University of Toronto & Sheridan College
Art & Art History Specialist Degree 1992-96
The UTM and Sheridan joint Art & Art History program is the longest standing partnership of its type in Canada. It combines the study of art history at UTM with studio art courses at Sheridan Institute. GPA: 4.0
AWARDS:
Golden Key National Honour Society Member (top 15% North America)
Academic Scholarship/ President's Honour Roll
D.L. Stevenson & Son Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement
Woolfitt's Art Enterprises Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement
Niagara College of Applied Arts & Technology
Arts & Design Program 1991-92
A foundation in visual arts focused on studio, communication and graphic design.
AWARDS:
Class Valedictorian
Presidential Honour Roll
Applied Arts & Health Sciences Faculty Award
Dr. Bogomila M. Welsh-Ovcharov
Professor Emeritus, History of Art, University of Toronto
To whom it may concern;
It gives me great pleasure to write on behalf of the founders of SMART SCKOOL, Mr. Jim Torma and Ms. Shelley Batcules. I have followed with great interest Jim and Shelley’s creative efforts to establish SMART SCKOOL as an alternative educational and business entity. I have specifically followed one of their programs, the Community Art Group which is based on Art, as a form of Therapy. SMART SCKOOL is an alternative basis of assistance and guidance to those who require loving and caring support beyond the present social and mental institutional means provided by today’s society.
SMART SCKOOL has been recognized by the Toronto Police, Art Gallery of Ontario, Trillium etc. as a “cutting edge” center within the community where the city’s marginalized members can seek emotional support and caring assistance via the benefits of art as an educational support based on art therapy.
SMART SCKOOL’s social contributions within the community are numerous. Many of them aim to help the disadvantaged within Toronto’s community. One such endeavour, for example, is the event, which occurs every Thursday night at The Emmanuel Howard Park United Church on Roncesvalles Avenue. Each Thursday evening SMART SCKOOL presents a free program for all in the community to come and participate in art making; reading and discussion and to partake in a four course hot meal cooked by Shelley and Jim thanks to provisions supplied by Peter’s No Frills, local business owners, farmers of Niagara and residents of the High Park/Parkdale area. Respect, moral guidance and art instructions, are offered by Jim and Shelley to help teach struggling individuals how to integrate better into the community.
Another endeavour is the partnership that SMART SCKOOL has with the Art Gallery of Ontario. SMART SCKOOL is a member of the AGO as well as a participant in the AGO’s Community Access Partnership Program. This program, in partnership with the AGO, has helped numerous people come out of their shells and begin their journey toward a new future.
Jim and Shelley’s perseverance to have SMART SCKOOL remain a needed reality within the Toronto community has come at a great personal sacrifice, both financially and time wise. However, their goal has never veered from the prime focus to ensure that SMARTSCKOOL retains a permanent place within the social, educational and business fabric of Toronto. Now SMART SCKOOL is embarking on the next phase of their development, which is the SMART SCKOOL Habitat, a learning centre, a live/work complex, marketplace and a new age form of sustainable free enterprise.
In this context, I highly recommend without reservation SMART SCKOOL, Jim Torma and Shelley Batcules’ vision is truly forward thinking.
Sincerely Yours,
Bogomila M. Welsh-Ovcharov
Professor Emeritus, History of Art, University of Toronto
