MICHELLE
BYLOW
E V E N T P O R T F O L I O
I’ve spent the past two decades producing arts and culture events that bring people together through bold programming and meaningful community engagement. From curating exhibitions and performances at Moniker Gallery to leading national showcases with RAW Artists Canada, and now co-founding Public Display Agency, I’ve built a career around strategic planning, cross-sector partnerships, and artist-centered leadership. I manage budgets, oversee teams, secure media coverage, and develop initiatives that grow both audiences and impact.
LUMEN
Public Display Agency
The Parkdale Hall | May 31, 2025
A one-night-only curated showcase featuring 60+ Canadian visual artists, designers, and performers. Over 600 attendees experienced an immersive artist marketplace, fashion presentation, and live music.
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My Role:
Led the event from concept to execution. Curated talent, built partnerships, designed the audience experience, and oversaw marketing, ticketing, staffing, and onsite logistics. Provided coaching to ensure artists were fully prepped for showcasing and sales.
​Impact:
600+ attendees
60+ artist participants
Artists reported strong outcomes including sales, new client connections, and increased visibility
Post-event momentum helped grow the national event series
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Summary:
​Through Public Display Agency and RAW Artists Canada, I’ve produced large-scale, multimedia events featuring 50 to 200+ artists per show. Each event blends visual art, fashion, photography, and performance, requiring detailed curation, artist coordination, and seamless logistics. I manage everything from booking and marketing to day-of execution, consistently staying on budget while delivering high-impact, professional experiences that support both artists and audiences.
Empowerment & Development Talk Series
The Empowerment & Development Talk Series is an educational program I created and host through Public Display Agency. Launched in May 2025, the series brings together leading voices from across the arts, including internationally acclaimed fashion designers, painters, illustrators, comic artists, and art consultants. They share real-world insight with emerging and mid-career artists. Talks are offered both on Zoom and in-person, with live interviews and open Q&A that prioritize transparency, accessibility, and career growth.
My Role:​
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Program creation and monthly content planning
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Personally hosting and interviewing all guest speakers
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Securing high-level speakers through strategic outreach
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Writing all press, social, and newsletter copy
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Managing virtual event logistics and in-person production
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Promoting through our 140K+ national artist database
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Handling all communications and follow-ups
Impact:​
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200+ average attendees per session
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Four highly successful talks in the first three months
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Fully in-house funded through speaker partnerships and internal resources
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Strong post-event engagement and momentum for future talks
Summary:
This series highlights my strength in curating high-quality, high-value programming that’s both artist-driven and professionally executed. I oversee every element of the talks, from content strategy to tech, while keeping things smooth, supportive, and on-brand. It’s thoughtful, impactful programming that I’m proud to lead.
Making Masks Initiative
About the Project:
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I created and led the Making Masks Initiative, a national grassroots effort to sew and deliver reusable masks to communities in need across Canada.
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My Role:
I organized a coast-to-coast network of hundreds of volunteer mask makers and courier drivers, coordinated all logistics, and led the PR strategy. I secured national media coverage, including features on Global News Edmonton and CKUA Radio in Calgary. I also directed volunteers to film their deliveries to retirement homes and shelters, allowing us to build a strong social media presence and boost community engagement in real time.
Impact:
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15,000+ masks delivered across Canada
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Hundreds of volunteers mobilized nationwide
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National media coverage secured
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Heartfelt delivery footage shared widely across social media
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Summary:
This project highlights my ability to mobilize large volunteer teams, manage logistics across regions, and lead mission-based campaigns with heart and strategy. It also demonstrates my strength in writing press releases that get picked up and securing meaningful media coverage at both local and national levels.
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Media Coverage:
PRESS & MEDIA WRITING
Clear, compelling writing is at the core of my work — from securing national press coverage to crafting stories that resonate with both local and global audiences. Below are two examples of press copy I wrote that were published in respected outlets.
Vernon Artist Michelle Bylow Champions National Art Network in Okanagan
Vernon Morning Star
May 8th, 2025
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This article introduced PDA’s first Kelowna event and was published word-for-word from my press release. It highlights our mission to support Canadian artists through multidisciplinary events and my personal connection to the Okanagan as a Vernon-based producer. It also served as a call for artist applications and helped build momentum for our regional launch.
Public Display Agency Launches to Empower Canadian Artists
The Globe and Mail
March 25th, 2025
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This feature highlights the mission and national scope of Public Display Agency. While published as part of a paid media placement, the content was entirely written and developed by me to spotlight our commitment to accessible, artist-led programming across Canada.
SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT & STRATEGY
I manage all social media for Public Display Agency, creating and publishing 1–3 original posts daily. This includes copywriting, video editing, scheduling, and community engagement. From artist spotlights to event promos, each post is crafted to spark interest, drive sign-ups, and reflect our bold, creative brand voice. Our Instagram has grown to 24.9K+ followers, with high engagement and strong conversion from post to action.
Social Media Sample 1: Call for Artists
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Format: Carousel Post
Platform: Instagram @publicdisplayagency (24.9K followers)
Purpose: Artist recruitment for PDA’s new immersive art format, TRACE
Crafted to generate excitement and drive applications, this multi-slide post introduced a new event style while reinforcing PDA’s support-first approach. Resulted in a strong wave of applications and high engagement within 48 hours.
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EMAIL MARKETING
I manage all email marketing for Public Display Agency, including artist calls, event promotions, and community updates to our national mailing list of 140,000+ subscribers. Each campaign is written, designed, and scheduled by me, with a focus on clear calls to action and high engagement.
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I'm proficient in Mailchimp and Kajabi, including automations, A/B split testing, and interpreting analytics to optimize performance and improve conversion rates over time.