Artist/ Educator- Peter MacWhirter MFA
Born in Corner Brook and raised in Halifax, Peter MacWhirter has taken a circuitous artistic path to Andora Gallery, in Liverpool, Nova Scotia. The gallery, along with printmaking and ceramic studios, is the latest addition to a renewal of the downtown’s Main Street. MacWhirter graduated from OCAD University (AOCA), Toronto, Duncan of Jordanstone College of
Art (BA Honours), Scotland, and MFA from West Virginia University, U.S.A. Later he was accepted to The London Film School, however he did not attend due to an attractive job offer in Seoul, South Korea. It was there he produced the pilot for the award winning animation series entitled, NetiBee. Earlier, while studying Sciences at Mount Allison University, he was introduced to the world renowned Zoologist, Dr. W.B. Before working with Bev Scott, MacWhirter spent a short time working as an apprentice natural history illustrator at the Royal Ontario Museum. The artist went on to illustrate many scientific publications including, The Atlantic Fishes of Canada ( U. It was at The Huntsman Marine Science Center, St. Andrews, that he designed and constructed several diorama in their museum/ aquarium. This experience led to his work in film and television. For eleven years he worked as a Key Model Maker within the Nova Scotia Film and Television industry. This included work in the areas of prop making, SFX and special make-up effects. As demand for this work lessened in Nova Scotia, he began to investigate other artistic opportunities. In 2008, the artist was appointed Assistant Professor within the Design Department at Hongik University, Seoul, South Korea. For eleven years MacWhirter helped students prepare for their lives in a broad range of artistic fields. He recently left this position for Liverpool, where he has been making as much art as possible while offering workshops in printmaking, drawing, watercolour painting and ceramics. In 2006, he initiated an international printmaking exhibition entitled, MAAPS International Printmaking Exhibition. This exhibition included artists from six nations. He continued to curate and coordinate these exhibitions while in his university teaching position, and was invited to curate more of these for the Korean Contemporary Printmakers Association (KCPA). These international exhibitions were by invitation only and traveled to multiple nations and gallery venues. Cities where the exhibitions visited include, Halifax, Toronto, Kyoto, Seoul, Beijing, Shenzhen, Boston, Miami, Dallas, Kansas City, Anchorage and Madison (USA). They also visited several venues within South Korea. The artist’s works are in public and private collections throughout the world.
