Lesley Bell, the Visual Arts Department Image Resources Librarian and our longest serving staff member is retiring at the end of this week after 34 years of exemplary service.
Lesley began her relationship with Brock thirty-four years ago when she enrolled as a Major in the new Visual Arts Programme (which then operated out of a single studio). From the start Lesley was very motivated and exceptionally talented in both Art History and Studio Arts. Lesley always displayed a special fondness for detail in all her work as demonstrated in her exquisite drawings.
Her interest in Art History eventually lead to a Masters Degree in Library Science (UWO) and she returned to us in a time of need when the Librarian and Art Historian Sylvia Osterbind retired and other faculty were hired. Lesley assumed the position of Visual Arts Resource Coordinator at a critical time when images needed to be made regularly for classes by way of finding the image in a book and photographing it, then manually putting it in a slide sleeve, documenting the image and filing it. It was a very demanding job at which she excelled. Lesley also taught studio classes in drawing and assisted students with preparing their Art History presentations and papers. Over the years her job evolved to include oversight of the Brock University Art Collection and the Shawn O’Sullivan Art Gallery on the main campus. Lesley conceived and helped design the Library Commons in the new Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts where her duties expanded to include managing the equipment kiosk and supervising student monitors. At every turn Lesley was equal to the tasks assigned and she remained an integral part of the department’s success.
Lesley will be sorely missed! Thanks Lesley for all your work and dedication to the department over the years!