art Exchange, London, Ontario Feb. 2 – 21, 2009
In Good Company: Profile The Arts Project, London, Ontario October 7 – 25, 2008
Thames Revisited One Dundas Street, London, Ontario June 14 – July 27, 2008
Miniature Show The Art Exchange, London, Ontario Feb. 6 – 23, 2008
24-Hour Art-A-Thon The Arts Project, London, Ontario May 26/27, 2007
London Pride 10Th Anniversary Art Show Galleries @ the Galleria, London, Ontario June 29-July 28, 2001
Look '95 Gallery Lambton, Sarnia, Ontario Feb. 18-Mar. 19, 1995
Generating Voices 2 McIntosh Gallery, UWO, London, Ontario June 16-July 31, 1994
Merge Forest City Gallery, London, Ontario Feb. 5-26, 1994
Miniature Show Gibson's Gallery, London, Ontario Dec. 3, 1993 - Jan. 5, 1994
Miniature Show Gibson's Gallery, London, Ontario Dec. 4, 1992 - Jan. 4, 1993
Graduate Show McIntosh Gallery, UWO, London, Ontario Mar. 25-Apr. 12, 1992
PUBLIC ART, COMMISSIONS, CHARITABLE EXHIBITS / DONATED WORKS
Art on Utility Boxes – Ward 13 Neighbourhood, Children, and Fire Services, City of London 2017
5Th Annual 50/50 Exhibit and Sale Woodstock Art Gallery, Woodstock, ON Nov. 28 – Dec. 13, 2015
The Brush Off London Children’s Museum, London, ON April 30, 2015
4Th Annual 50/50 Exhibit and Sale Woodstock Art Gallery, Woodstock, ON Oct 20 – Dec. 15, 2014
Mosaic: Art, Culture, and Development Engineers Without Borders, Western University 26 March 2014
WIN/WIN Forest City Gallery, London, Ontario July 19, 2013 - August 2, 2013
The Brush Off London Children’s Museum, London, ON April 25, 2013
Participant Canada Culture Days 2010/2012/2013/2017
2nd Annual 50/50 Fundraising Exhibition Woodstock Art Gallery, Woodstock, ON Oct 20 – Dec. 15, 2012
Up With ART Unity Project, London, ON 2012
EpigenART: Epigenetics EH Conference London Arts Council & the Canadian Conference on Epigenetics April 2011
Mural Project – 351 Highview Ave. East Neighbourhood WATCH London, London, Ontario Aug. 2010
A Chair Affair Community Living London, London, Ontario 2004, 2005, 2008
Unveiling A Masterpiece Camp Wendake Fundraiser, The Arts Project, London, ON May 4 – 8, 2004
Miniature Art Draw & Exhibition Gallery Lambton, Sarnia, Ontario October 3 - 23, 1998
CURATORIAL
Inventive Women: Reinterpreting the Canadian Landscape Woodstock Art Gallery, Woodstock, Ontario Feb. 2 - March 30, 2013
London Pride 20Th Annual Exhibit 2011 The Arts Project, London, Ontario July11 - 24, 2011
London Pride Annual Exhibit 2010 Strand Fine Art, London, Ontario July 2010
London Pride Annual Exhibit 2007 - 9 Forest City Gallery, London, Ontario July 2007 - 2009
London Pride Annual Exhibit 2004 - 6 The Arts Project, London, Ontario July 2004 - 2006
London Pride Annual Exhibit 2002 - 3 Galleries @ the Galleria, London, Ontario July 2002 – 2003
COLLECTIONS
City of London & Private Collections
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Longevity as an Artist FORGE Workshop: AKIN Collective, Toronto, ON 14 Jan. 2016
Marketing 2.0 CARFAC: Webinar Series for Visual Artists Across Canada 1 Oct. 2014
Art of Recycling (Presenter) Infrastructure Ontario Property Services (CBRE), Aylmer, ON 23 Oct. 2013
Presenter: Our Changing Art World Art For All Canada 5th Annual Conference, Toronto, ON March 2013
The Business of Art: Keynote Speaker SIFE York, Schulich School of Business, York University January 2013
Building your Freelance Business: Professional Writers’ Association of Canada Toronto Chapter January 2013
Facilitator, Managing Your Brand & the Editors’ Association of Canada Toronto Branch
The Business of Art: Workshop Speaker SIFE York, Schulich School of Business, York University January 2012
ART IS: Pride Workshop Intercommunity Health Centre, London, ON July 2011
Participant / Presenter Epigenetics EH Conference, London, ON April 2011
Presenter: PR & Community Volunteerism Art For All Canada 3rd Annual Conference, Toronto, ON March 2011
Guest Speaker: Curating and Promoting The Brush and Palette Club, London, ON December 2010
Workshop Presenter: The Other 90 Percent Social Media and the Arts (SMArts) London, ON November 2010
Workshop Presenter Kids Power Conference, Investing in Children, London, ON 2005 - 2007
Celebrity Storyteller 16Th London International Children’s Festival, London, ON 2006
Guest Speaker, Writing 203F: Writing for Publication, Joe Wiebe: Instructor,
University of Western Ontario, London, ON May 2006
Computerizing Your Business Sarnia-Lambton Business Week, Sarnia, ON October 25, 1995
RELATED EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Public Relations Consultant Benedict Creative Communications, London 1993 - Ongoing
Instructor: Intro to PR & Specializations in PR Fanshawe College: Continuing Education 2011- 2015
Arts & Community Reporter The Londoner, SunMedia, London, ON 2005 - 2008
Special Events Coordinator Pillar – Voluntary Sector Network, London, ON 2003
Foundation Development Research Assistant Chatham Cultural Centre, Municipality of Chatham Kent 1999
Director of Training & Manager Academy of Learning, Sarnia, ON 1994 – 1998
Special Forces Medical Assistant Canadian Armed Forces, C.F.B. Petawawa, ON 1982 – 1988
CONSULTING, FACILITATING, & REPORT WRITING
The Business of Art: Program Consultant SIFE York, Schulich School of Business, York University 2012
Consultant on Restructuring The Brush and Palette Club, London, ON 2011
Discussion Group Facilitator Age Friendly London, City of London 2009
Stakeholder Presenter (Invited) McIntosh Gallery Strategic Planning Committee 2007
Strategic Review & Report The Brickenden Theatre Awards Organizing Committee 2007
Foundation Development Report Chatham-Kent: Community & Client Services Department 1999
Contract Liaison & Consultant Academy of Learning, Head Office, Richmond Hill, ON 1998
Lobbyist Ontario Association of Career Colleges 1995 – 1998
Contract Artist Ventratech Limited, Cambridge, ON Sept. 1992 – Feb. 1993
EDUCATION
Masters of Arts in Communication Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS 2017
Artist-Educator Foundations Course The Royal Conservatory, Toronto, ON 2012
Corporate Communications Certificate Fanshawe College, London, ON 2006
Public Relations Certificate (Post-Graduate) Fanshawe College, London, ON 2004
Director Certification Academy of Learning Head Office, Toronto, ON 1997
Facilitator Certification Academy of Learning Head Office, Toronto, ON 1995
Micro Computer Business Applications (Honours) Academy of Learning, Sarnia, ON 1995
Ontario Management Development Certificate Fanshawe College, London, ON 1994
Bachelor of Fine Arts University of Western Ontario (UWO), London, ON 1993
Bachelor of Arts (English) University of Western Ontario (UWO), London, ON 1993
Health Care Aide Certificate Fanshawe College, London, ON 1992
Ontario Secondary School Diploma Ursuline College ‘The Pines’, Chatham, ON 1982
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Member CARFAC Ontario 2010 - Current
Member Canadian Public Relations Society Hamilton 2014 - 2018
OAAG Symposium: Sustainable Economies, Regional Public Art Galleries, and Art Vibrant Scenes Ontario Association of Art Galleries 2015
Step-by-Step to Artist Residency Intergenerational LGBT Residency (Kadija de Paula) 2014
Curating from the Permanent Collection Ontario Association of Art Galleries 2014
Collaborate: Web Conferencing and Lecture Capture Fanshawe College: Continuing Education 5FEB 2014
Classroom Management Fanshawe College: Continuing Education 30 MAR 2014
Getting the Most Out of Your Evaluations Fanshawe College: Continuing Education 30 MAR 2014
Lesson Planning with Learning Needs in Mind Fanshawe College: Continuing Education 5 FEB 2013
Rubrics Fanshawe College: Continuing Education 9 JAN 2013
Conservation of Installation Art Workshop Museum London (Arianne Vanrell) 2012
Member London & Region Fund Raising Executives (LRFRE) 2011-14
Prevention of Violence & Harassment in the Workplace Employee & Manager Program, MyWebCollege.com 2010
WHIMS - General Course MyWHIMS with Professor B, MyWebCollege.com 2010
Member Professional Writers Assoc. of Canada (PWAC) 2005/2009-14
Member International Assoc. of Business Communicators 2005 - 2007
Self-Employment Benefit Program The Small Business Centre, London 24 FEB 2005
Managing and Leading on Diversity Coalition for an Inclusive Community 2003
Investment in Excellence for the ‘90’s The Pacific Institute 1997
Musculoskeletal Injuries Prevention Program Workplace Health & Safety Agency 1996
Ontario SuperHost Ontario Tourism Education Corporation 1996
Professional Sales Training The Sales Development Institute 1994
VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
London Chapter Board of Directors: Member-at-Large Professional Writers Assoc. of Canada (PWAC) 2011 - 2014
Host, Feedback on the Arts & Rainbow Radio CHRW Radio Western 94.9FM, London 2009 - 2014
Coordinator: Rainbow Youth Bursary Fund London Community Foundation, London, ON 2002 - 2014
Creative City Committee City of London 2007 - 2013
Art Exhibit Curator, Coordinator & Organizer Pride London Festival 2002 - 2012
Chair, Venue Subcommittee Jack Richardson Music Awards, London 2008 - 2010
Health & Safety Committee The Londoner, Bowes Publishers 2006 - 2008
Education & Training Committee Pillar Voluntary Sector 2005 - 2009
Valedictorian, Business Planning Workshop Small Business Centre 2005
Vice Chair, Board of Directors Forest City Gallery 2005
Founding Member Pride London Festival 2002
Events & Special Projects Sub-Committee London Race Relations Advisory Committee 2002
Media Relations Director Re-elect Dave Boushy Campaign (Provincial) 1999
Gallery Lambton Site Selection Committee Member Lambton County Culture & Communications Committee 1997
Library Board Member Lambton County Culture & Communications Committee 1994 – 1999
John Labatt Visual Arts Building Committee University of Western Ontario 1992 – 1993
Faculty of Arts Representative University of Western Ontario Student’s Council 1990 – 1993
Set Construction Talbot Theatre, UWO 1989 – 1990
Boy Scout Leader / Assistant District Commissioner Scouts Canada 1986 – 1998
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
Exhibition Assistance Grant Ontario Arts Council 2010, 2013, 2021 & 2023
Research & Creation Grant Canada Council for the Arts 2020
Community Arts Investment Program (CAIP) London Arts Council 2020
Canada Pride Citation Chief of Defense, National Defense Canada 2020
Graduate In-Course Merit Scholarship Mount Saint Vincent University 2015
Community Trail Blazer Pride London Festival 2012
Community Heritage Investment Program Grant London Heritage Council 2011
Outstanding Feedback Show 2008-2009 CHRW Radio Western, London 2009
Valedictorian, Business Planning Workshop Small Business Centre, London, 2005
Nominated Franchisee of the Year Academy of Learning, Sarnia, ON 1998
JUROR
Newfoundland Communication Award International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) 2006 & 2016
Forest City Junior & Youth Talent Search Neighbourhood Resource Association of Westminster Park 2006 - 2014
Rise 2 Fame Youth Talent Search Judge Western Fair District, London, Ontario 2012 - 2013
39Th Annual Show and Sale The Lambeth Art Association, London, Ontario April 2011
Craft Vendor Booth Juror Home County Folk Festival, London, Ontario 2006 - 2008
Expressions in Chalk The Imagon Group, London, Ontario 2006 - 2007
EDITORIAL EXPERIENCE
Fashionably Late. Unpublished Douglas Thornton 2018
The Real Moe Norman Patrick Cunningham, Author, Strathroy, Ontario 2010
ArtSCAPE Magazine London, Ontario 2009
Pride Guide & Community Directory London Pride Events Inc., London, Ontario 2002 to 2004
PUBLICATIONS
Benedict, Ben (2017). Activism and Public Relations: Then and Now (Unpublished Master's Thesis). Mount Saint Vincent University. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10587/1841
Benedict, Ben et al (2015). Queer Landscapes, Queer Journeys: Reflections of LGBTQ rights and struggles in Ontario today [Catalogue]. Toronto, ON: Ontario Public Service (OPS) Pride Network. pp. 16-17.
Benedict, Ben (2013). Inventive Women: Reinterpreting the Canadian Landscape (Guest Curator Essay). Woodstock Art Gallery. ISBN: 978-0-9881111-1-0
Acton, Wendy; Benedict, Ben; Carter, Jeff; Jefferson, Rick; Seeds, Pamela; Shirin, Joanne; Whitfield, Marion (2012). THE RAP–TAP PROGRAM © Vanier Children’s Services & Ontario Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health
PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISM EXPERIENCE
Respected professional writer and noted interviewer with over 1,000 publishing credits on arts, heritage, culture, business, and community interest beginning in 1993 including: ID Magazine, Guelph; Trends Magazine, Sarnia; Fringe Festival Reviewer, London; London Free Press, London; Trenz Magazine, London; Scene Magazine, London; mindyourmind.ca, London; AbOUT Magazine, Toronto, ON and Buffalo, NY; Q Magazine, London; ArtSCAPE Magazine, London; Outlooks Magazine, Calgary; The Londoner, London; Lake Erie Lifestyle Magazine, Erie, PA; The Beat Magazine, London; EatDrink Magazine, London; ITWorldCanada (ITBuisness.ca); and the Disaster Recovery Institute of Canada.
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE
Clients include Joseph Couture (josephcouture.com); XTRA Magazine (Toronto); Outlooks Magazine (Calgary); Lake Erie Lifestyle Magazine (Erie, PA., USA); The Londoner, Interrobang Fanshawe’s Student Voice, ArtSCAPE Magazine, The Beat Magazine, & EatDrink Magazine (London).
REVIEWS / MEDIA COVERAGE
Belanger, Joe (2021, July 28) London multi-media artist disarms hateful language in exhibition. London Free Press, P. A11
Haaf, Wendy (2017, October) You and Your Thyroid, Goodtimes.ca, pp. 18-24.
Hensen, Mike (2017, August 18) Facebook Cover Photo. The London Free Press
Horejs, Jason (2017, August 15) Is Creating Art Hard Work? http://reddotblog.com/is-creating-art-hard-work.
Belanger, Joe (2015). On the canvas: 24th annual Pride Art Exhibit, featuring 23 juried works by 19 artists. London Free Press. P. C5
Meyer, Sean (2015, July 9). Times a-changin', but coming out still isn't easy, Our London, P. 12 &28.
Morden, Paul. (2013, November 7). Rover voyage turned into art. The Observer. P. A4.
Independent Staff. (2013, October 31). Benedict’s On the EDGE show at Gallery in the Grove. The Independent. P. 8.
Metro. (2013, July 22). ‘Gradations’. Organizers proud of Pride art show. Metro News. P. 03.
Meyer, Sean. (2013, April `8). Children’s museum gives The Brush Off to typical fundraiser. London Community News. P. 12.
Grant, Amanda. (2012, July 26). Art show a matter of Pride. Metro News. P. 11.
Belanger, Joe. (2012, July 24). Creators show Pride in the arts. The London Free Press. P. D2.
Loblaw, Chris. (2012, July). Culture Pride. The Beat Magazine. PP. 20-21.
Belanger, Joe. (2011, September 30). Writers discuss their craft. London Free Press. P. C9.
Wolfe, Kym. (2011, September). Culture Days 2011. The Beat Magazine. P. 14.
Staff. (2012, July 27-29). London Pride Trail Blazers. Metro News. P. 09.
Mah, Susie. (2010, July). Pride London Art Exhibit. The Beat Magazine. P. 4.
Stewart, Beth (2008, July). Profile. ArtSCAPE Magazine. P. 8.
Matyas, Joe. (1994, June 29). Quality, style vary widely in McIntosh show. London Free Press. P. C7.
Curtis, Holly. (1994, July 14). Local Unknown Artists Getting a Foothold: Generating Voice 2, McIntosh Gallery. Scene Magazine. P. 13.