LOCAL ARTIST PROFILE Candy McManiman by Peri Hayes
Candy McManiman has always been interested in art, creating outfits to decorate paper dolls, designing rooms using building blocks, painting the windows in her school for celebrations and supporting her friends in art class during her childhood: “I had that desire to create, it was always there.” After attending Teacher’s College in Stratford which led her near Algonquin Park, Candy was craving a hands-on opportunity through community college. She opted to transition to Georgian College in Barry with her three-year-old son alongside her for this journey. In her element and graduating with honours, Candy expresses, “Imagine going to school all day and doing exactly what you want to do in every class.” During her time studying in the Design Arts Program, Candy explored abundant art mediums. Upon collaborating with one of her drafting teachers for design work, Candy moved into the position of Interior Designer in Toronto for several years. Following a pivotal conversation with a school principal, Candy became a Phys-Ed teacher for Grades 1 to 5 and taught the Family Studies Program. She thoughtfully incorporated birdwatching and camping, hiking and an array of outdoor activities into her curriculum. While residing in Moosonee — south of James Bay — Candy met her spouse, Paul, an ongoing birdwatcher since his youth and a biologist in his adulthood. Candy details, “That became the subject matter of my painting skills; sketching birds, and it blossomed from there.” Candy reflects on this time in her life fondly, as she thoroughly enjoyed
the slow pace of this lifestyle; learning about the culture and appreciating her surroundings, as well as being present and self-sufficient. She highlights riding to work on a Skiff boat and how beautiful it was to raise her son in this environment, who proceeded to build his own teaching career in Japan. Residing locally in 1982, Candy worked in the Art Department at East Elgin Secondary School. She proudly reveals that Paul became Regional Ecologist for Southwestern Ontario, was knowledgeable about where the endangered trees were located and the pair then grew their own forest. They even released the first wild turkey in Norfolk County. For Candy, sharing information with others is fulfilling for her: “Not a day goes by that I feel it’s been a dull day.” Whether puttering around
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