Written by Alessandra Cardarelli, School Programs Coordinator Liam Higgins, 2017 I am sitting down to write this blog post as our In Focus exhibition comes down…
Written by Susan Nagy, Executive Director Last summer I made my way across our great country to visit the west coast for the very first time. To say that I was…
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!
Alessandra is a certified teacher with a rich arts background. She completed her undergraduate degree at McMaster University in 2008 with a double major in Art History and Cultural Studies Critical Theory, before going on to complete a Master’s in Fine Art History at Queen’s University in 2010. Since then, Alessandra has made valuable contributions to Toronto’s arts and culture scene at Sotheby’s, Artscape Youngplace, Harbourfront Centre, and as a Visiting Artist in TDSB, TCDSB, and PDSB schools. With endless inspiration from her time spent working abroad as a tour guide in Europe, Alessandra started her own small business called Carte Blanche Creations, specializing in handmade one-of-a-kind Italian marble coasters which she continues to sell at local markets and pop-up shops throughout the GTA. In 2014, Alessandra completed her teacher training at OISE, where she was part of the Aboriginal Perspectives cohort and developed a passion for cross-curricular integration and important social justice issues. She is thrilled to bring her creativity and passion for the arts to Lakeshore Arts and the Mimico community. Her interests include travel, puzzles, soccer, making art, cooking and antiquing.
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.
Mark has been a teacher at Lakeshore Collegiate Institute since 2006 and serves as the liaison between LCI and Lakeshore Arts. Prior to this, Mark worked as a web and graphic designer for clients ranging from multinational corporations to local not for profits. He believes that the most important and impactful changes start at the community level. Mark and his family have been living in Longbranch since 2002 and he has been a member of the Board since 2012.
Adrienne is an arts educator and printmaker who has a passion for developing and facilitating programs that provide audiences of all ages and abilities with the capacity to connect to the arts in deep and meaningful ways. Adrienne is a graduate of the Master of Museum Studies program at the University of Toronto (2014) and holds a BFA in Printmaking from OCAD U (2008). She is a certified teacher under the Ontario College of Teachers having completed a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa (2011) as part of the Arts Cohort, which focused on creating lessons that incorporate the arts into all aspects of the curriculum. Before joining Lakeshore Arts, Adrienne held a two-year TD Curator of Education and Outreach Fellowship at The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, and has worked for Harbourfront Centre, Toronto International Film Festival and the Textile Museum of Canada. In her spare time Adrienne can be found gardening, riding her bike, traveling and taking in arts and culture events.
Coming soon!
Kim Dayman is a graduate of OCAD U with a BFA in Printmaking (2007) and has thrived in the arts community for the last 15 years. As an arts programmer and educator she has worked with organizations including The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, The Dovercourt Boys & Girls Club, The Living Arts Centre, OCAD U and Art Starts. Pursuing her artistic practice she is a part of the inPrint Collective and has participated in arts events including Nuit Blanche, Culture Days and the Cultural Hot Spot as well as curating to a host of gallery shows. While at Art Starts she was part of the team awarded both the TCF Vital Ideas award and the Arts for Youth Award from the TAF. As a local resident she looks forward to bringing her experience to her own backyard. When she’s not working you can find her digging in the garden, playing with her dog or planning her next vacation!
Ashley Watson is an arts administrator and arts educator with a proven commitment to improving the availability of the arts to diverse audiences. Ashley is a graduate of University of Toronto’s Arts Management BA program and has a MFA from the University of Leicester in Art Museum and Gallery Studies. Her academic knowledge is supported by over five years of professional experience working in the arts and cultural sector most recently as the Curator at Humber Galleries and as a sessional faculty in the Arts Management program at the University of Toronto. She also relishes her time spent in the garden, riding horses and rock picking.
A long time resident of the Lakeshore, Susan is a graphic designer by training, a graduate of Sheridan College and has worked in the culture sector since 1981. Her passion for the arts and community combined with a dynamic management style has been instrumental in the growth of the organization. Susan ensures that arts development is always on every agenda and that it is recognized as a catalyst to drive and foster the local economy. She is a senior member of the LASO’s (Local Art Service Organization) within the City and sits on the Mimico BIA’s executive. In 2004, she was bestowed with the LAMP Award of Merit in recognition for her contributions to the community and 2009, 10 and 11 received a Certificate of Recognition as a community partner at the local high school, Lakeshore Collegiate. Susan was also the recipient of the 2012 Queen’s Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
