Excelling with Lakeland and Inclusion Alberta

Megan Bielech followed her love of art to Lakeland College’s interior design technology (IDT) program and found a creative education, new friends and professional opportunities.

“I chose Lakeland College because I’m a good artist,” Bielech says. “I wanted to learn to draw different things, how to do shading, and about space when you’re planning for interior design.”

Bielech is taking IDT with the support of Inclusion Alberta. The non-profit works with schools, communities and post-secondaries to advocate for and support children and adults with developmental disabilities in their desire to be fully included in community life. With Inclusion Alberta’s support, students audit post-secondary programs to gain new skills related to career ambitions, meet new people and benefit from campus life.

For Bielech, the plan is working just as intended. She has learned a lot, expanded her circle of friends, and is currently completing a practicum at the Upper Level Pottery & Art Gallery in Vermilion.

“I am having a good experience at Lakeland,” Bielech says. “I get to meet a lot of people and they’re my friends. It’s nice to meet people who also like art. My instructor, Rochelle, is awesome and teaches us a lot. She supports other interior designers too.”

At the gallery, Bielech helps with assisting in updating artist displays, creating window displays, and maintaining gallery appearance.

“It’s pretty nice at the gallery,” she says. “I’ve learned a lot here and I have a lot of fun.”

Heather Millan, the owner of the Upper Level Gallery, is honoured to have Bielech’s help.

“It’s a privilege to have Megan do her practicum here at the gallery,” Millan says. “It’s fantastic that we as a community can help the college and Inclusion Alberta by working together to provide these opportunities.”

Photos: (Top) Megan Bielech at the gallery. (Bottom) Megan and Heather Millan.