ARTIST CV
JASON PANDA
jason@kwpanda.com | www.jasonpanda.com | @KWPanda
EDUCATION
(2005) Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
- Visual Arts & Mathematics
- Brock University, Hamilton, Ontario
(2000) Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Joint Honours: Fine Arts & Mathematics
- University of Waterloo, Waterloo Ontario
Professional Certification & Training
- (2021) Foundations of Voice-Over & Animation Process (Level 1), On The Mic Training
- (2007) Honours Specialist Visual Arts, Additional OCT Qualification
- (2005) Special Education, Part 1, Additional OCT Qualification
EXHIBITIONS
Solo Exhibitions
(2026) Connections
-
Kanata Centre, Martin Luther College, Waterloo, ON
(2020) #365Project
- Kitchener City Hall: The Cube, Kitchener, ON
(2019) Tessellations
- Kitchener City Hall: The Cube, Kitchener, ON
(2018) #365Project
- Kitchener Public Library Gallery, Kitchener, ON
Select Group Exhibitions
(2017) #Exnovation
- THEMUSEUM, Kitchener, ON
(2017) Elevate KW
- Budds Hall, Kitchener, ON
PUBLIC ART & SITE-SPECIFIC INSTALLATIONS
(2023) Waterloo Public Library Community Mural
- “Tessellated Belong Together Maple Leaves”, Waterloo, ON
(2023) Words Worth Books
- “50 Literary Icons” – Tessellation Laser Cut Design
- Words Worth Books, Waterloo, ON
(2022) Neighbourhood Picnic Table Project
- “Tessellated Butterflies” – Painted Design
- Laurelwood Park, Waterloo, ON
(2020) Hughes Lane Art Walk
- “Tessellated Waterloo Park” – Painted Design
- Uptown Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
(2017) Uptown Waterloo Laurel Creek Trail
- “14 Friends” – Tessellated Installed Path
- Uptown Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
(2017) Cherry Park Mural
- “Tessellated Fish” – Painted Design
- Cherry Park, Kitchener, ON
BIBLIOGRAPHY & PUBLICATIONS
(2021) Press/Media: CBC News
- Ghonaim, H. “How a Waterloo region mural project is bringing people together during the pandemic.” Kitchener-Waterloo, September 19.
(2021) Press/Media: CTV News
- “Local mural keeps residents in Waterloo Region connected during the pandemic.” CTV News Kitchener, September 26.
(2021) Press/Media: 570 News
- “Launching Belong Together” Kitchener Today with Brian Bourke, January
(2019) Bibliography: Magazine
- “Making an Impact.” Professionally Speaking, December.
- Discusses chalk mural project for National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
(2012 - 2016) Publication(s): Book
- Imagine A Show. Self-published. Documentation and catalog of the annual youth photography exhibition.
(2015) Publication: Book
- Pan Am Mural. Self-published. Documentation and catalog of the FASM Collaborative Mural project.
(2013) Image Usage/Publication
- Photo published with article. The New Quarterly Magazine
(2010) Publication: Book
- Talent Next Door. Featuring Artists in the Waterloo Region.
IP LICENSING & MANAGEMENT
(2024 & 2025) Stumpcraft Puzzles
- Art Product Licensing. Secured licensing agreements for two separate puzzle designs for international production and sale.
(2024) Edwin Digital Content Library (Nelson Education Ltd.)
- Educational Licensing & Publication. Tessellated art licensed for unlimited, worldwide use in all languages within Edwin, Nelson’s K-12 digital learning library (subscription-based).
COMMUNITY, EDUCATION & ARTS LEADERSHIP
Creative Direction & Organizational Management
(2024 - 2025) Juror & Selection Panelist
- Provided professional service to regional art institutions and municipal government.
- Scope: Served as an expert juror for the Cambridge Gallery and as a selection panelist for City of Kitchener Public Art proposal (evaluating feasibility and design integrity).
(2022 - Present) President: Kitchener-Waterloo Society of Artists (KWSA)
- Organizational Leadership: Provide strategic vision and oversee all operations for the local artist society (e.g., monthly meetings, governance, budgeting).
- Project Direction: Lead the executive team in planning and executing the annual exhibition calendar and community engagement initiatives to bring art to the public.
(2015) Pan Am Mural: Mattamy National Cycling Centre
- Consultant & Documentation Lead. Created the original concept and consulted on the development of the public mural commissioned by the Fine Arts Society of Milton.
- Scope: Responsible for final professional photography, marketing materials development, and publishing a book documenting the project.
(2014) #ClarasBigRide Collaborative Mural
- Design Lead & Coordinator. Designed and managed the creation of a 12′ x 8′ collaborative mural composed of 54 unique artist tiles
- Focus: Project celebrated Olympian Clara Hughes and the Bell Let’s Talk National Campaign for mental health awareness.
- Context: The final piece was a focal point at a public celebration welcoming Clara Hughes at Bingeman Park.
(2012 - 2016) Imagine A Show: Annual Youth Photography Exhibition
- Founder, Director, & Curator: Established and managed annual exhibition to showcase youth photographers (ages 0-18) from the Waterloo Region.
- Scope: Coordinated all aspects, including programming, publishing a yearly photo book, and directing formal gallery openings.
- Partners: THEMUSEUM, KW Art Gallery, Kitchener/Waterloo Public Libraries, Maker Expo, snapd KW.
(2009 - 2017) Visual Arts Department Head: Waterloo Region District School Board
- Administrative Leadership: Managed departmental budget, oversaw long-term strategic planning, and provided leadership and support for all visual arts staff and programming.
High-Impact Community Projects
(2021) Belong Together: Waterloo Region Social Art Initiative
- Founder & Lead Artist. Directed this project to address community fragmentation, focusing on shared human connection through collaborative tile art.
- Impact: Distributed over 19,000 tiles in the Waterloo Region; 5,000+ were collected and displayed, initiating ongoing public exhibitions in schools, churches, and community centers.
- Partners: CIGI, City of Kitchener, Waterloo Public Library, Idea Exchange, Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery.
(2008 - 2022) Chalk Drawing for Cancer: Annual Collaborative Mural
- Project Director & Lead Organizer. Lead an annual project involving 150+ staff and students from KCI to create a collaborative chalk mural on the sidewalks of Grand River Hospital.
- Scope: Long-term project (17 years) in support of and celebration of cancer research successes.
Educational Leadership & Practice
(2017 - 2024) Guest Speaker & Educator
- Delivered lectures and workshops focused on specialized topics (photography techniques, Photoshop, and the creative process) to various photography clubs and organizations across the Waterloo & Halton Regions, Ontario.
(2014 - 2015) Macro Class
- Co-Founder & Lead Instructor: Directed photography club providing specialized programming and social experiences for adult hobbyists.
- Scope: Developed and taught curricula focusing on DSLR techniques, photo finishing (Photoshop & Lightroom), and organizing frequent instructional photo walks.
(2005 - 2023) Teacher: Waterloo Region District School Board
- Curriculum Development: Designed and taught comprehensive curricula for Media Arts, Graphic Design, Photography, and Yearbook programs. Served as a consultant for board-wide media arts integration.
Public Engagement & Workshop Coordination
(2019) Story Tiles
- Lead Artist & Facilitator: Designed and executed this chalk-based public mural project using original tessellations and laser-cut stencils.
- Scope: Coordinated hands-on participation sessions at local festivals including Waterloo Lumens, Bestival, and Open Streets Waterloo.
(2017 - 2019) Kitchener Maker Expo
- Educational Programming: Coordinated and led hands-on, sessions focusing on creative activities (sculpture, photography, problem solving) for participants of all ages.
(2017) Waterloo Then & Now
- Coordinator & Instructor. Designed and led a youth photo walk exploring the history of Uptown Waterloo (DSLR and Photo Finishing focus).
- Partners: City of Waterloo and Waterloo Public Library.
(2016) We Are Waterloo Portrait Project
- Workshop Instructor. Developed and delivered a hands-on self-portrait workshop as part of the project’s community engagement component.
- Commissioned by: City of Waterloo.
(2013 - 2016) World Wide Photowalk Leader
- Volunteer Event Leader: Annually organized and led instructional and social photowalks for local photographers as part of an international event.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP & COMMERCIAL PRACTICE
(2022 - Present) Belong Together Tiles
- Distribution & Sales Management: Oversee all aspects of product marketing, fulfillment, and sales logistics for commercial tile orders across North America.
(2017 - Present) Complex Rooms Inc.
- Co-Founder & Lead Designer: Own and manage a commercial entertainment business focused on immersive puzzle design, non-linear narrative, and spatial problem-solving.
Jason Panda is a Graphic Artist, Photographer and Educator living and creating in Ontario, Canada. He is passionate about belonging, collaboration and connecting with art.