Ashley Watson is an arts manager, educator and fundraiser. Perviously she was the Development Officer at the Royal Botanical Gardens and has worked in fund development and partnership cultivation roles at Lakeshore Arts. She was the inaugural Curator for Humber Galleries where she managed two gallery spaces and was responsible for starting a contemporary Canadian art collection. She has also been a sessional and guest lecturer in the Arts Management program at the University of Toronto, Humber College and the University of Guelph. Her professional experience is supported by her academic studies with a BA in Arts Management from the University of Toronto and an MFA from the University of Leicester in Art Museum and Gallery Studies, during which she was awarded the Community Leadership Prize. She also relishes her time spent in the garden and hiking with her pup Hector.
Hector is a sweet, fun loving pup, who is a favourite around the office here at LSA. At only two years of age, he is already taking on the world and strives to one day become a certified therapy dog. For now, though, he is happy spending his days cuddling up to all those having a ruff day.
Thom Stoneman is a certified teacher who has been involved in theatre education from a very young age. Thom is a graduate of Ryerson Theatre School: Acting Program (2008) and completed his teacher training at OISE at UofT (2015) as part of the Aboriginal Perspectives cohort. Thom strives to integrate social justice and equality training into all of his work in the arts. Thom has taught various theatre workshops to children at Shakespeare in the Ruff, The Second City Training Centre, Canadian Children’s Theatre Company, and a number of schools in and around Toronto. Thom’s passion lies in fostering safe spaces for students to explore comedy, improv, clowning, acting technique, text exploration, Shakespeare, and more, while encouraging students to connect on a personal level. Thom is very excited to be apart of the Lakeshore Arts community!
Jacqui is a registered social service worker and socially-engaged artist who maintains a collaborative, conceptual and context-specific practice. She holds a BAH in Continental Philosophy from Queen’s University and a Community Worker diploma from George Brown College. Activating this educational background, she uses the arts as a tool to critically examine social issues and catalyze civic engagement. She has worked with numerous community arts organizations including Artscape Youngplace and 918 Bathurst Centre for Culture, Arts, Media & Education. As co-director of an interdisciplinary collective focused on interactive and participatory works, she has produced projects for public art events including NXNE Art, BIG on Bloor, Art of the Danforth, Culture Days, 100in1Day Toronto and The Laneway Project. Jacqui loves public art, politics, books and sunshine. Drop by the Community Project Space to say hello!
Jennifer is a long time resident of Mimico and New Toronto, having lived in these neighbourhoods since 1966. She has seen many changes over the years and is now enjoying the positive changes that are taking place in these neighbourhoods. Jennifer has worked for Alterna Savings Credit Union for 10 years, currently as a personal banker. She is busy with her husband, 2 kids, and a dog and when able, she enjoys running and crossfit training.
