Buchanan, June Anne, Ph.D. – died 25 October 2017, 75 years young.
Trust your inner voice, lead by example, do no harm.
Complications following a routine medical procedure interrupted a lifetime of nurturing people, plants and animals. June would tell you that making art, sharing knowledge and working the earth gave her a state of grace and tempered her soul.
June felt a special calling to improve the lives of others, acting as a mentor and soul sister to many. She saw past circumstance to inner worth...highlighting special qualities in people, while giving them the courage and motivation to succeed.
Happenstance set the stage for a career in Art and Education in Grade 10, when June found herself instructing younger students in a one-room rural schoolhouse in eastern PEI. Part-time teaching followed in Charlottetown, Halifax and finally, rural Nova Scotia. At last, a high school classroom to call her own and the chance to develop a unique art programme that embraced school and community. June was a long-term friend to staff and students at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) where she chaired the board of directors. She remained an active painter, potter and member of Visual Arts Nova Scotia (VANS) for many years.
Touching the minds and hearts of students while making learning meaningful is how June practiced her philosophy on the relationship between art, life and art education. This became the basis for her doctoral thesis. She went on to share her insight while instructing students at the Nova Scotia Teacher’s College.
June’s dedication in ART, SOCIETY AND ART EDUCATION: RECLAIMING AN ENRICHED CONCEPT OF ART explains her motivation
For Emmaline Mossman
grandmother/sister/spirit
of the earth embodied, empowered
who showed me that women are strong
who confirmed my own womanness and
challenged me to question,
to reach for possibilities, to rejoice
For Blair, Brian, Scott and Beverly
whose love, understanding and
encouragement
strengthened me on this journey
For all of my students
who journeyed some of the way with me
especially those who will risk setting forth on
their own
June did not use social media. Former students, friends and colleagues are invited to share memories in the Comments area below.
June requested that her remains be cremated. Her family is planning to hold a celebration of life and graveside service on PEI. In lieu of flowers, consider supporting a scholarship fund in June’s name (details soon), the Guillain-Barré Syndrome Foundation of Canada: https//www.gbs-cidp.org/canada/, or anyone in need.
