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Board of Directors & Staff:
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Gilles Latour, President: Toronto, Ontario
Gilles Latour is the Chief Operating Office at the Canadian Education Association, a not for profit organization that initiates and sustains dialogue throughout the country influencing public policy issues in education. Gilles is a part time wood carver and is also a member of the Ontario Woodcarvers Association. He has contributed greatly towards the OCC in many capacities, including being Chair of the Board from 1997-98. Gilles currently sits on two OCC committees and chairs the Fundraising Committee. He is also the OCC’s representative to the Canadian Craft Federation.
Gord Thompson, Vice-President: Toronto, Ontario
Gord Thompson teaches at the Ontario College of Art and Design where he is also a techinician in the ceramics studio. He teaches in the Crafts and Design program at Sheridan College as well. Gord is currently persuing a PhD in the department of Communication and Culture at York University with a research interest in craft and cultural theory.
James A. (Jay) Richardson, Treasurer: Toronto, Ontario
Jay Richardson is a Canadian Chartered Accountant whose career has moved him around the world. Born and brought up in Toronto, schooled at Upper Canada College and the University of Toronto (Hons B.A. in economics, 1967), he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1970. He has been a Partner of Clarkson Gordon, Arthur Young (Vancouver and Singapore) and KPMG (London, UK). More recently, he has been one of the founders of First Metals Inc., a copper/zinc/gold/silver mine, and serves on the board of several other public copmanies including the Argus Corporation, Goldstone Resources Inc. and Waseco Resources Inc. His current charitable Board memberships are the Weir Foundation (RiverBrink Art Museum) and the McLaughlin Gallery having previously served on several others including Open Studio, Burnaby Art Gallery and the Art Gallery of Northumberland.
Susan Rothfels, Secretary: Toronto, Ontario
Susan Rothfels is a lawyer and an avid supporter of the local arts cummunity. A member of the board of the OCC since 2006, she currently acts as Secretary.
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DIRECTORS AT LARGE:
Mark Lewis, Past President: Kimberly, Ontario
Mark Lewis graduated from Sheridan College’s Glass Studio program in 1988 and was a resident at the Harbourfront Craft Studio from 1988-1991. He established and operated a hot glass studio in Toronto from 1995-2002. He now works from his farm/studio in Kimberly, near Collingwood. Mark sells his work to galleries across North America and his corporate clients include Xerox, The Second Cup, York University, the Drake Hotel, and the Government of Ontario. Mark is the Vice-President of the Canadian Craft Federation.
Andrea Graham: Kingston,Ontario
Andrea Graham is a feltmaker and educator residing in rural Ontario with her husband and three sons. She is the Chair of the Kingston Fibre Artists and the Canadian coordinator for the International Feltmakers Association. Andrea has studied feltmaking with numerous respected feltmakers and teaches and exhibits internationally. Her work is currently included in traveling exhibitions Fiberart International 2010, opening in Pittsburgh, and the Climate is Changing opening at the Textile Museum in Prato, Italy.
Cindy Dachuk: Oakville, Ontario
Cindy Dachuk is the President of the Titan Training Group. In her roles as executive coach, management trainer, speaker and writer, she has worked with clients in the pharmaceutical, communications, financial services, chemical manufacturing, agriculture, crop insurance, transportation, life insurance, engineering and automotive industries. Additionally, Cindy is a dynamic and energetic facilitator and coach who believes passionately in the ability of each individual to live a positive, fulfilling life. When not on the road training and coaching, Cindy divides her time between homes in Oakville and Haliburton, Ontario and with her new business venture www.titanbeads.com, an online bead store and artisan studio.
Gesta J. Abols: Toronto, Ontario
Gesta J. Abols has been a lawyer since 1973. He has a great personal interest in the arts, and is recognized for his substantial donations of art to many Canadian Museums. Other current, proposed and past board positions of Gesta include - University of Toronto Governing Council, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, Toronto Arts Productions, Royal Canadian Academy, Ontario Association of Public Art Galleries, Doris McCarthy Gallery and the Law Society Council. Gesta is also a past board member of the OCC.
Jackie Chan: Toronto, Ontario
Jackie Chan is a chartered accounant currently working at Harmonic Fund Services, a service provider for Hedge Funds. Prior to holding this position she worked at Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Jackie has been involved with the OCC in the past as an active participant on our finance committee. Jackie also serves on the Board of Directors and Endowment Committee of Big Brother Big Sister of Ontario. Jackie looks foward to joining the board, and to the oppotunity of assisting the OCC in their mandate to advocate and promote crafts in Ontario.
Jim Lorriman: Mulmur Hills, near Mansfield, Ontario
Jim Lorriman is a self-taught woodturner and an active supporter of the arts community. Jim founded the Headwaters Art Festival in the Hills, sat on the Board of the Headwaters Country Tourism Association, currently works with the Dufferin Arts Council and the South Simcoe Arts Council to produce an Arts & Culture Guide, and co-founded the Made of Wood Show. His own work was recently included in the Unity & Diversity exhibition which travelled to South Korea and Vancouver.
Monica Peel, Chair of Volunteer Committee: Markham, Ontario
Monica Peel is a graduate of the University of Guelph (B.H.Sc.). After retiring as an educator, she organized the first lecture series held in Markham for the Continuing Education Dept. of U of T. She was a member of the Markham Advisory Board of the Markham Museum for 10 years and is active with the CFUW Markham-Unionville. As a member of the OCCVC she has served not only on Spring Tour events, but helped arrange a partinership with the Lucy Maude Montgomery Society of Ontario that resulted in a tour beneficial to both organizations.
Sandra Dupret: Haliburton, Ontario
As the principal of the Haliburton Campus of Fleming College, Sandra is immersed in and responsible for one of the leading arts education institutions in Canada. With a history of more than 40 years, the Haliburton School of The Arts has established a reputation for excellence through innovative delivery formats and diverse programming. With a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts (Printmaking and Sculpture), she is an exhibiting artist, educator, curator and administrator. Prior to joining Fleming College, Sandra was responsible for nine academic programs delivered at two campus locations in her role as Chair of the School of Media, Art and Design at St. Clair College in Windsor. Sandra has taught in the areas of papermaking, sculpture, and lithography, as well as, providing mentorship for graduate students studying visual arts.
Sylvia Nan-Cheng: Toronto, Ontario
Sylvia Nan Cheng is a fourth year Material Art and Design student attending OCAD University. Besides being a practicing artist, she has participated on numerous councils and committees such as the Academic Council at OCAD University; Enrollment, Recruitment, and Retention Committee; Metal Arts Guild of Canada: Programming Committee; and Ontario Crafts Council: CraftTalks Committee.
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ONTARIO CRAFTS COUNCIL STAFF
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With over seventeen years at the Ontario Crafts Council, Emma Quin has developed valuable and healthy relationships with the cultural sector. She has an important grasp of the OCC's history as an organization, and understands issues and concerns faced by craftspeople. Emma's leadership and dedication to the organization have instituted major changes. Specifically, in terms of the OCC's overall financial health she is recognized for accurate budgeting practices in both creating and managing a $1.7 million operating budget. She has also initiated a revitalized engagement between the organization, makers, and the public. Emma has helped the OCC redefine its goals and business practice, as well as what it delivers and how it functions - effectively making the OCC a valuable cultural institution that gives back to the community.
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Janna's employment with the Ontario Crafts Council started in 2007 through grants with Service Canada and Young Canada Works. In 2009 she graduated from a curatorial degree at OCAD University, in addition to holding a BA in Philosophy from King’s University College (2001). Janna has recently taken up the newly developed position of Programs Manager to administrate the OCC Gallery, CraftTalks programming, as well as various Communications roles. She also brings superior writing skills to the organization that contribute to successful foundation and corporate grant applications.
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Valerie McLean, Membership and Advertising Coordinator
Valerie graduated from Sheridan College's Textile Studio program in 2002 and brings invaluable knowledge about current trends in the craft sector, has a strong connection to emerging craftspeople, and a passion for the organization. Valerie began working at The Guild Shop in 2004 to build and maintain her strong connection with other makers, while offering her past experience in retail. Since 2006 she has been the primary person responsible for membership, communicating the OCC's mission, vision, and guiding principles to key stakeholders. In addition, Valerie coordinates all aspects of advertising for OCC publications. As an initiative to enrich the advertising support of Studio magazine as it grew nationally, she completed an advertising workshop with Magazines Canada in 2008.
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Paul Wilson, Operations and Accounting Manager
Paul began with the OCC in 2005. Since that time he has worked at both The Guild Shop and the head office, where he currently provides excellent leadership in financial management, along with IT support. Paul is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Accounting Department, including the coordination of cheques to members who have sold their work either at The Guild Shop or Gallery; ensuring accuracy and completeness of accounting records; analyzing financial information; and providing short-term analysis of the OCC's current financial position.
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Mary Calarco, Southwestern Regional Coordinator
As the one of the newest additions to the OCC team, Mary brings with her a true passion for Canadian art, craft and design. Since graduating from OCAD’s Interdisciplinary Studies program in 1995, Mary has spent over a decade promoting the work of Canadian creators and connecting them with the public. She was instrumental in establishing the online brand for the One of a Kind Show, and spent eight years developing close relationships with artisans across Canada. Mary also has a keen interest in social media and is eager to connect with Ontario’s crafts community online as well as in person. Her position is made possible through grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Henry White Kinnear Foundation and the McLean Foundation.
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Sara Washbush, Eastern Regional Coordinator
Sara was hired in October 2008 as the first regional coordinator of the OCC. She acts as a connective link to makers, galleries, patrons, economic development officers and any one interested in the crafts community in eastern Ontario. Sara has a MFA in metalsmithing from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design U and a BFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has taught for multiple institutions of higher learning in Ontario and beyond and has a special interest in craft history and contemporary craft issues. As a maker, sole-proprietor, educator and newly come east-Ontarian, Sara brings with her a diverse knowledge of the complexities of Craft as well as a personal understanding of issues facing makers in both rural and urban environments.
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THE GUILD SHOP STAFF
Rob took up the helm at our retail location in March of 2008. He brings extensive retail knowledge to the OCC from both the profit and non-profit sectors. His prior position was as Manager of Retail and Admissions for the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh. Rob ensures for the successful performance of our renowned retail-marketing program including budgeting, exhibition line up, achieving sales and profit targets, customer service, staffing, merchandise content (buying, inventory management and visual presentation) and marketing. Develops plan for annual increase of monetary return to our members.
Blandina began working as our Inuit & Native Specialist in July 2005 and stepped into the Director's position in mid 2008. In this role she ensures for the successful performance of The Guild Shop's Inuit & Native Gallery, including reaching sales targets, customers service and merchandise assortment. Additionally she develops relationships with the aboriginal community and educates the public about aboriginal culture, plans exhibition content within the Gallery and develops marketing concepts to increase awareness. She provides a high level of customer service to gallery clients and builds long-term relationships with collectors.
Joining the OCC in mid 2006 as our inventory coordinator, Matt quickly excelled to managing all store related operational duties. Matt serves as the primary person responsible for the management of inventory information. Responsibilities include the receiving and the monitoring of stock levels to ensure that proper inventory levels are maintained to achieve short and long-range sales targets along with providing in-depth statistical analysis of retail trends and buying habits.
The Guild Shop has a roster of dedicated part-time employees that include: Caitlin Lawrence, Dora D'Angelo, Catherine Steele, Maurie Todd, Heather Konschuh, and Yusun Ha.
STUDIO MAGAZINE
Shauna's employment with the OCC began in October 2007. Shauna brings a wealth of experience to the OCC from her prior position as Project Manager with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and her nine years experience in the field of design, production, and communications. Shauna manages the production and dissemination of the OCC's periodical and annual publications; coordinates media relations; contributes and assists with implementing marketing strategies for programs and events, including exhibitions; manages the OCC's website; acts as an ambassador; and articulates the position of the Crafts Council.
Jenn started volunteering with the OCC in 2007 as a proofreader and copy-editor. She took on the position of Editor of Studio in Fall 2009, and now continues in the role of Managing Editor, handling various aspects of the magazine's production and administration. In addition, Jenn works at the University of Toronto in academic administration, holds an MA in Philosophy, and is an enthusiastic supporter of craft.
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