Saskia Wassing

Saskia Wassing is an artist trained in embroidery and weave at Glasgow School of Art, Scotland. She creates joyful textiles, inspired by her past experiences, observations and memories. Referencing her sketchbook drawings, Saskia works freely onto a textile ground. Embroidering by hand and by using a basic domestic sewing machine as her drawing tool, layering fabric and thread into colourful narratives. Saskia has exhibited her work extensively and been commissioned to design and produce custom furniture, textiles, embroidery and prototypes for individuals and industry. Saskia teaches to all ages and levels and is currently faculty in the textile department of Sheridan College. For More Information: @saskiawdesigns | saskiadesigns.com

Ken Murray

Instructor for:

• Write that Story

Ken Murray is a novelist, playwright, short story writer, and essayist. In 2015, Globe and Mail called Ken's novel, Eulogy, a "powerful, poignant debut." In 2017, Ken's adaptation of his short story The Exception was performed at the Roy Bonisteel Studio in the Old Church Theatre. His work has appeared in Prairie Fire, Globe and Mail, Mendacity Review, Brooklyn Rail, Ottawa Citizen, Canadian Business, and Maclean's. Since 2009, he has taught creative writing at the University of Toronto, School of Continuing Studies and has taught at Haliburton School of Art & Design since 2014. While earning his MFA at The New School in New York City, Ken also trained as a teaching artist with Community Word Project and taught with the organization Poets House. For More Information: kenmurray.ca

Wendy Ladurantaye

Wendy Ladurantaye has enjoyed an eclectic art journey. After graduating from Sheridan College in general fine arts, she studied the glass medium under Jim Schnick and Clark Guettel and joined the faculty of the Haliburton School of Art + Design over 30 years ago. Her commissioned glass has found homes worldwide, with her favourites being the church windows installed in St. George's Anglican Church, Haliburton, and St. Margaret's Anglican Church, Wilberforce, Ontario. Wendy developed strong solution-focused problemsolving skills, and enjoys supportive teaching techniques which build upon the learner's strengths. She has found inspiration in many of her successful students, as well as her mentor, Mary Intven Wallace, fellow author and paint media artist. Wendy believes strongly in the journey and the importance of making time to discover joy in the process of art-making in any media.

Todd Jeffrey Ellis

Instructor for:

• Drawing and Rendering
• Jewellery Forming I
• Jewellery Forming II
• Media Explorations II

Todd Jeffrey Ellis received an arts diploma from Niagara College in 1970 and completed his degree at OCADU, attaining his Bachelor of Design. He has worked extensively in various areas of the arts: teaching, directing, and set, prop, and furniture designing. His love of metalwork took hold when he discovered chasing, repousse, and the moving of metal in 1995. Since that time he has studied at OCAD U, George Brown College, the Haliburton School of Art + Design and through extensive studies with such renowned masters as Lois Etherington Betteridge, Brian Clarke, Charles Lewton Brain, and Don Stuart. In 2000 Jeffrey was awarded 'Best Holloware Award' in the Metal Arts Guild's 'Under Glass' Exhibition. In 2003 he participated in a group exhibition at Metalurge in Toronto, which showcased his expertise in the decorative form. He has taught at Niagara College, York University, Toronto Teacher's College, and the Haliburton School of Art + Design, and served on the executive of the Metal Arts Guild of Canada for seven years. In 2008 he was published in 500 Metal Vessels. In 2010 he had an exhibition with Susan Watson Ellis at the Ontario Craft Council Gallery, and Jeffrey and Susan created the window display for the Guild Show during the 2010 Film Festival. For More Information: silversmith.ca

Shannon Kennedy

Instructor for:

• Design - Jewellery
• Jewellery Casting I - Modelmaking
• Marketing/Portfolio Development

Shannon Kennedy has been exploring the cutting edge of design using digital manufacturing technologies like 3D printing for years, integrating the skills of the craft artist and the technologies of manufacturing. 3D modelling, rapid prototyping, and 3D printing advanced techniques have created a new way for her to realize her designs as a jeweller. She graduated in 1996 from the Ontario College of Art and Design and furthered her jewellery making skills by attending George Brown College's Jewellery Art Program. She is an award-winning designer, a Saul Bell finalist, and published PMC artist. In recognition of her PMC work, she was invited to give a PMC demonstration at the SNAG Conference in Toronto, 2013. Shannon is a passionate instructor at several colleges and galleries, as well as at her studio. She and her partner are currently running their own jewellery business, Cynosure Jewelry. For More Information: @cynosurej | cynosure-jewelry.com

Brenna MacCrimmon

Brenna MacCrimmon, based in Toronto, Canada, has been studying and performing the music of Turkey and the Balkans for decades and has looked for ways to blend and integrate it into different milieux. She has worked abroad with Selim Sesler and Karsilama (trad Turkish Roma), Muammer Ketencoglu (trad Balkan) and experimental rock group Baba Zula. She has also toured across Europe with Balkan beat DJ Shantel and the Bucovina Club Orkestra. She has recorded with the above musicians and has appeared as a guest on many diverse albums and film soundtracks in Canada, the US and Europe. She is a featured performer in Crossing the Bridge, Fatih Akin's 2005 documentary of the Istanbul music scene. In 2010, she found herself in Moscow as a member of the cast of Bobble with Bobby McFerrin. Her theatre work includes musical director of the award-winning Volcano production of Goodness. In 2019 she created and directed music for the Soulpepper production of Sina Gilani's recreation of Wedding at Aulis. She has delved into the roots of jazz and blues with late pianist Bill Westcott as the Ragtime Orioles - a connection forged by their mutual love of ukuleles. In addition to singing with Juno nominated vocal quartet Turkwaz, she plays with Greco Turkish ensemble Meltemi, travels widely to teach and perform. Recent collaborations include musical direction for MabelleArts Walk with Amal for Luminato 2023 and Amsterdam Klezmer Band's 2024 recording Bomba Pop with Dunklebunt. For More Information: greengoatmusic.ca

Victoria Wallace

Victoria Wallace is an artist-educator, born and raised in Toronto. For over 25 years she operated a successful mural and specialty paint finish company in Toronto which included work for film, television, commercials, schools, businesses and countless private residences. She has shown her paintings in galleries, art festivals and group and solo exhibitions across Ontario for over 4 decades. Her work is held in private collections across Canada, the US, and Europe. Victoria is an elected member of the Ontario Society of Artists, the Society of Canadian Artists, an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and a regular on the Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour. She is a Golden Artist Educator for Golden Artist Colors and an R&F Certified Encaustic Instructor with R&F Handmade Paints. In addition to the Haliburton School of Art and Design, Victoria has taught at Sir Sandford Fleming College (Peterborough), Lakefield College, Station Gallery (Whitby), the York Artists' Guild (Toronto), Humber College Assembly Hall (Toronto), the Art Gallery of Peterborough, the Art School of Peterborough, with GoBoomerang (online) and many other public and private arts and educational institutions. For More Information: victoria-wallace.com

Janine Marson

Janine Marson is a graduate of the Design Art Program at Georgian College and received a BFA from the University of Guelph. Her 30-year career has established a strong sense of direction, garnered several exhibitions and awards, and has provided the opportunity to influence hundreds of students with her calm, encouraging spirit. Janine loves to inspire others with art, teaching private art lessons in person and online via ZOOM. A trained, professional picture framer, she has provided her services with a keen eye for colour and design for over 25 years. Her commission work includes painting on a canoe for the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and painting a paddle for the Algonquin Outfitters Paddle Art Contest. She is one of the muralists for The Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery in Huntsville and has painted six murals to date. Janine received a Woman of Distinction Award for Arts, Culture & Creativity in 2018. For More Information: @janinemarsonartmuskoka | janinemarsonart.ca

DeAnn deGruijter

DeAnn deGruijter is an award-winning actor, theatre teacher, Arts & Education Consultant and Expressive Arts Facilitator. She holds an MFA in Theatre and Teaching and is a graduate of the Expressive Arts program at Haliburton School of Art + Design. DeAnn has performed at both Stratford and Shaw festivals, as well as on stages large and small across Canada and abroad. She worked in political satire at CBC radio comedy for many years, voiced Paw Patrol's Mayor Goodway for seven seasons, and has taught for the Canadian Opera Company, York University, Young People's Theatre, and various school boards throughout southern Ontario. She brings EXA to the Social Planning Council of Peel and multiple groups and organizations both in person and online. DeAnn is an advocate of Prescribing Arts in Healthcare. Her classes are infused with knowledge, experience, emotional intelligence, and her signature sense of humour.For More Information: @degroovy123 | degroovyarts.com

Susan Watson Ellis

Instructor for:

• Chain Making for Jewellery Arts
• Jewellery Fabrication I
• Jewellery Stone Setting

Susan Watson Ellis followed graduation from the University of Toronto with an apprenticeship to a German Goldsmith. In 1981, she opened Paradigm Designs, creating handcrafted jewellery that sold across Canada. Her work won recognition in 2000 as part of the Craft Ontario's "Looking Forward" exhibition, which was curated by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England and represented contemporary Canadian craft. She was also chosen to be part of their "Craft in the Making II" exhibition in 2003, their juried exhibition "Ontario Craft '07", and to be one of eight jewellers chosen to be part of their "8 X 10 Jewellery" exhibition series in 2012. Her work is part of the permanent contemporary Canadian silver collection at the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre in Guelph, Ontario and is available from her studio in Haliburton, at the Toronto One of a Kind Shows, the Craft Ontario Shop, and online. For More Information: @paradigmjewellery | paradigmjewellery.com

Melanie Matthews

Melanie Matthews followed her painting and drawing studies at Dawson College with the achievement of a BFA with distinction in Studio Art from Concordia University. She shares her time between her prolific personal art practice and an ever-expanding teaching schedule. Melanie is Golden Artist Colors Working Artist for Ontario and has been the Working Artist for Quebec since 2002. She is invited to lecture, offer workshops, and teach classes for many venues and art organizations, including the Visual Arts Centre, Dawson College, Concordia University, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and the Canadian Society of Artists. She instructs on a broad spectrum of topics, including methods and materials of acrylic painting, acrylic encaustic techniques, monoprinting, bigger is better (large scale image-making), painting on Plexi, essential acrylics, mixed media, digital mixed media, contemporary water media, creative colour mixing, image transfer, and more. For More Information: melaniematthews.ca