JoAnn Purcell holds a PhD in Critical Disability Studies from York University where she combined her background as a visual artist and registered nurse and drew her dissertation in comics form alongside her daughter, born with a genetic difference. She is the current and founding Program Coordinator of Illustration at Seneca College and occasional contract faculty at York University. She was instrumental in the creation of the award winning Animation Arts Centre and coordinator in the early years. She held the interim position of Chair of the School of Creative Arts and Animation in 2019.  As Faculty she teaches drawing, painting, colour theory, art and illustration history and a seminar class in Comics and Social Justice. She has years of hands on experience as a visual artist, animator and visual effects artist and previously, psychiatric nursing. 

JoAnn was also one of the founding board members of TAAFI back in the day, and helped define it’s vision in those early years.   

In her spare time or whenever she needs to think, she runs the streets and paths of Toronto. She misses travel and the real company of friends. She believes comics will save the world.