Profile
Raheel Patel - Artist, Curator, Designer & Heritage expert.
Founder and Managing Trustee
2009 - Present | Vaarso Foundation. N.G.O, Ahmedabad, India
www.vaarso.com
Founded in 2008, Vaarso Foundation (Heritage-Culture-Tradition) is one of Gujarat’s most respected organizations devoted to civic heritage. The independent, organization devoted to city-wide heritage matters Vaarso has a reputation for groundbreaking research, publications, education and outreach programs, unique events and innovative community partnerships.
Educator/Curator - Internship
2017 | Region of Peel (PAMA) Peel Art Gallery, Museum, and Archives, Brampton, ON
Education
2016-2017 | Postgraduate in Culture and Heritage Site Management
Centennial College - Culture and Heritage Management Essentials - Municipal & Culture Planning - Public Art & Place Marketing - Financial Management and Planning - Culture and Heritage Marketing and Strategy - Grants, Fundraising and Sponsorship - Collections and Exhibit Management - Innovative Technologies - National Historic Site Management - Leadership in Culture and Heritage Sector - Issues in Heritage, Museum & Galleries - Customer Relationship Management - Story works (Exhibition Development)
Recipient of the Dean’s Award for the Entrepreneurship and Innovation into Culture and Museum Management.
2000-2004 | Bachelors of Fine Arts & Art History
Maharaja. Sayajirao. University Faculty of Fine Arts, Baroda, India
Applied Art & Art History, European Art (Mannerism to Modern), Indian Art (Mughal to Modern), Foundation Art & Graphic Design, Photography
Additional Skills
Graphic Designer
2014 - 2016 | DESIGN COMPANY, Mississauga, ON
Workshop Leader
2015 | Region of Peel School Board, Mississauga, ON
Sr. Graphic Designer, Ahmedabad, India / New Jersey USA
2007 - 2008 | INIT Design Studio,
Design Instructor
2006 - 2007 | Design Edu, Ahmedabad, India
Graphic Designer
2004 - 2005 | Qumulus Design / Navneet Publication, Ahmedabad, India
Other Community Projects:
Founder and Managing Trustee
2009 - Present | Vaarso Foundation. N.G.O, Ahmedabad, India
www.vaarso.com
Founded in 2008, Vaarso Foundation (Heritage-Culture-Tradition) is one of Gujarat’s most respected organizations devoted to civic heritage. The independent, organization devoted to city-wide heritage matters Vaarso has a reputation for groundbreaking research, publications, education and outreach programs, unique events and innovative community partnerships.
- Inherited a 350 years old heritage site and have developed a Vintage Toy Museum
- Stewardship of a collection of more than 300 vintage toys (some of them are 350 years old)
- Subject matter expert in Kreeda which uses traditional South Asian toys to promote learning and play
- Conceptualized and designed India's first “Kids Heritage Walk” for children which was considered one of the most significant projects by UNESCO (Culture Unit Delhi India) in 2012 www.KidsHeritageWalk.com
- Cultivated sponsored from Government of Gujarat to underwrite the project’s costs
- Kids Heritage Walk had achieved 25000 participants within two years.
- Created animated film and developed a character which was a part of the Kids’ Heritage Walk project to educate younger generation through the film
- Revived the history of kites and showcased the history of kites to the world 2010 - 2011 - 2012 - 2013 with a partnership with Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Government of India - Festival to host international kite flyers and a temporary museum showcasing the history of kites. Executed temporary museum at Windfest, Toronto's waterfront kite festival. Participants were more than 400 people It took place at Woodbine Beach.
- Developed Kathotsava - A storytelling festival 2013 interschool story writing festival, including Storytelling and art workshops, and Storytelling and shadow puppetry workshop
- Developed outreach activities for Heritage Week including a Vessels museum, street plays, a chair museum, a craft fair, folk dance and drama performances, and a presentation of historic music and folk songs
- Partnered with the Ahmedabad International Art Festival to create “The Toys from Heaven” Public Art Installation. This was supplemented with 19 events in 15 venues and involving 50 artists over 14 days
Educator/Curator - Internship
2017 | Region of Peel (PAMA) Peel Art Gallery, Museum, and Archives, Brampton, ON
- Worked in education, to support in-house and outreach programs.
- Developed educational programs and activities.
- Historical research on special exhibitions for the South Asian community e.g.: History of Shadow puppetry.
- Worked independently developing & creating an exhibit for a South Asian Heritage Month on historic & contemporary board games of India a special exhibition “The Art of Kreeda” an exhibition on South Asian traditional games and learning through play.
Education
2016-2017 | Postgraduate in Culture and Heritage Site Management
Centennial College - Culture and Heritage Management Essentials - Municipal & Culture Planning - Public Art & Place Marketing - Financial Management and Planning - Culture and Heritage Marketing and Strategy - Grants, Fundraising and Sponsorship - Collections and Exhibit Management - Innovative Technologies - National Historic Site Management - Leadership in Culture and Heritage Sector - Issues in Heritage, Museum & Galleries - Customer Relationship Management - Story works (Exhibition Development)
Recipient of the Dean’s Award for the Entrepreneurship and Innovation into Culture and Museum Management.
2000-2004 | Bachelors of Fine Arts & Art History
Maharaja. Sayajirao. University Faculty of Fine Arts, Baroda, India
Applied Art & Art History, European Art (Mannerism to Modern), Indian Art (Mughal to Modern), Foundation Art & Graphic Design, Photography
Additional Skills
- Innovative thinker with a creative visual design strength.
- Contemporary Art, Museum, Culture knowledge and familiarity with the theory,
- Computer applications related to the work, including Word, Excel, and
- Basic personnel, procurement and contract administration practices.
- Understanding of all the mediums of Art - Craft - Design - Exhibition.
- Develop and implement program.
- Prepare, monitor and administer programs.
- Manage Museum projects at various stages of development.
- Manage all phases of the design, fabrication, and installation of the travelling exhibits.
- Work well independently and with team members.
- Possess exceptional organizational skills, multi-task, prioritize work and meet
- critical deadlines.
- Communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing.
- Exercise sound independent judgment within established policies and guidelines.
- Be highly organized and manage time effectively.
- Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the
- the course of work.
- Communicate effectively at all levels within and outside the organization.
Graphic Designer
2014 - 2016 | DESIGN COMPANY, Mississauga, ON
- Graphic artist and design including original illustrations, branding, web design and print media (Pre and post press)
Workshop Leader
2015 | Region of Peel School Board, Mississauga, ON
- Created and delivered History of Toys and Games Workshop (hands-on making history toys) Peel Region School Mississauga. 2015
Sr. Graphic Designer, Ahmedabad, India / New Jersey USA
2007 - 2008 | INIT Design Studio,
- Project design for World Gujarati Conference ( Chalo Gujarat ) New Jersey USA
- Elements created included Conceptualization, Event Management, Visual graphic design, Theme pavilions, Promotional films, website design, Theme base cultural performances.
Design Instructor
2006 - 2007 | Design Edu, Ahmedabad, India
- Instructor of multiple course including Foundation Art, Fundamental of Art & Design
Graphic Designer
2004 - 2005 | Qumulus Design / Navneet Publication, Ahmedabad, India
- Book designer (Design - Process - Printing)
Other Community Projects:
- Workshops & resident artist camp at the City Pulse Institute of Film & Television – 2008 – 2010 – total 72 artists participated in this three years.
- Classical fusion rock show 2010 to revive traditional folk songs by making fusions and using then into modern music.
- Understanding Murals workshop 2011 for artists and art lovers – 2 workshops conducted with more than 60 participants in total.
- Treasure Hunts in the old city of Ahmedabad 2009 – 2010 – 2011 – 2012 . – Every hunt was no less than 200 people across citywide.