"Over the last four years as a teacher in the Multimedia Communications program at Blackstone Valley Tech, I have come to know Jacques Leclaire as a respectful, ingenious, and inquisitive divergent thinker. Jacques’s work in the Multimedia Communications shop is well executed, on time and artistically designed. Jacques plans to work in the creative industry and further his education in illustration.
He is a very responsible and talented young man and would be a very successful professional in this field.
Jacques has an incredible passion and talent for illustration. You can see it in his work. However, Jacques has the ability to challenge sensibilities in ways that are inventive and ingenious as well. He is always willing to learn from others, but he then uses that knowledge to achieve his unique vision. He has begun to study Tattooing as an art form and currently plans to pursue that as a career supported by his talent as an illustrator. Jacques has been involved in Art Club, performed as a musician in a horror punk band, volunteered for PETA, held steady jobs at Party City and Staples, and has an outstanding GPA. He has also impressed me by the way he treats others. He is always a good team member; respectful, passionate, and compassionate. I am certain he would be an asset to any organization that needs a skilled and dedicated creative professional. I have no doubt Jacques will be successful, whatever his path."
~James Millette, Jr. Vocational Multimedia Instructor
"Since the day I met Jacques LeClaire, I knew he would become one of my most promising art students. I have had
the pleasure of instructing him in every art course available since his freshmen year. Jacques has been the most resourceful
and helpful asset in Art Club as well. He is ready and well prepared to make the move to art school.
I have no doubt in his ability, maturity or readiness to take this next step.
Because Jacques comes from a vocational high school, he understands the rigor of a studio atmosphere.
Multimedia Communications is a shop that teaches students how to communicate, problem solve and work independently.
Paired with his visual arts/studio thinking experience from my classes, I believe he’s ready and eager for the challenge of college.
Jacques is a natural born leader because he is always helpful and encouraging when interacting with his fellow
classmates, offering sound advice and encouragement. I’ve seen Jacques succeed in inspiring his classmates more
than once. Last year, for instance, during a wearable sculpture assignment he executed his vision with passion,
enthusiasm, and skill. Many students struggled with this challenging project, and Jacques helped them think of
exciting ideas.
If you look closely at Jacques work you can see an expressive and raw approach. He becomes incredibly focused
when articulating any form and intuitively allows for boldness in his line work. He adores anything gothic and
macabre, yet his ideas are incredibly whimsical, and his style unique. He’s interested in applying Illustration to a
tattoo career, but he has such an innate drawing ability that I can see him in a number of other areas. I’m always
impressed by the consistency of his character design and the personalities they seem to possess. He works hard but
doesn’t berate himself, and he always remains humble. In addition, he takes criticism very well and gives
some of the most thoughtful and effective advice during critiques.
Though I am sad to see this amazing student leave my classroom, I know that he will go on to do incredible things
with his talent and his life. By admitting Jacques to your program, you’ll be investing in one of the most impressive
young gentlemen, I’ve had the pleasure of instructing. He will not disappoint.
I know he will work hard and succeed at any obstacle because I’ve seen him do it."
~Ashley MacLure. Visual Art Instructor/ Art Club Advisor
"I'm sorry if this analogy sounds rough or offensive, I mean it for the best (I really do):
I find your art like a car crash. It is so obscenely strange that you would want to look away;
you should want to look away. But you can't look away, the intricacy in your execution of the abstract
concepts (no matter how absurd) makes you never want to tear your eyes from it."
~Neve Johnson. Former Classmate
"My name is Caitlyn Woodward-Samson and I have known the Jacques Leclaire for over a year. He has
worked for me as a print and marketing sales associate at Staples, where I am the General Manager. In
my position, which I have held for 4 years, I supervise a staff of 30 employees.
In all my years of experience, some people stand out for their great qualities and Jacques is one of
those people. He is well known for his intelligence, work ethic, positive attitude, teamwork mentality,
leadership, diligence, and is always a pleasure to work with. He is well respected throughout Staples and
is our "go-to" person for getting things done. Throughout the time I've known him, he has shown me
time and again that he is a positive, motivated leader with amazing potential.
During his time here, he played an important role in our customer service department. In fact, he was
so effective in his abilities that he is our associate of the year.
In summation, due to his great attitude, dedication and excellent potential, I would heartily
recommend that you accept Jacques for the entry into your establishment. I am sure that he would not
let you down and would be as great an asset to your team as he has been to mine."
~Caitlyn Woodward-Samson. Past Employer