Artist Mentors

Expressive Artist
Karen Bell
Art has always been my sanctuary, a place to reconnect and regroup. For 25 years, I’ve woven expressive arts into my teaching at Georgian College, inspiring students to explore creative possibilities. I've presented at conferences locally, nationally, and internationally, focusing on wellness. Through community installations in felting and beading, I've helped participants share their stories and voices collectively. Art makes my heart sing!

Multi-Media Abstract Artist
Nathan Stanton
Nathan Stanton is a multidisciplinary artist based in Washago, Ontario, whose work blends visual art, sound, and storytelling in experimental ways. Raised in a family of artists and musicians, Nathaniel was immersed in creativity from a young age, which has deeply influenced his approach to art. Inspired by the video games he played as a child, his style embraces messy, dense, and layered aesthetics, often combining minimalistic, low-poly 3D designs with immersive soundscapes that evoke narrative and emotion.

Abstract Artist
Deby Melillo
After retiring in Oct 2020 and relocating from Toronto to Orillia, I embarked on my art journey starting with doodles. Self-taught, I specialize in abstract paintings often with a floral touch. Exhibited and sold at Hibernation Arts, Peter Street Arts, and Orillia Opera House. Collaborating with my Art Best Friend, we've filled ERA67 restaurant with our art and organized shows like Orillia Art Walks and Starry Night!

Stitch & Fibre Artist
Molly Farquharson
I've been stitching all my life, influenced by generations of family. I've taught English in the US, Japan, Turkey, and Canada. These days I do what I call '”breaking the rules stitchery”, covering two squares on cloth with embroidery, crochet thread, or yarn. I enjoy experimenting with color. You can make pictures and draw on the cloth or do geometric designs. Stitching is portable —great for quiet focus or socializing. It's slow but rhythmic and calming.

Sketching Artist
MJ Pollak
MJ POLLAK practices painting, sketching and photography and has exhibited in various galleries in Orillia. MJ studied at Ontario College of Art, the Banff School of Fine Arts, and the Juilliard School, after which MJ was Faculty in the Theatre Department at The Banff School of Fine Arts. Following that MJ worked as a free-lance set and costume designer for most of her career.

Watercolour Artist
Judith Sophie
After I retired from a full time career as a Teacher, I wanted to pursue my interest in art. I have always enjoyed the subtle effects of water colour art. I took several sets of lessons from various water colour artists in Toronto and York Region. I became a teacher of this art-form at "55-PLUS" in Stouffville for a few years.

Multi-Medium Artist
Dominic Bingham​
The first thing you should know about me is that I am incredibly compassionate, patient, and adaptive. I make all kinds of art - I draw, paint, work with clay, make music, and I love to cook. I have been creating art for as long as I can remember and I still enjoy doing it and I never give up! I hope I can spark these qualities in yourself and your artwork!

Photography Artist
Mike Bailey
Mike Bailey is a self-taught photographer with over 20 years of experience who loves sharing his art and stories. Mike’s photographic style leans towards landscapes but he also enjoys working with nature and still life. His work has been shown and sold in local galleries, art shows, local art markets and pop up art venues.

Creative Writer
Dennis Rizzo
I'm an American who relocated to Orillia in 2010 and I've been writing for many years. I have had five non-fiction books published and one Novel. Three more are in the works. I want to assist with getting your thoughts down on paper (or computer) and learning to edit and present your pieces.

Calligraphy Artist
Ingrid Janssen
As an enthusiastic artist, who has been studying calligraphy and handwriting for over a decade, Ingrid blends tradition with her own personal flair. Whether deliberately spilling ink on the page, or delicately tracing flourishes, she believes art exists in both chaos and precision.

Multi-Medium Artist
Melissa Van Dam
Born and raised in Orillia, I've had a keen interest in art from my earliest memories. Being homeschooled by my Mom, also an artist, I had the opportunity from a young age to explore and experiment with many different mediums and styles including watercolours, acrylics, graphite, digital, graphic design, textiles and functional art. It also gave me the opportunity to learn and experiment with everything from sewing to jewelry making, crocheting, knitting and pattern making!

Landscape Artist
Carolyn Boyd
As I show up in front of a blank canvas, I am never really certain where it will take me. It is like starting a conversation with a stranger. My paintings jump to life with colour and movement or retreat to gentle tranquility as I depict the wondrous beauty found in nature. Occasionally, I incorporate wildlife into my paintings to further explore the narrative of the natural world.

Multi-Medium Artist
Peter Fyfe
Peter Fyfe is a Fine Arts graduate (Hons.) of York University Ontario (1982-1986) where he studied painting and sculpture. Through this time he produced work challenging the nostalgic image of the RCMP in Canadian lore, and creating assemblages which dealt with how land settlement was marketed to new immigrants. His most current work tackles materiality, environmentalism, and the art world itself through those lenses. Peter is known for his expressive use of bright colorful, hard-edged abstract paintings that push simple iconography to the limits of what can be recognized.

Stained Glass Artist
Jess Wisniewski
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what ignited my passion for glass. It certainly stems back as far as childhood. I have early memories of my grandmother's green glass collection. I loved sneaking away on my own, to the special living room. The kind with wallpaper, floral curtains and stiff couches that no one ever really sat on. I would perch myself over the side of a wingback chair and study the glimmering glass, in various shades of chartreuse and emerald.

Multi-Medium Artist
Gillian Lowry
Gillian Lowry is a multidisciplinary artist, working in illustration, printmaking, painting and writing. She studied Studio Art and Geography at The University of Guelph and graduated on the Deans List with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), receiving the Printmaking Award and the top prize in Sculpture at the 2006 Juried Art Show. Gillian’s writing and artwork have been published in North Simcoe Life, and Blank Spaces Magazine. Her work often draws on nature and the environment for inspiration.

Animal Artist
Kim Martin
I began painting full-time in 2009 and was honoured to be named as the Kempenfest Feature Artist, an achievement highlighted by Pie Magazine and the Barrie Examiner. My work has been showcased in numerous gallery shows, connecting with a broader audience and providing opportunities to share my love for art. In 2013, I earned the Master Pastelist Award and signature status (MPAC) from Pastel Artists Canada, a testament to my dedication to the medium.

Multi-Medium Artist
Hilary Slater
Hilary Slater paints landscapes of the Canadian wilderness, from Ontario to Labrador with a focus on four seasons of painting. She also works in large-scale abstract landscapes in mixed media. Recently Hilary's painting focus has been on Geomorphology, capturing the natural forces that sculpt the land, above and below the visible surface. Ontario shows evidence of Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic forces contributing to the shaping of our region.

Artist
Molli Holmes
I consider myself to be a patient, kind, compassionate, and optimistic individual. In my free time I like to dance and paint, sometimes at the same time! I graduated from Vancouver Island School of Art in 2013, then went on to study ECE at Georgian College in 2016, and now I get to combine the best of both educational backgrounds working at Heartworks Children’s Studio in Orillia!

Jewellery Artist
Jessica Martin
I studied fine art and design for seven years at the Helen and Arches Centre for Art, graduating in 2012 with concentrations in Interior Design, Jewelry & Metals, and Goldsmithing. Guided by a deep respect for nature and sustainable practices, her work explores the harmony between organic form and minimalist design. Through traditional techniques and a refined sense of simplicity, Jessica creates pieces that reflect both the beauty of imperfection and the timeless connection between material and maker.

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